The Shopping Mama » 2010

Barnyard Bash! Farm Theme Birthday for Kids

by Kate on December 5th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Birthday Parties

You’re Invited to a Barnyard Bash!

The Barnyard Bash to celebrate my son’s 4th birthday and my daughter turning 2 was yesterday. After so much planning and excitement, I can’t believe it’s over. I had a great time preparing and the kids had a ton of fun with their friends. It was totally worth all the effort, but thank goodness my sister was in town to help!

Check out the pictures and let me know what you think!

Pony Rides & Petting Zoo

The Barnyard Bash party theme was decided (by you) before I knew we’d be moving to Ohio. Clearly, it would have made more sense to have an outdoor party in December in Florida rather than Ohio, but we went with it. It was actually snowing a little, but the kids didn’t seem to mind when they saw the pony and animals!

Sunshine Farms did an amazing job with the pony party and petting zoo! They arrived early, set up quickly and didn’t leave any sign of being here after they left. You’d never know there was a pony, alpaca, sheep, giant bunny, hairy rooster, baby bunnies and baby goat in my backyard yesterday! It was definitely worth it to have the petting zoo with the pony because the kids were all very entertained while waiting for a turn on the pony.

Because it was so cold I didn’t want kids (or adults!) to be outside for the full hour of the pony rides and petting zoo so we had a simple craft set up inside. We cut out and drew an outline of a barn and provided washable markers and stickers for kids to “Decorate a Barn”.

Food

The food was all simple and kid-friendly but adult yummy food with goofy farm-theme names. “Cheesy Horseshoes” = crunchy cheese breadsticks, “Pigs in a Blanket” = l’il smokies wrapped in crescent dough, “Old McDonald’s Mac & Cheese” = macaroni and cheese cupcakes, “Chicken Feed” = portioned Chex Mix, “Stand Up Harvest Salad” = romaine ceasar salad wrapped with green onions.

The menu cards were also from DoodleLuLu and we attached them to pieces from the Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Chunky Puzzle.

Desserts & Cake

Here it is! The cake you all picked… Inspired by Wilton’s Little Red Barn Cake. It was so cute! And the kids loved the animal cupcakes.

The dessert table included Chocolate Covered Oreos, Double Stuff Oreo Pops, Cupcakes, Sugar Cookies, Cake and Butterscotch Haystacks. YUM!

Favors

Each child took home several Farm Animal Blocks from tiny giraffe and a delicious individually wrapped Sugar Cookie wrapped in a red bandanna.

Here are the kids in their custom birthday shirts you voted on from The Funky Bee! Surprisingly, this photo is pre-cake, but it is post-coloring.

Shopping Details

Thanks for voting and helping to plan the party! It couldn’t have gone any better, and most importantly, the kids loved it. What do you think?

Thanks to Sweet Paper Lane for providing the invitations. I paid for everything else and would do so again in a heartbeat.

GameStop: The Best Games Guaranteed in Stock! ($175 Gift Card Giveaway)

by Kate on December 3rd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

Luckily, my children aren’t old enough to know to ask for the year’s hottest toys. But, when they do, I know I’ll be one of the moms waiting in line, and struggling to find a way to get my hands on the thing they have to have. This year, if a video game is on someone’s must have holiday gift list, GameStop wants to help you avoid shopping drama with the hottest games Guaranteed in Stock.

GameStop Guaranteed In Stock

The hottest new video games are guaranteed in stock at GameStop this holiday season, so you can blast through your holiday list. GameStop is so sure these new games are going to be available that they’ll give you a coupon if it is out of stock. If you go to a GameStop store and can’t find one of the items listed here, the store associate will give you a coupon code good for 10% off that game plus 2-day free shipping at GameStop.com.

Titles guaranteed in stock at GameStop include:

  • Just Dance 2
  • Disney Epic Mickey
  • Super Mario Galaxy 2
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops
  • Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
  • Fallout New Vegas
  • Fable III
  • Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
  • And more! Visit http://gamestop.com/guarantee for details.

Holiday Folly Fun

Your kids (and you!) might enjoy GameStop’s new “Holiday Folly” Facebook Application, which can be found on the “Holiday Folly” tab at http://facebook.com/gamestop. It’s a classic holiday poem with a gaming twist that you complete and share with friends. Check it out!

To help you get the the games on your holiday shopping list, GameStop is offering a generous $175 gift card to one reader. Don’t own a game system? We’ve got you covered! You can win the gift card to buy a refurbished game system and still have money left over to buy a game or two.

Shop! Find a GameStop store in your area and get the hottest video games for XBOX 360, Wii, PS3, DS, PS2, PSP, PC and more. Act fast, the guarantee in stock ends December 9!

Win! $175 Gift GameStop Gift Card!

How to Enter: Check out the Guaranteed in Stock list and leave a comment with a game you’d get with your gift card.

