Now through the end of the year, Redbox is giving away 5 Better in Blu prizepacks each day. Prize packs include a Blu-ray player and a year's supply of movie rentals. Nice!
We don't have a Blu-ray player yet, so I'm trying to win one for my husband.
There are 2 ways to enter:
1. Rent a movie at Redbox. You are automaticaly entered with each rental.
2. Enter online (no rental required)
December 7, 2010
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 12: Creativity for Kids Prize Pack
A few weeks ago my daughters had the opportunity to review the fantastic Recycled Cardboard Dollhouse from Creativity for Kids; they loved building and decorating the house, and they still love to play with it. We had some great girl-time coloring and decorating the house. :)
My son reviewed the Drift Cars Street Team (a set of six pullback racer cars that my little man decorated with the included paints and metallic stickers) and he loves to race his decked out vehicles across the wood floor.
What I like about both of the above items, as well as other Creativity for Kids items we've used, is that they are very well thought out and complete. The kits contain everything needed for the projects which is so very helpful to parents (no hunting for supplies, no kid meltdowns because you don't HAVE the supplies). Above all, though, I love that Creativity for Kids products have a great balance between providing some structure and encouraging creativity when crafting. I know from experience with my own kids and from my time as a teacher that kids get frustrated when crafts and activities are too open-ended. They want to know what to do, but they don't necessarily want to know how to do it. Some kids want to make a creation just like the one in the picture, others have something a little different in mind. Purple dog? Polka dot house with a fuzzy roof? Sure, why not! As it says in the Creativity for Kids tagline--"Just Add Imagination..."
Win It:
Have a crafty kid? (And I mean that in the best possible way!) Enter to win a fabulous prize pack that includes:
- Classic Wood Crafts
- 2 Bobble Head Dogs
- Busy with Ballet Coloring and ARTivity Book
- 24-count Triangular Colored EcoPencils
Details: One winner will be randomly chosen. Giveaway is open to residents of the USA only, please. Enter through 11:59 p.m on 12/12/10.
Bonus Entries (get one bonus entry for each of these):
- Visit creativityforkids.com and find another item you like
- Follow Creativity for Kids on Twitter
- Like Creativity for Kids on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway (click the Twitter button at the bottom of this post)
- Post on your Facebook page (click the Facebook button at the bottom of this post)
- Subscribe to Frugal Catholic Mommy by RSS or email
- Like FCM on Facebook
Yankee Candle - $10 off $25 Coupon
Oh I love candles! I love them all year round, but especially in the fall and winter--I love those spice and vanilla and toasted nut type scents--Mmmmmm. The fragrance and the cozy flickering flame make the house seem so cozy.
I do have a hard time buying candles, though. As much as I enjoy them, I feel a little like I am just watching money burn. I HAVE to buy candles on sale! I got an email with a coupon for Yankee Candle for $10 off a puchase of $25 or more. If they have any sales going on, I'm going to stock up!
Disney Movie Rewards Points
Enter the code Z3YH23XF8P at disneymovierewards.com to get 5 points added to your account balance.
More codes:
10ptsmobile (10 points)
dec2507 (today 12/7 only)
Earn bonus points everyday through 12/25 by visiting abcfamily.com daily and clicking on the Disney Movie Rewards logo.
December 6, 2010
Giveaway Winners - Head Chefs, $50 Safeway Gift Card
Congratulations to Jessica (whose favorite Head Chef is Floura). You have won the Head Chefs prize pack!
Congratulations to Katie O. (whose favorite Christmas Dinner is spaghetti and meatballs). You have won the $50 Safeway gift card!
Ladies, please watch for my email and reply with your mailing address.
There are still several giveaways open that you can enter. The last of the 12 will be posted tomorrow. After typing up all those reviews and giveaway posts, I think I have typer's cramp! :)
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - $25 Gift Certificate toThe Boy's Store
I have three girls and one boy, and I gotta say, there is WAAAAY more out there for the girls when it comes to clothes. In addition to a lot more style and color choices, girls can add personality to outfits with earrings, hairbands and barrettes, and shoes. What do boys have? Pretty much just their clothing, and either a pair of sneakers or dress shoes. I feel like my son's clothes are usually kind of cookie cutter, so I was excited to find out about The Boy's Store, an online shop (run by a mom!) that features great clothing and accessories just for boys.
