Winter can be a long season, especially when my kids get bored being cooped up in the house all day! For this reason, I try to have several games and activities on hand to do with them. It's even better when they're not only fun, but also incorporate learning! That's why I love Learning Resources and turn to them time and time again!

Learning Resources is the leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products for classrooms and the home. They have been a trusted source for teachers and parents for more than 25 years and continue to grow and impress with their diverse product line of over 1300 products!

I love activities that get my kids active while having fun, that's why I knew they'd enjoy the Smart Toss Math Sports Game from Learning Resources and was excited we got to review it!

 

Features/Benefits:

• Provides 4 different game designs—baseball, bowling, golf and basketball
• Engages kinesthetic learners with high–interest sports theme
• Includes 10 canvas bean bags measuring 3" in diameter—enough for small–group play
• Features handy storage pockets, easy–carry handle, and durable, wipe–clean vinyl surface plus an Activity Guide
• Stores easily, folding flat to 20"L x 18"H

When the product arrived, both Kaelyn and Kaden were excited to try it out. Upon opening the box, I found that it included 10 canvas bean bags and a board which provides 4 different game designs - baseball, bowling, golf and basketball.

I love how easily the board stores and folds so that we can keep it in the closet when not in use. It also features handy storage pockets, easy-carry handle (which is great for on the go) and durable, wipe clean vinyl surface!

Geared toward ages 5+, it's perfect for Kaelyn who is just starting to get the hang of simple math concepts. Kaden is a little young for the math part, but he enjoys getting active and refining those large motor skills. He also LOVES anything sports, so the sports theme makes it even more fun for him!

I appreciate that this game targets simple addition and subtraction skills. I am amazed how quickly Kaelyn has caught on. The baseball toss (addition) is probably our favorite because it's fun and the most age appropriate. First we find a distance for them to stand and toss the bean bags.

Each player chooses a bean bag color and tosses them into the pockets when it's they're turn. It's great practice and I love seeing their little eyes light up when they get one in the whole. Each time a bean bag misses the board or doesn't land in a pocket, it counts as an out. Once you have three outs (or you've tossed all five) your turn for the inning is over.

The addition comes in when we write the points down for that inning and then add them up. It's been great practice for Kaelyn writing her numbers as well as adding!

Overall I've been really pleased with this game. It's a lot of fun, and best of all it's something that will grow with my kids. I can see us having this for a very long time, and it being something that all three kids will enjoy using over the years. I would recommend the Smart Toss Math Sports game to parents with young children ages prek+.

Buy It: You can purchase the Smart Toss Math Sports Game for $39.99 at LearningResources.com

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Smart Toss Math Sports Game! Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here!

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This giveaway will end January 14 and is open to US Only.

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own.

In October I started to get serious about eating healthier and getting back to a weight that I was comfortable at. And, although I'm really happy with my decision, it probably wasn't the best time of year to start with the holidays being so close. The holidays can be a stressful and tempting time for people like me to derail or delay my weight loss goals. It's not easy when there have been lots of family get-togethers with amazing goodies everywhere I turned!

Over the past month we have had many holiday celebrations over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and again tonight for New Years. I have done pretty well sticking to my plan of eating healthier, but have definitely splurged a little with all the treats. I've been trying to keep myself from over-indulging by eating in moderation though. One of the best tips I've found (and it may sound funny, but it works!), is grabbing a piece of gum instead of a sweet when I've already eaten enough. The sweetness from the gum helps with the craving for sweets and keeps my mind of wanting to eat more! I did this a lot over the holidays and it really seemed to help. 

Something else that helps is alli® and their website LetsFightHolidayFat.com, a new, complimentary online guide for those trying to squeeze in healthy eating and exercise this holiday season and beyond. It's perfect for anyone interested in overcoming the holidays and being weightloss ready for the new year!

