Category: Gift Guide

All things gift items. Gift guides are a great tool when you need to know what is the best gift idea for the person who has everything.

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Clearly Filtered Pure Filtered Water Pitcher Giveaway

The Five Fish, Gift guide, The Five Fish gift guideAs the seasons have officially changed and the rest of the world has fallen back for daylight savings, the rest of us here in Arizona are still enduring spring and early summer type weather. While I long for hot coffee and tea to enjoy on cool fall days, I am still drinking up all the water I can stand in order to stay cool this summer November.

However the water in Arizona is less than desirable. Harsh, desert water tastes like liquified sand, not really, but it tastes heavy and a bit dirty. The water is laden with chlorine, fluoride and other non-natural occurring ingredients. I grew up on tap water and my kids drink tap water, but the taste is something to be desired and if you are like me, you tend to not drink enough water based on taste.clearly filtered, water chemicals

Bottled water is an expensive purchase and the left over bottles leave waste if not recycled properly. Reverse osmosis systems offer similar options but they still maintain levels of chlorine in the system in order to filter properly within the system.

Clearly Filtered offers an in fridge pitcher to filter out the chlorine and harsh chemicals that adversely affect your water. The pitcher is a BPA free, non-leaching Tritan plastic which can hold up to about 2.5 liters of water. Additionally the filter has a 300 fill, 200 gallon life span, which is five times greater than any competitor. The water is clean and clear, removed of the majority of heavy metals including lead, mercury and chromium.

Why is Clearly Filtered different?

We aren’t satisfied with the options people have when it comes to water. That is why we are committed to coming up with better solutions that will keep you healthy and wont hurt the environment in the process. The truth is bottled water isn’t good for our bodies, our wallets or for the planet. The faster we get people to realize this the sooner we can start considering better alternatives. Clearly Filtered can help make a positive impact on your health, your finances and our ecosystem. It’s not the only choice, it’s the best choice. We are passionate about helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle by ensuring that the water they drink is clean and pure. Our mission is to provide clean, safe drinking water to people all over the world. We believe that clean water is a basic human right and we intend on doing everything that we can to make sure that people don’t go thirsty.

water pitcher, clearly filtered, pure filtered waterI received their Pure Filtered Water Pitcher for review. The water pitcher is an excellent choice for someone who is savvy about their health, has made an affirmation to drink more water and appreciates functional gifts. Clearly Filtered sent the pitcher in their attractive packaging with limited plastic cello wrap. The initial use was very simple with the faucet attachment to blow out the filter before use. Simply pop into the pitcher, attach the filling reservoir, apply the lid and fill. The water filters swiftly and cleanly. We were ready to use within minutes. Of which I immediately partook in large glasses of the water. Clean, clear and devoid of the scent you often experience from tap water. My water intake has increased with better tasting water where I formerly was adding lemon to my tap water experience in order to tolerate.

My kids and husband are also big water drinkers and have preferred a fruit additive to the water in order to enhance the flavor and easy the taste. The Pure Filtered Water Pitcher has really been tremendous in our household and the pitcher is friendly enough for the kids to handle.

Clearly Filtered wants to share their mission with you by giving away one of their water pitchers.

Pure Filtered Water Pitcher
Clearly Filtered brings you a filtered pitcher you can put in the fridge! Now you can have cold, truly filtered water at your fingertips. Just fill up, let the water filter and pour! Never has getting clean, great tasting tap water been any easier. $69.95

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Participating Blogs were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Clearly Filtered will be responsible for processing product to the winner of this sweepstakes. This event is in not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact karie@thefivefish.com if you have additional questions or concerns.

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Mighty Leaf Organic Tea Package Giveaway

GiftGuide2014My friend Joie at The Networking Witches is hosting her annual Holiday Gift Guide. Check out this fabulous giveaway!38030.a.detailMighty Leaf Tea was born for the sole purpose of infusing life into an ancient indulgence by creating tea products that reach new heights of quality and innovation. The genesis of Mighty Leaf Tea came in 1996 as a result of a shared passion and dream envisioned by husband-and-wife team Gary Shinner and Jill Portman when they founded their teahouse on Fillmore St. in San Francisco. Their passion is for creating the most incredible handcrafted tea blends found anywhere, globally sourcing the finest ingredients available. Paralleling the highest standards of quality at Mighty Leaf Tea is ongoing creative innovation.

Their specially created handcrafted Tea Pouches are designed to unleash the essence of the quality that is Mighty Leaf Tea. Supporting our quality and innovation is our promise to deliver the highest level of customer service excellence in serving you the finest tea products available.

