Last Call for Because It's Christmas Kids & Charity GIVEAWAY

Hard to believe but our BIG Because It's Christmas Kids & Charity GIVEAWAY is coming to a close TODAY. Originally we planned to close the entries at Noon CST but in an effort to allow for everyone's busy, busy schedules this weekend, we have extended the deadline until 7pm CST this evening.

As a BONUS for spreading the word about the time extension, you AND the person you refer can each have 5 additional entries when they enter TODAY saying YOU referred them!
Please be sure you BOTH leave separate comments for each additional entry.

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This is the FINAL DAYto enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It’s Christmas - Group 3 gift unwrapped - All Star Buddies GIVEAWAY

The Last gift we are unwrapping in our Kids & Charity Giveaway is over on What's That Smell? - a COMPLETE SET of All Star Buddies (which is 7 plush Buddies) to be given away to one of YOU and a set of 7 Buddies will also be given to charity to the Household Pantry at the First United Methodist Church in Lowell, IN.

All Star Buddies is a virtual online world created by two moms who love sports and who make healthy living a priority. Their mission with All Star Buddies is to provide a virtual world that is safe, educational and entertaining.

Here is a snippet:

The plush Buddies are bigger than I thought, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I envisioned them to be not much bigger than my hand - smaller than a softball, but they are much bigger than that! They stand on average about 9″ tall and unless they grab them by the foot or hand, a child would need 2 hands to hold on to them. The Buddies are also really soft and have great details such as shoe laces, hats and glasses.

ENTER TO WIN A SET OF 7 ALL STAR BUDDIES

For more information about the All Star Buddies Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 3 Unwrapped - All Star Buddies GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit What's That Smell? using the link above to enter this giveaway.

This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It's Christmas: Group 5 UNWRAPPED - North Star Toys' Paddle Wheel Boat GIVEAWAY

The next and final gift we are unwrapping is a terrific kid-powered Paddle Wheel Boat from North Star Toys! YOU can win this as one of the great gifts from Group 5 and an identical one has been donated the Relief Nursery of Collin County in Plano, TX.

North Star Toys was the perfect fit for our Because It's Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway because of the very nature of what their products are made out of - honest to goodness non-toxic WOOD.

The little Elves at North Star Toys are hard at work, especially at this time of year, trying to make sturdy, beautiful toys that will please boys and girls both young and old. The owners of North Star Toys have been an absolute delight to work with and truthfully, their toys reflect that. They simply believe that children deserve beautiful, functional toys.

From the owners ~

At North Star Toys we believe that conscious parenting is one of the most wonderful and challenging responsibilities on the planet. It is our hope to support this important endeavor by offering simple toys that stimulate creative, imaginative play. We truly care about the toys we make and hope that they add to the nurturing experiences of childhood.

North Star Toys is also very conscientious about the environment. Being a family owned and operated business, they can make environmental sustainability top priority. They recycle both the paper they use as well as the packaging whenever possible and turn right around and print on recycled paper. They use vegetable-based inks for large printing jobs and their saw dust is used to supplement compost and for chickens. 100 percent of electricity that runs their shop comes from wind and/or solar energy. And their wood-scraps are even donated to schools for art projects and used for kindling - how's that for giving back?!

Each of these beautiful toys are loving created using only American hard woods then they use food grade mineral oil to finish the toys. That has to be part of what make them so beautiful! I have been so impressed by the wide variety of toys in their collection, all the way from their complete set of their Little Rollie Animals to the Happy Hybrid that would entertain children of any age.

As for the Paddle Wheel Boat - Yes, it really works. Powered by a heavy rubber band, the paddle wheel boat will go several feet on a wind up. It is 9-1/2" long and recommended for children age 3 and up.

We are giving this paddle wheel boat to my 7 year old daughter. Yes, you read that right - DAUGHTER. You probably remember, this is my daughter who loves to find out how things work. I can see her now, winding and twisting the rubber-band paddle wheel as tight as she possibly can and how she and her sisters will laugh and cheer as it propels itself across the water. Talk about a way to make bath time fun! The boat is again, extremely well made and smooth as can be. North Star sent along several of those thick, sturdy rubber bands so this should provide for hours of fun!

ENTER TO WIN A PADDLE WHEEL BOAT FROM NORTH STAR TOYS

Note: by entering this giveaway, you are actually entering to win all the toys in Group 5 The more individual posts you enter, the more of a chance you have to win the Group prizes. The entries will be combined from all posts and a winner selected, so you have a chance to win the Group prizes even if you only enter on one post.

To enter to win a Paddle Wheel Boat by North Star Toys:

• Visit North Star Toys and check out all of the items.
• Come back here and leave a comment telling us what you would like to see North Star Toys add to their line up of toys.

That’s it!

To earn extra entries:

• Post our Because It’s Christmas button on your site (you can find the code for it on the right sidebar) - 5 EXTRA ENTRIES
• Blog about this giveaway and link back here and to North Star Toys. (the links must be active/clickable) - 5 EXTRA ENTRIES
• Subscribe to our updates. - 1 EXTRA ENTRY
• Enter a Because It’s Christmas giveaway over at What's That Smell? and/or 3 P’s in a Pod and come back here and tell us which post/giveaway you entered on. - 1 EXTRA ENTRY PER POST/GIVEAWAY ENTERED

Please leave separate comments for each additional entry, ie: if you blog about this, leave 5 separate comments.

