Thursday, November 12, 2009 — The chill in the air reminds us that winter is near...which means the holidays are near, too! With the season of merriment fast approaching, why not earn some Millsbucks for holiday gifts for friends and family? That's right—if your friends and family are also citizens of Millsberry, you can surprise them with gifts purchased in any of the downtown stores, and send it right from the Post Office!

And how does one go about earning more Millsbucks? By playing games at the Arcade! The games are free and, with Buzzing for Water—the hot new game now available—you'll gain new skills by diving into its wet new world. Plus, just playing the game can win you fitness points...in addition to those Millsbucks...points that will also improve your play on other games! So head to the Arcade, where the selection is wide. And, if it's chilly outside, treat yourself to a new fall coat at the Clothing Store!

You can also send friends a holiday gift from the stash of things you already own. Simply go to the Post Office, and choose something from your My Stuff section to send.

Tania, Millsberry's Hair Salon owner, told the Gazette, "Last year my mother had been complaining about how tired she was of all the plain walls in her home. So boy was she surprised when she opened her mailbox and found Plutonian wallpaper! She loved it so much, she hung it in every room of the house so she could feel like she's in outer space!"

Who would have thought to send wallpaper through the mail? Not a bad gift. Or how about sending your friend a cup of tea for the cold nights ahead? Or, if you're feeling really generous, you can give them one of the "golden hive" prizes you won in the Honey Nut Cheerios® Greenhouse.

Finally, how about digging for treasure to boost your holiday gift supply? If you like the way that adventure sounds, just take a trip to the Colhurst Tunnels, a town gem that never fails to intrigue. There, you can use your shovel to go on an archaeological dig near the grounds of explorer Cecil George Colhurst's old home! With antique paintings and other ancient relics to be found, there's no telling what you'll find! It's loads of fun, but before you go, you must make sure you've been maintaining a healthy diet. (That digging is a lot of work!) So check your Health Stats, or head to the Grocery Store for a healthy meal. Even though it's a season of giving, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, you'll need to take good care of yourself first!