Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Collections Etc Review & Giveaway

**The product for this review/giveaway was provided by Collections Etc. All opinions are my own.

With three little ones, I find shopping online is the easiest for me this time of year. Whether I'm looking for unique and affordable gifts, or great holiday decor...I would rather shop from home and find everything all in one place than go out and fight the crowds! Thankfully, Collections Etc. is perfect for times like this!

A leading catalog company and online retailer, Collections Etc. has been around for over 40 years selling affordable gifts and home decor for the whole family. Offering thousands of products...everything from home decor and garden supplies to toys and clothing... (most of which are $19.99 or less and over 1,500 are $14.99 or less), you're sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list this year.

For those who have been reading here for a while, you may remember reviews I've done in the past for this great company! They are my go-to site for times when I'm looking for affordable, high quality gifts. I appreciate their large selection of items and always enjoy browsing their user-friendly website. 

Last month I was browsing around and came across some great gift ideas and holiday decor! I was excited to learn I was going to have the opportunity to review a couple of them.

The first item we received is the Children's Arts & Activities Lap Desk. 

Whether it's at home or on the go, my kids like to keep busy and enjoy crafts and activities. The Children's Arts and Activities Lap Desk stood out to me right away, because it's a way to encourage creativity wherever we go. I thought it would not only make a great gift idea, but also a fantastic addition to any traveling families do over the holidays. 

When the product arrived, I was impressed right away with the quality. I also love the inviting colors and the fact that it folds nicely when not in use! 

It easily unfolds and makes the perfect workspace for a child no matter where we are. Although this comes in handy in the car, I also have found that my older two love to use it at home too! Kaelyn is especially into drawing, coloring, etc...so this is right up her alley!

It provides a large, hardtop surface for her to make her masterpieces on. It's comfortable for her to use since there's a cushioned bottom to it. This also makes it more stable. 

She keeps all her crayons and markers in the side zippered pockets which is a great way to keep everything organized and in a secure place so they're not scattered all over the place. 

Another feature we love, and one I didn't realize it had, was the elasticized corners. These are great for holding papers in place! 

This is a great gift idea for any child 3+ and one I'd definitely recommend for parents with little ones!

The second item we received for review was the Beaded 3 Tier Silvertone Swivel Server.

Over the holidays we do a lot of entertaining so I'm always looking for products that make that easier! I suppose you could consider it a gift to myself when I get products like this because they are fun to have and make hosting family get-togethers more organized and easy.

When this server arrived, I appreciated the eye-catching appearance! Although inexpensive at just $14.99, it did not look cheap to me. It looks very nice and is something that is well-suited for holiday parties. 

I love the faceted acrylic beads. This really adds to the fancy look of it and presents food in such a nice way!

I also love that it holds quite a bit of food at one time! It holds three 8" plates (which aren't included). I can fit a lot of food on three plates, so I know I won't be having to refill items over and over again.

This is not only great for the holidays, but would be perfect for any get-together where food is being served. I love that it's versatile and something I will be able to use year-round. 

And, when I'm not using it, it folds down to a nice size that makes it easy to store. YAY!

This is the type of product that I recommend as a gift to yourself if you entertain a lot, as well as a gift for others who do the same! I love it and am happy to have it in time for Christmas!

Of course, these are just two of many products found at www.collectionsetc.com! There is something for every taste and budget! I would definitely recommend heading over to their website and checking out all of their great items if you haven't already!

Buy It: You can purchase the Beaded 3 Tier Silvertone Swivel Server for $14.99 and the Children's Arts & Activities Lap Desk for $7.99.

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a Beaded 3 Tier Silvertone Swivel Server of their own! 

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