Whether your boy is little or big, is a motocross kid, sports guy, cars or planes aficionado, likes the grunge look, likes the preppy style, or loves dinos and dragons, you'll find something to suit his personality and style.
The Boy's Store carries pretty much everything boys need from underwear and pajamas to swimwear and outerwear. The site even features a books, games and toys section filled with items boys will enjoy.
Sign up for The Boy's Store newsletter and you'll get "Monthly Specials" updates and will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate.
Buy It:
Shop The Boy's Store by brand, item or age for unique clothing, accessories and gifts for boys.
Win It:
One lucky reader will win a $25 gift card to The Boy's Store! Enter to win by filling in the form below.
Details: Open to US residents only. Enter through 12/12/10.
Bonus Entries (get one extra entry for each):
- Like The Boy's Store on Facebook
- Follow The Boy's Store on Twitter
- Sign up for The Boys Store Newsletter
- Subscribe to Frugal Catholic Mommy
- Tweet about this giveaway (easy way-click the Twitter button at the bottom of this post)
- Post this giveaway on Facebook (easy way-click the Facebook button at the bottom of this post)
- Like Frugal Catholic Mommy on Facebook
- Enter another one of our current giveaways
Disclosure: I received the shirt pictured above for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions stated are solely my own.
Appetizer - Amaretto Apricots
I came across a very easy, very tasty recipe a few years ago that I make often for party appetizers--dried apricots stuffed with a sweetened cream cheese/almond filling, topped with a dusting of ground almonds and sugar.
These are bite sized and look pretty when all grouped on a plate or tray (my 3 year old helped me make the ones in the photo, so they are a little messier than usual :)
Ingredients:
2 cups of dried apricots
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup almonds
Directions:
- Cut each apricot in half horizontally, but don't cut all the way through (it should be like a clam).
- Mix the softened cream cheese, confectioners sugar and almond extract together. Mix well.
- In a blender or food processor, chop the almonds and granulated sugar until finely chopped, like sand.
- Using a small spoon or a butter knife, stuff each apricot with about a teaspoon of filling. Roll the cut end in the almond sugar.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
December 5, 2010
Amazon - 25 Days of Free (Music)
Remember all the free Christmas music from Amazon last year? They're doing it again! Each day through Christmas, Amazon will offer a
free Christmas song.
The free song today is Angels We Have Heard on High.
Note: You do not have to download the songs on the day they are offered. They will be available for free until the end of the promo.
(thanks, Briana)
Book Giveaway - Infinite Bandwidth, Crossing the Goal: Playbook on Our Father
Emmaus Road Publishing has two fantastic books to give away to lucky readers!
Crossing the Goal: Playbook on Our Father "shows you that you're meant for greatness, but it takes prayer to get there." Former NFL coach and pro-bowl receiver Danny Abramowicz, analysts Peter Herbeck and Curtis Martin, and broadcast television sports anchor Brian Patrick lead readers through the Our Father prayer, word-by-word, giving new insights into the words we learned by rote as children. Many powerful themes are touched upon including forgiveness, temptation, and truly understanding (and submitting) to the words "Thy Will be Done." Men can either use this spiral bound book for independent reflection and study, or can choose to meet with other men for weekly "Spiritual Fitness Workouts."
Crossing the Goal: Playbook on Our Father, newly published in November, is a terrific book for husbands, fathers, brothers and sons--any man who could use some motivation and encouragement in fighting the good fight. Other Crossing the Goal titles and DVDs are also available from Emmaus Road Publishing.
Franciscan University of Steubenville (my alma mater) professor Eugene Gan, in his new book Infinite Bandwidth: Encountering Christ in the Media, gives us "a guidebook, a road map of sorts for Catholics in the digital age." Mr. Gan lays out seven media keys--principles about the relationship between faith and media. The seven media keys discussed are: to approach and use media with balance; be aware of the attitude behind the media we use; the media we use should be mindful of the dignity of the human person and should be truth-filled; media should inspire people to the good and true; it should be skillfully developed, and should be motivated by and relevant to the human experience.
