Not deals necessarily, but free and cool!

I have a couple of notes for you. These aren't deals per se, but I had to share them. At any rate, both are free, so I guess that makes them a good deal.

The first is a website called Elfster.com. Are you doing a Secret Santa exchange with your family? You can use Elfster.com to set the whole thing up. You can specify if certain people shouldn't get other certain people. Everyone can input a wish list with URLs is desired. You can even ask anonymous questions to whoever you are gifting if you need more help. It's everything you need for Secret Santa's!

The other is Main Street Bethlehem. Most of you have probably heard of this and the Vista Ridge youth are taking a trip. But if you've never been, you need to go. Out in Burnet (about 45-60 minutes drive), a church puts on a replica of what Bethlehem would have looked like. They do this the first two weekends in December (Saturday and Sunday only). We went last year and it was amazing. They had real camels and donkeys. They also have a delicious bread for you to sample. The lines are long, so get there early. It's completely free, but they do take donations.

You can take the Hill Country Flyer (Cedar Park scenice train) to Bethlehem, but that is pricey at $30 a ticket.