Holiday Gift Guide: safeHands Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer

The holidays are quickly approaching and I have one thing on my mind..... germs! Having a baby born so close to Christmas has made me a nervous wreck. IT has even driven me to consider not seeing family on Christmas day in order to protect my newborn from those pesky germs lurking on hands of loved ones.

Then I received some information about safeHands and the opportunity to check out some of their products. This could be just what I'm looking for!
What is safeHands®?
safeHands®  is the world’s first line of soothing and effective alcohol free hand sanitizers developed for multiple daily use. It’s hydrating foam-based hand sanitizer kills more than 99.99% of germs on contact, while still leaving hands silky smooth.

I was a big believer in hand sanitizer when my daughter was born and would insist people use it before holding her. Then I started to worry about the fact that it was loaded with alcohol. I wasn't very comfortable with that and turned to the less convenient, but still effective, good old hand washing in the sink.

safeHands has just the products I need to encourage my family and friends to quickly and conveniently disinfect their hands before handling my son. And it's a product that I feel comfortable with my daughter using as well.  With their line of products for kids, safeSquirts, I can take it everywhere with me and know i can clean her hands whenever it's needed.

I would definitely recommend you check out their website to learn more. There is no better time than the holidays to keep kids germ free and healthy!

Holiday Gift Guide: Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas: The delightful aroma of the kitchen during the holidays – with smells of cinnamon, peppermint, chocolate and vanilla – is a scent that many associate with long lived memories. The holiday season is a perfect time to create flavorful memories with family and loved ones. Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest vanilla and pure flavor products in the world. This year, foodies can bake, cook and gift products such as Peppermint Extract, Chocolate Extract and Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste. The vanilla bean paste is made with Nielsen-Massey’s famous Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract with the addition of real seeds from the vanilla pod, combined in a slightly viscous base. It is used whenever the distinctive look of vanilla seeds is desired.

My Thoughts:
I was very excited to check out the vanilla extracts offered by Nielsen-Massey. We do a ton of baking during the holiday season, so I knew I would be able to put them to use and experience their flavor.

I received a sampling of some of the flavors they have to offer. My sample included:
2 oz Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 oz Pure Peppermint Extract
2 oz Pure Chocolate Extract
2 oz Pure Almond Extract

Mmmm, what a nice selection of flavors. I opened each bottle and took a whiff and was blown away by the delectable scent. These are the perfect selection of extracts to give someone this holiday season. You can check out these high quality extracts, as well as other flavors, on their website. They also have a very informative guide to illustrate what types of yummy treats can be made with each flavor.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Sparkle Box - Book

By Jill Hardie

Ideals Children's Books

Like many families, Jill Hardie saw that her family would get caught up in the tinsel, parties, gifts, lights and general busyness of the season that they would forget there is a deeper reason to celebrate Christmas. She found a special way to show her children the joy of giving to others and to teach them that giving is itself a gift! The result is The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas, which is written by Jill Hardie, and beautifully illustrated by Christine Kornacki. Each book even comes with a beautiful sparkle box, so families can begin their own tradition this Christmas season.

Like most young children, Sam is so excited about Christmas. He’s busy thinking about his Christmas list, anticipating holiday parties and puzzling over one very mysterious gift—a sparkly box sitting on the mantel above the fireplace. Throughout the Christmas season, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness and service to others.  On Christmas morning, Sam finally gets to open the Sparkle Box, where he finds slips of paper recording the family’s good deeds during the holiday season.  Sam’s parents explain that the things that they've been doing for others are, in fact, a gift for God. This uplifting story will inspire readers to adopt this faith-centered tradition in their homes.

My Thoughts:
What a refreshing book! I must say that I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I am constantly searching for the best deals on presents and running to the stores on the busiest shopping days of the year. It's easy to lose track of what's important during the holiday season. And if it's that easy for me to lose track, I can only imagine how easy it is for my daughter who is fully caught up in the Santa and presents aspect of the holiday.

