WISHING ALL MY BLOG READERS

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Who ever said last minute Xmas shopping results in boring and predictable gifts, have not checked out Giftybox!

Giftybox is an exciting new gift idea offering unique themed experiences. Each theme driven Giftybox features a guidebook describing a selection of different experiences and products, plus an all inclusive pass of the receiver’s choice. All these will be packed and sent to the recipient in an attractive box.

These packages will make the perfect gift choice for the person whom you feel has it all. With a price range of $34.99 to $100, it is absolutely affordable and such a personalized extravagant gift will surely make a great impression to the recipient. Basically, this is how it works:

• You pick the theme: simply pick the theme of the Giftybox that suits the personality of the person you’re giving it to
• Recipient chooses: with the help of Giftybox’s Guidebook, the recipient gets to choose their preferred activity
• Recipient enjoys! Recipient then gets to redeem their all-inclusive Gift Pass for the activity of their choice
• You join in! For a fraction of the cost of a second Giftybox package, you can join in on their gift experience too!

BUY IT : If you’re considering getting a Giftybox as a Holiday Gift, use coupon code MOMS2B2008 which will entitle you to $10.00 off any purchase, valid until 12.31.2008.

WIN IT : Giftybox has generously sponsored a Giftybox to one lucky reader. The winner gets to pick his own Giftybox of choice! What you get in the Giftybox package is:

• 1 complimentary Gift Pass for the class / series of your choice (Gift Pass valid until September 30, 2010)
• $80 of savings at 5 additional venues of your liking so you enjoy even more classes
• A 116-page guide outlining each of the activities and venues we have selected for you.

Here’s how you can enter:

1. Visit www.giftybox.com and leave a comment below telling me which GiftyBox is your preferred choice.
2. Three additional entries if you Stumbleupon this post (please leave your SU id) AND/OR
3. Three additional entries if you blog about this post (please leave your blog url) AND/OR
4. Three additional entries if you subscribe to this blog via email (button on sidebar)
5. Giveaway closes on 21st December 2008 and a winner will be selected using the Random.org number generator. Contest is open to US residents only.

I can attest to the fact that I surf the net to read Holiday Gift Guides for gift ideas when I do my holiday shopping as it makes the mad shopping rush less stressful. So, I figured that you, my readers may appreciate some recommendations from me as well. So, here’s my 2008 Holiday Gift Guide for the Kids featuring toys of $25 and Under:

1. NMC Toys are a retailer of quality European and American Toys. Many of their toys have received awards and meet or exceed USA safety standards while some selected toys offer a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.

School Bus Puzzle $19.95 (Ages 3 and up) -  This 20 piece jigsaw puzzle is perfect for little hands. See the joy in your child’s face when they put it all together.

My 1st Blocks $23.99 (Ages 1 and Up) - 6 brightly colored blocks fit into this 8″ long wagon. Whimsical train design screen printed on the side of the wagon will sure fit into every child’s room.

2. Schylling - From Classic Preschool, Pretend Play, Tin Toys, Fun & Games, Music, Outdoor Toys, to Science and Construction, they have over twenty different product categories where you will find over 125 new products for 2008! Check out some of the coolest toys below:

Gone Fishing Game Wind Up $2.99 (Ages 3 and up) -One of my daughter’s favourite toy. Made of plastic. The objective is to catch as many fish as possible with your fishing pole.

Flower Fairy Dress Up Set $14.99 (ages 3 and up). For the adorable little angel in your life. The set comes in a plastic carrying bag and includes wings, headbands, wand and tutu.

3. ImagiPLAY is another of my favourite store as it sets itself apart from the rest through its motto, “Toys with Integrity.” By producing quality products that connect with nature, have eco-friendly sources, and hold educational value, ImagiPLAY works to benefit the earth we share and the people that inhabit it.

Dolphins and Turtles Puzzle $14.99 (ages 3 and up) - This 7pc hand-crafted, hand-painted Dolfins and Turtle puzzle stands up to brighten any room. Great intermediate puzzle. As beautiful to look at as it is fun to put together! Because the pieces are double-sided, this puzzle is equivalent to a 14pc puzzle, since you don’t know which side is up.

PuzzlePlay Sea Life $19.99 (ages 3 and up) - A playset and puzzle in one! Kids will engage in hours of imaginative play with these versatile 16 pieces of creatures of the sea.

4. Briarpatch has been an innovator in the development of games and puzzles for children of all ages since its inception in 1992. Today, with more than 275 awards received, Briarpatch maintains an inspiring, fun and educational product line and is a highly respected leader in the toy industry.

Sea Monsters Board Game $20.99 (Ages 5+) - Set sail for the New World across uncharted waters where players must navigate through typhoons, get blown off course, drift out to sea or worst, a Sea Monster may appear out of nowhere to wreck your ship! Absolute FUN!

Clothespins! Game $12.99 (Ages 5+) - Comes with 4 Game boards and 66 playing cards. This is a fast paced, strategy game where players score points by completing clotheslines of matching patterns or items of laundry.

