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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Scent Design Custom Create Your Fragrance

How do you win over the one you love at the holidays? You design a fragrance and or scent that is completely exotic, intriguing, and above all totally personal.

Some women really don’t know what their favorite scents are, but some of my favorite are sandalwood, vanilla, black raspberry, patchouli, almond and citrus. I love warm scents and Scent Design offers a few of these amazing scents for you to create your own perfect, custom oil fragrance. Choose from their vast fragrance list to help you craft your ideal perfume or cologne for your loved one. Each fragrance is listed based on the top note and scent, men’s or women’s, and you can add the special touch of a scent you often find in your luxury fragrances.

Let me not bore you with the details of scents as you learn more about Scent Design:

Scent Design was launched in the summer of 2006, but the idea is much older. After working at a bath and body shop for a few years, I saw a service that was there, yet wasn’t being brought to it’s logical conclusion.
‘Fragrance Bars’ as they are called, have been around since 1970, yet they are hard to find and only tend to exist in some pretty exclusive areas. After searching around the internet to see if I was the only one with this idea, it looked like I was on to something big.

So now that you know you can create your own scent, they are totally unique, exotic, and remarkably irreplaceable why not enter to win a $50 Gift Certificate to create your own scent with Scent Design here is how you can enter to win:

  • Tell me your favorite scent, is it warm, cool, refreshing or what is your significant other’s favorite scent or what do you like to smell on them. Visit Scent Design and choose from their wide array of scents and pre-made designs.
  • Follow my blog
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Tweet this giveaway daily for more chances to win, just make sure you link to the post and @Kariewithak for credit
  • Fan The Fish on Facebook (worth 2 entries if you are already a fan, worth 5 for first time fans)
  • Promote this giveaway on Facebook
  • Leave a comment on any non giveaway post (worth 2 entries)
  • Blog this giveaway (worth 5 entries)
  • Subscribe to my feed and or add me to your reader

Contest ends November 20th midnight Arizona Time

As always: No Purchase Necessary, available to US and Canada residents. One entry per household. US postcard entries also acceptable if you do not have access to the above entry options, no limit to postcard entries as long as all are received before the close of the contest, email contests@thefivefish.com for your postcard entry details or to use email as your postcard entrance as these entries will be logged by the administrator of the blog. Winners will be chosen by “And the Winner is” Failure to adhere to the aforementioned rules set forth by this contest will result in forfeiture of your entry with no notice. Facebook does not promote, endorse, nor sponsor this review and giveaway and will be held harmless. As always, good luck and enjoy.

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Maukilo HABA Hit the Throttle

While on the prowl for new gift ideas, gifts that are sustainable, eco-friendly, educational and not the same old plastic mold from big name brands that offer nothing more than a cheap toy, I was approached by the folks at HABA USA.

Here is what I love about HABA USA and the Maukilo team and what they stand for:

In 2000, a German woman named Alexandra was living in California. Alex was searching for quality gifts and presents to send back to Germany to a friend who recently had a baby, but was disappointed in the collection available in the USA. While Alex researched for European toys online she discovered that virtually none of the European brands that she grew up with as a child were available. Thus the introduction of Maukilo.com. 

Currently, Maukilo is owned and operated by one of Maukilo’s largest suppliers, the German based HABA(R) company. The HABA USA office is located in quaint and picturesque Skaneateles Falls, New York and has now become the home of Maukilo.com. 

The Maukilo team (many mothers themselves) searches the world over to find incredible products inspired by European quality and innovation. We understand the importance of play and how essential it is to a child’s cognitive, emotional and social development. Our passion is finding products that are both fun and educational for children of all ages. 

We are committed to providing high quality toys that can be handed down from child to child, friend to friend, a toy that can be played with forever. All of the products carried on the Maukilo store meet or exceed the standards set forth by the U. S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and with our partners we are committed to ensure responsible working conditions (Maukilo.com, 2011). 