As a blogger and mother, I am inundated with media everyday--media requests and proposals, hundreds of weekly emails, radio/CDs/MP3s blaring in the car and from bedrooms, television, internet, video games, cell phones... Sometimes with so much visual and auditory noise around, it's easy to start to tune out God. Infinite Bandwidth is a great reminder that media can be a useful tool in our culture, a tool to bring us closer to God, but media should not be our God.
Win It:
Emmaus Road Publishing is giving TWO readers each a set of these terrific new books! Enter to win by filling in the form below.
Details: Enter through 12/12/10. Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Bonus Entries:
Crossing the Goal: Playbook on Our Father, newly published in November, is a terrific book for husbands, fathers, brothers and sons--any man who could use some motivation and encouragement in fighting the good fight. Other Crossing the Goal titles and DVDs are also available from Emmaus Road Publishing.
As a blogger and mother, I am inundated with media everyday--media requests and proposals, hundreds of weekly emails, radio/CDs/MP3s blaring in the car and from bedrooms, television, internet, video games, cell phones... Sometimes with so much visual and auditory noise around, it's easy to start to tune out God. Infinite Bandwidth is a great reminder that media can be a useful tool in our culture, a tool to bring us closer to God, but media should not be our God.
Win It:
Emmaus Road Publishing is giving TWO readers each a set of these terrific new books! Enter to win by filling in the form below.
Details: Enter through 12/12/10. Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Bonus Entries:
- Subscribe to Frugal Catholic Mommy (current subscriber = extra entry)
- Make a purchase at Emmaus Road Publishing (get TEN bonus entries!)
- Twitter about this giveaway. You can tweet once per day (easy way-click the Twitter button at the bottom of this post).
- Post to Facebook (easy way-click the Facebook button at the bottom of this post)
- Like Frugal Catholic Mommy on Facebook
- Enter another current giveaway
December 4, 2010
Giveaway Winner - Brugo Mug
Congratulations to Sandra Christine L.! Your entry, #96, was randomly generated by random.org, so you have won a Brugo mug! Watch for my email.
There are still a bunch of ongoing giveaways--check out the list in the right sidebar and enter!
Giveaway - 10 Minute Bananagrams, Appleletters, Pairs in Pears
When it comes to playing games, everyone has their favorite type--strategy games, card games, word games... I am most definitely a word game girl!
Bananagrams, the addictive anagram tile game sold in the banana pouch, was created by "a word-game obsessed family" like mine and has quickly become a favorite of logophiles (a.k.a word lovers) worldwide. 10 Minute Bananagrams is a book based on the Bananagrams concept, and contains over 500 puzzles that can be solved in a quick 10 minutes or less. 10 Minute Bananagrams has two difficulty levels--one-half banana (easier) and one banana (harder). The book includes 10 different types of puzzles (and an answer key so you can check how smart you are!). Warning: you think "Oh--I'll just do one while I have a few free minutes", but then you get sucked in and want to do just one more... :)
Great for kids and adults alike is Appleletters, a tile game (in a cute apple shaped pouch) with three game play options. In Appleletters, players make a "snake", connecting the first or last letter of each new word with either the first or last letter of the previously placed word. Think of it as word dominos. Apple Turnover is similar, but with a strategic twist. Players can choose to turnover the previous player's word and replace it with his own longer word. In AppleScore, players aim to build the longest words and are awarded more points for longer words; all players' words are attached (like in Scrabble).
Pairs in Pears is a fun yet simple word building/matching game for younger players. Kids just eat it up (eat it up--get it? ;) In this game, there are four distinct sets of alphabet tiles. Kids race to build two interlocking words using the same type of tile. A scored version of the game can be played also (for older kids or adults).
Have a few free minutes? Challenge yourself with free downloadable Bananagrams, one page for kids one for adults.