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Mighty Leaf Tea carries Tea Pouches, Loose Tea, Iced Tea, Teaware, and even gifts. Generally I prefer tea pouches but I don’t mind loose tea either. What’s important is the flavor we brew and what it does for us.

Mighty Leaf Tea is going to give one winner the products below!

Mighty Leaf Tea Organic Collection Gift Sampler

Experience whole leaf organic tea with Organic Hojicha green tea, Organic Earl Grey, and the herbal Organic Mint Melange. Enjoy the citrusy bergamot of Organic Earl Grey, a black tea, and the mixture of pan-fired and slow roasted greentea of Organic Hojicha. 15 pouches of each. Wrapped with a ribbon. $30

TeaTopBrew Mug

Our insulated “traveling tea pot” is perfect for enjoying Mighty Leaf whole leaf tea on the go. Say goodbye to over-steeping! Pull the string through the patented lid and your tea pouch is in a special
holding area, away from your tea. $16.95

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclaimer: Participating Blogs were not compensated for this post.
No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per
address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by
email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Mighty
Leaf will be responsible for product shipment to winner of this
sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or
endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google,
Pinterest. Contact winterwitch@networkingwitches.com if you have any
additional questions or comments.

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Healthy Eating with Happy Family Foods

Traditional stocking stuffers are sweet treats, but they do not promote any health and face it, they promote unhealthy habits and the “okay” from parents that treats like these are perfectly acceptable. While candy and sweets may be alright in moderation and once in an odd while, they are not a good influence for our children. So while compiling my gift guide and ideas for fabulous stocking stuffers and maintaining of the healthy organic lifestyle I have created for my children I found HAPPYFAMILY Foods which is a great line of snacks, bites, munchies, and drinks for babies, toddlers and the entire family.

About HAPPYFAMILY:

A few short years ago, HAPPYBABY was the first premium baby brand to enter the market in 5 small stores in New York City—at a time when there were no homestyle options for parents to feed their children. Processed foods or homemade baby food—which can be time consuming for busy families—were the only options. A lot has changed, and we are now the leading premium brand of baby and toddler meals in the U.S.—sold in over 13,000 stores with 9 different lines of optimally delicious organic foods for your growing family.

Our family added to our stockings this year the HAPPYSQUEEZE super fruit and super grains organic smoothie. Perfect for an in between meals snack, a morning pick me up, or just because. My family love these, not only because they are totally portable anywhere, even fitting right into the Santa Shoes as my kids call them, but they taste great, are great for you with the USDA certified organic, and they are affordable. Who says that eating right and healthy has to cost your kids and family a fortune.

HAPPYFAMILY foods has a variety of lines for all stages of your family with baby foods, toddler snacks and drinks, but HAPPYFAMILY also offers a line of books and DVD’s to enhance your healthy lifestyle in all aspects. Their products are available at local retailers and specialty stores like Whole Foods and Kroger brand stores. Try adding these snacks to your Santa Shoes this year and your kids might thank you.

“Disclosure: I was provided with samples of HAPPYFAMILY Squeeze at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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Billy Joel Piano Man

Funny conversation my sister and I had the other day about music. She was talking about how at her school during instruction they are only allowed to listen to music that is free of cursing, derogatory messages and the like. I couldn’t agree more, that sort of music really isn’t apropriate in any professional setting. I laughed further when she mentioned that jazz and blues were played and some of the girls in her class became twisted because it wasn’t the emo techno they are used to hearing. Sadly, they are missing out.

As a product of the late 70s and huge fan of 80s music I have been exposed to a myriad of genre’s with music. Some of my favorite 45’s to listen to (by the way those are a type of record…a.k.a. vinyl) were The Beattles, The Beach Boys, Led Zepplin, and in the 80s on tape I listened to and fell in love with Billy Joel. Especially when he performed “Uptown Girl” and his then wife Christie Brinkley starred in the video. Oh how everyone thought at the time they were royalty of sorts with his magical voice and her stunning good looks. How I digress.

But I have always loved Billy Joel. I danced at my wedding to Billy Joel’s “Just the way you are,” my husband and I celebrated on a trip to Las Vegas listening to “Piano Man” and finally when I had my twins, my son would only fall asleep to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” or “Songs from an Italian restaurant.” I have videos of my son Seth and his sister Sara falling asleep to Billy’s music because he has such a melodic voice and his music is soothing and full of talent.

