Holiday Picks & Giveaways 2008 - Day 8

[This giveaway has ended: Thank you SO much for visiting our Holiday Open House - WE HAVE A WINNER - congratulations, xenia!!!]

Happy Cyper Monday -- the busiest shopping day on the Internets -- and welcome to Day 8 and Final Day of our Holiday Picks & Giveaways 2008 (November 24 - December 1) sponsored by some of the most awesomely generous brands I know, who have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for Her, Him, the Grandparents...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!?

Seriously, I've got some really great stuff to share with you.

Our kick-off giveaway drew over 170 entries -- Holy Craps! -- what a great way to celebrate the beginning of Thanksgiving week!

Raising 4 kids (we'll have two teenagers in the house, this year) my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I are trying (really hard) to remember to take back the holidays and keep it as stress free as...well...you know, we've got a little something for everyone and giving away some pretty cool stuff, too:

Day 1 - For the Outdoors:  Lands' End Collection of Warm Fuzzies

Day 2 - For Him: Man Spa Gift Package from Sothys Paris - Because, He's Worth It...too!

Day 3 - For the Home:  Deck the Halls, Clean the Floors and Green Gift Giving

Day 4 - For the Grandparents:  Gift of the Christmas Cookie

Day 5 - For the Whole Family:  Black Friday Night at the Movies...um...Night!

Day 6 - For the Kitchen:  Pillsbury Home is Calling Gift Basket

Day 7 - For the Toy Box:  The Discovery Store

Day 8 - Gifts that Give Back:  Save the Oceans, Adopt a Creature!

My picks, product features and blog posts, as always, are advertorial free.  No one is paying me, to talk about their product.  It's just some really nice stuff that I thought you guys would like, too.

Let's get started, okay?

TodaysMama.com today announced the results of their 2008 Holiday Economic Survey (which included 1050 respondents) revealing that 85% of Moms across the United States are trimming their holiday budgets due to concern about the long-term economic outlook.

Yep, me too.

A study of current giving trends conducted by Dogpile.com found that Americans who typically give to charities are cutting back on their donations by nearly half from last year, and they expect that animal charities will suffer among the most compared to other organizations and civic causes.

But, there's a way you (yes, YOU!) oh, savvy Internets, by doing what you do best:

Dogpile.com, a search engine that pools results from all major search engines, is donating a portion of revenues from searches conducted on the Dogpile Web site to the ASPCA!

And, the giving doesn't stop there:

 

Consumers can continue to give without spending a penny of their own money by using a downloadable Search & Rescue toolbar.

Dogpile.com's Search and Rescue program has a goal of raising $1 million through the end of 2009 by inviting consumers to search the Web.

But, wait, there's more -- now, there's a way we can remember our earth's sea and ocean creatures, too.

Wavemaker (n) - A person actively engaged, with Oceana, in publicly promoting positive change; specifically for the benefit of our world’s oceans.

Oceana.org is the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to protecting the world’s oceans and their major campaigns and projects include dirty fishing, destructive trawling, sharks, seafood contamination, sea turtles, fishing subsidies, and global warming.

I am pleased to share with you yet another reason to avoid the crowded malls and perhaps consider giving the gift of conservation with their Adopt a Creature Holiday Gift Program:

This year, when you symbolically adopt a creature with a donation to Oceana, you can choose from our famous cookie cutters (Dolphin, Octopus, Penguin, Polar Bear, Sea Turtle and Shark), plus this year we've added four adorable plush toys (Dolphin, Hammerhead Shark, Killer Whale and Seal.) 

Enjoy free shipping! Place your order by midnight, December 18.

All proceeds support Oceana and its efforts to protect the world’s oceans.

PERSONALIZED ADOPTION CERTIFICATE
Your personalized adoption certificate lists the name of the adoptive parent and displays the common and Latin name of the adopted creature.

Want one?

