With Christmas just around the corner, fun holiday books are in heavy rotation in our house. Here are the books my 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son are loving this Christmas season.
Shop! All these Christmas books for kids can be found in The Shopping Mama’s Amazon store, most with free 2-Day shipping if you sign up with Amazon Mom so you can get them with time to spare before Christmas. Happy reading!
Do your kids have any favorite holiday books?
“Offering quality craftsmanship, exquisite fabrics, and the kind of true attention to detail that allow a child’s beauty to stand out, Petit Trousseau strives to be what every woman desires for the children in her life.”
Petit Tousseau launched in October to bring special occasion-worthy clothing to everyday wear for kids. Developed by a southern mama in Alabama, Betsy Jinks Lefkovits, Petit Trousseau combines sophistication of European fashion, the tradition of her Southern upbringing to offer beautifully-made, timeless clothing designed to let children be the center of attention. Petit Trousseau has a successful trunk show program and will now offer sales directly from its website. To celebrate the online store opening, Petit Trousseau is offering special discounts every day for 12 days and Facebook fans will be the first to know the deals every day!
Take a look at some of the gorgeous clothes for kids from Petit Trousseau.
And how perfectly sweet are pieces from the layette collection?
Shop! The Petit Trousseau online boutique will be opening soon at PetitTrousseau.com. You can also sign up to learn about Trunk Shows near you, or apply to be a Trunk Show Hostess.
Prize details: Jumpsuit (or infant gown), Receiving Blanket, Cap and Bib in White, Pink or Blue.
How to Enter: “Like” Petit Trousseau on Facebook so you’ll be the first to know about the 12 Days of Sales (as well as other fun Petit Trousseau news).
Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Giveaway ends December 26th. Open to US mailing addresses only.
A few months ago, I participated in a Rice Krispies challenge to create an after school snack to inspire conversation. It was fun, but it was nothing compared to the current challenge. Rice Krispies has asked me and 29 other bloggers to share a recipe for a Holiday Table Show-stopper. My sister and I had a blast and made no fewer than 7 batches of Rice Krispies Treats to create an awesome collection of Treats. I couldn’t pick a favorite so I’m sharing them all! So, without further ado here are the Traditional Desserts from Around the World – Rice Krispies Treats Style.
Croquembouche: French dessert pyramid of bite-size cream puffs coated and held in place with caramelized sugar.
Directions: Create Rice Krispies Treats Recipe as instructed on box, but assemble croquembouche rather than spread treats in pan.
Mix in Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
Lay the second level of Rice Krispies Treats balls slightly smaller than the first. Continue to make smaller circles until you reach the top of the Croquembouche pyramid.
Bûche de Noël, also known as a “Yule Log” is a traditional dessert served during the Christmas holidays in France, Belgium, Quebec, Lebanon and several other Christian-populated francophone countries as well as in the UK.
Directions: Create Rice Krispies Treats Recipe as instructed on box, but assemble Bûche de Noël rather than spread treats in pan.
Line a 9 inch loaf pan with wax paper. Reserve a portion of Treats (about 1/8 of batch) to make top portion of Log.
Fruit Cake: a rich cake containing dried or candied fruit, dried fruits, nuts and more. Historically served around Christmas.
Directions: Create Rice Krispies Treats Recipe as instructed on box, but assemble Bûche de Noël rather than spread treats in pan.
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And, while the next two recipes aren’t really international fare, they are traditional Christmas cookie designs. So let’s Rice Krispi-fy them! The butterscotch in the Gingerbread Treats helps to create the gingerbread color and also tastes delicious! This was my favorite Treat of the bunch. The white chocolate wasn’t too shabby, either. YUM!
Melt margarine or butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until nearly melted. Add Butterscotch chips and spices and stir until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.
Melt margarine or butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until nearly melted. Add White Chocolate chips and stir until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.***
How to Enter: Simply leave a comment about your favorite Rice Krispies dessert, your favorite Holiday Show-Stopper in this post or anything Rice Krispies Treats related.
Giveaway ends December 21. Open to US residents.
Abbreviated Rules. No Purchase Necessary. Begins no earlier than 12:00:00 AM (ET) on 11/29/10 and ends no later than 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 12/21/10. For complete Official Rules, go to http://web.mediacdt.com/docs/motherhoodholiday. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: TheMotherhood.Croquembouche photo via daedrius. Buche de Noel photo via Wikipedia. Fruit Cake photo via suzijane.
Tonight, I set up my iron and ironing board. That is such an anomaly in my house, I should actually mark it on the calendar. My mission: not to tackle the monstrous amount wrinkled clothing littering my house, but to try out the Meyamo brand iron-on designs and letters to make my toddler boy and preschool girl matching dinosaur shirts. Meyamo makes an assortment of fuzzy iron-on products and, in addition to dinosaurs, the creative mom can find iron-ons featuring holiday themes, cats, butterflies, spacemen, and pirates. The complete line of products may be viewed and purchased at Meyamo online.