Choosing a toy or toys that your children can enjoy is really a daunting task with their site, so many toys that of course will last. So I chose a learning game/toy that all of my children could enjoy together because family time and learning is so important to us as a family.

We chose the Hit the Throttle board game. Board games are always so full of competition with the kids that I dread getting any games for them to play like that because fights ensue, then comes time out, crying, the whole dramatic event that could be thwarted by not partaking in a board game. But Hit the Throttle is so different in that the kids race one another to the finish line but no one really knows which car they are racing, which takes the challenge to an all new level of fun. I know my kids had a ball and yours will too this holiday season and for future days to come since Hit the Throttle is made with a sturdy cardboard race track and wooden race cars. No need to worry about leeching plastics and throw away toys, this one is a keeper.

Don’t take my word for it, if you are eco-conscious and you are looking for toys and gifts that will last more than just into the next holiday season, the Maukilo team and HABA USA are are great option. In addition to the toys lasting a lifetime they are even easy on your budget with prices from under $25, under $50 and under $75, and toys for all ages.

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Mother Goose Club

Education is an intricate part of any child’s upbringing. From the day our children arrive out of the womb we are educating them; educating them on how to eat, walk, and talk. In addition to walking and talking we like to teach our children to read or have the want to read at an early age. We teach them through songs, reading books to them and as our children grow older, they become more interested in the television and the various shows available to them to watch.

But sometimes as busy parents we do not always censor what our children watch and or learn on TV. I have been a fan of PBS since I was a young child and watched Sesame Street as my learning platform. Now PBS has an even extended platform of various learning programs for all the different learning styles and the ages that watch their shows.

My kids have recently become huge fans of PBS television shows like Sesame Street and recently I was introduced to Mother Goose Club. Featured on PBS stations, the Mother Goose Club is a series of 1-minute educational programs for preschoolers promoting early literacy.  This live-action and colorful program, invites your little one to sing and dance along to their favorite nursery rhymes. Early childhood research has shown that familiarity with nursery rhymes helps young children learn to read and my kids have an amazing memory and enjoy the songs and rhymes.

They watched the DVD and listened to all the CD’s non-stop. In the car, in the house, they couldn’t get enough singing, nursery rhymes and fun playing with each other. I found my daughter, while she was coloring at the table, singing her nursery rhymes and my heart was warmed at how much she enjoyed the Mother Goose Club Super Pack.

Why Nursery Rhymes Matter
Helping Children Read. Nursery rhymes help children learn to read. Research has shown that familiarity with Mother Goose and other nursery rhymes helps children develop pre-reading skills, including the ability to detect rhymes. Children who can recognize rhyming words, cat and hat for example, learn to read quicker and more successfully than their peers. This relationship holds true regardless of a child’s socio-economic background or the education level of the parents.
How Do Nursery Rhymes Help? Nursery rhymes are short and rhythmic, which makes them easy for children to learn and memorize. As children hear, sing or read nursery rhymes, they develop “phonemic awareness” or the ability to detect the individual sounds that make up words, a crucial first step in learning to read. Nursery rhymes, especially Mother Goose rhymes, also introduce children to new vocabulary which increases comprehension and benefits learning in all subjects. Most importantly, nursery rhymes are full of colorful characters and stories, which make them fun. The delight children experience as they engage in rhyme activities fosters an enduring enthusiasm for books and reading.
How Mother Goose Can Help Parents. Nursery rhymes are terrific tools for parents and teachers to help get young children ready to read. Spending a few minutes each day reading or singing nursery rhymes with a child is a simple, cost-effective and enjoyable way to promote early literacy at home. The Mother Goose Club website contains a collection of rhymes, including many Mother Goose rhymes, with illustrations, audio narrations, songs and printable coloring pages. Some live action and animated videos are also available. For parents and teachers, the site offers activities and tips on using rhymes to promote literacy at home and at school (Sockeye Media LLC, 2011).

