The Christmas season is so busy that we often rush through it flustered, sometimes or often frustrated at our long to-do list and we miss the time to be still. You know what I mean, unwind with a cup of tea and relax, maybe read a short uplifting story. We think we have no time to do that but it can actually help us refocus and be more productive than continuing to run around like a chicken with our head cut off. If taking a brief rest sounds good and you would like to curl up with a great book of uplifting and inspirational Christmas stories, I can recommend a great book.
Chicken Soup for the Soul, Merry Christmas is filled with 101 Joyous Holiday Stories! There is a forward by St. Nick himself!
Inside you will find story after story of family bonding, holiday hijinks, then joy of giving, community spirit, family and religious traditions. Some will make you laugh out loud, others will cause you to get a little teary eyed. All the stories will leave you smiling and with an eagerness to share the holidays with new ideas, a new perspective and enthusiasm for this magical time of the year.
You will find stories from Thanksgiving through New Year’s and even some of Hanukkah in this book that has something for everyone. We think this book is a great gift this Holiday Season so you will find it on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Three lucky blog reader will win a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas. Thank you to Chicken Soup for the Soul for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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As a parent I am concerned about protecting my Children’s eyes from sun damage. Our kids have been wearing Real Kids Shades for several years and they are eye protection I trust and one that gives this mom peace of mind. Many times parents are diligent in using sunscreen on their children but forget to protect their eyes. Real Kids Shades works in partnership with Prevent Blindness America to educate parents on the importance of protecting their children’s eyes.
Children’s eyes are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV rays because their eyes are still developing. Their young eyes are much more vulnerable to sun damage. Real Kids Shades are designed to provide serious UV protection. Real Kids Shades is the leading maker of premium quality, 100 percent UV protective eyewear for infants and children up to age 12. Their award-winning design, intensive product testing, and patented construction makes their children’s sunglasses the best available on the market today.
Recently I ordered 2 pair of Real Kids Shades for my boys. They arrived with their own protective neoprene case and my little guys were thrilled. Ordering from the website is so easy and you can shop by age and there is a wide selection of styles and colors for boys and girls. We think Real Kids Shades make a perfect holiday or Christmas Gift so you will find them on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Real Kids Shadesis sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a pair of sunglasses of their choice (subject to availability). Thank you to Real Kids Shades for the review sunglasses and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US and Canadian Residents. Good Luck!
Real Kids Shades Sunglasses Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
The other day I received a very special basket in them mail. It is a festive red and white and fits right into the current Christmas season. I can imagine it filled with some colorful Christmas ball ornaments or filled with Christmas cards. It would also be a nice centerpiece for a entry table or coffee table. You may see this in my home and think it is pretty, but you would probably be surprised to learn there is so much more to this basket.
It is actually the Rwanda 10th Anniversary Medium Woven Star Basket. It is sold online and in Macy’s stores as part of the Rwanda Path to Peace program. These baskets, every single one of them represents a journey that they and the women who weave them have been on. The journey is one toward reconciliation.
Macy’s has carried the Rwandan Path to Peace baskets in store and at Macys.com for 10 years. It’s an amazing commitment for an American retailer to make to women in another country. Back in 1994, the tiny nation, no bigger than Rhode Island saw a genocidal mass slaughter. In three short months, nearly 1 million Rwandans were brutally murdered in a fury of ethic violence that is hard to even fathom.
After the massacre, a few women came together and did what women in Rwanda do. They talked, they cried and they wove baskets. These were women of both sides of the ethnic divide, practicing the skills of weaving they all learn from their mothers and grandmothers. When Macy’s began carrying the baskets in 1995, it was the first example of a major American retailer committing to a Trade-not-Aid product line in a substantial way. Macy’s has kept that commitment alive, despite the fact that Rwanda has largely disappeared from the news.
The baskets are available online and in stores and retail for $30-$50. Macy’s offers many 20% off coupons and the wonderful thing is, if you get this item for a discount it does not affect the price the weaver earns for the basket. I hope you take a look at the baskets HERE.
I have to admit I had never heard of this great commitment Macy’s has made to the women of this tiny nation. We are so blessed to live in America and it can be hard to imagine the plight of these women and what they lived through. I am sure they have very deep scars but what Macy’s has done and continues to do gives them a sense of hope, hope for the future, hope to women in Africa.
If you are looking for a gift that carries with it great meaning, these baskets would definitely fit that to a T. It truly is a gift that represents the wish and hope for Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Women. Do you realize that every basket that is sold will not only provide hope but economic sustenance for a woman in Rwanda. She will use the money to pay her children’s school fees, feed her children and perhaps buy a goat that will help improve her life. Can you imagine the kind of impact the purchase of a red and white basket can make?
Below I hope you will take a few minutes to view a video that shows the history of the Rwanda program.