As I began my project, I gathered my materials and read the simple 1-2-3 directions printed on the package. However, I’m a skeptic. “It can’t be that easy?” Upon viewing the online tutorial also available at the website, I discovered that it is just that easy! First, I cut out the designs and placed them on my shirts. When selecting white shirts, all I thought was how much the green dinosaurs would pop on a white shirt. I must admit, I didn’t consider how boring the photos of white iron-on paper on a white t-shirt would be. My sincere apologies for boring your senses.
After keeping a hot iron in motion over the iron-on material and protective paper, simply peel the backing away and you are left with a perfect image.
I am really impressed with the ease of use for this product. The images came out perfect and I can’t wait for my little ones to wear their matching dino shirts.
To Buy… The Meyamo iron-on products deliver a great transfer image with very little effort. With designs to please most tastes, these cute transfers can be used to adorn shirts, caps, bibs, blankets, burp cloths, and any other fabric you can think of. I’m planning on getting some more to make personalized pillow cases for my little ones, but they can be used for other household things as well (think storage bins, laundry bags, etc.). The possibilities are limitless. Meyamo is also an affordable way to personalize things. The themed decals can be purchased for $6 and the alphabet packages are $12.
Not to Buy… When I began the project, my “not to buy” was going to advise those who are short on time that this product might not be for you. However, the transfers were so easy, I’m now searching for a new “not to buy.” Ummmm…..
Shop! Get a little DIY and check out the easy to use and fun to admire Meyamo iron-ons, including adorable holiday designs starting at $10.
One of the best events of BlogHer last summer was the Hallmark party celebrating Christmas in August. Every detail was perfect, and as you’d imagine from Hallmark, totally thoughtful and full of sentiment. The party also showcased some products I didn’t associate with Hallmark, like recordable storybooks and photo holiday cards. Read on to see some ways to make your holidays MeaningFULL with Hallmark and for a chance to win personalized holiday cards from Hallmark!
When I need the best birthday card or graduation card or Valentine’s Day card, or just about any card I head to my local Hallmark store. But, what I didn’t realize is that Hallmark also has a great collection of cards to personalize for the holidays. And not just a greeting card with your name inside. Rather, Hallmark has a full line of photo cards and they make personalizing and mailing super simple. Just what busy moms need this time to year!
Here’s how it works:
The best part? All that extra service doesn’t cost anything other than the price of a stamp. The cards range from simple postcards like those we personalized for The Shopping Mama (above right) and fancy and photo-full cards like those below.
Of all the goodies and party favors I received from Hallmark, the most meaningful to me is the Recordable Storybook. We received two copies of Twas the Night Before Christmas and sent both to my husband – he’s recording one to send back to the kids and is donating the other to his base’s United Through Reading program. Obviously, this is an ideal gift for kids with deployed parents, but it’s also great for grandparents and distant relatives, to have a way to read to your little one even when you travel or have a night out, or really just because. In addition to holiday books, Hallmark also has classics like On the Night You Were Born and Counting Kisses. Recordable Storybooks are available in stores.
Shop! Personalize and arrange mailing of holiday cards online at Hallmark.com. Right now you can get Free Stamps (code HOLSTAMP) OR Free Shipping (code HOLSHIP) with purchase over $35. Other Hallmark products like ornaments and Recordable Storybooks can be purchased in stores.
How to Enter: Visit Hallmark, leave a comment with the cards you’d like to personalize.
Bonus Entries - valid only after completing one form of the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Because we want you to get the code and your cards in the mail as soon as possible, this is a quick giveaway for our most loyal readers! Giveaway ends December 15. Open to US mailing addresses.
The Shopping Mama favorite Tea Collection, known for their globally-inspired clothing for children and women, has just launched a limited-time Private Sale. They’re featuring past season clothes and some selections from this season up to 70% off! There are great deals, so shop soon as the selection is limited and this sale ends Sunday, December 12 at 11:59 pm PST.
Shop! Head to Tea.co soon to get the best selection!
This time of year, you search for the perfect gift. It’s hard enough for our loved ones that we see each and every day. It’s a challenge even when you know what the recipient is interested in, hobbies, likes, dislikes. Now, go buy the perfect gift for a perfect stranger. Wait, who in the world had to do that? You do. That’s what you have to do, oftentimes, when you select gifts for your child’s teacher. And believe it or not, it is possible to get a very thoughtful gift for someone you’ve never met. It often starts with making what some consider the most impersonal gift, personal.
I know, I know. This seems like a cheat, but as teacher, I can tell you it is the most appreciated gift. Here’s how to make it thoughtful and personal:
No matter the subject matter, there is a publication tailored for it. One of the best gifts I received when teaching journalism/newspaper/yearbook was a year-long subscription to a digital photographymagazine. The students and I would wait anxiously for the next month’s issue for new tips and techniques to try with our digital SLR cameras. It was like Christmas morning 12 times that year. So, if your child is in preschool, maybe his teacher would like a subscription to Highlights High Five
Jones New York is a huge supporter of education and teachers. JNY employees are encouraged to give back to the schools in their community and the company, through its non-profit, sponsors teacher and classroom makeovers. Each year JNY develops a t-shirt honoring teachers. Proceeds from shirt sales support several worthyeducational causes. To see more about this initiative, visit http://www.jnyintheclassroom.org/. You can check out and purchase this year’s shirt at Macy’s for $20.