In addition to the shows, books, CD’s are also available, not to mention some online printable sheets for your children to color and have the lyrics readily available for them to learn to read and sing along to. You can purchase all the various Mother Goose Club CD’s, books, DVD’s and coloring books online at the Mother Goose Club store. All items are an average price of $20 which makes this learning gift a wonderful item for your children this year at the holidays or any time of the year. Share in all your children’s favorite nursery rhymes with this wonderful, educational gift.

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Jambu Footwear Nomad

Shoes are a bit of a side hobby of mine. Admittedly I have probably over 100 pairs of shoes in my closet, in storage in my closet, yeah they are a problem as my husband would say. But hey, you can never have too many shoes, variations and or colors of the same shoe. However, boots are a whole different story.

One woman cannot have enough shoes, let alone the right pair of boots. Boots are the perfect fall and winter weather accessory and face it ladies, when the weather even begins to show signs of cooling off, we dig into our closets and bring out our boots.

I found Jambu shoes a few years ago when I was originally seeking out vegan and eco-friendly footwear options. The shoes are absolutely fantastic. Soles that bounce and give and support when you walk. Materials that move with you and are soft to the touch.

This time when I wanted to review their products I saw they have boots, a wide variety of boots, including an electric boot that keeps your feet warm. Seriously, electric boots? A bit frivolous, even for me. So I was offered the opportunity to review the Nomad waterproof, lined boots, second to my first choice of the Colorado Vegan.

Standing at about 11- inches high and weighing one pound the Nomad – Waterproof truly lives up to its name. Made with waterproof leather and brushed suede this shoe is the perfect example of comfort and security. This boot is built with laces so that you may design your own comfort! It is available in black/grey and brown/saddle. This shoe is surely t be the perfect fit against any surprises that the weather might bring. Cold, rain, hail, snow move over! The Nomad-Waterproof is here to make sure that style and comfort prevail against any weather surprises (Jambu, 2011)!

The boots came in an eco-friendly wrapper and box. I immediately tried them on for size and comfort. For fur lined boots they were extremely cool, very little, if not, no sweating at all which is what you normally experience in fur lined boots. I wore these boots today to work with a pair of skinny jeans, loose, off the shoulder elbow length tee with a tank underneath. All in the name of cool weather. The moment I stepped foot in the door at work I was flooded with compliments. “Cute boots!” “Oh my god, let me see your boots!”

Needless to say these boots are a Fish favorite and they will be for years to come.

Let’s not forget that shoes come with more than just the accessory factor. With them they carry a name that supports their mission and how it affects the environment. Additionally the company has people behind the name, with that being said, know your brand, know the people behind the brand. While I may think these shoes are fabulous, knowing the company I work with is even more fabulous.

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ScentCrafters Build Your Own Scent

As a perfume aficionado, nothing is more intriguing, nothing more sexy, nothing more unique than the scent of a woman. I strive to always find perfumes that are feminine, not overbearing, and can be worn at any time. Perfume is also a wonderful gift for women, especially at the holidays. But let’s face it, men struggle to buy this perfect gift for their wife, girlfriend or significant other. That’s right ScentCrafters is not only for women in pursuit of the ideal perfume, but ladies if you are in search of the ideal scent for your man, you can choose from a variety of scents and or already mixed scents that you might be familiar.

I found ScentCrafters a few years back when seeking out an individual and totally unique gift idea for my holiday gift guide. ScentCrafters has great customer service, the staff will help you through the entire creation process to build your ideal scent, help you choose your individual bottle options and you can name your own scent. How fantastic of an idea to name your own scent, adds that bit of distinctness and singularity to the gift for your loved one.

My scent that I crafted that I still love to this day is Chanel No. 5 (and I mean LOVE it) and I love anything Victoria’s Secret so I chose a beautiful blend of Victoria’s Secret Divine and Chanel No. 5 and let me tell you….wonderful, romantic, ultra feminine, and not overpowering or raunchy. Just absolutely heavenly. I love to spray some on after a shower.