I was excited when given the chance to check it out in more depth, as this is definitely something that I need, and know that other people will appreciate as well! It combines three core elements for the weight conscious person, especially this time of year. The three core elements are: diet, physical activity and motivation! It helps to track individual goals and prepare for long-term success with features like:

• Healthy daily meal suggestions and recipes (I can always use ideas!)
• Follow-along fitness videos 
• Food and activity tracking 
• Expert tips and tricks We would love your help in spreading awareness about Let's Fight Holiday Fat. For this campaign you will be asked to sign up for the website and write one blog post describing your experience. If selected for this program, you will receive a $50 gift code as a thank you for participating.

As I said, I was given the opportunity to check out and try the Let's Fight Holiday Fat website, and was very impressed with all it has to offer. One section that really resonates with me personally is the follow-along fitness videos. Over the past few months I've done well at eating healthier, but still need to be better about incorporating a workout routine into my day. Having something like these videos available to me has and will continue to make that easier for me, especially as I transition into the new year. I will definitely continue to use all aspects of the website, but that will be one of the main ones! My favorite is the Ab Lab...my tummy is where I want to work the most!

I just love how easy it makes it to live a healthier lifestyle. I would encourage anyone looking for a good weight management resource to sign up for the Let's Fight Holiday Fat website as well! You will find much dealing with healthy diet, exercise and motivation for defeating temptation while embracing the holidays and beyond. I wanted to also leave you with some tips for Surviving the Season, from busy mom and Let's Fight Holiday Fat Spokesperson, Samantha Harris!


1. Make healthy low-fat food choices - swap out the high fat ingredients in your favorite holiday recipe for healthier options

2. Snack Often - have healthy snacks at hand to help keep you from reaching for holiday goodies. Apples, low-fat string cheese, and baby carrots are low-fat and easy to pack! Have a sweet tooth? Try a small peppermint candy (fat-free) to satisfy your temptation.

3. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. - Finding small ways to fit in physical activity can help maintain your weight and energy throughout the season. Going holiday shopping? Park the car in the farthest spot from the store entrance. Cooking? Work your legs with squats while waiting for water to boil.

4. Plan Ahead. - Going to a holiday party? Eat a low-fat snack at home to help you stay on track and avoid over-indulging in unhealthy choices.

5. Keep stress levels low. - Eating healthy and being physically active can play a big part in keeping holiday stress at bay. Keeping stress levels low also may help prevent weight gain. Try to find a time in a busy day to take a few minutes for exercise, deep breathing or eat a healthy, low-fat snack

*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for alli. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

Art ABC is a beautifully executed educational application from Oh Factory, now available for iOS. This brand new app uses vibrant images from the paintings of masters like Rousseau, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh to illustrate the alphabet in an exciting and interactive manner. Children explore each “page,” which presents a single letter. As they discover the hidden interactive elements, the background is enhanced with new colors and objects as the narrator reinforces the names of the letters and words containing each letter. The simple menu makes Art ABC perfect as an enrichment activity for independent learners, and great for quality time with parents as well.

Art ABC combines gorgeous, engaging imagery, soothing music, and clear, crisp narration to create a learning experience unlike any other offered in the iTunes App Store. Its simplicity and elegance mark it as a learning tool of high quality, and it is an absolute must-have educational app!

iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/art-abc/id577729562?mt=8
iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/art-abc-hd/id577730848?mt=8

At 5 years old, Kaelyn is getting to the point where she would prefer to walk when we're out shopping or on walks outside. Our 3 year old and 1 year old however, are still small enough that they need to ride most places we go. That's why having a good quality, easy to use double stroller is a must! Thankfully I know I can count on Kolcraft for just that!

Kolcraft began in 1946 when Leo Koltun made playpen pads out of cotton batting and oilcloth covers for post World War II babies. Over the years the company has grown and expanded to include a variety of products that help make the lives of parents with little ones easier! Known for their innovative and high quality baby products, as well as service that can't be beat....it's no wonder parents continue to turn to them time and time again.

