Tag Archives: Holiday

BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog Gives Parents Great Gift Ideas and Great Prices!

Gifts, Holiday, New posts, , , ,

Fisher-Price Doodle Bear available at BJ's Wholesale ClubI have to admit that I’m struggling a bit with buying Christmas gifts for the kids this year.  My kids are 12 and 5.  My 5 year old has all the toys she could possibly need because we kept most of our 12 year old’s cool toys and handed them down to her.  My 12 year old just doesn’t need anything.  He doesn’t really play with toys anymore.  He’s into writing, camping, outdoors, stuff like that.  Hard to buy for is what he is!

 

After browsing through BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog though, I found a few things that I know he would love including a Star Wars LEGO set and a mini basketball hoop for his room.  It’s catalogs like this that make it so that my kids actually get gifts!

My daughter has been asking for a Doodle Bear for about two months so when I saw a Doodle Bear in the BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog I knew that’s what I had to request for her.  BJ’s sent her a Fisher-Price Doodle Bear and she was beyond thrilled.  The Doodle Bear set includes washable scented markers, 3 stampers, a 3-shape stencil, and a DVD.

Watch as my daughter plays with her Doodle Bear for the first time:

 

 

You’ll find something for everyone on your list in the BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog.

If you are not already a BJ’s member, you can get a FREE 60-Day Trial Membership now.  Now is the perfect time to check it out with all of the great holiday deals going on!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Fisher-Price Doodle Bear free from BJ’s for the purpose of this review. Opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

‘MR. DADDY’ Makes Holiday Travel with the Family Stress-Free!

Dad, Holiday, Travel, ,

Daddy Scrubs

As a seasoned traveler, “Mr. Daddy,” a.k.a. Robert Nickell, knows how stressful it can be to voyage with small children, and during the holidays it often becomes a requirement. Don’t get caught up in the stress this year. Follow these tried and true tips for ensuring easy travel with your kids this holiday season.

Whether you’re flying or driving to your travel destination this holiday season, here are a few reminders to help you and your children get where you’re going smoothly and happily.

  • Preparations Are Key:
    Make sure your family knows of this year’s holiday plans well in advance so they are able to collect their favorite movies, download their favorite music and pack up their favorite stuffed animals. Your itinerary should be solidly planned out with a little extra room for hiccups and delays. If you’re driving, purchase a road atlas for your car, print out directions from Google Maps, or program and update your GPS system, and check on road conditions and closures due to weather in advance so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
  • Packing:
    When it comes to packing it’s all about being organized. And, as it turns out, one of the more difficult activities when traveling is packing in an organized fashion. You will need to decide how many suitcases you’ll be packing and who will be responsible for what bags or belongings. Don’t wait until the last-minute to pack, start early. Remember to pack up a bag full of snacks and goodies to have on-hand during your travels. Whether on a plane or in a car, getting into baggage once the journey’s begun might not be a viable option. We also stick a pair of pajamas in the on-hand bag. Most of the time, our traveling stretches into the night; changing from day clothes into pajamas while traveling at night helps kids feel more comfortable.
  • Entertainment:
    Chances are your child is going to get bored and burnt-out while traveling, so, as the parent, it’s your responsibility to have a handful of tricks up your sleeve. Toys, puzzles, games and books are great sources of entertainment on the go. Stick a few surprises in your on-hand travel bag so that you can head-off your fidgety child before boredom turns into a meltdown. When you’re driving during daylight, you and your child can watch license plates, keep track of the different colors of cars you pass or listen to a book on tape. When in the airplane, booklets of mazes and coloring books can be extremely helpful when it comes to keeping kids entertained. It doesn’t hurt to have a favorite movie on your iPod or portable DVD player to pop on when your child gets sleepy.
  • Keep in Mind:
    Your kids are going to be exhausted from traveling, so allow them ample time to rest. More than likely, you will be having more activity than a typical day at home would consist of, so keep a close eye on your children to see when they’ve had enough. Traveling can put stress on our bodies and immune systems, so make sure you all drink lots of water and try to eat healthy. Remember you’re on vacation with your children. Plan out some special, kid-friendly activities you know they’ll love and enjoy!