But don’t take my word for it this time around, you can have your own scent this holiday season so in order to win your own personalized bottle of perfume and or cologne enter by doing one or some of the following to increase your chances:

  • Tell me your favorite perfume and or cologne or favorite scent
  • Follow my blog
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Tweet this giveaway (once daily entry) Create your own scent this holiday season with @KariewithaK and ScentCrafters
  • Fan The Fish on Facebook (worth 5 entries)
  • Promote this giveaway on Facebook with a link
  • Subscribe to my feed
  • Bookmark me on Delicious, Stumble my blog
  • Leave a comment on any non giveaway post (worth 2 entries)
  • Blog this giveaway (worth 5 entries)
  • Enter one of my other giveaways

Contest ends November 18th at Midnight Arizona time

As always: No Purchase Necessary, available to US and Canada residents. One entry per household. US postcard entries also acceptable if you do not have access to the above entry options, no limit to postcard entries as long as all are received before the close of the contest, email contests@thefivefish.com for your postcard entry details or to use email as your postcard entrance as these entries will be logged by the administrator of the blog. Winners will be chosen by “And the Winner is” Failure to adhere to the aforementioned rules set forth by this contest will result in forfeiture of your entry with no notice. Facebook does not promote, endorse, nor sponsor this review and giveaway and will be held harmless. As always, good luck and enjoy.
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Honest Tea Kids – Sweeter Alternative

Are your kids still reeling from the Halloween candy? Maybe they are suffering from a bit of a candy hangover per se. Well maybe the cure or the better option for next year’s Halloween candy option is Honest Kids from the makers of Honest Tea.

Honest Tea has a new line of organic, no high fructose corn syrup, low-sugar, fruit-flavored drinks that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth craving. Not to mention the good for you option with these drinks not being overloaded with sugary sweetness and the guilt of high fructose corn syrup.

My kids love the Honest Tea kids line of drinks with the light, sweet fruit flavors that quench their thirst and I can feel guilt free about them drinking them. Made with all organic ingredients, natural flavors, and in easy to access pouches. In five fun-filled flavors: Appley Ever After, Goodness Grapeness, Berry Berry Good Lemonade, Tropical Tango Punch, and Super Fruit Punch.

This year for the holidays, choose a healthy alternative to the sugary, sweet, unhealthy, tempting snacks and treats that support poor choices for your kids. While a sugary snack here and there is alright in moderation, but sometimes the holidays take over with the desire for sweets. Don’t take my word for it, try Honest Kids drinks for yourself, find them at your local grocers, Costco, and other local retailers. Try adding them to your stockings this year for the holidays or in next year’s Halloween treat bowl as a healthier, just as sweet alternative.

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My Baby Clothes Boutique

My kids are getting older, but they are still within that stage of little kids clothes, baby clothes, and toddler clothes. Especially my daughter, she is very petite, small, tiny, and thin. The girl eats like a horse but she is rather small and finding the right clothes for her can be rather impossible.

While seeking out the perfect gift for my daughter this year I was approached by My Baby Clothes Boutique and I shopped their site and found some really adorable items including tutu’s and baby headbands that are super cute for little girls. After perusing all the adorableness that My Baby Clothes Boutique has to offer I finally found an outfit, or two, for my daughter. She is dainty and very feminine, but also the type to put on an all pink dress with camouflage tennis shoes. During my shopping adventure I came across the Bonnie Jean Heart Rose Pant Set that screamed Sara!

Like sharing Valentine’s Day just a bit early for her, the satiny rosettes shaped into a heart soften the fleecy outfit perfect for this winter and into the spring. Coupled with a pair of leggings, any young girl is sure to love and strut in this out. I know my daughter was out posing in this one with her pouty face. The price is even nice for what the outfit is, and falls right into this family’s budget when looking for girls clothes.