5. Kobold Toys - First opened in Panama City, four years ago and have since built a reputation as a highly successful toy store that brings children the best educational toys available in the global market. With its online store, Kobold Toys have made shopping convenient for busy parents who appreciate the flavours of global toys.

It’s Time To Call 911 $7.95 - Featured in ABC News, Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, this is a great book that teaches your child about emergency situations, how to dial 911 and what to say to get help in an emergency.

Dancing Alligator $18.99 - Made of rubberwood, this brightly painted green alligator is sure to thrill your toddler as it makes a rhythmic click-clack sound while being pulled. Ideal for toddler of age 12-18 months.

Congratulations to the following winner:

Tamara B. who said..

I have three boys and one daughter who is the baby and is 12 years old. I talk to her all of the time and worry also. I would really love to win this, thank-you.

 You’ve won the Dove Giveaway comprising of “You’re Beautiful Pass It On” T-shirt and two books titled “Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters” by Courtney E. Martin AND “Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now” by Jessica Weiner 

Please email me your shipping address by using the Contact Form here. If the prize remains unclaimed by 3rd December 2008, I will be doing a second draw.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Just Ask Baby is the first online on-demand TV channel focused solely on aiding parents in their understanding of their unique infant’s social, emotional and intellectual development.

Just Ask Baby produces exclusive, fun videos which are hosted by nine-month-old Joey and his infant friends to provide viewers a true picture of what babies Feel, See, Think, Do and Say during their first year. While each video is presented in a fun format, the content is based on the well-established science of infant development, and every video has a complete set of scientific references, supervised by their Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor David Elkind.

Parents who are interested to get more insight into their infant’s development and how that affects the person they will become can sign up for a 15 DAYS FREE TRIAL HERE! “The Truth About Toys for Infants” an insight into the conflict between what is right for an infant’s development and what toy companies want to sell us, written by Professor David Elkind is also now available as a free downloadable PDF. Click here to get your copy.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

These days, young girls are feeling the pressure of our society’s stereotypical view of beauty. The majority of girls (seven in ten) feel they do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school and relationships. The added pressure results in some girls with low self-esteem engaging in harmful and destructive behavior that can leave a lasting imprint on their lives. As parents, we can play our part to help by educating our children that there is a wider and healthier definition of real beauty.

In response to the self-esteem crisis, Dove Self Esteem Fund was launched to bring self-esteem programming to girls across the country and to encourage everyone to make a difference in the lives of girls. With a goal to reach 5 million girls globally by 2010 through its self-esteem programming, let’s help Dove by supporting and promoting a wider definition of beauty, either through your blog or through educating your children.

Moms and mentors can start boosting a girl’s self esteem right now by visiting www.campaignforrealbeauty.com to download the following free self-esteem building tools:

• True You and Mirror, Mirror booklets
• Interactive exercises
• Workshop Facilitator Guide DVD

WIN : We are in need of your support! Please help us spread the word about this campaign by:

1. Posting about this campaign  and leaving your post url in our comment below (3 entries) OR
2. Share with us your thoughts about this campaign (one entry)

One winner will be chosen using the Random.Org number generator to win the following items:

• 1. One “You’re Beautiful Pass It On” t-shirt AND
• 2. Two books -  titled “Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters” by Courtney E. Martin AND “Life Doesn’t Begin 5 Pounds From Now” by Jessica Weiner  [Jessica Weiner is an architect for change that is the voice of Dove's workshops all over the U.S. and Courtney Martin is an active speaker at Dove's Self-Esteem Fund Tour.]

Giveaway closes on 25th November 2008. Open to International readers.

If you’re a parent who has a fussy kid that refuses to take vitamins or supplements, try Emergen-C Kidz. Designed for kid by kids, Emergen-C Kidz complete multi-vitamin formula contains a whopping 24 essential nutrients, choline, which supports healthy brain function, and has 500mg of Vitamin C to help kids stay healthy year round.

Emergen-C Kidz is perfect to toss in a lunch box or serve up as an after-school refreshment.  It is so fun, fizzy and delicious, kids won’t even know it’s good for them! You can get free samples to try out - Just click here!

For Ages: 1+
Made In: USA
Manufacturer: Holgate Toys
Dimensions: ea block 1-3/4″

Did you know that by the time babies are a year old, they should be able to play stacking or balancing games? Thus, the Holgate Baby Blocks would make the perfect  toy to help your baby develop her creativity, hand-eye coordination as well as build fine motor skills.

Each set contains six blocks made from hard maple wood and on each side of the blocks, there are pictures, numbers and alphabets. The rounded edges of the blocks received a two thumbs up from me as a great safety feature for babies. There are numerous ways to play with these blocks but for the younger babies, you can start off by stacking them up towerlike and letting your baby knock them down.  My 18 months old niece had a blast with these blocks as she was already able to sort them by colors. We have also started teaching her to recognize some of the pictures and when she grows older, we will use these blocks to teach her simple three letter words.

Overall, I would highly recommend these Made in USA Holgate Baby Blocks as they make delightful and educational toys for babies and toddlers alike.  Get yours today from NMC Toys!