This book is a beautiful reminder that we can enjoy the holiday season and all of the traditions that go along with it, but that we should also be keeping the true meaning of Christmas in our hearts and in our lives. I love the idea of doing little deeds throughout the season and keeping them written down in the sparkle box. How special it would be to open that box on Christmas and be reminded of the people we've met, the things we had done for others. To read each slip and relive the moment on Christmas morning with our family.

This book could be the start of a beautiful tradition for you and your family. I am looking forward to putting our sparkle box to use and making a difference during the holidays... and hopefully the rest of the year, too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing all of my readers and fans a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Holiday Gift Guide: Heart of Christmas DVD

Synopsis:
The Heart of Christmastells the story of Austin and Julie Locke, who are devastated to learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer.  With courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax one last Christmas – even if it has to be in October.  When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of care and support.  The Heart of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays.

Cast:
Candace Cameron Bure: Make It or Break It
Jeannie Nielson: Faith Like Potatoes
George Newburn: Father of the Bride
Erin Bethea: Fireproof
Matthew West Grammy-nominated Christian Singer

My Thoughts:
I love holiday movies. I feel like sitting down with a good movie filled with holiday decorations, music, and the feeling of family makes the season merry and bright. When I first read about this movie I had some hesitations about watching it. It sounded so sad. As a mother, I wasn't sure this was the kind of movie I wanted to be watching to get myself in the holiday spirit. The idea of facing the fact that your child has cancer and may not live to see one more Christmas is an unbearable thought that I wouldn't even want in my head.

But I decided to give the movie a try. I have to admit it was an emotional movie. The feelings of love and fear from the parents was very relatable and feelings I never want to experience. But there were also moments of pure joy, watching this incredibly strong little boy lift the spirits of those around him. It has made me look at my family in a whole new light. I have always appreciated them and been thankful for their health, but now I feel even more thankful. It has put the meaning of Christmas into perspective. It isn't about gifts, it's about being with the ones you love and being so thankful for all that you have.

This is a powerful movie that will bring tears to your eyes and joy to your heart. The characters are really fabulous and you feel like you really know them. You experience their struggles, you feel their joy, you cry with them. There is a lot of Christmas magic in this movie.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Original Christmas Classics on Blu-ray

Wow, what a perfect holiday walk down memory lane. This Blu-ray set is the perfect collection of the old time classics that brought families together during the holiday season. I remember looking through the TV guide to make sure we didn't miss these family favorites. Now you can have them in your home, ready to watch anytime, with the Blu-ray collection.

The cute and family-friendly box set contains four of the most beloved holiday TV specials of all time, including the Rankin/Bass classics “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” and “Frosty Returns.” Watching these iconic TV specials are part of the American holiday tradition, just like baking cookies or trimming the Christmas tree!  The holiday season just wouldn’t be the same without them…  

The Original Christmas Classics collection will be available wherever Blu-rays ($44.95 SRP) are sold.

They just don't seem to make holiday shows the way they used to! I still look to these classics each and every year to get in the true spirit. And now I am excited to be able to share them with my daughter. While the animation may not be what she used to, I think she will truly appreciate the stories and Christmas messages behind each of these tales.

Frosty the Snowman is probably my favorite from this collection. There is something about his smile and the music that just bring me back to my childhood. Tell me, what is your favorite Christmas special?

Be sure to visit The Original Christmas Classics Facebook page!

Holiday Gift Guide: Lil' Teammates Team Sets

My husband is a huge football fan. He looks forward to games for days and days. His team of choice is the New York Giants, though you will spot him watching other teams to eye up the competition. So when I learned that Lil' Teammates had come out with a new product I knew that it would be something right up his alley.

The Lil' Teammates Collectible Team Sets are the perfect gift for any football fan. Each set contains all three positions from your favorite team; quarterback, lineman, and running back. There are 22 teams to choose from, so finding one you love should be easy. Each set comes in a diorama display package, perfect for displaying on a shelf.

