Big Lots to offer 50% off toys (and more), one-day deals on Thanksgiving Day

Welp here ya go Black Friday Shoppers ...start on Turkey Day @ Big Lots!

Big Lots, Inc. one of America's largest home discount retailers, has expanded its selection of the hottest toys for the holidays, including big brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and more, and is offering 50% off toys, select recliners for $239 and buy-one-get-one free on all apparel in stores and online on Thanksgiving Day. The bargains continue all weekend long with three-day deals beginning Black Friday, including 50% off all air fryers, select sofas for $299 and 50% off select holiday decor. All Big Lots locations nationwide* will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday.

"We know some families' budgets might be a little tighter this holiday, but that doesn't mean they'll have to compromise, not at Big Lots. We challenged ourselves to find the hottest décor and gifts and the biggest bargains, including one of the largest discounts on toys offered anywhere, to help customers live big with their families this holiday," said Nick Padovano, Executive Vice President, Chief Stores Officer, at Big Lots. "We're also bringing back convenient shopping hours this year for our customers, some who we know work over the holiday weekend and may appreciate extended opportunities to jump start their shopping."

The expanded toy offering represents one of Big Lots' largest ever selections of top toy brands. Popular toys such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Jurassic World, Vtech, Hasbro and more are available now in stores and online. The LOT — a themed space at the front of Big Lots stores offering unique, quickly rotating merchandise — will highlight special holiday items, such as family sleep apparel, Christmas party sweaters, advent calendars, family games and more.

The BIG Black Friday Sale begins early, starting Nov. 19-27, 2022, featuring offers such as:

• 30% off all Christmas trees, tree décor and outdoor décor
• 20% off blankets and throws, including electric and Broyhill throws and blankets
• Save up-to $360 off Sealy and Serta full, queen & king mattress sets
• Save up-to $300 off select Broyhill sectionals

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022, Big Lots will offer one-day deals, such as:

• 50% off all toys, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and more
• Select recliners for $239
• Buy one get one free on all apparel

Special three-day deals begin on Black Friday, from Nov. 25-27, 2022, including:

• 50% off all air fryers, Black & Decker microwave ovens and appliances
• Buy one get one 50% off all sleepwear and slippers
• Save up to $200 off Coolsense Gel Memory Foam mattress-in-a-box
• Select sofas for $299
• 50% off the 7-foot Portland LED Christmas tree
• Real Living bath towels for $2.99
• All $7.99 candles on sale for $4.99

Additional holiday offers will be revealed throughout November at biglots.com/weekly-ad. Customers who would like to be among the first to know about special offers, including the full list of Black Friday deals, can sign up for free to be a BIG Rewards member and receive the latest bargains in their email inboxes at biglots.com/rewards. Ranked by Newsweek as among America's Best Loyalty Programs of 2022, Big Rewards members receive a reward for every three trips, free item weekends, a birthday surprise, exclusive member coupons, and many other offers throughout the year.

Big Lots recently launched an online Gift Shop at biglots.com/gifts, where customers can browse holiday gift options for every person on customers' shopping lists at every price point. Big Lots also now features special collections for holiday entertaining, Christmas-themed sweaters and apparel, unique gifts for family or office gift exchanges and more. The holiday decorators in every family can also take advantage of the discount retailer's online Christmas Shop at biglots.com/christmas, featuring indoor and outdoor décor items, such as trees, lights, yard displays and more.

All Big Lots locations nationwide* will offer extended hours through the Black Friday weekend, including 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26 and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. Customers can shop online at biglots.com anytime and utilize in-store and curbside pickup as well as same-day delivery options.

Big Lots offers a unique shopping experience — part treasure hunt, part bargain hunt and part everyday necessities. Shoppers will discover a variety of surprising finds and amazing deals on everything for the home, including Big Lots exclusive brands such as Broyhill furniture and home décor items, plus a variety of products from national brands and an assortment of private labels all under one roof.

*Holiday hours exclude blue law states.

ANGRY ORCHARD HARD CIDER PARTNERS WITH FOUR & TWENTY BLACKBIRDS TO RELEASE LIMITED-EDITION BOOZY BAKED APPLE PIES FOR THANKSGIVING

First off, I've never heard of Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pies. Secondly, $44 for a pie (free shipping) means if I do it , it will be a seasonal thing.

That said:

WALDEN, N.Y., Nov. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of Thanksgiving this year, Angry Orchard, the nation's leading cider maker¹, is partnering with Brooklyn-based pie shop Four & Twenty Blackbirds to launch limited-edition Boozy Baked Apple Pies made with Angry Orchard's most recent cider innovation: Natural Baked Apple Pie Style Hard Cider. The new cider, which launched this fall in the brand's Fall Haul Variety Pack, will be incorporated directly into each pie for an extra kick.

Featuring a sweet blend of juicy apples paired with nutmeg, notes of creamy vanilla ice cream and topped off with buttery, baked flavors, Angry Orchard's Natural Baked Apple Pie Style Hard Cider tastes just like a classic baked apple pie in a can. To bring those flavors from the can to the dessert plate, the bakers at Four & Twenty Blackbirds created a classic, lightly spiced baked apple pie using two apple varieties – Empire and Jonnamac – grown right on the Angry Orchard in New York's Hudson Valley. Each pie features a silky-smooth caramel sauce that's infused with the bright apple flavor of Angry Orchard's Hard Cider and, for the perfect finishing touch, a toasty, buttery oat crumble on top.