Buy It:
You can purchase 10 Minute Bananagrams at Workman Publishing and other retailers. Bananagrams, Appleletters and Pairs in Pears can be found at stores such as Amazon.com
.
Win It:
One winner will win Pairs in Pears, Appleletters and 10 Minute Bananagrams! To enter to win, simply fill in the form below.
Details: Enter through 11:59 pm ET on December 10. Open to US residents only. Winner will be notified by email and must reply within 48 hours or a new winner will selected.
Bonus Entries:
Get bonus entries when you do any of the following (submit the form for EACH entry):
Disclosure: I received 10 Minute Bananagrams and 3 other Bananagrams books for review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Great for kids and adults alike is Appleletters, a tile game (in a cute apple shaped pouch) with three game play options. In Appleletters, players make a "snake", connecting the first or last letter of each new word with either the first or last letter of the previously placed word. Think of it as word dominos. Apple Turnover is similar, but with a strategic twist. Players can choose to turnover the previous player's word and replace it with his own longer word. In AppleScore, players aim to build the longest words and are awarded more points for longer words; all players' words are attached (like in Scrabble).
Have a few free minutes? Challenge yourself with free downloadable Bananagrams, one page for kids one for adults.
Buy It:
You can purchase 10 Minute Bananagrams at Workman Publishing and other retailers. Bananagrams, Appleletters and Pairs in Pears can be found at stores such as Amazon.com
.Win It:
One winner will win Pairs in Pears, Appleletters and 10 Minute Bananagrams! To enter to win, simply fill in the form below.
Details: Enter through 11:59 pm ET on December 10. Open to US residents only. Winner will be notified by email and must reply within 48 hours or a new winner will selected.
Bonus Entries:
Get bonus entries when you do any of the following (submit the form for EACH entry):
- Subscribe/are a subscriber to Frugal Catholic Mommy
- Twitter about this giveaway. You can tweet once per day (easy way-click the Twitter button at the bottom of this post).
- Post to Facebook (easy way-click the Facebook button at the bottom of this post)
- Like Frugal Catholic Mommy on Facebook
- Enter another current giveaway
Disclosure: I received 10 Minute Bananagrams and 3 other Bananagrams books for review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
December 3, 2010
Giveaway winner - GourmetGift Baskets.com Nutcracker Drum
Congratulations to 409cope! Your entry (#55) was randomly chosen, so you have won the Nutcracker Drum gift basket from www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com! Please watch for my email and reply with your address.
There are TWELVE DAYS of great giveaways, so you still have plenty of chances to win. Look on the right side of this site for the current list of giveaways.
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 8: Toy Story Tasty Baker
About a year ago, we had the opportunity to review the Original 5-in-1 Tasty Baker--a small tabletop kitchen appliance that cooks pancakes, waffles, brownies, cake, muffins and even eggs in fun mini molds.
This year, we added to the fun with the Toy Story 5-in-1 Tasty Baker. The Toy Story baker has five built-in molds that bakes food into bite sized (well--maybe TWO bite size) versions of the beloved Buzz, Woody, Rex, Alien and Lotso characters from the Toy Story films.
The baker can be used for quick and super fun baked goods or eggs that cook in 1/3 the time of their full sized counterparts. What kid wouldn't scarf down a plate of Woody and Buzz muffins, scrambled eggs or pancakes for breakfast? My kids absolutely love the character shapes. We don't use the baker everyday, of course, but when I pull it out for breakfast or snack and they see my mixing bowl full of batter, there is always a unanimous exclamation of "Yay!", followed by the list of which kid wants which character first. A favorite breakfast of theirs is waffle bites that they dip into a little cup of syrup. A close second is after-school muffin bites.
My son has sensory issues and dislikes many foods. He will rarely try anything new, but I want to keep encouraging him to try new healthy foods. He tends to be more adventurous with "fun" food, so I try to sneak in new tastes and textures (like pumpkin, oatmeal, pureed fruit).