Rwanda Path to Peace is now the longest-lasting program of its kind, impacting thousands of women throughout Rwanda, their families and communities. With their earnings, women can now send their children to school. They can buy everything from soap to land, malaria nets to health insurance. The income they earn from their handiwork has helped rebuild their communities. One of the first things a weaver does when she sells her first basket is buy soap. The next thing she does is buy shoes and pay school fees. Many weavers today have seen huge improvements in their lives. Below are powerful videos featuring such stories, click on the woman’s name to see a video about her life now.
Every Red and White Basket is the result of a weaving process that has been practiced for centuries in Rwanda. Each basket design is unique and they are painstakingly crafted from sisal and grass by women who learned to weave from their mothers, grandmothers and aunts. If you would like to see how the baskets are made in a special video, click HERE!
Ten years ago many of the thousands of children were malnourished and sick but through this program that has provided food, medicine and education they are now thriving young adults. Many of these young adults have completed school and are entering university. Macy’s commitment to the women of Rwanda means they can have hope for a future.
You will find the Rwanda 10th Anniversary Medium Star Basket on Mommy Ramblings’ 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
“This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.“
I don’t know if you ventured out on Black Friday or are surfing the Internet for Cyber Monday deals, but I will tell you that if you are looking for a meaningful gift, I may be able to help. In keeping with the sentiment, “It is better to give than receive.”, take a moment and check out the 2015 World Vision Gift Catalog. World Vision provides donors the opportunity to give a gift in a loved one’s name, making these the perfect presents to show family and friends love and to spread the joy of the holiday season across the world. And, as an added bonus, there’s nothing to wrap!
Donations of livestock like goats, fruit trees, soccer balls, education for girls and women and much more can be donated in a person’s name to make a truly unique and life-giving gift. When you think about the impact something like this can have on a life this gift truly is priceless.
In addition to the gifts above, World Vision operates the Where Most Needed fund, which provides for improvements in the quality of life for struggling children and families in the U.S. and around the world. Donors to this fund are eligible to receive beautiful artisan goods from Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, which make wonderful presents and stocking stuffers. Why not pledge your support and receive handcrafted gifts for yourself or a loved one, like the ones below:
Since 1996, the World Vision Gift Catalog has grown in popularity as a gift-giving alternative. Last year alone, more than 822,000 people were helped through funds generated by the Catalog. To order from World Vision’s Gift Catalog, call 855-WV-GIFTS or click HERE!
The handcrafted gifts are gorgeous. I was lucky to recieve the African Soapstone box and it is beautiful. It is just like the one below and I would like to extend a chance for you to win the same box courtesy of World Vision. The giveaway is open to US residents and you enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
This ornate hand-carved soapstone box is etched and designed by local artisans in Kenya. Using this sustainable resource these artisans are lifting themselves and their families out of poverty. Approximate size: 2 ½” x 5 ¼” x 1 ½”
Handcrafted African Soapstone Box Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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Are you looking for a meaningful gift this Christmas and Holiday Season? I have a great idea, have you thought about charms? Charms and Charm Bracelets and Necklaces allow the wearer to wear charms that represent the special things in their life. Beautiful charms inspired by milestones, family, pets, hobbies, career, passion and more can be found at Soufeel! I have a beautiful Soufeel Charm Bracelet that holds very special charms that celebrate my life. I recently browsed their Christmas Charms and could not resist the urge to select a few for a Christmas inspired charm bracelet.
You can find charms to celebrate nearly everything at Soufeel, check it out now and take advantage of their great sales! They have a Black Friday sale at 90% off right now! You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram. You can also find Soufeel on Mommy Ramblings’ 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Portable North Pole is a magical console used by Santa and his elves to send personalized video messages to the folks you care most about. In just a few simple clicks, you can provide Santa with all the information he needs to create a unique, tailor-made video message that would even bring a smile to Scrooge’s face!
Portable North Pole videos come in 2 main types: Christmas and Birthday greetings. And they’re free! Or you can upgrade to a Premium version, with more Santa facetime, extra personalization options, the ability to include more photos and truly incredible scenes from his village in the North Pole PLUS the long anticipated Santa’s Verdict, that lets your loved one know if they are one Santa’s Naughty or Nice list. Mommy Ramblings’ Readers Save 20%USE PROMO CODE: BLG20PNP , To redeem your promo code click HERE. Portable North Pole is also a favorite on our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide. My children are amazed by the Portable North Pole and we visit every season!
As a lifelong doll lover, I really love this post. Why? It is about dolls of course. I think dolls are a classic toy of childhood that let children model loving and caring for a baby and teaches them how to nurture a small baby or child. Dolls can also help a child who will soon be welcoming a new sibling to the family. Before the new baby arrives the child and parent can talk about all the care and time the baby will need. Then when the baby arrives the parent can encourage the child to do the same things with the doll they are seeing them do with their baby sibling.