We are huge Kolcraft fans in our household. Their high quality baby gear and strollers are some of the best we've seen and used. It's a fantastic place for parents to find great products from a company who truly cares about the needs of parents and children.


I am sure many of you have heard of Kolcraft, especially when it comes to their great selection of strollers. They offer a great selection of tandem strollers, including the Contours Options LT which we were given the opportunity to review.

So many double strollers are big, bulky and hard to fold. With three kids, we need something that's easy to use and travel with. That's why I was super excited that we were going to have the opportunity to review this new design.

When the stroller arrived, I was happy to see that there wasn't much assembly required. In no time at all we had it put together and ready for our next outing.

I was first drawn to the more compact size. Unlike a lot of double strollers, this one is more compact. It's still roomy enough for children to sit comfortably, but small enough that it makes pushing around and traveling with much easier.

Of course, the quality is also something that I was very impressed with. The fabrics used seem durable, comfortable and fun! I absolutely love the yellow color. It's gender neutral and different than other stroller we own.

The kids absolutely love to ride in this stroller (even Kaelyn who never wants to ride in a stroller). They seem very comfortable in the seats, and I love that they're safe and secure in them as well. Each seat has a height-adjustable 5-point safety harness and includes an infant headrest to protect little heads. As a parent, I appreciate when safety is taken into consideration, and it's evident Kolcraft made it their top priority!

Each seat also reclines, has an adjustable leg rest, and canopies. These add to the comfort of each seat, making it a great place for the little ones to nap when they're getting tired after a long day of shopping.

What really sets this stroller apart though, are the seats. Not only are they stadium styled seating for a better view for both riding, but they also position to SIX different seating options! Children can both face you, face each other, face forward, sit back to back, or you can use the stroller with just the front seat (extra storage space in the back), or use with some of the most popular infant car seats.

 

There are times when it's nice for the kids to face each other so they can talk and interact. There are other times when they're tired and need their space. For those times I like for them to be facing away from each other, or at least the same direction instead of facing each other. I love having so many options...it's like having 6 strollers in one!

Although we do not have a child in an infant car seat any more, I do appreciate that this stroller comes with an infant car seat adapter that accommodates many infant car seats, including select models from Britax®, Chicco®, Combi®, Cosco®, Evenflo®, Graco®, Maxi-Cosi®, Peg Perego®, Safety First®. For anyone with little ones, you know what a great thing it is to have a stroller that you can simply place your infant car seat on!

The kids aren't the only ones who love this double stroller. So do my hubby and I! It's lightweight design (only 33.8 lbs) makes it easy and enjoyable to push around. It doesn't feel bulky and heavy like some double strollers, which is nice when you're shopping or in a busy area with lots of people (we experienced this firsthand while Christmas shopping this year!). It rides very smoothly and is easy to maneuver

We also appreciate the features that were added just for parents. For instance, the parent cup that flexes to accommodate large and small drinks. We always have a drink of some kind along with us almost everywhere we go, so this was something we knew we'd use a lot.

The other feature for parents that I love, is the extra-large storage basket. It's perfect for holding the diaper bag, jackets and shopping bags. I wasn't sure how much storage this stroller would have being more compact, but it really does hold a lot! 

And when it comes to folding, it couldn't be easier. It's simple to do and the auto-lock and convenient free-stand allows the stroller to easily stand upright when folded. It folds down to such a nice size and best of all...you can fold it down with both sits attached. YAY!

 

We've been thrilled with the Contours Options LT Tandem Stroller and have already used it several times in the short time we've had it. It's the best of both worlds...a high quality double stroller that's compact, lightweight and easy to use! We love it and would definitely recommend it to families with little ones. It would make a fantastic gift for any new parent on your list this year.

Buy It: The Contours Options LT Tandem Stroller retails for $269.99.

You can also connect with Kolcraft on Twitter, Facebook and their Baby Matters Blog.

