[This giveaway has ended: Thank you SO much for visiting our Holiday Open House - WE HAVE OUR WINNERS - congratulations, Kristinia, Lisa C. and Bhavana!!!]
Welcome to Day 4 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?
I don't blame my mother for hanging up on me - I would, if I could, trust me - but, every gosh-darned holiday, it's the same thing.
"What do THEY want?"
Everything, of course.
"GAH...I swear...I just don't know, anymore!"
Yes,
of course I think it's a blessing that my children have such
wonderfully thoughtful grandparents and both sets have been MORE than
generous to Garth (not his real name) and me, baling us out helping to keep the Christmas spirit, over the years.
This year?
Well...the economy has been rough on the Grandparents, too - stupid health insurance - and I recently asked author Dandi Mackay (The Gift of the Christmas Cookie) for ideas on how to manage your child's expectations when you can't afford Christmas &
here's what she suggests:
Start with yourself! Often, we parents are the ones with the commercialism hang-ups. We feel like bad parents if we can't get our child the year's "hot" gift, or the latest computer game. Yet, chances are, your kids don't remember what they got last year! Do you? We can rarely name the "things" we've gotten over the years, but we do remember those traditions, like baking cookies and telling stories and singing Christmas carols.
Make an effort to tell stories of past Christmases and get your children involved. Play the "remember when…" game when you're in the car or baking cookies or decorating the tree.
Start new traditions. Light an advent candle and do the readings.
Focus out, rather than in. As a family, think of neighbors or care groups in your community who could use a good visit and a plateful of cookies.
Volunteer for an outreach program.
Make cut-out cookies and explain the origin of the tradition.
At the back of her book, Dandi Mackay shares a simple Christmas Cookies recipe and has graciously allowed me to pass it along to you:
Photo Credit: The very talented Deborah Chabrian (illustrator of The Gift of the Christmas Cookie) who took the photo for an event she held at a school in Connecticut for the kiddos.
Dandi Daley Mackall's Simple Christmas Cookie Recipe
4 cups sifted flour
3 cups powdered sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon anise extract
Want one?
In her new book "The Gift of the Christmas Cookie" (following her 2007 bestseller, "The Legend of St. Nicholas") Dandi Mackay teaches kids the story behind the Christmas sugar cookie tradition and inspires them to be cheerful givers and is giving (3) copies to send to our readers, just in time for Christmas!
Because, we roll like that!
[Retail Value: $16.99]
FIND IT HERE: Amazon.com
WIN IT HERE: Just leave a comment on this post by
10:00 a.m. on December 4th (Thursday) and you ARE automatically entered
to WIN IT! Three (3) winners 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:
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!
© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.
