The fact that I’m all about the shop (that’s a verb) is no surprise to anyone. And while I love the convenience of kicking it back with no-hassle online shopping 360 days a year, there are those 5 or 6 days when I actually enjoy getting out and into the spirit of live shopping in real life. You know. Touching and scanning and perusing.
Okay. Fine. I’ll admit it. I go to Barnes & Noble way more than 5 or 6 days a year. My local B&N? They know me.
And this time of year, they call my name. Like, I’m sitting in my dining room (a literal 2 1/4 mile bird’s fly away from B&N), and I can practically hear them. “Julie… come see. Books. Blankets. Toys. Coffee. Cheesecake…” There’s something about walking into a Barnes & Noble that just makes me feel warm. Like this is my place. I know you’re nodding your head, agreeing with me. It’s a universal feel on purpose.
This weekend, Barnes & Noble is kicking off the holidays with a nationwide B & N Discovery Weekend — they’re hosting activities for your family scheduled all weekend long (check out listings for a store near you), including a LINKEE trivia tournament, book art folding with ArtFolds™ (which I would love to try), a Mo Willems storytelling and drawing activity, puppet making and holiday sing-along and more. Some lucky stores are even hosting celebrity book signings!
Of course, you’re not just discovering things to do at Barnes & Noble. When you’re there, bring an empty stomach to test out their new S’mores cookies (which I hear are amazing!) or treat yourself to (my favorite) cheesecakes. And bring your gift-list with you — you can seriously get something for everyone on your list at B&N — from cuddling blankets to Nook tablets to puzzles, games, movies, and Vinyl records (yes, they’re making a comeback), Barnes & Noble is really stepping above other stores in quality gifting.
BN Gift Guides and Gift Help with #BNGiftTip
With so much variety, you can make your holidays a one-stop shop this season. Barnes & Noble has a gift guide to trump all gift guides — with every category you can imagine. Still, stuck for a gift? Send a tweet with the hashtag #BNGiftTip describing your giftee, and a pro-shopper will get back to you with the perfect gift fit. (Can I just tell you how much I would LOVE to be a #BNGiftTip tweeter? Personal gift matching all day long?! How fun is that!?)
BN Goes even more social with giveaways & contests
Barnes & Noble is diving into the social media space with a fun contest — an ugly sweater contest! Take a picture of you in your favorite, ugliest sweater at Barnes & Noble and share it and hashtag it with #BNSweaterContest. You could win one of many best gifts of the season. (Details on the BN Discovery page.)
But it gets even better! Because one Barnes & Noble customer rock star who visits the NOOK counter over the weekend will win a $1000 shopping spree with Nick Jonas at Barnes & Noble New York City. Is your inner 12-year-old screaming? See all the details here, or just rush to the NOOK counter at your local B&N.
Just by walking through and touring Barnes & Noble last night, visiting their many gift-themed tables, I was able to nearly complete check everyone off my gift list. I don’t think I’ve ever been this relaxed about the holidays before Thanksgiving. (Remind me of that on Thursday when I’m cooking my turkey, okay?)
Will I “see” you at Barnes & Noble this weekend?
This post is sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Global Influence. I was a sponsored hostess of the event last night that introduced Philadelphia-area online influencers to the B&N Discovery Weekend events, as well as a holiday at B&N.