Each figure stands 3" tall and has a rotating head, arms, and waist. They are fully licensed and a great gift idea for the football fan in your life!

MSRP: $24.99

You can also find college and hockey teams exclusively at Kohls. I will be on the look out for my husband's favorite hockey team!

Holiday Gift Guide: Baby's First Christmas and Rudy Learns to Fly

I am big believer in giving books for the holidays. They are something that kids can enjoy time and time again. Starting from a young age you have the power to instill the love of reading and helping bring words and pictures to life for a child. Holiday books seems to be especially magical as excited children sit down to visit the North Pole or see reindeer fly. So I was thrilled to be able to check out two great titles that will be the perfect additions to the youngest children this holiday season!

By Christina Goodings

I am so thrilled this year to be able to celebrate Baby's First Christmas with my son. This book will be the perfect gift that we will hold on to for years to come to remember his first Christmas. It's the perfect size and full of bright illustrations. Each page has just one or two words to help tell the beautiful tale of Baby Jesus.

This book is intended for children up to age 3. It is also the perfect book for an older sibling to share with a young child. It is easy for them to follow the pictures to recreate the tale. It is a simple story that gets the message and the meaning across with engaging illustrations.

By Rebecca Finn

My daughter just adores this book! Rhymes are used to tell the tale of a reindeer who is afraid to fly. But with Santa's help and a little "magic," Rudy is soon on his way! My daughter was cheering for Rudy and hoping he would be able to get over his fear.

This book is really magical for young children. It is intended for children ages 3-5 and even come with a special ornament. My daughter can't wait to hang Rudy's ornament on our tree so that Santa can see it when he comes to visit!

I would definitely recommend this book for any young child. It is filled with Christmas magic!

Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups on Blu-ray and DVD 11/20!

Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups

on Blu-ray and DVD November 20, 2012

The North Pole has a new litter of playful pups! However, when the frisky foursome—Hope, Jingle, Charity and Noble—practically destroy Santa’s Workshop with their mischievous gamboling, they realize the best way to prove that they’re responsible enough to become Santa’s Helpers is to show how well they can spread the Christmas spirit all by themselves. With help from a magic crystal, they start granting everyone’s wishes. But their good intentions backfire when one unhappy boy asks that Christmas go away forever! With his wish impetuously fulfilled, and the joyous spirit quickly disappearing from the planet, Mrs. Claus and the pups have to find a way to reverse the spell—or risk losing Christmas forever! 

Christmas has truly taken on a new meaning for me ever since my daughter was born. Each year it becomes more and more wonderful to watch her experience the magic of the Holiday season. So we like to start watching holiday movies as soon as possible to help get us into the spirit! And since my daughter is already a big fan of adorable talking pups, I figured this one would be a hit.

The Santa Pups are truly adorable. Each one offers a different personality that reflects throughout the movie. With three girl puppies and one boy puppy the movie is full of silliness and sibling love. My daughter immediately decided that Charity was her favorite pup. Though Charity has a lot to learn about putting others first and helping when needed, she has a lot of the same qualities as my daughter. They are both very girly girls. But I am so glad that my daughter recognized that sometimes Charity could have been nicer. I, myself, like Jingle. Much like myself, the poor pup can't carry a tune but just loves to sing. She is a humorous little one. And my husband, of course, went for the leader and only boy, Noble. Noble tends to get in some trouble with his mischievous ways. He kind of puts himself in charge even though it may not always be the best idea.

The film was really heartwarming and brought a lot of Christmas spirit to life. The pups have a lot to learn about Christmas spirit, but with help from some friends and each other they start to learn a lot about themselves and what the Christmas season is really all about. As a mom to young and impressionable little girl, I loved the messages that are portrayed through this fun movie. It was hit with my family and would make the perfect family movie night pick for this holiday season!