Now if you have a brand new little one that is your own or on your holiday list that you would like to introduce to dolls, the Babi Corolle soft dolls have sweetly expressive faces that will captivate and soothe baby. All Babi Corolle first soft dolls are designed with multiple “handles” so they are easy for tiny fingers to grasp and explore. Unique combinations of ultra-soft and supple materials and textures delight and intrigue little ones, and everything in the Babi Corolle collection is produced to meet all applicable mandatory and voluntary safety standards.
Corolle’s Babi Corolle first dolls’ soft vinyl faces (Lili dolls excepted) are delicately scented with vanilla so that the hugs your baby gives to her lovie are as sweet and memorable as the hugs you give her! A plus for parents: All Babi Corolle first dolls are machine washable (air dry naturally, please) and have a sewn-in label with space to write baby’s name.
A great gift set for ages birth and up is Miss Fresh Riviera & Blanket.Miss Fresh Riviera is an adorable first doll with a soft body that’s ideal for hugging and cuddling! The sweet expression on her vanilla scented, smooth vinyl face will charm and soothe little ones. Included in the set is a coordinating soft blanket. There are other styles in these sets so check out the Corolle Website to see them all.
Okay are you more in the market for a realistic baby doll? Corolle’s Mon Bébé Classique Dodo Baby Dollhas a soft body, blue sleeping eyes, and supple vinyl skin that’s delicately scented with vanilla — a Corolle signature and is an excellent for little ones 2 and older. This adorable 14-inch baby doll comes with her own soft lovey, blanket and mini booklet for complete mommy play!
Mon Bébé Classique Dodo Baby Doll features high-quality materials and careful details. Her soft body is lightweight and irresistibly huggable, and her sweet, authentically sculpted face will charm and captivate little ones. Her supple vinyl skin is delicately scented with vanilla and her blue eyes close when you put her down for a nap or at bedtime, just like a real baby.
Mon Bébé Classique Dodo wears any 14-inch baby doll fashion and fits comfortably in any nursery accessory from Corolle’s Mon Classique Collection. There is a nice selection of outfits and baby care accessories that can really extend the play with this Mon Bébé Classique Dodo Baby Doll.
Designed in France and part of Corolle’s Mon Classique Collection for make-believe moms ages 3 years and up, Mon Bébé Classique Dodo Baby Doll is the winner of a Platinum Seal Award from The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, the only independent consumer review of children’s media. Award winners are selected based on their quality, innovation, and ability to provide children with an engaging play experience. The Platinum Seal Award is The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio’s highest honor.
Need a little dolly for the stocking?
Looking for a stocking stuffer that is just too cute? One of the Mini Calin baby dolls is the perfect choice. They little dolls have cuddlly soft “bean”-filled bodies. Little hands can hold easily to the bean bodies of these tiny babies and they may be small on size but your little one will shower them with a huge amount of love. Very portable they are great to keep in a diaper bag or in the car to keep little ones busy. Even older girls love them and want to collect them all because one is cuter than the other. They are 8 inches tall and made for ages 18 months and up.
Corolle is a premium doll brand that is designed in France. Corolle dolls are designed to be the perfect look, size, feel and scent for little ones to love and cherish. Pretty, sweet faces are sculpted after real babies. Fashions are inspired by current children’s clothing and adapted for a young child’s dexterity so they are easy to dress. Corolle dolls’ supple vinyl arms and legs are smooth to the touch and delicately scented with vanilla, and their bodies have the ideal amount of filling for hugging and cuddling.
These dolls are all so nice and make great gifts for a child. They are all huggable and soft and smell so great. We love them so much we are adding all three to our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Corolle is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Mon Classique Bebe Dodo Doll of their own! Thank you to Corolle for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
You know what they say about dynamite coming in small packages right? You can’t dismiss something small as weak and you certainly cannot dismiss the compact triangular Audiosharp Music Eyes Speaker as anything less than dynamite! This little speaker packs a powerful punch in features and sound. It is portable, has Bluetooth wireless capabilities, allows you to answer calls right from the speaker too! The dual drive unit speakers deliver incredible sound!
The internal rechargeable 650 mA battery is good for up to 5 hours of play time and 300 hours of standby time. The built-in microphone supports hands free calls. The connection range is up to 30 feet. You can also use the 3.5mm AUX cable to connect and it is included with this speaker.