Make sure you explain everything to your children in advance so there are no surprises upon stepping onto an airplane for the first time or visiting the snow. Your child will feel more comfortable, safe and secure if they know what to expect in advance. Remember to be flexible and have a little fun – nothing ever goes quite according to plan, so be prepared for a few minor hiccups and roll with the punches.

Nickell is the writer of a weekly parenting blog where he writes on topics such as bonding with your child, and what the father should expect during pregnancy and infancy. He writes from a man’s perspective and keeps dad engaged throughout his children’s lives.

Nickell is also the founder of DaddyScrubs, a line of fashionable hospital attire for the expectant father to wear during labor and delivery. He is the father of five children, and his practiced advice has been heard on TV and radio shows around the country.

These tips may be reprinted when credited to Robert Nickell, a.k.a. “Mr. Daddy,” father of six, founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds for dads, and the Daddyscrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a Dad’s perspective.

To learn more about Mr. Daddy or to read additional blogs, visit blog.daddyscrubs.com. Visit DaddyScrubs.com to view apparel and gift items.

This is a guest post.

Join me at the Holiday Tools #SearsChat this Monday from 8-9:30pm ET!

New posts, Twitter Parties, , ,

Parents find themselves using tools often.
A toy breaks.  You want to hang your child’s latest masterpiece on the wall.  Or the step stool in the kitchen has a broken leg.

Where do you go?  To the toolbox!

Do want to know if you have the right tools for every job you might encounter?  Or do you just want to learn about the latest and greatest tools available?

Well then, join @StacieInAtlanta, @Crissy, @JollyMom and @MommyInsider (that’s me!) as we chat with and interview Tool Gift Gurus Chris Duke, Frank Fontana and Carla Bruni and we will be discussing all things tools and gifting.

Holiday Tools #SearsChat this Monday!

Shop the Sears Holiday Tools Catalog here.

 

Prizes: 

  • (1 winner)$100 Sears gift card
  • (4 winners) $50 gift cards

How to RSVP:

To enter for a chance to win you must do the following:

  • Have an active Twitter account.
  • Follow the official @Sears and @SearsDeals Twitter accounts.
  • Tweet “Join me and @Sears for #SearsChat – Mon 12/5 from 7-8:30 pm CT talking about Tools Holiday Catalog – Details: http://bit.ly/rLMrUq”
  • Post the link to your tweet in the comments on this post (not this post)
  • During the Twitter Party, send a Tweet (containing only appropriate, family-friendly content as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) that includes the #SearsChat hashtag.

Sears is the ultimate gifting destination this holiday season.

See you on Monday!

Disclosure: Sears has engaged me to help promote and host this party.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

California Wine Club – Review, Giveaway, and Discount Code!

Food and Drink, New posts, , ,

The California Wine ClubI received my second shipment (read about our first shipment here) of wine from California Wine Club’s Premier Club a few days ago and my husband and I have really enjoyed the wines.  The wines we received were from Castaro Cellars and were Pinot Noir and Guwerztraminer.  All the wines we have received from California Wine Club have been award-winning wines.  This is a great help for the fact that when you are in the store, there’s no way to tell if the bottle you’re buying is going to be a great bottle of wine or not.

I know the rule of red wines with red meat and white wines with white meat but no one ever told me just how many white and red wines there are, all with different bouquets and finishes.   Being a member of California Wine Club’s Premier Club and having wine delivered to your door every month, takes away the awkward 5 minutes of standing in the wine isle staring at the ‘wall o’ wine’ and having no idea where to start.

California Wine Club’s most popular club, the Premier Club, features two bottles of award-winning wine from California’s best “mom & pop” wineries. No membership fees, cancel anytime and all wines are 100% guaranteed.

With each monthly wine delivery, members get California Wine Club’s full color Uncorked newsletter showcasing information about the winery.  I love being able to be able to read and learn about the wine I received and the family owned wineries that I may have overlooked when staring at the ‘wall o’ wine’ at the store.  I like the idea of supporting “mom & pop” wineries and reading the newsletter allows me to feel more in-touch with the people involved in the making of the wine.

If you are intimidated by selecting wine like I am, you will benefit from California Wine Club’s Premier Wine Club.  You will be so pleased when you get your monthly shipment of award-winning wines.  You are literally opening your eyes to a world of wine that you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

I am looking forward to our next shipment of wine, California Wine Club’s holiday wines.  I am sure we will enjoy the wine with family during get togethers and holiday meals!