Now you can have an opportunity to shop at My Baby Clothes Boutique by entering to win a $25 gift certificate to shop for anything they have in store for your son or daughter, they even have baby hats! Here is how you can enter to win:

  • Tell me what you want from the store for your baby or toddler
  • Follow My Baby Clothes on Twitter (worth 2 entries)
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Subscribe to my feed
  • Tweet this giveaway (worth 1 entry for each daily tweet) Just in time for the holidays win a $25 GC from @mybabyclothes on The Five Fish & @KariewithaK  https://thefivefish.com/baby-clothes-boutique
  • Fan My Baby Clothes on Facebook
  • Fan The Five Fish on Facebook (worth 5 entries, even if you already are a fan!)
  • Promote this giveaway on Facebook
  • Leave a comment on any non giveaway post (worth 2 entries)
  • Enter one of my other giveaways
  • Blog about this giveaway with a link back (worth 5 entries)

Contest Ends November 18th at Midnight AZ Time

As always: No Purchase Necessary, available to US residents. One entry per household. US postcard entries also acceptable if you do not have access to the above entry options, no limit to postcard entries as long as all are received before the close of the contest, email contests@thefivefish.com for your postcard entry details or to use email as your postcard entrance as these entries will be logged by the administrator of the blog. Winners will be chosen by “And the Winner is” Failure to adhere to the aforementioned rules set forth by this contest will result in forfeiture of your entry with no notice. Facebook does not promote, endorse, nor sponsor this review and giveaway and will be held harmless. As always, good luck and enjoy. My opinions herein are my own and are no way influenced by the receipt of a free product, they are an honest reflection of myself and my review of the integrity of the product.

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Roku2 Streaming Players – Gift Ideas for Him

Roku 2 was a foreign name in my household. I was told about Roku at work by a co-worker when we engaged in a conversation about Netflix, cable, and the insane costs to maintain cable. From there I did not hear mention again and disregarded our conversation. However, our family took huge cuts to our budget and eliminate frivolous spending. With that we began to research alternative options to cable and I stumbled across the Roku box and the options and streaming channels with Roku.

Not knowing what it is about I asked to review the Roku2 XS for my husband. We love it. The amount of streaming channels, Netflix, and let’s not forget the full blown edition of Angry Birds, this gadget is great for him and the entire family. In addition to the streaming from Netflix, catch all your live sports, UFC fights (my husband’s favorite), music from Pandora, scroll through your pictures on Flickr, entertain the kids with Disney, movies on Crackle, choice of your favorite shows on Hulu Plus, the options are endless.

In addition to all the cool streaming options and channels, is the full blown edition of Angry Birds. This feeds an addicts urge to slaughter some pigs with those angry birds. Hours of fun to be had!

The setup for the Roku box is the most simple; plug and play, and no need for any fancy or complex remotes and installation instructions. You probably want to go out and buy an HDMI cable for those of you who want your HD like we do, so that is the only additional cost to the box. My husband did all the setup while I was at work and I was blown away at how little this device is, yet how powerful. So not only is it energy efficient, it does not take up a lot of space, it also has the smallest energy footprint, using less than 2 Watts when you’re watching a movie. That’s less power than a nightlight. 15 times less than a DVR. And 60 times less than a popular game console (Roku.com, 2011). A selling factor for this green family when considering purchases for our household.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for him, her, or the entire family the Roku2 is a great gift for any and every member of the family. Prices start at $59.99 and was revered as a CNET best for 2011. For more details visit the Roku site.

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The Dog Who Saved Halloween

The Five Fish is excited to share with you on this Halloween the review and giveaway of The Dog Who Saved Halloween. For parents you will be happy to hear a flashback of child star names; Joey Lawrence and Mayim Bialik our favorite brother and sister duo from TV’s Blossom.

Everyone’s favorite four-legged friend Zeus (voiced by Joey Lawrence) and the Bannisters are back in The Dog Who Saved Halloween, an all-new adventure jam-packed with family-friendly thrills and chills! When George, Belinda and their kids Kara and Ben Bannister move into a new house – just in time for Halloween! – everything seems to be fine…until they notice eerie glowing lights and strange sounds coming from their neighbor’s house where creepy Mr. Cole (Lance Henriksen) lives with his protective pooch Medusa (voiced by Mayim Bialik). When a black cat suddenly goes missing, George Bannister (Gary Valentine) insists on investigating the matter himself – and ultimately enlists an odd yet familiar pair (Dean Cain, Joey Diaz) to help. But after the trio and Belinda Bannister (Elisa Donovan) get trapped inside the spooky house, it’s once again up to Zeus to save the day (Anchor Bay Entertainment & Grand Communications, 2011)!