**Kolcraft provided us a Contours Options LT Tandem Stroller to help facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I love, love, love being able to find great gifts that are unique and personal. That's why I turn to the Personal Creations website when looking for Christmas gifts, as well as gifts throughout the year.  No matter if you're buying for a child or adult...they have something for everyone.

If you're not familiar with Personal Creations, now is the time to check them out!  Specializing in personalized gifts for her, him and baby for all occasions...Personal Creations helps you create truly special gifts to cherish all of life's special moments. With everything from new baby gifts to back to school gifts, sympathy gifts, and more...you're sure to find a large variety of options that suit every budget.

This year I noticed that they have a fantastic selection of Christmas staples like stockings and ornaments, but also have some great categories that make it easy to shop for everyday products that make great Christmas gifts as well!

When I learned we were going to have the opportunity to review something, I was drawn to the Personalized Gifts for Boys. As a parent, I love nothing more than to watch my kids open gifts and see the sweet smiles on their faces. I enjoy finding things that are unique and and when I saw the Sports Design Puzzle Step Stool, I knew it would be perfect for Kaden! 

 

Since the stool was personalized and required more time to make, it did take a little longer to receive...however, when it arrived it was well worth the wait! I was very happy that it arrived packaged so nicely so that all of the pieces stayed in place.

I appreciated that there was very little assembly, simple twist in the legs which had screws on the end and it was ready to go! Once I had it together I could tell the quality of this wooden step stool is top-notch. It features rounded, smooth edges and is extremely durable.

Of course, the neatest part about this step stool, is that it can fit 1 name up to 11 characters on it - painted with non-toxic paint in primary colors.We chose the basketball theme, but there's also a soccer theme that was really cute too. Kaden loves puzzles, and I know he will be absolutely tickled to open this gift on Christmas morning. The letters slide into place easily and it's a wonderful and fun way to help teach him how to spell his name, learning his colors and new shapes. I can't wait to see the look on his face.

  

I'm extremely happy with the Sports Design Puzzle Step Stool. The quality is fantastic and I know it's something that will get a lot of use. Once again Personal Creations did not disappoint! I would definitely recommend Personal Creations for all of your personalized gifting needs.

Buy It: You can purchase the Sports Design Puzzle Step Stool for $69.99.

**Thank you to Personal Creations who provided me with a Sports Design Puzzle Step Stool to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I love this time of year. It's so great getting to spend time with the ones we love. Unfortunately though, it's also a busy time of year. That's why Safety 1st and Consumer Safety Expert Julie Vallese have kindly put together some helpful tips to keep our little ones safe from hidden hazards in the kitchen and beyond.

Tips to keep your child safe this holiday season: 

• Attending a holiday party? Foods like grapes or tomatoes left out on a low table can become choking hazards. Speak with your host to see if these can be put out of your child’s reach.
• Ask that your host not put lighted candles on a table cloth or anything else that a child could pull down.
• For infants, make sure your child is always buckled in their car seat, even when not in the car. You never know who will pick up a car seat with a sleeping baby and you don’t want to risk your child slipping out.
• As family and friends come and go from your house child safety gates may be left open. Always make sure you, a family member or a friend is always watching your child.
• Ensure that your stove has knob covers to protect kids from turning it on and off as you cook. As an added safety measure, try to use the back burners as much as possible.
• Opening and shutting the fridge as you make your holiday meal? A fridge lock makes it difficult for your child to open, but still convenient for mom or dad.

You can check out more tips from Julie, and videos on the Safety 1st Facebook page as well! I know I will be, as I really thought the ones above were great points and sometimes things we look over when we're busy with the busyness if the season. The choking hazard one hit home especially, as my kids are all fairly young, and like to grab food that sits out at family gatherings this time of year. 

 

Win It: Along with sharing these wonderful holiday safety tips, Safety 1st has also offered a great Holiday Safety Prize Pack for one lucky reader. The giveaway will include the Safety 1st Clear View Stove Knob Covers, Refrigerator Door Lock, and Perfect Fit Gate!