Bonus Entries - valid only after completing one form of the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends December 9. Open to US mailing addresses.

Disclosure: Thanks to GameStop for providing the giveaway prize and a gift card in exchange for my time.

Gilt Groupe Partners with Toys for Tots

by Kate on December 3rd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

This weekend, from December 3 through December 6, when you shop Gilt Groupe’s awesome toy sales 5% of your purchase will be donated to Toys for Tots. Some of the toy brands you’ll be able to score deeply discounted on Gilt Groupe include HABA, Cate & Levi and Rockabye Toys. In addition to getting a great deal, you will spread some holiday cheer knowing money will be donated to a charity working to provide holiday presents to children in need. We’re particularly excited to share this news since we just featured Toys for Tots in our $10 Tuesday post!

Shop! Join Gilt Groupe at http://gilt.com/toysfortots and make sure you shop the children’s toy sales December 3 through December 6! Happy shopping!

Lemony Snicket’s 13 Words Review and One of a Kind Giveaway

by Kate on December 3rd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews

International best-selling author Lemony Snicket (A Series of Unfortunate Events) and acclaimed artist Maira Kalman have teamed up to create a highly unique and visually beautiful book. 13 Words is an affordable and original holiday gift for kids.

Video Preview of 13 Words

My Take on 13 Words

13 Words is easily one of the most unique books I’ve ever read with my son. The book highlights 13 words – with absolutely nothing in common other than the fact that Snicket has crafted a story that introduces each word. The words include everything from common words in my son’s vocabulary (like Bird, Hat and Baby) and also includes words that he’s likely never heard such as Haberdashery and Mezzo-Suprano.

The basic story is that the Bird is Despondent (one of the 13 words), so the Dog buys the Bird a Hat to cheer him up. Of course, Lemony Snicket’s take on this simple story is anything but and involves a Haberdashery (hat store) owned by a Baby and ends with a Mezzo-Suprano (another word) singing a song to summarize the day’s events. Honestly, it’s all pretty random. I kind of expected the story to wrap up and have the words come together in some way. But, not so much. Nonetheless, it’s fun to read and beautiful to look at. My son is nearly four and I think he was a bit intimidated by some of the words at first, but has warmed up to the story after becoming more familiar with it.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… 13 Words is a children’s book probably unlike any other in your library. The illustrations are really beautiful and your child will learn some new vocab words for sure. (Um, I did, too. Who says Haberdashery?) The book is best suited for children at least 4 and through the early years of grade school.

Or Not to Buy… While my son enjoys this book, it’s not one he asks for. I think it’s a bit over his head since there’s no clear plot to follow, but it has grown on him as he’s become more familiar with it and the words.

Shop! 13 Words by Lemony Snicket is currently available in bookstores and online with a suggested retail price of $16.99.

Win! One of a Kind 13 Words Prize Package including the Book, original Maira Kalman Artwork and 13 Words Buttons!

Prize details: A limited edition (only 15 made), original Maira Kalman piece of artwork.  This signed, 5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ piece is gauche on paper – similarly sized Kalman pieces start at $750.  The 13 buttons feature the 13 words and accompanying illustrations from the book.

How to Enter: Leave a comment telling me with whom you would like to read the book 13 Words.

Bonus Entries - valid only after completing one form of the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

  • Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link every time you do.
    Win an amazing 13 Words by Lemony Snicket prize package including original artwork by Maira Kalman @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/eghuxi
  • “Like” The Shopping Mama on Facebook. Leave an extra comment if you Share or Like this post on your Facebook.
  • Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
  • Sign up for the new The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends December 17. Open to US mailing addresses.

Disclosure: Thanks to redbox for providing the giveaway prize.

Etsy Suggests Gift Ideas for Facebook Friends

by Kate on December 2nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Stumped for unique gift ideas for a friend? Etsy has an app for that. The Gift Ideas for Facebook Friends tool uses your friend’s public profile information to suggest handmade gift ideas.

The first time you use Gift Ideas for Facebook Friends, you need to grant Etsy permission to access your Facebook page. They won’t publish anything on your wall so your friend’s won’t know your secrets to finding original gifts. After connecting to Facebook, you pick a friend to shop for and Etsy suggests several ideas based on their likes and interests.

To show you how it works, I shopped for Amy. Here are some gift suggestions because she likes Starbucks and Smith College.

Some of the gift ideas don’t match up as well or make much sense because it’s based on the name and not the actual company or place. For example, I got a number of suggestions for  baked sweets because Amy likes Sweet Harper – a hair clip shop.Regardless, it’s a fun way to find new products and I certainly found some fun, handmade and affordable gift ideas I wouldn’t have found otherwise.

Shop! Check out Gift Ideas for Facebook Friends. Still wondering what it’s all about? Read Etsy’s “Basics of Gift Ideas.”