Imagine my excitement when I was told that Billy was releasing a commemorative CD to celebrate his 40 years in music. Yes, 40 years, almost as I am old, this man has been touching the lives of people where they can recall moments in their lives, as I have, where they heard one of his songs. Two very special released CD’s are available, Piano Man (Legacy Edition) and Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection:

Columbia/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is commemorating forty years of Billy Joel’s career as a solo recording artist with a pair of historic releases–a limited edition Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection boxed set and a two-disc Legacy Edition of  1973’s Piano Man album (exclusively featuring a long-lost fabled radio concert from 1972)–each appealing to aficionados of the iconic American singer-songwriter-performer.

Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection brings together for the first time, in one elegantly designed box, the artist’s complete catalog of 14 essential titles, from 1971’s Cold Spring Harbor through 1979’s Grammy-winning Album of The Year 52nd Street and 1981’s live Songs In The Attic to 2001’s Fantasies & Delusions, the first album of Billy’s classical compositions.  Each album has been recently remastered in 24 bit audio for this edition and comes in cardboard jackets replicating the original album covers and sleeves.  Included in the box are:

1. Cold Spring Harbor (1971)

2. Piano Man (1973)

3. Streetlife Serenade (1974)

4. Turnstiles (1976)

5. The Stranger (1977)

6. 52nd  Street (1978)

7. Glass Houses (1980)

8. Songs In The Attic (1981)

9. The Nylon Curtain (1982)

10. An Innocent Man (1983)

11. The Bridge (1986)

12. Storm Front (1989)

12. River Of Dreams (1993)

14, Fantasies & Delusions (2001)

15. Collected Additional Masters (1985—2007)

“This has been a long time coming, putting all my albums into one package,” said Billy in a recent in-depth interview for The Complete Albums Collection.  “I’d never seen them all together in one place until I got the box set.  It represents a lot of work! It’s a little overwhelming, actually, looking at each individual album and remembering how much writing and recording, the time spent arranging and producing everything that went into each album.”

In addition to offering brand-new remasters of every Billy Joel studio album, Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection includes two lavish 60-page booklets, printed lyrics to every Billy Joel composition, a new Q&A with Billy conducted by noted music journalist Steve Morse, and a bonus disc of 17 rare and non-album recordings including “Elvis Presley Boulevard” (B-side of the “Allentown” single, 1982); the live cover version of the Beatles’ “I’ll Cry Instead” (B-side of “An Innocent Man,” 1983); “House Of Blue Light” (B-side of “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” 1989); and “You Picked A Real Bad Time” (B-side of “All About Soul,” 1993).  “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” and “The Night Is Still Young” are outtakes that did not see light of day until 1985.

Several tracks on the bonus disc originated as Billy Joel’s contributions to various multi-artist movie soundtracks, notably his covers of the Elvis Presley hits “Heartbreak Hotel” and “All Shook Up,” both from 1992’s Honeymoon In Vegas.  Billy covered Lloyd Price’s 1959 hit, “Where Were You On Our Wedding Day,” for the 1999 movie, Runaway Bride, and Duke Ellington’s “In A Sentimental Mood” for A League Of Their Own in 1992.  In 1982, Billy Joel contributed his original “Nobody Knows But Me” to In Harmony II, a Columbia LP to benefit Sesame Street/Children’s Television Workshop.

Other cover tunes on the bonus disc range from Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love” and Leonard Cohen’s “Light as the Breeze” to the Gerry Goffin-Carole King standard “Hey Girl” (Freddie Scott, 1963).  In 1991, Billy Joel contributed “When You Wish Upon A Star” to Columbia’s Disney tribute album, Simply Mad About The Mouse.  And in 2001, Billy Joel sang the Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby” at the Radio City Music Hall All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson concert.

The exclusive bonus disc included on Billy Joel – The Complete Albums Collection closes with “All My Life,” a 2007 single (which marked Billy’s first newly-written song since 1993’s River of Dreams) now making its first appearance on an album.

I immediately tore into my Piano Man CD just to hear Billy Joel sing as he did forty years ago. I got goose bumps, I recalled memories myself, I called my mother and reveled in the memories she had when listening to Billy Joel. He has touched many generations and his music is well known and transcends time. If looking for a gift for your music aficionado or someone who is as big of fan of Billy Joel as myself this would be a wonderful gift.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of Piano Man – The Legacy Edition at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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Mindware Toys – Contraptions, Pattern Play, Imaginets

Traditional toys are always fun for kids for the holidays; molded plastic and or mind numbing video games are always a parents easy choice and favorite. Who doesn’t want to make their kid the happiest on Christmas only to be bored by New Years.

