2139 Don't play with your food

Have you ever said that to your kids? Maybe you're setting a bad example trying to get a free breakfast? I have in front of me a handsome, slick insert from the newspaper that conjoins Holiday Inn, Visa, Home Depot, the lure of a gift card, a coupon, a voucher, four luscious breakfast entrees for "free" and a night in a hotel. And although I haven't figured this part out, the models in the ad would get the worst-dressed retro-1970s award. At least I think that's the last time I saw a guy wearing tight-fitting, brown stripe pants with a lime green floral shirt.

Here's the game plan. In order to get a free breakfast you have to

1) stay at a Holiday Inn--one that is participating in the game, and one that isn't a Holiday-Express

2) you have to book at least one standard room

3) which qualifies you for a coupon redeemable for breakfast (none of which look healthy to me) in the hotel's restaurant

4) but only in the amount of $20.00

5) and only if you've put the room on your VISA card (but that's a bit fuzzy in the wording)

6) and saved a voucher you get only at check-in

7) which is useable if you mail it and the hotel receipt and allow 4-6 weeks for delivery for a $10 gift card to be used at the Home Depot

8) which location must be participating in the bed and breakfast game

9) at which only one of you in that standard room in the non-Express Holiday Inn gets a coupon for breakfast, but the children eat free, if they are under 12 years old

10) and all of which is void where prohibited.