We were so impressed with this metal speaker, it is drop resistant, dust proof and comes in red and black. It easily paired with both my iPhone 6 and my husband’s Note 4 with ease. The sound is awesome and it has a phenomenal play time. The speaker has big and clear sound that is truly full range. The bass hits low and the treble pops the highs out perfectly. It is hard to believe the awesome sound is coming from this little speaker. It is in pairing mode the first time you turn it on as noted by the LED blinking blue to red. After the initial time you turn it on you need to hold the multifunction (phone handset icon) for over 6 seconds until the blue red blink starts. All functions are announced audibly when engaged. For example, to turn it on or off, simply hold the multifunction button down until it audibly announces it is on…or off then release it.
Be sure to use the supplied charge cord or you may hit the multifunction with the plug as you are inserting it. Some plugs are too large for the small area around the charge port and can press the multifunction button in when inserted causing it to turn on or enter pairing mode, etc. It charges quickly. The speaker is very stable and will not tip over or move at all due to the shape and rubber strips on the bottom. The controls are on one side with the charge and AUX ports in the center under the attached rubber dust cover door. Controls are clearly marked with “+” & “-” for volume and the “|<” & “>|” for changing the track forward or backward, and the one with a phone receiver is a 9 function multifunction button (on-off-pause-continue-answer call-hang up-refuse call-redial last number called-pair).
We think this awesome speaker is the perfect gift for the music lover in your life this holiday season or you might want it for yourself so you can have your favorite Christmas music playing anywhere you are. Audiosharp has graciously provided Mommy Ramblings’ readers with a coupon code for 30% off this unit which you can purchase on Amazon at the link at the bottom of this post. Just use the code 6TE5NWK3 and save 30% on this awesome speaker! We like the Audiosharp AS0847 Music Eyes Portable Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker so much, you will find it on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.
Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for review from Giveaway Service website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Reference ID: pm026c7c6e91742de037b84a407076cff0
Are you making homemade gifts this year? If you are you can make them even more special with custom labels. From decking the halls, to wrapping presents the holiday season is the perfect time to get creative and festive.
StickerYou is your one-stop shop for creating custom stickers, labels, decals, temporary tattoos and more. These durable products are perfect for business use or to use around your home and with holiday gifting. Your friends and family will be impressed! For a very limited time, StickerYou is offering a 13% discount on your next order! Use promo code13STICKER at checkout! Want to get started or take a look around? CLICK HERE !
StickerYou is the only online platform in the world where you can upload your own designs or artwork to create completely custom stickers, labels, large format decals, temporary tattoos, iron-ons and magnets. Order your sticky products in any shape, any size and any quantity you wish. StickerYou has no minimum order quantity on most products so you can order the right number of stickers or labels to fit your event. StickerYou’s custom die-cut algorithm allows them to die-cut around the edge of your sticker or label design creating a unique shape. You are not limited to standard shapes.
About Label/Sticker Products:
Bottle labels are one of StickerYou’s most popular products. Use them to label your homemade goods such as jams, honey, cookies bags and more. Their premium vinyl material has great color reproduction, which means it is easy to match the color of the labels to a specific theme or color scheme. Customers have the choice between white vinyl material or clear vinyl material. StickerYou typically recommends white vinyl for bright colors or busy designs. Clear labels also look beautiful if going for a more simplistic or modern design. Their labels have a high quality shine which gives them a professional look.
The labels are photo quality so customers can even upload photos and use them on their products. The material will apply bubble free and has a strong but removable adhesive. If an error is made during application, the labels can be peeled up and replaced. The label will remove clean with no adhesive left behind.
StickerYou’s labels are durable! They are waterproof, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, heat resistant, fade resistant and will stand up to mild abrasion. Their website has tons of templates. So if you want to make your own labels but are not so skilled making your own graphics, this will be perfect! You will still get a great look that you created yourself because the templates are totally customizable.
So take some time to browse all they have and don’t forget the great discount code! You can find StickerYou on Mommy Ramblings’ 2015 Holiday Gift Guide!
I really love using essential oil diffusers throughout my house on a daily basis. I think there are real benefits in using the oils. I love diffusing Peppermint in the morning and throughout my day as it is very energizing and makes me feel invigorated. I like many blends and making my own but one thing for sure, you need a good diffuser. I wanted a mid size diffuser and I saw the ZAQ Galaxy. It is a large mid size diffuser and hold 200 ml of water with an 8 hour run time. It has auto shut off and it works amazing well and is very quiet.
The outer portion of the diffuser is a white ceramic designed to resemble outer space. It is a very tranquil diffuser that has colorful changing LED lighting or can be used without the lighting effects. I have been using my diffuser every day and it works so well, is easy to keep clean and is just such a great addition to my home. ZAQ diffusers have a 1 year limited warranty and they have awesome customer service if you ever need it.
We think the ZAQ diffusers like the Galaxy make a great gift this holiday season so we are adding it to our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide here at Mommy Ramblings.
ZAQ is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a ZAQ Galaxy Diffuser! Thank you ZAQ for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
ZAQ Galaxy Essential Oil Diffuser Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
