Holiday Gift Idea: Hershey's Treats! + Giveaway

Hershey’s is offering new and classic items this year such as:

New Items:

·         Hershey’s Christmas Village Tins Assortment - (Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures or Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates )

·         Twizzlers Pull-N-Peel Cherry 2-foot Bar

·         Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures 36 oz. Bags

Classic Treats Dressed for the Holidays:

·         NEW LOOK– Hershey’s Nuggets Milk Chocolate

·         NEW LOOK– Hershey’s Special Dark Nuggets with Almonds

"Hershey’s can also help set-the-table for your Holiday parties. Whip up a warm drink such as Hot Cocoa for a Crowd with Hershey’s Cocoa, or bake up a batch of Kissmas Almond Cookies made with Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates with Almonds."

What we thought: Some of my favorite stocking stuffers have been Hershey's.  Really, it's true:)  Hershey's has a huge variety of holiday candy to choose from.  You are sure to find everyone's favorite treat and what an affordable way to stuff a stocking:)  Hershey's candies also make great teacher or hostess gifts.  If you are the hostess this year, add an assortment of Hershey's goodies to your snack table and you are sure to have some happy guests on hand:)  ABCD Diaries gives Hershey's holiday treats an A+!

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Holiday Gift Idea: Lee Stafford ArganOil from MoRocco!

"UK celebrity hairstylist, Lee Stafford, who just launched his award-winning collection of hair products here in the United States.

The Lee Stafford Collection truly offers something for every hair type; from bleach blondes to brunettes, loose waves to poker straight.  Not only do these innovative products provide perfect, salon-quality hair at home, but they’re a great way to check off a massive gift list without breaking the bank.  This year it’s easy to give moms, sisters, daughters and best gal pals the gift of glam with a Lee Stafford product or two stuffed into a Christmas stocking or using Lee’s ranges as gift sets! 

•ArganOil™ from Morocco Deep Nourishing Treatment - Lee’s mega moisturizing ArganOil™ from Morocco Deep Nourishing Treatment is the perfect gift because it’s the ultimate luxury for hair but for the perfect price. This miracle ingredient has been used by the Berber women of Morocco as part of their beauty regimes for centuries, because of its huge number of benefits, including keeping their hair full of moisture in those dry desert conditions.” With this trick of the trade straight from Lee, you can give the gift of knowledge and healthy hair this year."

What we thought:  We reviewed the ArganOil from MoRocco from the Lee Stafford line of hair care.  It was easy to use and super moisturizing.  The perfect thing for dry winter hair:)  My hair looked and felt healthier after introducing this product into my hair regimen.  It worked beautifully and it doesn't hurt that it smells wonderful and has pretty packaging to boot:)  This product would make a great gift this year and would fit nicely in a stocking...hint, hint:)  ABCD Diaries gives ArganOil by Lee Stafford an A+!  

Find these affordable Lee Stafford products at ULTA!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Manischewitz Chanukah House..

"Just in time for the holidays, here is a chance for your readers to have some fun and win with the Chanukah House Contest!  New from Manischewitz is the Chanukah House Kit, which comes with everything needed to build a great and tasty Chanukah house including cookies, icing, and decorating accents.

Hurry!  This contest ends on December 15.

It’s easy to enter! Simply upload a photo of your Chanukah House to the Manischewitz® Facebook website (www.facebook.com/Manischewitz.)  There is a limit of one online entry per person.  Additional materials such as sprinkles, extra frosting, cookies, candy, etcetera, can be used to enhance your design; the only limit is your imagination!  Following the close of the contest, a panel of judges will determine One Grand Prize Winner and One Second Prize Winner.  The judges will also select five finalists whose entries will be posted online for voting by the public; the entry with the most “likes” on Facebook will be named the Third Prize Winner.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $500, Second Prize $200, and Third Prize receives $150 worth of Manischewitz® products.  Additionally, there will be One Fourth Prize “Lucky Voting Participant” Winner, selected at random from a list of those who participate in the Facebook online voting, who will receive $100 in assortedManischewitz® products.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter the contest, however, minors under the age of 18 can submit their entry with parental permission, using a parent or guardian’s e-mail address.  