My kids loved this movie, not only for celebrating Halloween and the upcoming holidays, but everyone loves a super hero and a dog all in one.  Lots of laughs and slap stick fun in this family favorite. Add it to your family’s holiday collection of movies this Halloween and in time for Christmas where you can celebrate this holiday favorite all year round.

Here is how you can win a copy for your kids this Halloween Day:

  • Leave a comment telling me what your kids are dressing up for this Halloween or what is your favorite part of Halloween.
  • Like this movie on Facebook and follow on Twitter @DogHalloween
  • Like the The Fish on Facebook (Worth 3 entries)
  • Post/Share this giveaway on Facebook (Leave the link for verification)
  • Follow my blog
  • Follow me on Twitter @KariewithaK
  • Tweet this giveaway for daily entries: Celebrate fun all year enter to win @dogHalloween The Dog Who Saved Halloween with @Kariewithak & The Five Fish https://thefivefish.com/dog-saved-halloween
  • Blog about this giveaway (Worth 5 entries, leave the link)
  • Subscribe to my feed via email or to your reader (verified by email)

Contest ends Friday November 17th at midnight Arizona time.

As always: No Purchase Necessary, available to US and Canada residents. One entry per household. US postcard entries also acceptable if you do not have access to the above entry options, no limit to postcard entries as long as all are received before the close of the contest, email contests@thefivefish.com for your postcard entry details or to use email as your postcard entrance as these entries will be logged by the administrator of the blog. Winners will be chosen by “And the Winner is” Failure to adhere to the aforementioned rules set forth by this contest will result in forfeiture of your entry with no notice. Facebook does not promote, endorse, nor sponsor this review and giveaway and will be held harmless. As always, good luck and enjoy.

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Hottest New Girls Toy Hot Locks

hot locks, think wow toys, mom select

We all know how hot those pesky pets were, so how about another hot new toy for the season with Hot Locks for girls! My Little Bitty received a Hot Locks Deluxe Morgan to play with as part of the MomSelect Hot Locks toy promotion and giveaway.

hot locks, think wow toys, mom selectWhile Sara may be a bit young at age two she LOVES her Hot Locks Morgan with 28″ of hair to play with, style, and twirl. However, she is all girl with playing with her bright colored Morgan Hot Locks doll. Although she cannot get the full play now, we have had lots of fun styling her “pretty” as Sara calls her brightly colored barrettes and hair ties.

The hair is made of a soft vinyl that can be detangled by the included styling comb. But the hair can become twisted around the doll and in knots if not stored properly. The dolls clothing all stays on the doll (super plus mom!) , but some parts are small enough to be considered a choking hazard. So the suggested age would be 4-6. Each doll comes with different accessories, names, and a coordinating hot locks extension for your daughter to sport in her hair as well!

Your daughter too can play with this fun hair doll where they can spend hours of play andhot locks, styling. Win a Hot Locks Ami doll, and for those who do not win the doll get a choice of Hot Locks hair extension for your daughter so she can be a Hot Locks girl too!

Main Entry

Tell me what you think your daughter would love most about this brightly colored at home salon full doll. Visit the Hot Locks site and tell me which doll or which options.

Extra Entries

These are in addition to the many entry options I offer:

  • Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Fan The Fish on Facebook (2 entries since we rebuilt the fan page)
  • Tweet this giveaway, unlimited tweets daily but no double entry: Giveaway – Hot Locks Ami doll from @KariewithaK before they hit stores http://bit.ly/btXWcJ Ends 4/13
  • Subscribe to my feed (2 entries since the feed changed too if you followed me when I was on blogger)

Open to CAN residents.

CONTEST ENDS APRIL 13