Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

 

Our Sponsor for the Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop this year is DaySpring.  They are offering a $50 promo code that you can use to purchase cards, decor items, gifts, calendars, ornaments & more!

DaySpring is offering Holiday Gift Guide readers - Free Shipping on $25+ orders! 
Use Coupon Code:  FREESHIP25 through 1/10/2011
Connecting People with the Heart of God Through Messages of Hope and Encouragement, Every day, Every Where."



Please note: You will need to cover the shipping costs - but getting to spend $50 in a Christian Gift Store is going to be SO MUCH FUN!

There are over 120 blogs participating in this fun event, click here when your done to see what else YOU can WIN!

Mandatory Entry: 

Optional entries:  Just a few that you can enter - IF you want to!  (Pls leave 1 comment per entry: +2=2 entries)

• Follow ME on Twitter and tweet: "Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop: WIN a $50 Gift Certificate to DaySpring's Online Store!  http://ning.it/hwG9sV, #christmas, #giveaways, #contest" (+2 entries, you can tweet this up to 2x's a day for 2 entries each)
• Like ME on Facebook and leave a comment that you did w/ your sign-on name.  Thanks! (+1)
• Follow ME on my GivingNSharing and FamilyLiteracy blogs on GFC or Networked Blogs. (+1 ea)
• Enter any of my other active giveaways on this blog and receive an entry for each one. Tell me in your comment which one it is.  (See list on left) (+1 entry)

** Pls leave your email address on EACH comment so I can contact you if you WIN **

This contest will run until 12/5 @ 10 pm and then the winner will be drawn by Random.org.  Once the winner is drawn and notified they will have 48 hours to contact me with their contact information.  Winner must provide a street address (no PO Boxes & be in the US).  Be sure to send your friends a link about this awesome giveaway!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I didn't receive any items to review so no disclaimer is needed.  Dayspring chose to donate the gift certificate.  You will receive a promo code to place your order and may have to pay shipping (I'll let you take care of that when you place your order).

CSN has gifts for the Man in Your Life!

Are you stuck on a gift for the guy in your life?  Something that you know he will love and that will still fit your family?  Maybe he has a "man cave" a room where he and the guys go to watch the game, play pool, relax away from work. 

CSN has lots of gift ideas for guys who need a space of their own and yet it still works for the family too.  There are barstools, pub tables, bar furniture, tools, pool accessories and more. 

www.AllBarstools.com

I was looking at their barstools today and thinking how versatile they really are.  They're easy to drag around to where ever you need a seat.  Great for game nights, kids doing homework or just for chatting.  And depending on the height you choose, they even come in handy to put little kids on at the table (it beats dragging out the phone book to boost them higher).

There are various heights but a stool for the most part comes in at 24" to 29" tall and you can also find some that are adjustable.  I personally like having a back on mine so you have some sort of back support and arms on the side are even better.  And of course a padded seat is an absolute must.  If you want a Pub Table those also come in various sizes and heights - they're great for games, football snacks (think drinks, chips, etc) and playing cards.

I even saw a table where the stools scooted under the table, which would be awesome for those "small" man caves out there! 

You can check out other stools, bar sets, pub tables (check out this cool chess/checker pub table), pool tables, pool accessories and these neat pool lights.

Use Promo Code Hillsdale 20 to receive 20% off

Select Hillsdale Bar Stools!

Our Winners!

Thanks to everyone who visited during my 1st Annual Black Friday Open House - I have our first round of winners tonight - and they are:

Our winners will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to contact me back with their address (pls no PO Boxes) and phone number.  If they haven't gotten back to me I will draw another winner.


3 Winners of Ann Clarks Cookie Cutter Sets:  12/5/2010
Julie @ Knitting and Sundries said...

85

I follow Giving n Sharing via GFC as jewelknits!
knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

DECEMBER 4, 2010 4:58 PM 

janetfaye said...103

I like you on FB - Janet Fri
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

DECEMBER 4, 2010 10:56 PM 

SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) said...55

http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/statuses/10257465648095232
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

DECEMBER 2, 2010 3:03 AM 

11/29/10
Holiday Sippers Gift Set from The Spice Hunter – Winner is:

tarter95 said...10

I would like to enter the giveaway.
Thanks so much!!
tarter95 at hotmail dot com

NOVEMBER 28, 2010 6:15 PM

3 Pack of Christmas CD’s – Winner is:

Katie said...5

My favorite song is silent night
purcellkatie22 at gmail dot com

NOVEMBER 26, 2010 10:07 PM

Night Before Christmas in Africa – Winner is:

SLS(atlmuzikfanzinc) said...24

http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/8592142767230976
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com

NOVEMBER 27, 2010 6:41 PM

Tips for Buying Safe Toys for Christmas

Hello everyone - Happy Monday! I thought as you are all getting ready for the holidays, buying toys that hopefully will last more than 10 minutes on Christmas morning that you might all find this article to be interesting.  This article is from a interesting website, TreeLiving.com, where you can find all kinds of eco-friendly and natural methods you can use with your family.  - Tina

Tips for Buying Safe Toys for Christmas

Unfortunately, the safety of children's toys has come under scrutiny lately. From lead paint recalls to small parts that pose a choking hazard, it's good to be careful when buying your children's Christmas presents. Here are some tips for buying safe toys.

1. Go for toys that are free of toxic chemicals. Many plastic toys contain or are made from PVC, a potentially harmful form of plastic. PVC contains dioxin, which is a toxic chemical implicated in breast and other cancers. Many action figures and other small figurines are made from PVC - in fact, they are often simply called "PVC figures." 

You may have seen some plastic items marked "BPA free." BPA, or Bisphenol-A, is a basic component of plastic manufacture. BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastic. Look for the label indicating the plastic is free of BPA.

2. Avoid plastic altogether. If all the acronyms and chemical names overwhelm you, or if you just don't trust plastic, avoid it. Wood, porcelain, and glass are safer toy materials. Checker and chess sets, unpainted wooden cars, trains, marble runs, doll houses, and baby toys are just some of the many wooden options available. You can always paint these items yourself with safe paint. Dominoes and other games with pieces made from porcelain are virtually unbreakable. Glass marbles and other sturdy glass items make good toys as well.  

3. Look for toys that are made in America or Europe. If you want eco-friendly, organic, safe toys, they will come from the USA or Europe. Toys made in China may or may not be okay, but truly eco-friendly, organic toys are not manufactured in China.

4. Look for locally made toys. Many communities hold fairs and festivals where craftspeople sell their creations. Handmade, wooden toys and safe, lead-free ceramics and jewelry are common at these fairs. Many of these vendors also have sites online. 

5. Stay away from small, detachable parts. The sewn-on eyes and plastic noses of stuffed animals could be swallowed by small children or babies, and pose a choking hazard. Any toy that has small parts that may come loose is not necessarily safe. 

6. Quiet toys are better for your children's health. Noisy, loud toys can damage hearing, and grown-ups can find them very annoying! Some sources say that there are children's toys capable of producing sounds as loud as a jet plane, and toys with sirens, horns, and sound-emitting battery toys can all damage hearing in children and babies. If it bothers your ears, it's not good for your kids.

7. Sturdiness is paramount. If a toy is going to be ridden or sat upon, make sure it's stable. Also note the shape - does the seat back rise in the back to provide support? Could clothing or skin get pinched easily between moving parts?

8. Research the safety tests. There are various governmental agencies that monitor toy safety. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be searched online for toy recalls and other safety information.

This article is originally from TreeLiving.com

PS: Here is another article you might be interested in:
Decorate Your Home with Nature to Add Festive Cheer  

Book Review/Giveaway: The Polar Express 25 years of Magic!

This giveaway is Closed.  

Winner will be announced tomorrow - thanks for joining in!

This year The Polar Express celebrates 25 years of magic!  Most of us know the movie staring Tom Hanks and those cute kids on that great big black train.  The hot chocolate scene is one of my favorites.  I think I got through most of the movie before I even realized that Tom Hanks did most of the characters - and that only adds to the magic.


Now, the book is somewhat different than the movie.  The kids and conductor all look the same, but the story itself is different.  Certain scenes from the movie were added (not in the book) but I think for a movie with additional scenes that the story itself wasn't ruined but only added to the excitement and suspense.


Book Summary:
One Christmas Eve many years ago, a boy lies in bed, listening hard for the bells of Santa's sleigh, which he had been told by a friend do not exist.  Later that night he hears not bells but a very different sound.  He looks out his window and is astounded to see a steam engine parked in front of his house!  The conductor invites him to board the Polar Express, a train filled with children on their way to the North Pole.

