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ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) stores across the country will host free, family-friendly Holiday Parties on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The events, which begin at 6 p.m., will include performances by local school choirs and fun, holiday-themed activities for kids of all ages. During the party, parents may take part in the games and other activities with their children or shop the store for perfect gifts for the loved ones on their holiday shopping lists.

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The evening kicks off on a festive note with performances of traditional holiday carols by children from local elementary and middle schools. From there, children are invited to the Kids section of the store, where they can take part in creative games, including "Holiday Scramble" and "Chaucer Says," a version of the childhood classic Simon Says featuring Chaucer, the holiday bear available exclusively at Borders and Waldenbooks. Older children will also enjoy a holiday-related treasure hunt that challenges them to scour the store for books, CDs and DVDs. After settling down for a few minutes to color, draw or write their letter to Santa, kids will be treated to a story time. Younger children will hear "Chaucer's First Winter" and "Gingerbread Friends," while older children will listen to a selection from "The Tales of Beedle the Bard," J.K. Rowling's recently released book of fairy tales from the land of Harry Potter.

While the children are enjoying the festivities, grown-up shoppers are welcome to visit the Seattle's Best Coffee(R) cafes -- located in nearly all Borders superstores -- for free samples of holiday beverages and baked goods. In honor of the Holiday Party, customers will receive a free medium-sized holiday beverage with the purchase of any Seattle's Best Coffee gift over $9.95 or a one-pound bag of SleighBell Blend. Special seasonal treats to try include Peppermint Mocha Trio, a rich, delicious mocha-flavored beverage with cool, refreshing peppermint, whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy; Eggnog Latte, a long-time holiday tradition featuring creamy eggnog combined with espresso and dusted with a touch of spice blend; and OvenSong(TM) Gingerbread Marble Loaf Cake, a swirled cake topped with sugar and spice streusel.

Borders and Waldenbooks stores are committed to being a headquarters for knowledge and family-friendly entertainment in their local communities -- not only during the holiday season, but throughout the year. In addition to the Holiday Parties, Borders and Waldenbooks stores will host special New Year's Eve Parties the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 31 to help families ring in 2009. Most Borders superstores also have regularly scheduled story times each Saturday. Check your local Borders or Waldenbooks store for more information about their in-store events that cater specifically to children.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names and recently launched Borders.com for online shopping. For more information, visit www.borders.com/aboutus.