If you'd like to enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.

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**The products for this review and giveaway were provided by Safety 1st. All opinions are my own.

As my husband and I wrapped up the last of our kids' gifts, we reminded each other that we don't want to forget to have plenty of batteries on hand for all of the new toys. Thankfully we have Energizer® MAX® batteries with Power Seal Technology on hand!

Not only do I love the power of these batteries, and their long life...but I also appreciate that they have have a special bonus when you buy them right now. They're great for the holidays because you can purchase specially marked packages of Energizer MAX batteries with Power Seal Technology and get up to $8 in Toy Cash (via prepaid MasterCard or Paypal). 

We received a couple of packages of batteries from Energizer, and I was pleasantly surprised just how easy it was to get the $8 in Toy Cash. I simply collected my codes, then visited www.energizertoycash.com to enter my codes (the last day to redeem codes is 4/15/13 at 11:49 pm PT). For specific terms and conditions for this promo you can visit here: http://www.energizertoycash.com/terms.pdf.

 

I love that they are doing this this time of year especially, after all...who doesn't need a little cash back in their pocket after buying Christmas gifts for family and friends?!

Win It: And, for this exciting promotion Energizer is offering one lucky reader 2 specially marked 4-packs of Energizer MAX batteries with Power Seal Technology containing the special Toy Cash codes.  (winner can choose from AA or AAA Energizer MAX batteries)Your winner can choose from AA and AAA Energizer MAX batteries. 

Simply enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.

 

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**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Energizer. All opinions are my own.

I don't know about you, but I often wonder just how clean the air is outside....especially after reading the following press release:

On average, people take more than 21,600 breaths a day, yet two-thirds of the American population[1] does not  think about the quality of the air they are breathing. The AirGenius Awards, sponsored by the makers of the new Honeywell AirGenius Air Cleaner, set out to 'clear the air' by assessing the nation's cities based on specific criteria related to air quality.  So where can you find the cleanest air in America? In short, the answer is Florida. The awards, evaluated by scientists at the leading consulting firm Environmental Health & Engineering, highlighted six Florida metropolitan areas in the top 25, with Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville in first place.

"Data on pollen counts, particulate matter and ozone concentrations, public smoking laws, and 'green' city rankings for the 100 most populated U.S. cities were used in this assessment," said Dr. Ted Myatt, ScD, a senior scientist at the leading environmental consulting company Environmental Health & Engineering and Biological Safety Officer at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts.  "The results are relevant to city dwellers and homeowners, particularly the elderly, young children, and individuals with allergies or asthma."
Below is a list of the top ten U.S. areas with the cleanest air:
1.    Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville, Fla.
2.    Cape Coral/Fort Myers, Fla.
3.    North Port-Bradenton/Sarasota, Fla.
4.    Honolulu, Hawaii
5.    Tucson, Ariz.
6.    Colorado Springs, Colo.
7.    Albuquerque, N.M.
8.    Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue, Wash.
9.    Charleston/North Charleston/Summerville, S.C.
10.  Lakeland/Winter Haven, Fla.

I found this to be very interesting, and it got me not only thinking about the air in my state, but also the air quality in my home as well. I want to make sure that my family and I are not breathing in harmful gases, etc...which is why I decided to go ahead and evaluate my home's air quality with the Air IQ Quiz on the Honeywell Plugged in Facebook page. I found out our score was better than I thought, but there was still room for improvement and I appreciated read through the tips to help me do just that. and was happy to see it wasn't too bad.

The very first tip was to consider using an air purifier like the Honeywell AirGenius 5 Air Cleaner to help combat potential spikes in poor indoor air quality. The Honeywell AirGenius 5 Air Cleaner captures up to 99.9% of particles from the air that passes through the filters - the larger particles that you can see AND the really small microscopic particles. I thought this sounded perfect for our home and couldn't have been more excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the AirGenius 3 from Honeywell.