This year I wanted to engage in my children’s imagination, mind play, and really use the brain power these three possess. Alarmingly they are more intelligent than any parent could dream and I always want great toys for them to harness this intelligence and encourage them to flourish. Granted video games and the like are fun every now and again, but as a child my fondest memories were playing educational type games, mind teasers and challenged me to think outside the box. Hence why I am an underwriter, critically thinking and always looking to spin outside the box. Oh I digress.

So I found Mindware Toys and asked them what they had for my little brain trust of children and they presented to me: Contraptions, Pattern Play and Imaginets for my kids to delve into.

Contraptions inspires young thinkers to build unbelievable ball track structures with this simple stacking plank system. Create ramps, funnels, chutes and crazy contraptions like the “Black Hole” and “Bounce Plate.” Then find out if the ball rolls as expected. Fostering unlimited creativity and experimentation, KEVA planks build an early understanding of proportion and balance, while teaching basic principles of physics and engineering. No glue, no connectors-just loads of constructive fun! Includes 200 identical wooden planks, 2 specially designed lightweight balls for maximum action and an 18-page idea book with project photos and quick-start instructions. Contraptions planks are made from pine.

My eight year old absolutely loves this, comparable to Lego’s he can build amazing structures and literally contraptions.

Pattern Play blocks are a great introduction to math concepts like sorting, matching, symmetry, congruence and fractions. This high-quality set fits just-so into its wood tray, with vibrant colors and unusual shapes that build spatial skills. Includes 40 exceptionally well-finished wood blocks, a 10.5″-square wood building tray, 40 Pattern Cards and a drawstring canvas storage bag. Pattern Play must have been personally selected for my twin son Seth, at the rip age of three and a half, almost four who has some serious OCD and this is perfect for him to put together the like colors.

Finally my twin daughter who has been playing with the Imaginets. She is such a girl with putting things together to look pretty and match, as I said earlier, these toys seem to have been hand selected based on who they are. The sturdy wood carrying case features durable hinges and rope handles that are perfect for little hands to grasp. Inside, brightly-colored magnetic blocks can be arranged on the boards to replicate any of the 50 full-color design challenges, including animals, faces, vehicles, sports, structures and more. Plus, the magnetic board surface doubles as a dry-erase board, so kids can decorate a backdrop for their creations!

I was so thrilled to have these toys for my kids, flexing their brain power and I enjoy hearing them giggle and talk things through about how to build different creations, contraptions and patterns. Not to mention the price point for all these toys are $50 or less which is even easier on the budget!

“Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of Contraptions, Pattern Play, and Imaginets at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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Girls Gifts My Little Pony & Littlest Pet Shop

My boys are generally the easiest to shop for: Nerf guns and swords to battle each other with rubber coated foam bullets and or Lego’s. Enough said.

My daughter, the girly girl is a bit tougher to shop for since she is at an age where she might be able to play with older girl toys, but still lacks the maturity to enjoy them. However I found that she loves My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop. These two appeal to her and her little hands and she is able to maintain them in a way that I am not worried about. The toys themselves do not have any small parts that would frighten me about a choking hazard like some Barbie toys do, and she adores how quaint they are.

Since she is rather petite, theses petite little toys are great stocking stuffers or stand alone toys just for girls.

The Littlest Pet Shop Walkables are a great addition for any holiday gift. Add some motion to any LITTLEST PET SHOP collection with the WALKABLES Pets Assortment! These quirky pets are full of spunk and ready to get up and go. At the touch of a button these pets get going, moving across any smooth surface. Girls can collect up to 12 LITTLEST PET SHOP WALKABLES Pets including a dog, seal, snail, fish, cat, spider and more. Each sold separately. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com not to mention the price is just right for those of you shopping on a budget like myself! Priced at $7.99 MSRP, these little critters are sure to light up any little girls holiday.

The more friends the merrier with the MY LITTLE PONY pony assortment! Girls can expand their pony collection with these adorable MY LITTLE PONY figures, each featuring a unique cutie mark that reflects their personality.  The circle of friends continues to grow as each pony comes with a special animal friend! Each figure in the assortment includes an accessory to tote their pet friend along and a comb for girls to style the pony’s bright, brushable mane.  Eight MY LITTLE PONY pony figures will be introduced in the spring with an additional ten ponies available in the fall. Each sold separately. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com and again, priced just right for those looking to add that last minute gift or pinch those pennies in a rough economy at $4.99 each MSRP.