SRP for theChanukah House Decorating Kit is $14.99, and the Chanukah Sugar Cookie Decorating Kit has an SRP of $9.99."

What we thought:  We had a lot of fun decorating our Chanukah House.  The kit really does have everything you need to create a beautiful and completely edible work of art.  This kit would be great as a family project to bring everyone together working on a common goal.  There are enough pieces for everyone to be able to showcase their own unique, creative design.  ABCD Diaries gives the Chanukah House from Manischewitz an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Holiday Gift Idea: Lite Brix Construction Sets!

Light-Up Construction Brick Building System

 "Shine a light on your child’s creativity with the LITE BRIX™ Super Light Building System from Cra-Z-Art®, the innovative light-up building construction sets with vibrant sparkling lights in each translucent brick.  The possibilities are endless with Lite Brix™, which are compatible with other major brick building systems and allow children to transform their creations into spectacularly-lit masterpieces for daytime or nighttime play. They’re compatible with your other bricks, and the battery powered LEDs cycle through four different colors.

Create an entire light-up city, or mix and match and make into tons of amazing creations with the Lite Brix™ system that features special translucent building bricks parts that transfuse blinking light through them.  From Super Jet Fighters and space shuttles, to racecars, fire stations, an airport and more, kids can design and create a magical world with Lite Brix™.

Each building system includes super bright LED light-up bricks that cycle through four colors, translucent pieces, a battery pack, and connector pieces that attach the Lite Brix™ to each other so the models can be built on different angles. 3 "AA" batteries required (not included).

the Full Lite Brix™ line is available at Toys R Us stores nationwide, Barnes and Noble and select other retailers.  Age graded 6+"

What we thought:  D absolutely loved this!   It was really fun to build and he plays with it all the time.  Lite Brix has a variety of sets to choose from that are sure to make any little builder "light up" on Christmas morning:)  Another cool thing is that these sets are compatible with other brick-based building sets, so the possibilities of what can be built are only limited to the imagination of the builder.  ABCD DIaries gives Lite Brix Construction Sets an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Holiday Entertaining: Torani Syrups...

"The leaves are changing colors and the weather's getting cooler, so you know what that means - time for your favorite holiday-inspired drinks and treats! You can pour on the flavor and turn your everyday coffee and treats into something more special with Torani Syrups."

What we thought:  We tried the Peppermint and Salted Caramel syrups and they were great!  These syrups are so versatile.  We used them in coffee , iced coffee and hot cocoa...yummy!  Both were delicious and were a huge hit at our Thanksgiving get together...they will definitely be making a reappearance at our Christmas party!  ABCD Diaries gives Torani syrups an A+!


Find out more at Torani.com


Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Holiday Gift Guide: Games for Nintendo DS and Wii!

"Mama’s Combo Pack Volume 1 for Nintendo DS™ serves up a recipe for fun by combining the original best-selling classicCooking Mama with Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures. In Cooking Mama, players use their stylus as the ultimate cooking utensil to create more than 75 real dishes under Mama’s watchful eye. Once they’ve mastered the kitchen, fans join Mama and her family on an exciting wilderness getaway. Players take the role of Mama’s son or daughter as they set up camp, interact with wildlife, endure forces of nature, and hunt for treasure through 38 levels and 100 different games.

Get creative both in and out of the kitchen with Mama’s Combo Pack Volume 2 for Nintendo DS™ that includes Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends and Crafting Mama. In Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends, Mama and her finicky friends will taste every dish and judge each kitchen creation. Players can make more than 80 new recipes from macaroons to shark fin soup, and customize Mama and her kitchen with unlockable goodies. Then it’s time to get crafty with Mama! As the premiere dedicated crafting game, Crafting Mama features 40 different projects where players are challenged to sew, mold, paint and cut with the stylus as they create jewelry, quilts, candles, mugs and even kaleidoscopes!