Giveaway will run through Nov. 30th at noon central time and is open to the USA.

This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It's Christmas: Group 4 UNWRAPPED - Crayola®'s GLOW STATION™ GIVEAWAY

This next gift will make just about everyone excited. Right now over on 3P's in a Pod, we have unwrapped the Crayola® GLOW STATION™! Crayola has once again graciously provided us with one for both the Relief Nursery of Collin County in Plano, Texas and one of YOU! That's right, the Crayola® Glow Station™ Art Station is the next item being unwrapped from Group 4 in our Because It's Christmas Kids and Charity giveaway!

Here is a snippet:

The Glow Station itself is a flat, smooth surface made from glow-in-the-dark, light-sensitive material. It is designed to hang from a nail or hook on the wall. As it comes folded in the box, you may have to roll it or place it under a dictionary to encourage it to stay flat.

The light wand is shaped like a large pen and has a small light bulb at the tip. The wand requires three AAA batteries. Once they have been installed, you can use the light wand to "draw" on the Glow Station canvas to create artwork that glows brightly from the light-activated canvas. The darker the room, the more brightly artwork glows. To 'erase' your work of art, you simply turn on the lights or allow it to fade away gradually on it's own in about 5 minutes.

ENTER TO WIN A GLOW STATION FROM CRAYOLA

For more information about the Glow Station Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 4 UNWRAPPED - Crayola's Glow Station GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit 3 P's in a Pod using the link above to enter this giveaway.




This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It's Christmas: Group 4 UNWRAPPED - North Star Toys' Pegasus, Unicorn & Dragon GIVEAWAY

The next gifts we are unwrapping are a mystical Unicorn, Pegasus, and Dragon from North Star Toys, right now, over on 3 P's in a Pod! YOU can win this as one of the great gifts from Group 4 and an identical one has been donated the Relief Nursery of Collin County in Plano, TX.

North Star Toys was the perfect fit for our Because It's Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway because of the very nature of what their products are made out of - honest to goodness non-toxic WOOD.

The little Elves at North Star Toys are hard at work, especially at this time of year, trying to make sturdy, beautiful toys that will please boys and girls both young and old. The owners of North Star Toys have been an absolute delight to work with and truthfully, their toys reflect that. They believe that children deserve beautiful, functional toys.

Here is a snippet:

My almost 6 year old daughter is a lover of all things fanciful like faeries and sprites so the Unicorn, Pegasus, and Dragon are a perfect gift for her. In fact, she has them on her Christmas Wish List! She said the Pegasus and Unicorn are "so beautiful" and "the Dragon isn't scary at ll...why he is a nice Dragon!" I cannot wait to see her face light up when she realizes she actually gets them for her very own. Each creature is incredibly well made. They are sanded and finished so that they are super smooth. They each have an attached part like their wings or horn and I have given them each a sound tug enough times to know they will withstand even her most rigorous inspections and activities. I am sure they will all take many flights of fancy together and continue to stretch and build her imagination for years to come!

ENTER TO WIN A UNICORN, PEGASUS, AND DRAGON FROM NORTH STAR TOYS

For more information about the Magical Creatures Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 4 UNWRAPPED - North Star Toys' Unicorn, Pegasus, and Dragon GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit 3 P's in a Pod using the link above to enter this giveaway.


This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It's Christmas: Group 4 UNWRAPPED - Creativity for Kids' Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun set GIVEAWAY

Over on 3 P's in a Pod right now, the next fun gift to be unwrapped in Group 4 is for the kid in all of us. Creativity for Kids, part of the Faber-Castell family, is providing a Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun set for one of YOU! They are also donating one of the same to charity to the Household Pantry at the First United Methodist Church in Lowell, IN.

Here is a snippet:

With the Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun set, you and your child can create handmade gifts from the heart and experience the fun of crafting together. Each kit features premium quality, non-toxic craft materials, clever projects and simple instructions. The kit includes colored pencils, genuine Shrinky Dinks film with fun and festive holiday graphic designs and all materials needed to make and decorate a 9-inch tinsel tree. The tree base is even included.

ENTER TO WIN SHRINKY DINKS HOLIDAY FUN SET FROM CREATIVITY FOR KIDS(FABER-CASTELL)

For more information about the Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun set Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 4 UNWRAPPED - Creativity for Kids' Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun set GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit 3 P's in a Pod using the link above to enter this giveaway.



This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It's Christmas: Group 3 Unwrapped - North Star Toys' Helicopter GIVEAWAY

Right now, over on What's That Smell?, the next gift we are unwrapping in our Kids & Charity Giveaway is a Helicopter from North Star Toys. YOU have a chance to win one and the Relief Nursery of Collin County in Plano, TX will receive one too!

North Star Toys understands the challenges and rewards of parenthood and makes simple toys that stimulate creativity and imagination. They are an ideal fit for our Because It’s Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway, and their Green practices really inspire us!