There are two big items to avoid when sending teacher gifts:
- Teacher “themed” gifts. Unless you know that Ms. Smith wants to advertise her #1 Teacher status, it’s best to avoid such paraphernalia.
- Home-baked goods. Once again, I know you are a skeptic. A home-baked item is the ultimate in personal gifts. It involves the sacrifice of time and is a creation to be shared. Just hear me out. There are three primary drawbacks to giving your favorite hand-made treat: 1) Just like everyone else, teachers have food preferences and allergies, 2) I’m a neat freak. I’m not sure how to put this politely, so I won’t even try. As a teacher, you have no idea of the sanitary conditions in which your yummy treat was prepared, 3) Not everyone reads this site (even though they should), so your child’s teacher is going to receive 42 lbs. of homemade sweets the day before school dismisses for the holiday. No one can eat that much candy/cookies/cakes/fudge before it spoils. Rather, no one should.
If you insist on giving a food item, present it in a classic, reusable container. A ceramic holiday-themed plate or bowl is always a hit, but so is plain white. I always find beautiful dishware at great prices at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. Also consider giving a food item that has a long shelf life, so there is no rush to eat it. Individually packaged chocolates come to mind.
Finally, ask your children. As much as they may not let on, they do pay attention. Here’s proof: Just before the dismissal bell rang one day, my students and I were chatting and they asked me my plans for the evening. I casually mentioned that I had “spa night” on Friday nights because my husband does his internet gaming that night. For Christmas, those same students presented me with a gift basket from Bath and Body Works. They were listening and so are your children.
Happy Shopping!
Award-winning Adiri Natural Nurser baby bottles were designed by a group of moms at The Water Geeks who asked, “if a bottle is supposed to mimic breastfeeding, shouldn’t it look more like a breast?” To solve this obvious deficiency in the baby bottle market, they resigned the bottle from the nipple down to mimic the breast. And it really does look (and feel) more like a breast than any baby bottle I’ve seen. 
The entire upper section of the bottle, from the clear nipple to where color begins, gives a little just like the real thing (except on those engorgement days, am I right?). Jack would have loved to have had this bottle sooner. He is a boob man through and through and the rounded shape of this bottle is exactly what he has been wanting.
This baby bottle has literally been turned upside down. To fill it you turn it nipple side down and unscrew the base because the bottle and nipple are all one piece. The large filling cap keeps the nipple from leaking and has a nice wide surface to keep the bottle from tipping over. The base of the bottle (the clear disk) has a Petal Vent and Valve that vents the bottle from the bottom, to reduce air ingestion that has been linked to gas and colic symptoms. The Warming Disc (the green disk) seals the vent in the base to allow bottle warming and travel without the risk of leaks. This upside down look and fused bottle and nipple give the Adiri its unique and award winning look, but (possibly most importantly) it’s still all dishwasher safe.
Adiri bottles are made with BPA and phthalate free materials and come in three flow options with convenient color coding. Slow flow bottles are white/clear, medium are blue and fast flow are orange. I love this feature. I hate digging through our bottle nipples trying to read the little “s” or “m” imprinted on the edge. I also like that the filling cap and warming disk can be used as a snack cup when your little one outgrows the bottle.
Adiri baby bottles are a product of a rather oddly named (for a baby bottle company) The Water Geeks. The Water Geeks self describe their mission on their webpage.
The WaterGeeks are helping turn the global water crisis upside down by empowering consumers with compelling new water consumption choices that embrace both their active lifestyles and their ecological beliefs.
Our global manufacturing partners add immeasurably to our in-house R&D and production capabilities. These capabilities enable us to incorporate the most current science and technology into a diverse range of new water consumption products under a single brand name: WaterGeeks.
This allows us to offer you a wide range of effective and affordable new products created with the singular purpose of helping to create both a healthier “you” and a healthier “planet”.
To Buy… Adiri bottles would make the perfect gift for expectant or new moms or babies. These cool looking bottles are sure to get noticed and with their “boob-like” function, are likely to be a hit with the little one. I don’t know why, but I just see these bottles as the kind of thing you’d see Gwen Stefani or other hip parents using.
Or Not to Buy… let’s face it, babies decide what kind of bottle they like and it’s not always predictable. It’s usually a good idea to start with just a few bottles to be sure your little one likes them before making a big investment.
Shop! Adiri Natural Nurser baby bottles are available for just over $10 for a single bottle and $17 and up for multi-packs at Adiri on Amazon.com
How to Enter: Visit The Water Geeks and tell us what your favorite product is (it doesn’t have to be the Adiri).
Bonus Entries - valid only after completing one form of the required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
Giveaway ends December 29. Open to US mailing addresses.
The Shopping Mama™ was founded by Kate Marsh Lord in January of 2009 to share the latest and greatest in gear, clothes and toys for kids. After graduating law school and moving around the world with her Air Force husband, Kate settled down and had three beautiful little ones.The children changed her online motivation from researching legal issues to tracking down the best in everything for kids from strollers to monogrammed onesies.Kate is proud to partner with several brands as an ambassador