Have you tried Gift Ideas for Facebook Friends? Will you? What do you think?

redbox Better in Blu: Blu-ray DVD Player & Rentals for a Year Giveaway

by Kate on December 2nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

Have you ever watched a Blu-ray movie? When my husband insisted we had to have a Blu-ray DVD player I rolled my eyes. I thought, “A DVD’s a DVD, right?” Well, I have to admit, watching a movie at home is definitely “better in blu.” (But I have to wait to remember how different since my husband took the DVD player with him when he deployed! I suppose he needs the entertainment more than I do.) redbox knows movies are “better in blu” and they are celebrating having Blu-ray DVDs available at every location with the Better in Blu Sweepstakes.

“Redbox offers customers more ways than ever to enjoy the latest movies, including having Blu-ray available at all of our locations,” said Gary Cohen, senior vice president of marketing and customer experience, redbox. “Redbox is making movie-watching and the season more colorful this year, but giving our customers the chance to watch and win the latest movies in Blu-ray.”

Better in Blu Sweepstakes

Between now and December 31, 2010, every time you rent a movie or game and provide an email address at checkout, you are entered to win a “Better in Blu” prize pack—a Blu-ray™ player and a year’s worth of free Blu-ray™ rentals.

Each day is a brand-new sweeps that can be entered daily. For instance, if you rent 3 movies in one day, you have 3 chances to win that same day. If you rent one movie every day until December 31, you have one chance a day to win.

You do not have to rent a Blu-ray Disc® to qualify to be entered into the “Better in Blu” giveaway. No purchase is necessary – you can can also visit www.betterinblu.com to enter – and enter the giveaway right here on The Shopping Mama.

Blu-ray Rental Deals

In addition to the “Better in Blu” giveaway, redbox also is featuring some hot Blu-ray deals for consumers this holiday season:

  • Rent any Blu-ray Disc® from redbox between 11/26/10 and 11/29/10 (11:59pm CST) and get at least 50 percent off the purchase of great Blu-ray movies.
  • Blu-ray rentals for $1.00 on Christmas: Redbox customers who have signed up for email promotions will get a special promotional code to rent a Blu-ray title for the price of a DVD rental between December 25 and December 27.

Shop! Visit redbox.com to find a kiosk near you or reserve a movie online. Don’t forget every time you rent a Blu Ray disc you are automatically entered to win the Better in Blu Sweepstakes. And read on because one reader of The Shopping Mama will win the Blu-Ray prize package, too!

Win! A redbox Better in Blu Prize Package – a Sony DVD Blu-Ray Player and A Year’s Worth of Free Blu-Ray Rentals!

Prize details: A Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray Disc Player and 52 free rental codes, one per week.

How to Enter: Check out some of the movies available on Blu-Ray from redbox. What movie would you like to see Better in Blu?

Bonus Entries - valid only after completing one form of the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

  • Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link every time you do.
    redbox thinks watching movies is Better in Blu – win a Blu-ray DVD player and a year of movie rentals @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/gWEDqC
  • “Like” The Shopping Mama on Facebook. Leave an extra comment if you Share or Like this post on your Facebook.
  • Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
  • Sign up for the new The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends December 17. Open to US mailing addresses.

Disclosure: Thanks to redbox for providing the giveaway prize.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on December 2nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Happy December! Thanks for stopping by to link up and browse great giveaways on The Shopping Mama. If you’re looking for fun holiday shopping ideas, check out The Shopping Mama Holiday Shopping Guide!

You can also win some great holiday gifts and cards, too!

Olive Kids Personalized Duffel Bag * 75 SanLori Personalized Holiday Photo Cards * Tangled Rapunzel Doll & Vanity

Make sure you link up your giveaways at Baby Loving Mama, too. And you’d be crazy not to check out the Baby Loving Mama Gift Guide and enter the My Pillow Pet giveaway.

Have a great day!

Happy Hanukkah and thoughts on Holiday Traditions

by Kate on December 1st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Life

I’ve always loved Hanukkah, not because my family celebrated it, but because I was lucky enough to go to school with a family who did. Every year “Mom” would come to our classroom and talk to us about the story of Hanukkah and light a menorah. Then we’d play dradle dradle dradle for hours (those of you with elementary school aged children know they joys of a simple repeating song) and munch on the best latkes I’ve ever had…with apple sauce and sour cream.

I feel so fortunate to have lived near a family who shared their traditions us and, I imagine, helped their kids feel less left out of Christmas themed holiday activities. (I know we were all jealous of 8 days of presents.)

So on this night, the first night of Hanukkah, I’m wishing you and yours your own miracle of lights and hoping that if we cross paths you’ll teach my little guy the dradle song (and then let him stay with you for the next month until he forgets it).

Do you have Hanukkah traditions you plan to pass along to your children?

{photo: cbsnews.com}
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