"Cider is the perfect addition to any holiday table, whether paired with the meal or used as an ingredient," said Joe Gaynor, Cider Maker for Angry Orchard. "The love for apples doesn't stop at Cidermaking at our Orchard and we know a good apple pie when we find one. Bringing our seasonal favorite Natural Baked Apple Pie Style Cider with apples grown here on the Orchard to the expert bakers at Four & Twenty Blackbirds, we made a Boozy Baked Apple Pie that's sure to leave a lasting impression for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or any celebration in between."

The Boozy Baked Apple Pies will be available for nationwide delivery via the Four & Twenty Blackbirds website beginning November 2 ($44 with free shipping).

Miller Lite Taps into the Holiday Spirit with New Gift Collection and Christmas Tree Keg Stands for Beer Lovers

Every holiday season, there are always some festive gifts I look forward to, and one of the most anticipated holiday collections this year comes from Miller Brewing.

Miller Lite is once again providing fans with an assortment of unique beer-themed gifts. They're bringing back a few favorites, and they're also introducing a new product that promises to be a must-have gift for beer lovers.

This new item is the Christmas Tree Keg Stand. Described as "the ultimate way to enjoy the original great-tasting light pilsner beer," the Christmas Tree Keg Stand is a fully-functioning tree stand designed to fit around a quarter barrel keg of Miller Lite

If you're in the market for a gift that's a bit simpler, Miller Lite is also bringing back its holiday sweaters and one of-a-kind ornaments known as Beernaments. The Beernaments fit snugly around 12 oz. Miller Lite cans and can be hung on Christmas trees using the tab and a hook once your can is empty.

"This season there's truly no better gift to leave under a beer lover's tree than the tree stand itself!" said Sofia Colucci, Global VP of Miller family of brands, in a statement. "Last year, we decorated the tree with Beernaments and this year, we're literally putting the gift of Miller Time right under the tree with the Christmas Tree Keg Stand."

The Christmas Tree Keg Stand, holiday sweaters, Beernaments, and other gifts can be purchased online beginning November 10 at treekegstand.com. 

Press Release HERE

New PetSmart Data Reveals Over Half of Pet Parents Spend More Time Shopping for Pets than for Some Family Members

Good Grief 

"According to a new survey by PetSmart, pets are a crucial consideration for pet parents when planning for the holidays, with 87 percent of respondents intending to carve out special time to bond with their pets and 82 percent saying it doesn't feel like the holiday season without their pets by their side.

When it comes to gift-giving, nearly all pet parents (83 percent) are very likely to buy a gift for their pet, and more than half (54 percent) say they would spend more time shopping for their pets than for some family members. And keep an eye out for new companions under the tree, as 5 percent of pet parents plan to gift a new pet to someone else or add one to their household." 

To that end, Petsmart has released their 2022 Holiday Gift Guide"

Santa's Pet Picks
The most festive gifts for pets are at PetSmart this season, with top picks across a wide range of categories, including:

• Toys: Gift a toy that gives back with puppy and guinea pig plush toys by Chance & Friends. For each Chance & Friends purchase, $1 is donated to PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America. And keep your small pets up on the latest holiday hosting cuisine trends with a charcuterie board chew.
• Treats: The holiday countdown is on with Advent calendars made for small pets or a gingerbread house kit that's perfect for dogs, available later this month.
• Festive Decor: New releases from PetSmart can set the holiday mood in your small pet's habitat, including an Advent calendar cling for aquariums, a fireplace bubbler aquarium ornament and a hideaway hot cocoa mug.
• Apparel: Make sure your favorite pets are dressed for the occasion with holiday lights and reindeer headbands, festive pajamas for dogs and small pets alike and Santa costumes for pets of all sizes.
• Stocking Stuffers Under $10: Top stocking stuffers from PetSmart include a reversible plaid bandana and a "Naughty or Nice" beanie for small pets.

Ralphie Returns

We knew this was coming and aren't we wondering why it has taken so long to come to fruition.  With the cult like tradition status the original film has become, who isn't going to tune into  "A Christmas Story Christmas," the long-awaited follow-up to annual holiday favorite, "A Christmas Story." ??  This time, Ralphie is all grown up and must deal with Christmas and all that comes with it... as a dad. Peter Billingsley returns to the role that has made kids of all ages anticipate Christmas morning like no other. Streaming on none other than HBO Max on November 17, 2022

Costco Christmas List

A mega jigsaw puzzle with 60,000 pieces is for sale at Costco. At 8 feet long and 29 feet wide, the wholesale giant says it’s the largest jigsaw puzzle in the world.

The puzzle, called What a Wonderful World, is actually 60 1,000 piece puzzles featuring the art of 187 paintings by artist Dowdle, Costco says on its website.

"This supersized puzzle can be done in sections and then locked together into one big, beautiful puzzle," the description reads.

Although Costco claims that the gargantuan $600 puzzle is "the world's largest," that's not 100 percent accurate.

According to Guinness World Records, that title belongs to the United Arab Emirates, which created a 65,905.17-square-foot puzzle in 2018, celebrating the country's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Costco's puzzle can't claim the title of "most pieces in a jigsaw puzzle" either, which students from the University of Ho Chi Minh City earned in 2011. Their puzzle, which depicted a lotus flower, included 551,232 pieces and measured about 76 feet long and 48 feet wide.

What makes Costco's puzzle unique is that it is the world's largest commercially available puzzle, a point that @karenpuzzles makes in a TikTok. The puzzle expert explains that Dowdle's 60,000-piece puzzle dethroned Grafika's 54,000 "Travel Around Art" piece, the previous record-holder.

I'm in !!!