Here's a great article from Nancy Luna, Staff Writer at the OC Register
_ _ _

Retail deals aren’t the only discounts to be found in malls this Friday, the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. I’ve stumbled over some interesting holiday specials and food bargains at restaurants.

One trend: bonus gift cards. Many eateries are rewarding shoppers with added value gift cards when buying gift cards at a certain value. (see examples below).

Gift card sales, by the way, are expected to fall nearly 6 percent this holiday season to $24.9 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. Maybe that’s why restaurants are trying to entice shoppers with bonus cards loaded with money.

Make sure to bookmark this post, as I will update this site throughout the shopping season when I learn of new deals.

Bluewater Grill in Tustin: The seafood restaurant is offering a three-course holiday meal for $19.99.

California Pizza Kitchen: At Fashion Island only — get a free kids meal when you bring in a picture of your child with the mall’s Santa Claus. Good Nov. 21 through Dec. 24. For more information, call (949) 759-5543. Also nationwide, CPK eateries are giving a $20 gift card with the purchase of $100 in gift cards. (The Santa deal is good at the eatery’s Santa Anita eatery, too.)

Yard House: The Irvine chain is giving a $10 bonus gift card with every $100 gift card purchased. Gift cards can be purchased in any denomination in stores or online. No limit. Valid until Dec. 31. Yard House has locations in Irvine, Newport Beach, Brea and Costa Mesa. For more information, go here.


To read the whole article