So for less than $15 total you can add some great gifts under your holiday tree for your little girl this holiday season, I know mine is enjoying her recent addition of the Walkables to her Littlest Pet Shop toy collection and another pony to her My Little Pony toy collection.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a sample of My Littlest Pet Shop and My Little Pony at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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Jenkins Jellies

Did you have the same old boring Thanksgiving? How about the same old boring turkey sandwiches following Thanksgiving from all the leftovers? Well why not kick up your holidays, your sandwiches, your meals altogether? Or do you have a foodie or chef extraordinaire in your family for your gift giving? I know personally I have an aunt who is an amazing chef, needless to say I think I inherited my cooking gifts from her and my grandmother, and she is always on the lookout for fabulous foods.

So I know I would love to gift to her some eccentric gifts and foods for everyone to enjoy with her creations. One year I made her a rhubarb chutney, another some black eyed peas and this year I would love to gift her some jenkins jellies hell fire pepper jelly. I was skeptical at first, as with any foodie as to what exactly the consistency and taste would yield on my palate. Surprisingly enough the jelly is amazing!

A burn to the mouth and tongue for sweet to the taste is this amazing delicacy married from the harvesting of fresh peppers and sweet jelly. More over the jelly is made with organic ingredients, no preservatives or artificial colors. The packaging is delectable, with a traditional jelly jar, simple sticker affixed to the front with the quaint rope to fasten the jelly spoon to the side of the jar. A wonderful gift of food that keeps on giving for so many different options for food. We actually had Jenkins Jelly on our turkey meatloaf the other night and boy howdy, this really got my southwestern taste and passion for spice. I could taste the peppers and a bit of habanero or jalapeno, it was awesome to feel the burn and the sweet all at once. But the flavor was piquant enough to fill the senses without the numbing burn from the pepper. The flavor would be wonderful on some southwestern, jalapeno cheddar bisquits that I love to make with my turkey chili.

Now if you really want the proof in the pudding…or in this case the jelly, Hell Fire Pepper Jelly has already received celebrity recognition from Chef Mario Batali, actor Ed Begley, Jr. and actress/cousin Gwyneth Paltrow. In addition to the celebrity endorsement is the philanthropy attached to jenkins jellies which is always a plus for The Fish Family since we love to help our world and community where we can, a percentage of jenkins jellies’ profits go to the Bruce Paltrow Oral Cancer Fund and Green Wish.

Some back history about Jenkins Jellies:

After buying a home in Highland Park with an abundance of fruit trees, L.A. actress Hillary Danner planted a vegetable garden and began making jelly. A family friend encouraged her to create a unique pepper jelly with an extra kick.

Always up for a challenge, Hillary joined with her longtime friends Maria Newman and Chef Jared Levy to do just that. Organically growing a variety of peppers in Hillary’s backyard, she created a jelly with the perfect balance of where sweet meets heat. The end result was their first product: Locally produced, gourmet and handcrafted Hell Fire Pepper Jelly.

Available for purchase online at www.jenkinsjellies.com or at select Dean & DeLuca locations across the country for an SRP of $12 per 11.9 oz jar and $8 for a 4.8oz jar. Sure to be a chef’s favorite as a stocking stuffer or a foodies gift of taste, Jenkins Jellies is sure to be an affordable and delicious gift to enjoy past the holiday season.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a jar of jenkin jellies at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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Family Game Night 4

Thanksgiving night and the day after, what is a family to do. Traditionally families load into the car and head off to the movies. Two hours of silent,entertainment, eating butter saturated, salty goodness in popcorn and drinking high fructose corn syrup drinks. Sounds fabulous to add to the already plump Thanksgiving meal. Why not veer off from the norm and play games!

Experience the fun and excitement of the popular TV show right in your own living room!

This time you’re playing with larger-than-life pieces in re-imagined versions of your favorite Hasbro games. CONNECT 4 Basketball is more fun than ever as you shoot hoops to get 4 balls in a row and YAHTZEE! Bowling puts a whole new spin on the popular dice game. You’ll also find fun new versions of SCRABBLE Flash, SORRY! Sliders, and BOP-IT Boptagon, and win MONOPOLY Crazy Cash, just like the game show! Play with friends and family and compete to prove your family is the best!

Not to mention you are burning off your overstuffed dinner and enjoying quality time as a family. We played Family Game Night 4 on our Wii and got the entire family up and jumping around to the excitement of playing a childhood favorite, Connect 4. Everyone was vying to win that game so then we moved on to basketball to really get the blood flowing and burn off the remnants of some pie and green bean casserole.

