MARTIN SLOANE | Supermarket Shopper Receive merchandise in time for holidays

For smart shoppers, one of the best sources for economical holiday gifts is grocery manufacturers' merchandise offers.
Would you like to give someone on your gift list a personal digital assistant? A Barbie charm bracelet? You will be surprised to learn both items are among the offers currently found on specially marked packages on supermarket shelves. If you are going to receive the merchandise in time for the holidays, start working on these offers right now.
On specially marked packages of Brach's Barbie and Swan Lake candies, you'll find an offer of a free charm bracelet. The small silver hearts attached to the bracelet are miniature photo frames. The offer requires two proofs-of-purchase and $2.99 for shipping and handling. It expires on Dec. 31, 2004.
Specially marked packages of Lipton noodle soups are offering merchandise from the popular Clifford the Big Red Dog. They include a kid's canteen and a young child's dinnerware set. This is a free offer requiring proofs-of-purchase and $1.99 for postage and handling. Details are on the soup boxes. The offer expires March 31, 2005.
An offer of a free "The King of Queens" TV show DVD can be found on certain packages of Pop-Tarts Pastry Swirls (two proofs-of-purchase are required). The DVD features the episode -- "Inner Tube" with Doug (Kevin James) coming home sick after a wild game of football with friends. He lands in bed with a cold, where his dreams place him into the plots of TV shows.
Handy helper
Post Fruity Pebbles cereal is offering a free personal digital assistant for two proofs-of-purchase and $1 for postage and handling. The PDA has lots of ways to organize your information; calendar, addresses, telephone numbers, notes and calculator. Post says the PDA has a retail value of $15. If you do not have a PDA this offer is an economical way to try one.
Packages of Kraft American Singles, 24 count, offer a free Hulk (the movie) T-shirt for two UPC codes and $1.99 for shipping and handling. The offer expires on Dec. 31, 2004. You will find more details online at: www.kraftfoods.com/-hulktshirt.
Several grocery brand Web sites on the Internet offer some interesting merchandise offers. At www.cheerios.com, you will find a special offer for a children's Play Book (for ages 6 months to 2 years). The books are full of bold, bright art with recessed pages to help your child place Cheerios O's into the scene. The Playtime CD-ROM Game offers interactive play that helps develop skills like abstract reasoning, listening and following directions, matching and concentration (ages 3 to 5). A set of two Play Books and a CD are $16.99.
Let's face it
Don't forget the offer to put a picture of one of your favorite people, child or adult, on a box of cereal. At www.kelloggscerealcity.com (at the bottom of the long screen) you will find one of the best presents a grandparent could receive. This is the "Put Your Face on the Box" offer. A similar, put your favorite face on a cereal box offer from General Mills is located at www.cerealad-venture.com at the Adventure Store. Chose from Cheerios, Wheaties, Trix or Lucky Charms.
At www.smuckers.com you will find an offer of free back-to-school computer software in return for proofs-of-purchase from a Smucker's jam or jelly, and Jif peanut butter. The titles, with values of up to $30, are "Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading" and "Thinking Adventures," "I Spy Junior" and "I Spy School Days," "Jump Start Explorers," and "Kid Pix Studio Deluxe." There is a limit of one software title per household. The offer expires on Dec. 30, 2003.
Several dozen grocery brands have stores on the Internet where you can find interesting merchandise you won't find anywhere else. A good example is the Energizer Bunny Store: www.energizer-store.com. A fabulous plush 2-foot-high pink Energizer Bunny, wearing sunglasses, flip-flops, complete with drum, is $19.50.
How about a bright red Heinz Tomato Ketchup logo T-shirt for your uncle George? At www.heinz-stuff.com you will find apparel, collectibles and toys. A fun holiday gift for golfers is a pickle putter. Campbell's Online Shop at www.campbellshop.com has a wonderful variety of merchandise including Campbell's collectibles.
United Feature Syndicate