This holiday season, give the gift of ocean conservation -- to help promote their Adopt a Creature Holiday Gift Program, the extremely generous folks at Oceana.org are offering one (1) lucky reader a fulfillment package, including the adorable Dolphin, Hammerhead Shark, Whale and Seal plush toys!

Because, we roll like that.

[Retail Value:  $150.00]

FIND IT HERE: Oceana.org

WIN IT HERE:  Just leave a comment on this post by 10:00 a.m. on December 8th (Monday) and you ARE automatically entered to WIN IT!  One (1) winner will be picked (via random.org) and announced via email and post on PRIZEYWinners!

Help us spread the word about our open house by featuring our Holiday Survival Guide 2008 button (shown below) on your website, or blog and/or subscribe to our feed...MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK AND LEAVE ME THE LINK IN THE COMMENTS SECTION...and you'll be automatically entered for 3 extra (for a total of 4) to win!

Button, button, who's got the button?

Oh, and here's the nifty little code, just so you know:

<a href="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/holiday_picks_giveaways_2008/"><img src="http://www.thisfullhouse.com/this-full-house-holiday-giveaways-150.jpg"></a>

You can take a look at all of our fantastic picks, as they are added each day November 24 - December 1, 2008, by visiting our Holiday Picks & Giveaways 2008 page. 

Good luck and, you know, wake me when New Years ends!

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© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Baba]

1.

What a great giveaway! To be able to help save the Oceans creatures with a chance like this is a fabulous treat. I would love to win!

[Shelly (3)]

2.

This is perfect for my nephew who loves sharks!

[Shelly]

3.

I am a subscriber

[AJacobsen (3)]

4.

What a great idea!

[Brenda Callahan]

5.

what an absolutely wonderful giveaway. Not only a gift, but a learning experience. Would love to involve my children in this! thank you

[erin (3)]

6.

These are both such great groups. Thank you for including them in your Holiday Survival Guide!

[Ursula]

7.

What a great gift. My son watches Animal Planet all the time and wants to grow up to help animals. Thanks for the giveaway.

[Lisa C. (3)]

8.

What a great way to help!

[rebecca (3)]

9.

This is perfect for my neighbours daughters - they would love this, great giveaway, thank you so much,

[rebecca]

10.

This would be great for my neighbours daughters, thank you so much.

[Heather C]

11.

I use dogpile all the time! Love that site. Good to see that they're doing their part for the animals.

[Michelle Rosborough]

12.

Love the Dolphin

[Jessica C]

13.

This is such a great idea. You can help a animal and your child can have them came one in toy form. That is so cool.

[diana]

14.

A great idea, and very informative.

[Cecile (3)]

15.

Great idea! I have your button on my blog!

[Elizabeth]

16.

What a great idea and prize!

[faith bernards]

17.

My grandson loves stuffed animals and I love Oceana so it's a win/win! Thanks for the great prize!

[Marci]

18.

What a wonderful idea.

[mannequin (3)]

19.

In a longwinded speech, I first say thanks.
I'm heading right over to Dogpile.com and set that as my homepage or find that Search and Rescue toolbar to download.
That in itself is a gift so thank you!

The Adopt A Creature Program is a terrific gift for kids and adults. I prefer to give gifts with lasting impact and what better way than to donate to Oceana.org? If that's not an investment, I don't know what is. It's certainly worth more than money in the bank :)

Thanks for the education and the lovely gifts.

[Alice Hansen]

20.

I would never have thought of this as a potential gift - what a great idea. Thanks for the chance!

[Lisa]

21.

What a great way to get the message out about our sealife.
stormy5475@aol.com

[oona b]

22.

My daughter would love to adopt these sweet little sea creatures that will help educate her about a wonderful cause. A cuddly learning experience!
Thanks for the giveaway!
foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com

[Go Amie]

23.

What an amazing giveaway; thank you.

[Elsie]

24.

This giveaway touches my heart...