The kids were having a blast, jumping around, half screams….well full screams of joy and excitement as we all played for a family game night rather than heading off to the movies like everyone else. Family Game Night 4 is available on all platforms just in time for the holiday season, find it for Wii, Playstation and XBOX for hours of fun, laughs, and at times some heated competition. Give the gift of fun and family for any and every member of your family. Find Family Game Night 4 at your local retailers this holiday season to get your family together.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of Family Game Night 4 at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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MOGO Charm

Zhu Zhu pets are a thing of the past. Bedazzled just doesn’t hack it. My daughter was recently introduced to MOGO and all that MOGO has to offer with charm jewelry. Not your average charm jewelry either! Mix and match gems, picture gems, statement gems and colored bracelets and other accessories. Recently my daughter has become fixated on jewelry, accessories and pretty much all thing girl. Like her mother, her affection for shoes could also be deemed damaging to the closet space in the house.

But she is really loving the jewelry and that she can have a new jewelry item at will just by changing out the magnetic charms to give her bracelets a new look and new life. Did I also mention these are a great “green” gift for your kids as well. That’s right, no plastic or PVC charms and charm bracelets. The bracelets are not the traditional metals and or plastics with weak construction, they are constructed from a tight weave canvas seen on military bracelets but with an ultra girl twist. The mosies, or slippers, are fabulous! What girl would not want a soft and squishy pair of mule slippers that she can add charms and bling to and they just click.

The company’s tag line that “We just click.” The “we just click” tag and the idea of MOGO’s came from the owner trying to fix horse blankets and had an idea that she could use magnets to replace the worn out velcro. The idea didn’t work but the idea of magnets as charms for a new and different modern charm bracelet, did work out. More from the owner and MOGO,

“The name MOGO is in memory of my childhood pony who was rescued and given to me by my father when I was 9 years old. In recognition of my first pony MOGO, and all the wonderful animals in the world, MOGO supports a shelter animal each month, supporting vet care and socialization support until the animal is ready to be adopted.

Our MOGO tagline, “We just click!” is all about the connections MOGO creates. Friends who just click with each other, Moms and Grandmas who click with their Tweens, even Tweens who just click with animals. And, of course, the charms themselves which “just click” to the charmbands.”

Great items for a stocking stuffer or your fashionista looking to make a statement. MOGO’s even has flip flops! Check out all the great bands and charms and even build your own bracelet, headband, or necklace in a matter of seconds on the MOGO website. Found in over 2700 retail shops including Nordstroms, this eco-friendly and affordable gift is sure to be a hit with any girl.

“Disclosure: I was provided with MOGO Mosies and charms at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”

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3D Star Theatre

Are your kids into certain subjects in education? I have noticed that my eldest son is very much a math and science boy, learning grammar and the basics is ultra dull to him, while he enjoys his learnings he is much more engaged with the sciences. I can see why and I can understand why. Especially when you have cool shows and toys about science as well as the educational part with using your mind for higher learning.

So while on the hunt for great gifts for my oldest that is not only kid cool and friendly but is educational I came across Uncle Milton Toys and the 3D Star Theatre. The Star Theatre is more than just an interstellar look at the universe from your room, but it is a 3D planetarium projector, for children to experience a planetarium in the comfort of their own room and whenever they so wish. Delve into the deepest realms of the universe to explore stars, constellations and planets. My son loved this toy, he immediately wanted to turn it on, of which I had to suggest to him we turn it on at night to get a better view of the stars and planets.

At first it seems too simple to project such lovely 3D photos of the heavens but seeing is believing. The projector is just a bit larger than a softball and the operations are not complex which allows young children to operate the projector without struggle or confusion. The focus dial at the front of the projector allows the picture to be clarified and is best seen against the back of a white wall. If you have painted walls then the picture will likely not appear, be as clear or may be distorted. Of course keep in mind this is 3D so the glasses are necessary to see the most optimal picture.

Kids are sure to enjoy the pictures of the stars up close and personal in the comfort of their own home at any time with being able to view these images from space. Battery powered by four AA batteries and a push button power switch the 3D Star Theatre is sure to project your child’s learning of space to a higher level.

Uncle Milton’s has even more learning toys such as a planetarium, Fire and Ice Volcano, and solar racers to name a few. Be sure to check out their entire line of fun learning toys this holiday season for your little scientist.

“Disclosure: I was provided with a 3D Star Theatre at no cost in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.”