The Toy Story 5-in-1 Tasty Baker is very easy to use, even for the kids. Just plug it in, wait for the light to tell you the unit is pre-heated, then spray lightly with non-stick spray and fill the molds with the included scoop. Close the lid, wait a couple of minutes, then pull out the cooked little character bites. The temperature dial allows you to adjust the temp for different foods. The molds are non-stick and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
If there is any stuck-on bits in the crevices, they can easily be brushed away with the included soft bristle brush.
In addition to the Original 5-in-1 Tasty Baker and the Disney Toy Story 3 Tasty Baker, there are Disney Princess and Micky Mouse versions as well. You can buy them at select retailers including Target.com, The Disney Store, poparttoasterstore.com and Amazon.com.
Shop at poparttoasterstore.com and use the code LTD5809 to save $5 off your purchase of $25 or more. Code is valid through December 11, 2010.
Win It:
One reader will win a Toy Story 5-in-1 Tasty Baker! Wouldn't the kids be excited to open it Christmas morning and then whip up a batch of Toy Story chocolate chip pancakes? Enter to win by filling in the form below.
Details: Enter through 11:59 ET on 12/9/10. Open to US residents only. Winner will be notified by email and must reply within 2 days with his/her address, or a new winner will be chosen.
Bonus Entries:
Get bonus entries when you do any of the following (submit the form for EACH entry):
Disclosure: I received the item described above for review purposes. No other compensation was received.
This year, we added to the fun with the Toy Story 5-in-1 Tasty Baker. The Toy Story baker has five built-in molds that bakes food into bite sized (well--maybe TWO bite size) versions of the beloved Buzz, Woody, Rex, Alien and Lotso characters from the Toy Story films.
My son has sensory issues and dislikes many foods. He will rarely try anything new, but I want to keep encouraging him to try new healthy foods. He tends to be more adventurous with "fun" food, so I try to sneak in new tastes and textures (like pumpkin, oatmeal, pureed fruit).
The Toy Story 5-in-1 Tasty Baker is very easy to use, even for the kids. Just plug it in, wait for the light to tell you the unit is pre-heated, then spray lightly with non-stick spray and fill the molds with the included scoop. Close the lid, wait a couple of minutes, then pull out the cooked little character bites. The temperature dial allows you to adjust the temp for different foods. The molds are non-stick and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
If there is any stuck-on bits in the crevices, they can easily be brushed away with the included soft bristle brush.
In addition to the Original 5-in-1 Tasty Baker and the Disney Toy Story 3 Tasty Baker, there are Disney Princess and Micky Mouse versions as well. You can buy them at select retailers including Target.com, The Disney Store, poparttoasterstore.com and Amazon.com.
Shop at poparttoasterstore.com and use the code LTD5809 to save $5 off your purchase of $25 or more. Code is valid through December 11, 2010.
Win It:
One reader will win a Toy Story 5-in-1 Tasty Baker! Wouldn't the kids be excited to open it Christmas morning and then whip up a batch of Toy Story chocolate chip pancakes? Enter to win by filling in the form below.
Details: Enter through 11:59 ET on 12/9/10. Open to US residents only. Winner will be notified by email and must reply within 2 days with his/her address, or a new winner will be chosen.
Bonus Entries:
Get bonus entries when you do any of the following (submit the form for EACH entry):
- Like Pop Art Toaster on Facebook
- Follow Pop Art Toaster on Twitter
- Subscribe/are a subscriber to Frugal Catholic Mommy
- Twitter about this giveaway. You can tweet once per day (easy way-click the Twitter button at the bottom of this post).
- Post to Facebook (easy way-click the Facebook button at the bottom of this post)
- Like Frugal Catholic Mommy on Facebook
Disclosure: I received the item described above for review purposes. No other compensation was received.
December 2, 2010
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Serenity Prayer Bracelet
In the midst of my chaotic and hectic days filled with packing lunches and washing uniforms for my 2 kids in school, homeschooling my other 2 kids, helping with homework, cooking, cleaning, blogging, shopping, and all the other usual daily tasks, I've often found comfort in the Serenity Prayer. It reminds me that motherhood is my vocation, that while I can't change the busy-ness in my life, I can change my attitude to try and do those tasks cheerfully and remember why I am busy--I am busy because of all the blessings God has given me!