The App

Get a little extra help in deciding which wine to choose while at the grocery store or a restaurant by downloading California Wine Club’s Food and Wine Pairing Wheel app.  The app makes it simple to find and choose wines based on the meal you are preparing or choosing.  Who knows… maybe you’ll even look like a wine expert while you’re dining with friends!

Connect with California Wine Club:

DISCOUNT CODE & GET AN EXTRA BOTTLE OF WINE!

1. Use code mommyinsider to get 10% off every gift order you place.    A California Wine Club Premier Club membership makes a fabulous holiday gift!

2. If you would like to try The California Wine Club, you can use the same promo code and not only will you get 10% off your first month, but you will also get an extra bottle of wine in your first month’s shipment just for being a The Mommy Insider reader!   There is no obligation to stay past the first month.

GIVEAWAY!

Win a one month membership to California Wine Club’s Premier Club! 

Mandatory Entry:

1. Go to California Wine Club’s Facebook page or follow Follow California Wine Club on Twitter and mention that The Mommy Insider sent you!

If you are not on Facebook, just do the following mandatory entry and let us know that you are not on Facebook, in your comment below.

2. Then leave a comment below telling me which you did and why you’d like to win.

2 extra entries:

  • Like The Mommy Insider on Facebook
  • Follow @mommyinsider on Twitter
  • Subscribe to my email newsletter or RSS  feed
  • Tweet about this contest (up to 4 times per day). Your Tweet MUST include the name of the item being given away, my Twitter handle (@mommyinsider), the word giveaway, and a link to this post.
    Example tweet:
    “I entered to win a 1 month California Wine Club membership from @mommyinsider and @cawineclub!  Enter here: http://wp.me/plszx-2AT  #Giveaway”

3 extra entries:

  • Blog about this giveaway as a separate blog post on your own blog
  • Add a comment to any non-giveaway posts on this site (must be relevant to the post you are commenting on).  Tell me in the comments below what post you commented on.

*****
Contest Rules
This contest is open to U.S. residents 21 and older. Utah residents are excluded from this contest. No P.O. Boxes.
Entries accepted through 11:59pm EST December 8th.
The winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email.  Winner must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen.
One IP address per household.
*****

Disclosure: I was offered a three month subscription to California Wine Club for review purposes.  My opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced in any way.  I write only about products and services that I have used and enjoy, unless otherwise stated.  You can read my full Disclosure Policy here.

 Alicia Hagan, Editor

Join me at the Gifting Expert #SearsChat and Sweepstakes tonight (11/28) from 8-9:30pm ET

Age 0-1 year, Gifts, Holiday, New posts, Twitter Parties, , , ,

We made it through Thanksgiving and Black Friday.. with flying colors I might add.  I actually went shopping at 6am on Black Friday and found some great deals at Sears, Land’s End, and more.  Now, Christmas is right around the corner.   Have your kids given you their wish lists?  Have you made YOUR wish list?

Sears Twitter Party

Do you know what gifts you will be purchasing for your loved ones? No fear, join us for a special Gifting Expert #SearsChat this Monday 11/28 from 7pm-8:30pm CT (8-9:30pm ET) with @Sears.

Get tips and share your own. Hosts @StacieInAtlanta, @Crissy, @JollyMom and @MommyInsider (that’s me) will be interviewing gifting experts that are sure to make your holiday shopping easier.

Follow @Sears and @SearsDeals and tweet with us from 7pm-8:30pm CT using the hashtag #SearsChat to participate.  We will be giving away the following featured prizes!

  • First Prize: $100 Sears Gift card from Kenmore
  • Second Prize:  Norelco SensoTouch 3D electric razor http://bit.ly/rxVFVL
  • Third Prize:  1 of 2 Cuisinart Stainless Steel Rechargeable Salt & Pepper Mill
  • Fourth Prize: Hamilton Beach Homebaker 2lb Breadmaker http://bit.ly/rshRwA

Sears is the ultimate gifting destination this holiday season. Join us for #SearsChat and take the stress out of holiday shopping this year.

Read the official chat & sweepstakes rules and RSVP here.

 Disclosure: I am being compensated to help promote and host this party.

 

Alicia Hagan, Editor