Mama’s 2-Pack brings the culinary action to the Wii™ system with Cooking Mama Cook Off and Cooking Mama World Kitchen. The Wii Remote™ transforms into a universal cooking tool as players chop, grate, slice, stir and roll in motion-based cooking activities. Players whip up kitchen fun in Cooking Mama Cook Off as they go head-to-head against other chefs in two-player competition. In the Wii™ sequel, Cooking Mama World Kitchen, fans will enjoy Mama’s 3D makeover, fresh recipes from around the world, hilarious kitchen mini-games and new gameplay modes that will transform even the most uncoordinated chef into a master culinary artist!

Hello Kitty Picnic with Sanrio Friends invites players to join Hello Kitty and Sanrio Friends as they prepare for the perfect picnic party. Play 10 mini-games including Hidden Object, Spot the Difference, and Picnic Blanket Checkers as you collect goodies for the picnic. Explore and decorate whimsical environments including Hello Kitty’s bedroom, kitchen, and more. Earn apples to receive special items to customize Hello Kitty’s outfits. Interact directly with Hello Kitty using the 3DS touch screen and listen as the game guides you along. Invite your friends to join the fun in a variety of multiplayer modes as you play with your favorite Sanrio characters including My Melody®, Keroppi®, Chococat®, Badtz-Maru®, Little Twin Stars®, and more!"

What we thought:  We reviewed the Wii version of Mama's 2 pack and the DS version of Hello Kitty Picnic.  Both had cute graphics and entertaining mini-games.  Most games were easy enough for the kiddos and they continue to ask to play them which is always a good sign:)  Who wants to waste money on a game that will only be played once or twice?  If you have a Wii or DS, check out these great games.  They would make fun stocking stuffers:)
ABCD Diaries gives Cooking Mama and Hello Kitty Picnic an A+!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Educational and Unique Holiday Gift Idea: "Safari: A Photicular Book" and Motion-Slides!

"Safari: A Photicular Book, a NY Times best seller, by Dan Kainen, with text by Carol Kaufmann   Retail cost: $25.00

Published by Workman Publishing, “Safari: A Photicular Book” uses photicular technology to create film-like, fluid, full-color movie clips of African animals as one turns each page. The effect is magical and delights all ages, and additionally the text by Carol Kaufmann is fascinating and informative, making the perfect family book. It is available in stores and online.

Motion-Slides (Viewer and Interchangeable Slides)    Retail Cost: $25.00 for one viewer and a set of 10 slides

This amazing device allows the viewer to experience the same type of film-like, photicular images which inspired Workman Publishing’s “Safari: A Photicular Book”. As each postcard-sized Motion-Slide is slipped into the viewer, it comes to life in vivid, lifelike motion. Viewers and Slides can also be purchased individually. So far, there are 15 full color, wild animal images, including the Cheetah, Lion, Dolphin, Grizzly and Polar Bears, and Penguins. More wild animal images will be out very soon, as well as different categories of images, including sports, people, pets, and more. It is available directly from http://www.dankainen.com  "

What we thought:  This book is amazing!  Our entire family was impressed and intrigued with this review.  The photicular pictures are fantastic and they make each animal and their movements look so realistic.  It has proven to be an amazing teaching aid over and over again since we received it.  The book is full of great information and the kiddos never tire of watching the animals move in their natural environments.  Seriously, Dan Kainen is genius!  Our little ones LOVE learning about animals, it's definitely their favorite thing to study.  We are constantly watching documentaries on Animal Planet, Discovery and National Geographic.  When we read Safari for the first time, 4 year old D said "It's just like watching TV!" :) This book and the accompanying motion slides would make a fantastic gift for the animal lovers on your list, both young and old!  ABCD Diaries gives this Safari set and A+! 

You can find these awesome products online at:

Amazon.com

BN.com

Powell's Books

Indie Books

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.