Never have I seen a more beautiful part of the Earth as when I flew over the Pacific Ocean ..it is a royal sapphire blue that is so bright and stunning and almost illuminated. It is home to countless creatures, huge, tiny, and in between! These awesome sea animals the world over are treasures and we need to make sure we do not lose them...thank you for spreading the awareness, and for this giveaway.

[Kimberly (3)]

25.

What a wonderful idea!!!! What child wouldn't love something like this, while doing good for the creatures of our Earth at the same time. WONDERFUL!!!!

Thanks for the great giveaway!

[Kimberl]

26.

I am already a subscriber to your blog. THANKS!

[Patti]

27.

My kids would go nuts for this! It is such a great idea, thanks!!

[Andreah (3)]

28.

My oldest son loves his stuffed animals and what a great cause this is to boot! Thanks =)

[Kelly (3)]

29.

WOw..this is an awesome giveaway.. As a donor to the ASPCA and Peta, I strongly believe in helping keep our animals safe. Thanks for the great giveaway! P.S. I did NOT know that Dogpile was donating to the ASPCA, thanks so much, I will definitely use their search engine more.

[Meg T]

30.

What an awesome gift! My mom is obsessed with Manatees and last Christmas I gave her an "Adopt a Manatee" donation. She seriously LOVED it! Thanks!

[tamara]

31.

My oldest son would really love to be a part of this program. Such a excellent program and it will teach others the importance of protecting the water life. Thank-you.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

[tamara]

32.

I am a subscriber.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

[Nadia]

33.

What a great cause! Thanks for the giveaway!

[jenna]

34.

This is a great giveaway! My niece would like this! Thanks!

[Lindley]

35.

Very cool giveaway- those are some of our favorite animals. Thanks!

[Jayme]

36.

i like the dolphin. thanks!

[Miss Blondie]

37.

I love the Ocean...my favorite animals are dolphins...when i was younger i used to want to work at Sea World and train them!!

[Lo]

38.

this IS a great giveaway - thanks for educating everyone about this too.

[Apple]

39.

This is such a cool way to send the idea across families.

[jennifer bowen]

40.

this is realy sweet and well well please enter me in to this thanks

[rebecca]

41.

I commented at number 10, but forgot to add that I am subscribed to your RSS feed, for my extra entry, thanks.

[getpalmd]

42.

_Oh my God_ I love that seal! Aww I want it in my bed, I already have two plush seals I sleep with.

[Emilie P]

43.

What a wonderful idea for a giveaway! It is so nice at holiday time to give back and this is a great gift for that impossible to buy for person. Thanks!

[Connie]

44.

Love this unique gift idea! What a wonderful and thoughtful present. Thank you so much for the contest.

[Jamie]

45.

Hi

I love the fact that this giveaway is also for a good cazuse. The plush animals are a grest way to remind that these creatures need our help!

[Alex H.]

46.

How exciting what a great giveaway. I have a little Brock-a-boo that would love this. Thank you so much for the great giveaway.

[Rebecca C (3)]

47.

Helping the erths creatures and getting a stuffed likeness! SO cute!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

[Ginny]

48.

Wow, this is a really amazing prize!

[Staci A (3)]

49.

This is such a great idea! This would make such an amazing gift for my little one. I'll have to go check out their site. Thanks for the chance to enter.
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com

[Staci A]

50.

I subscribe to your feed via reader.
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com

[xenia [WINNER!!!]]

51.

This is such a great giveaway, I love the idea of giving something with so much more meaning for Christmas. Thanks!

[Sarah]

52.

What a wonderful, wonderful giveaway.

[Mudpies And Mary Janes]

53.

I would love to win this for my daughter. She is an animal lover and I think this would be a great way to teach her about helping others.

[Jeffrey W (3)]

54.

This is great. I love the oceans and the sea life and I am trying to get my girls interested in it as well. They watch Nemo a lot. this would be good for them. Thanks.

[Jeffrey W]

55.

I am now a subscriber by email. Thanks.

[Brooke]

56.

Super Cool! Count my family in!