When the AirGenius 3 Air Cleaner/Odor Reducer arrived I was looking forward to checking it out.

Out of the box, I was impressed with it's sleep and modern look. This is something I wanted to be able to use in our family room, so the fact that it's not an eye sore is much appreciated! I love the white, it goes very well with the rest of the decor in our home.

I was also happy to see that it's such a nice size. Measuring 12" x 11" x 29" in and weighing 14 lbs, this air purifier is certified for use in rooms up to 225 square feet! That makes it great for bedrooms as well as living areas as well.

 

Aside from the appearance, I was also immediately impressed with how user-friendly it is. The smart controls help take the guesswork out of how to most effectively clean the air in your home. There are 3 air cleaning levels to choose from : SLEEP which is an almost silent operation, GENERAL cleaning or MAX cleaning power depending on your air cleaning needs.

 

 We've been using it for a while now and have been pleasantly surprised with just how quiet it operates, even on the max cleaning power setting. This was especially surprising considering that it is certified to clean such a large space - I thought for sure it would be loud. 

There are two filter options. There's the ifD filter which is permanent and easy to clean. About 4 times a year, you just wash it ... never having to replace it! It catches larger particles. There's also the odor-reducing pre-filter (one of which is included with the unit). This helps absorb common household odors and VOCs and purifies the air. It needs to be replaced about every 3 months or so. What's nice is there's a filter indicator light that reminds you when you need to clean the filter so that's very helpful.

One thing I did not expect is that the air cleaner oscillates. I absolutely love this! It helps to disperse fresher, cleaner air throughout the room and is a feature I haven't seen with any of the other air purifiers I've personally seen. Another pleasant surprise was that this model is Energy Star rated and uses about the same amount of electricity as a light bulb. YAY!

Overall we've been extremely happy with the Honeywell AirGenius 3 Air Cleaner/Odor Reducer! It works great, and I love knowing that the patented QuietClean ifD advanced filtration technology helps to capture 99.9% of particles, both the ones you can see and the really small ones too. I would definitely recommend it to others who would like better air quality inside of their homes.

Find helpful tips and the Air IQ Quiz, visit Facebook.com/HoneywellPluggedIn. 

Buy It: You can purchase the AirGenius 3 from Honeywell for $229.99.

**The product for this review was provided for free. All opinions are my own.

One of the things my kids love to play with at home and on the go is our iPad. We often joke about how some days we need two or three of them! It's a device that's not only great for adults, but also children - as there are so many fun things for them to do and learn! It's been neat seeing all of the apps available to even the youngest of children, and now all three of my kids can enjoy the iPad even more thanks to the iTikes Canvas from Little Tikes.

 

Since 1970 Little Tikes has been offering families an amazing selection of innovative children's products that encourage them to get up and be active while playing. Offering everything from baby toys and children's furniture to riding toys and workshops...they have created a line of products that parents can trust and turn to time and time again.

As everyone here probably knows by now, our family is a huge fan of Little Tikes and their high quality toys. I had seen the iTikes Canvas in stores and on television and thought it looked neat and like something my kids would enjoy. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review it.

When it arrived, I have to admit, I wasn't sure how well I would like having to pop the iPad in and out of the canvas all the time. However, I quickly learned it's extremely easy to do and takes no time at all. YAY!


My kids had seen commercials advertising the iTikes Canvas, so they were familiar with it and couldn't wait to try it out. The first thing they noticed was the pen. They really enjoy having this option, especially Kaelyn who is really into drawing and writing.

It's neat because it can be used with the iPad or by itself as a magnetic doodle pad as well. Kaelyn really likes this, especially when in the car. Caysen does as well! Having it be versatile like this really makes it a 2-in-1 toy that all three of my kids can use and enjoy.

