See's Candies returning to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda for the holidays

Black Friday is practically around the corner at this point, and here's another sign. See's Candies is preparing to open its seasonal store again at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. See's just turned 100 last year, and some of their candies still use Mary See's original recipes from 1921. Look for See's this holiday shopping season on Level 1, next to Journeys.

Toys R Us to return at Macy's in Bethesda, Gaithersburg & Wheaton for holiday shopping season

Toys R Us will attempt to make a nationwide comeback this holiday season, the brand announced yesterday. The toy store will be largely found at malls across the country, but not in its own space. Instead, there will be Toys R Us stores inside of every Macy's department store, including those here in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, and at Westfield Wheaton Plaza mall. The first pop-up stores are expected to open by the end of this month, with the rest making their debuts by mid-October. 

Toys R Us photo of new concept
store inside Macy's nationwide

Toys R Us closed in Rockville in 2014. It briefly operated a downsized Toys R Us Express store at Montgomery Mall ten years ago. The last Toys R Us in Montgomery County closed in 2018, in Gaithersburg. This new Toys R Us won't offer the experience kids enjoyed in the past: a cavernous warehouse space with nearly-endless aisles of toys, bikes, ride-on vehicles and video games, with a car trip around back to the loading dock area for special pickup of a big item.

Black Friday at Westfield Montgomery Mall 2021

Westfield Montgomery Mall will be closed today, Thanksgiving Day 2021. The mall will open for Black Friday tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM, and close at 10:00 PM. Stores that have their own outside access may have different hours, so call ahead. Have a hearty Thanksgiving dinner tonight, to fortify yourself for shopping Friday.

Black Friday deals will include 20% off regularly-priced items at Windsor, 60-70% off women's coats at Macy's, 30% off entire purchase at Soma Intimates, 25% off everything at White House | Black Market, 40-50% off everything at Express, 50% off everything at Fabletics, 40% off everything at Gap, 40% off your purchase at Banana Republic, and 30% off your purchase at Pandora.

Santa Claus will be in the house from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Black Friday. Make your reservations for photos with Santa online, and to learn more details about pet photos, and the Sensitive Santa's special appearances for those with sensory concerns or who need extra time for photos on December 5 and 12, from 9:30-10:30 AM both days.

Give yourself a boost while shopping with the limited-edition holiday treats at Auntie Anne's on Level 2. Snowball Nuggets are pretzel nuggets tossed in powdered sugar. The Peppermint Chocolate Frost is an iced beverage topped with whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles. A must-try!

Holidays lighting up at Pike & Rose in Rockville

Holiday lights and decorations are popping up around Pike & Rose in Rockville. The most prominent so far is the giant Christmas tree in Rose Park. A menorah is on display, as well.

Rockville Town Square ice skating rink returning for 2020

The winter season ice skating rink is coming back for 2020 at Rockville Town Square. It is under construction now. This is an interesting development, as not everywhere in the country will it be possible to use an outdoor rink this winter. Operators of similar rinks in places like San Francisco have chosen not to set up due to the pandemic this year. 

"Operators of all the seasonal ice skating rinks that typically kick off in time for Thanksgiving have announced that they will not be opening this year," ABC7 News in San Francisco reports. "None of the usual outdoor ice skating rinks in the Bay Area are opening this year. That includes the rinks at Embarcadero and Union Square in San Francisco, the rink in downtown San Jose, or the rinks in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Napa, Marin and Walnut Creek."

Christmas at Rockville Town Square (Video+Photos)

Here are a few scenes from the holiday season at Rockville Town Square. A world champion Zamboni driver just happened to be on the skating rink at this moment, putting on a master class in Zamboni driving.

More Christmas decorations installed at Westfield Montgomery Mall! (Photos)

Westfield wasn't finished decorating for the holidays at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. They've added a bunch of new trees, candy canes, Christmas mints, ornaments and assorted other trimmings around the mall. And I caught Santa Claus on his throne this time, getting ready to take photos with mall patrons. Can the start of Black Friday, which falls on Thanksgiving these days, really only be ten days away? You better believe it! Christmas shopping excitement is in the air.

Luxury Beauty & Nails coming to Montgomery Mall, Sheepskin & Alpaca Too opens

There will soon be a new salon option at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Luxury Beauty & Nails will open for the holidays next to Candy World on Level 2, in the Dining Terrace area. Speaking of the holidays, this is always the most wonderful time of the year at the mall, as they gear up for Black Friday and Christmas. Expect to see seasonal stores and pop-up kiosks open again.

First to return is perennial retailer Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too. Warm and comfortable winter clothing from Peru is their specialty. Find them this year next to the Apple Store and Madewell on Level 2. Just look for this guy:

Dr. Bear making house calls at Congressional Plaza this holiday season

The doctor is in at Congressional Plaza in Rockville. Dr. Bear has appeared at the shopping center for the holiday season. When you make a donation to Children's Hospital, Dr. Bear lights up, filling passersby with holiday cheer. Text LIGHT25 to 50555 (see photo below to double-check) to donate $10 to Children's Hospital, and light up Dr. Bear.

Rockville Town Square Christmas decorations (Photos)

The Christmas tree was lit last Friday at Rockville Town Square. Here are some photos of that, and other holiday lights around the development.

Rockville Town Square tree lighting this Friday night

The annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockville Town Square is scheduled for this Friday evening, November 16, 2018, from 6:00-9:00 PM. Join Santa Claus for live music and entertainment, ice skating, merchant specials, and a special performance by students from Dawn Crafton Dance Connection.

CHRISTMAS DECORATION DONATIONS NEEDED AT FISHER HOUSE IN BETHESDA

The Fisher House Foundation operates a network of homes nationwide where military spouses and families can stay free of charge, while family members are being treated at medical facilities. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda has 5 Fisher House homes.

Two of the smallest homes still need to be decorated for the holidays, and that's where you can help.

Donations of Christmas decorations are greatly needed to accomplish this task, and bring the holiday spirit to families staying there this month. Help families far from home who are enduring an often-stressful situation in Bethesda have some semblance of a normal Christmas, by giving extra decorations you have, or purchasing some to donate.

Items that would be most helpful include tree ornaments/tinsel/holly berries (they already have the trees to put them on), small wreaths so they can put one on every door (8) in each house, reindeer, stockings for the fireplaces, and Santa hats and scarves.

If you have items to contribute, please email Megan Jones A.S.A.P. They are hoping to have all of the supplies by December 15. 

Share this article on Twitter and Facebook if you can, to help spread the word. For more information about the Fisher House Foundation, visit their website.

KEEBLER JINGLES CHRISTMAS COOKIES REVIEW (VIDEO)

The 12 Days of Christmas continue on the Robert Dyer Channel with this new Christmas cookie review.

A new video every day through January 6!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS (VIDEO)

The Christmas Countdown may be over, but the 12 Days of Christmas are officially underway!

Come back each day for a new video, starting with a Christmas dinner today.

Rockville Christmas Countdown videos!

Enjoy a playlist of holiday programming - a new video each day through January 6!