You can go to: polarexpress.com for activities, recipes and prizes, plus a Christmas Countdown calendar!

You can purchase a copy of The Polar Express if you're thinking Christmas Gifts at Amazon.com for $10.92!  Just click HERE to place your order.  Remember with a $25 order almost everything is eligible for FREE shipping! (This is for the Anniversary Edition according to Amazon)

Houton-Mifflin Publishing for Children has very kindly offered a copy of the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Polar Express to one of my readers.  The Anniversary Edition comes with a CD read by Liam Neeson and a Keepsake Ornament.

How can you WIN a copy of The Polar Express?

Mandatory: Leave a comment telling us if your kids still believe and if not, how did they learn the truth about Mr C?

Optional entries:  Just a couple that you can enter - IF you want to!  (Pls leave 1 comment per entry: +2=2 entries)

• Follow ME on Twitter and tweet: "WIN a copy of the 25th Anniversary Edition of The Polar Express http://ning.it/i88k9E, #christmas, #family, #giveaways  RT @familyliteracy" (+2 entries, you can tweet this up to 2x's a day for 2 entries each)
• Enter any of my other active giveaways on this blog and receive an entry for each one. Tell me in your comment which one it is.  (+1 entry)

** Pls leave your email address on EACH comment 

so I can contact you if you WIN **

This contest will run until 11/30 @ 10 pm and then the winner will be drawn by Random.org.  Once the winner is drawn and notified they will have 48 hours to contact me with their contact information.  Winner must provide a street address (no PO Boxes & be in the US).  Be sure to send your friends a link about this awesome giveaway!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of The Polar Express for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Be sure to visit the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza!

Hi friends,


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed being with family and eating lots of YUMMY food.  I'm sure you'll work it all off this weekend.  As you can see I've been a busy beaver this week and had to call on Santa's elves to help me finish up for our 1st Annual Black Friday Open House.  Be sure to click on the button to start your visit with Holiday Traditions.... 


...  and when you're done go on over to the Christmas Giveaway Extravaganza and check out all of their giveaways.  She has some really neat ones:

   

Welcome to my 1st Annual Black Friday Open House!

This giveaway is Closed - thanks for joining in!

Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Chronicles 16:8-9 

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.

Let the whole world know what he has done.

Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his miracles.

  

Welcome to the 1st Annual Black Friday Open House 

on Holiday Traditions!

Please sign in to my guestbook (leave a comment) and leave me your blog address if you have one - I'd love to come and visit you!  While you're here we have some wonderful door prizes that you don't want to miss - the following companies have donated items to help you kick off the Christmas season.  I will be doing the drawings per the date at the bottom of the post - if I don't get a lot of participation though I'll extend the Black Friday drawings to Sunday so more people get to join in.


Click on the picture to go to the Giveaways you'd like to enter to WIN - I'm sorry these are for US only.

The Holiday Sippers Set will be drawn from everyone that signs this post (it's my guest book) - be sure to leave your email (you can use this format: contact(dot)thebooklady(at)gmail(dot)com) so I can contact you.  You'll receive a tin full of mulling spices, 1 hot buttered rum box, a vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg along with some samples and coupons!  Drawing is Monday night! 11/29 @ 10 pm!

This is my all-time favorite mulling spice mix.  

Sugar Free, packed with lots of spices and so delicious!

.

Holiday Sippers Gift Set from 

The Spice Hunter

To order your favorite drink mix, go to: The Spice Hunter - or you may WIN it if you leave a comment on this post!

Other giveaways still running:

WIN a SET of Ann Clark Cookie Cutters!, 12/5, US

WIN a Giggle Junction I-Spy Bags, 12/8, US

WIN a Pine Bough Candelabra with Candles, 12/8, US

The Spice Hunter Gift Set, 11/30, US

The Polar Express 25th Ann Edition, 11/30, US

Little Shepherd Book, 12/17, US

The Night Before Christmas in Africa! (Kids Bk), 11/29, US

WIN a 3 CD Set of Christmas Music!, 11/29, US

The drawing for the Holiday Sippers Mixes will occur on 11/29 at 10 pm using Random.org.  I will notify the winner and they will have 48 hours to send me their address/contact information.  Winners must not of won in the last 90 days and must have a street address.  (No PO Boxes pls).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a samples of the holiday sippers mixes for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."