Of course, the neatest thing about it is that it works with the iPad. A simple, free iPad app allows children to doodle and draw with different coloring pages, colors and artist tools. Both Kaelyn and Kaden enjoy using it in this way as well. They can push the shape buttons along the side to stamp onto the digital coloring pages, then adjust the shape size and color if they want too. So neat!

There's even fun sound effects and music that plays as the stylus is used on the iPad.

Overall we've been really happy with the iTikes Canvas. It's great for at home or on the go, and keeps our iPad safe, as it works great for protection as well when the kids are using it. I love the versatility and how easy it is to use. I would definitely recommend it to other families with young children and think it would make a terrific Christmas gift!

Buy It: You can purchase the iTikes Canvas for $39.99 at Little Tikes, as well as Target, Toys R Us and Walmart.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win an iTikes Canvas from little Tikes. Just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. If you don't see the form, click here.

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**The product for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions are my own.

As I shopped for the people on my list this year, I made it my goal to find personal, unique gifts that would be meaningful to them. Thankfully, I knew exactly where to turn, as PersonalCreations.com makes it easy to find an extra special gift for adults and children alike.

Specializing in personalized gifts for her, him and baby for all occasions...Personal Creations helps you create truly special gifts to cherish all of life's special moments. With everything from new baby gifts to back to school gifts, sympathy gifts, and more...you're sure to find a large variety of options that suit every budget.

 I was introduced to Personal Creations last year and was amazed by their large selection of one-of-a-kind personalized gifts. I have visited their site many times since, and love looking through all of the items they offer! As I search for gifts, I was drawn to their Christmas items. With everything from personalized Christmas stockings to gift ideas for him and her...they have it all!

I was thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to be given a $65 gift code and given the chance to experience the checkout process firsthand.

In shopping for the items I wanted, I was impressed with the great prices...especially considering that the items are personalized!  I was amazed how easy the checkout process was, and was even able to find coupon codes to bring the total of my order down even more. I ended up getting the following to review:

• Personalized Carving Board - Fleur De Lis w/Laser Engraved Personalization - $24.99
• God Bless Wrought Iron Cross w/Printed Personalization - $34.99
• Faith, Hope, Love Family Name Key Holder in Red w/Printed Personalization

Everything arrived very well packaged and safe which I appreciated a lot!

Out of the package I was impressed with the quality of the carving board as well. It is very well made, and the personalization gives it such a unique look. I love everything about it. It's extremely easy to use, and the fact that it has our last name makes a piece I know I'll have for years to come. Every little detail definitely makes it a gift worth giving to someone (or yourself!).We will be using ours over the holidays at our family get-togethers and I can't wait!!

The God Bless Wrought Iron Cross was also very nice. Decor items can be spendy, especially if they are personalized like this one. So after seeing the great quality, I knew $34.99 was a great deal for it!

 

Measuring 14"H x 9"W, I love the size. It's perfect to hang on the wall with other pieces or even on it's own. The metal and design is beautiful and the personalized center 4x4" ceramic tile in the center makes it a great keepsake for future generations. The background of the tile bears the message "God Bless" and then I was able to personalize it up to 3 lines with our last name. Love it!

I have to admit, out of all the items I received to review, the Faith Hope Love Key Holder was the one I was most looking forward to receiving. I love having unique pieces in our home that says who we are as a family and the values and things that are important to us. This is perfect, and such a neat piece with our name on it to have the moment people walk into our house.

The red matches our kitchen perfectly, so I decided to hang it there so we could easily see it and have a place to hang out keys. It's not only beautiful and durable, but it also is something that has helped us be more organized since we're no longer simply throwing our keys on the counter anymore.

I am really happy with the items I received from Personal Creations. Once again they did not disappoint! I will definitely be shopping with them for gifts throughout the year. If you're looking for a great Christmas gift, or other gift and want to find something personal and unique, I would definitely recommend Personal Creations! With over 200 personalized products under $20, your sure to find something great and affordable.

**The products for this review were provided by Personal Creations. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.