The Catholic Company sells a pretty silver-plated bangle Serenity Prayer Bracelet--a stylish accessory that makes this prayer readily available when you need it. What a great way to "wear" your faith!
Buy It:
Buy the Serenity Prayer Bracelet at CatholicCompany.com for $10.95.
Win It:
The Catholic Company is giving away a Serenity Prayer Bracelet to one lucky reader! To enter to win, simply fill in the form below. Enter through 12/6/10.
Bonus Entries:
Serenity Prayer (short version)
God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
The Catholic Company sells a pretty silver-plated bangle Serenity Prayer Bracelet--a stylish accessory that makes this prayer readily available when you need it. What a great way to "wear" your faith!
Buy It:
Buy the Serenity Prayer Bracelet at CatholicCompany.com for $10.95.
Win It:
The Catholic Company is giving away a Serenity Prayer Bracelet to one lucky reader! To enter to win, simply fill in the form below. Enter through 12/6/10.
Bonus Entries:
- Like the Catholic Company on Facebook
- Follow the Catholic Company on Twitter
- Subscribe to Frugal Catholic Mommy
- Like Frugal Catholic Mommy on Facebook
December 1, 2010
12 Days of Christmas Giveaway - Day 5: If I Could Keep You Little...
If you are a parent, you know how children seem to grow in the blink of an eye. One day they are following you around and climbing onto your lap for snuggles, and suddenly they are not little anymore. And you think "If only I could keep you little." But you don't REALLY want them to stay little because with each passing year, you find out more and more about who your children are, and you get a front-row seat to watch as they develop their unique talents, skills, and personalities.
In the new book If I Could Keep You Little..., author/illustrator Marianne Richmond captures so poignantly that yearning we have to hang onto our little ones' sweet youth and innocence (those fleeting moments), while at the same time watching them grow and blossom into the unique individuals they are meant to be.
If I Could Keep You Little...is written in rhyme--every two-page spread juxtaposes a moment of early childhood with one of later childhood. The charming watercolor illustrations are cheerful and whimsical.
Here's a couple of examples of the rhyming text:
"If I could keep you little,
I'd decide on matching clothes.
But then I'd miss you choosing
Dots on top and stripes below
-------
If I could keep you little,
we'd nap in our fort midday.
But then I'd miss you sharing
adventures from camp away.
Sweet, isn't it? This is one of those books that is a great read-aloud for little ones, and is sure to be a treasure for older kids. It's a reminder that we're with them through it all, wistfully remembering the past while looking forward to the future..
If I Could Keep You Little... is published by Sourcebooks and retails for $15.99 (hardback).
About the author:
While recovering from brain surgery, Marianne Richmond created hand-painted cards as individual thank you notes for her well-wishers, and from that small beginning started her own greeting card company, Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc.. Since then she has become a recognized creator of numerous books that celebrate milestones in life, memorable journeys, and relationships. Beginning with her first book in 1997, Gift of An Angel, writer and artist Marianne has touched the lives of millions over the past decade through her line of greeting cards and gift books. Marianne lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband, four kids, and their beloved Border Collie, Clay. Find out more at her website www.mariannerichmond.com.
Win It:
One reader will win a copy of If I Could Keep You Little... by Marianne Richmond. To enter to win, simply fill in the form below.Details: Enter through 11:59 PM ET on 12/8. Open to US residents only. Winner will be notified by email and must reply within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.
Bonus Entries:
Get bonus entries when you:
- Subscribe/are a subscriber to Frugal Catholic Mommy
- Twitter about this giveaway. You can tweet once per day (easy way-click the Twitter button at the bottom of this post).
- Post to Facebook (easy way-click the Facebook button at the bottom of this post)
- Like Frugal Catholic Mommy on Facebook
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book. No other compensation was received.
Free Sample (Facebook): Seattle's Best Coffee
When you like Seattle's Best Coffee on Facebook, you can request a free sample of coffee (for the first 1000 people).
Walgreens: Save 15% - 20% Today
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