Checking Our List #21: Build-A-Bear Workshop Review & $25 GC Giveaway

When it comes to finding a unique gift for my kids (and even nieces and nephews), I always know I can count on Build-A-Bear Workshop. Their collection of cuddly friends is outstanding. I love the opportunity they give to children (and maybe even adults) to make their own stuffed animal! Whether it's something for yourself, or someone else...it's a great way to create a very personal and meaningful gift.

I used to think the only way to make a stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear Workshop was to go into an actual store. Living over an hour from the nearest one doesn't always make that very easy, which is why I was excited to learn last Christmas that they offer a super cute collection of featured pals online. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a great selection of cuddly friends and accessories right on their website, making it possible to purchase and make adorable gifts with the click of a button! How neat and convenient is that?! You can even customize them with a song!

Recently I browsed their website and found it to be very user-friendly. There are categories along the side that make it easy to search by holiday, animal and more. I enjoyed checking out the affordable gift ideas for children especially! Their Christmas Collection is absolutely adorable! I couldn't have been happier when I learned we were going to have the opportunity to review both Clarice and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

When our Deer and Doe arrived in the mail, it was like we had just left the Build-A-Bear Workshop store. They were each housed in the adorable signature box you find in the Build-A-Bear Workshop stores, each even including the birth certificate.


We also received a really cute stocking in our package as well. From November 12 through today (November 24th), Build-A-Bear Workshop is giving away a free stocking with each purchase of $30 or more.

I had a feeling Kaelyn and Kaden would be tickled to meet their new friends, and I was right! Kaelyn is a huge fan of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer story and, since receiving it has not wanted to put Clarice down! Kaden is especially fond of Rudolph's nose.

I was really impressed with the quality of each reindeer. They are extremely soft and super cuddly. Their 18 in size is really nice too...not to big and not too small...just perfect for little arms to hold.

One thing I did not expect, and was pleasantly surprised to find, was that each reindeer lights up and talks! What a great bonus! Rudolph's nose lights up when his ear is pushed. He then recites actual lines from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie! Clarice has a heart on her chest that lights up when her ear is pushed. She also talks and recites some of her lines from the movie as well. It is adorable! I love that their voices sound like the real thing. Kaden and Kaelyn both really like to push their ears and hear them talk.

I think they're really cute just the way they are, but to personalize it even more you can purchase stuffed animal sized clothing and accessories to make it a very unique gift for a little one in your life. They're are some adorable options like a polka dot dress, Rudolph slippers, a cape, and more!

Not only will you find many furry friends to choose from this holiday season, but there is also a part of their website dedicated to Build-A-Bearsville! If you aren't familiar with it, it's basically a virtual extension of the Build-A-Bear Workshop in-store experience. Signing up is FREE and there aren't any fees to enjoy the benefits of being a Build-A-Bearsville citizen. With the option of creating a personalized character, interacting with other kids around the world, playing games and buying virtual stuff with points...It helps to encourage imagination, socialization, self-expression, creativity and more. And...starting November 25-December 25, visit buildabearsville.com to check out the North Pole! Play new games, get free virtual gifts and more!

There are many great options to choose from right on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website this holiday season. If you're looking for the perfect unique gift for a child on your list, or great stocking stuffers, be sure to check the furry friends and accessories offered at BuildABear.com.

Buy It: You can purchase Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and Clarice for $23 each on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Build-A-Bear Workshop $25 GC .

Mandatory Entry - Visit Build-A-Bear Workshop and leave a comment letting me know a character you love.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Build-A-Bear Workshop $25 GC Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry- Like Build-A-Bear Workshop on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow Build-A-Bear Workshop on Twitter

4. 1 extra entry- Sign up for the Build-A-Bear Workshop Email Newsletter (bottom of homepage)

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Build-A-Bear Workshop) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Checking Our List 21: #WIN a $25 GC to @buildabear #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/fxJEWY Ends 12/17

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 17th and is open to US Only!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free by Build-A-Bear Workshop. All opinions found here are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**