Here is a snippet:

The Helicopter is about 7″ long and maybe 5″ tall. It is sturdy and has 2 propellers that ACTUALLY WORK. There is a pilot that can be removed from his seat, and the landing gear provides a steady, sturdy base for when the Helicopter lands. All of the edges are smooth and rounded so little hands will be protected, and the 2 tones of wood really make the propellers and the landing gear stand out.

ENTER TO WIN A HELICOPTER FROM NORTH STAR TOYS

For more information about the Helicopter for North Star Toys Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 3 Unwrapped - North Star Toys' Helicopter GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit What's That Smell? using the link above to enter this giveaway.



This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It’s Christmas - Group 2 gift Unwrapped - Jumbo Crayons & Sketch Pad from Creativity for Kids(Faber-Castell) GIVEAWAY

The next and final gift to be unwrapped in Group 2 over on 3 P's in a Pod is for the quintessential child's activity - coloring! Creativity for Kids, part of the Faber-Castell family, is providing a Faber-Castell Sketch Pad and set of 15 Short Jumbo Crayons for one of YOU! They are also donating one of the same to charity to the Household Pantry at the First United Methodist Church in Lowell, IN.

Here is a snippet:

Faber-Castell Playing & Learning line offers stimulating products designed to bring out the artist in kids of all ages, big and little. Faber-Castell products for children are immediately recognizable by the bright red packaging. The Sketch Pad is perfect for crayons, markers or colored pencils. It is a 9"x12" paper pad with 60 sheets. It will be prefect for use with the 15 Short Jumbo Crayons. These are great for little hands. Each jumbo crayon is decorated with cute child-like drawings and there are no paper sleeves so no tiny bits of the odd crayon wrapper scattered throughout the house! Smooth bright colors and easy color lay down will make these a favorite of you little artist. They are non-toxic, acid free, conform to ASTM D-4236 and totally safe for children.

ENTER TO WIN

For more information about the Sketch Pad & Crayola Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 2 UNWRAPPED - Sketch Pad & 15 Short Jumbo Crayon Set from Creativity for Kids(Faber-Castell) GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit 3P's in a Pod using the link above to enter this giveaway.





This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It’s Christmas - Group 2 gift Unwrapped - Nature Discovery in My Backyard by the Little Environmentalists GIVEAWAY

As the next product in our Because It's Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway, you may think that you have seen this book before and you would be right. Nature Discovery in My Backyard is such a great book that you can win it as a part of Group 3, Group 4, or Group 5. Three copies of it have also been donated to the Relief Nursery of Collin County in Plano, TX. The Little Environmentalists is “committed to developing and publishing children’s environmental education materials to promote environmental awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship” and this is an excellent example of that.

Here is an excerpt:

P3 loves to be read to and always knows exactly what she wants us to read. No doubt this book will be chosen over and over again. She will love seeing the little girl in the book and probably jabber excitedly about all of the beautiful things highlighted in the book. What child her age doesn't love to go for a walk? When we return home and I point out the very things we saw, I know she will understand a lot of it immediately. Repetition and exploration are what 2 year olds are all about, making this book a wonderful gift for any child her age.

ENTER TO WIN

For more information about the Little Environmentalist Giveaway, and to enter to win, visit:

Because It's Christmas: Group 2 UNWRAPPED - Nature Discovery in My Backyard from the Little Environmentalists GIVEAWAY

Please note that comments or entries are NOT accepted on this post, you must visit 3P's in a Pod using the link above to enter this giveaway.

This is the FINAL WEEK to enter the GIVEAWAYS both here and on 3 P's in a Pod for Because It's Christmas! Don't Miss out!

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Because It’s Christmas - Group 5 gift unwrapped - Giant Panda from Xeko Pals GIVEAWAY

The next gift we are unwrapping in our Kids & Charity Giveaway is a Giant Panda plush from Xeko Pals. Xeko Pals are actually the plush line of characters from Xeko (pronounced zee-co - get it?;), the award winning eco-adventure game starring the wild animals of Earth’s endangered habitats. Remember my review? It is a very cool game!

Well, the 3 characters that make up the plush line from Xeko are some of the most endangered animals on earth - the Sumatran Flying Squirrel, the Hairy-Eared Dwarf Lemur, and of course, the Chinese Giant Panda. Xeko Pals is giving one Giant Panda plush pal away to one of YOU as a part of Group 5 and they are also donating one more Giant Panda plush pal to charity to the Household Pantry at the First United Methodist Church in Lowell, IN.

Xeko Pals fit in perfectly as a sponsor for our Because It’s Christmas Kids & Charity Giveaway. The mission of Xeko “is to foster sustainability by creating and marketing world-class products and media that entertain and inspire people to make a difference.” I just love that about them. Xeko Pals are made with soy and certified organic cotton “fur” and soy-based stuffing making them earth friendly in addition to soft and cuddly! They feel almost like velour, they are so soft. Also, 4% of Xeko Pals net sales are donated to Conservation International. Pretty cool, no?The Xeko Pals Giant Panda is designed to raise awareness over the decreasing panda population. When I was in China, I was lucky enough to see some of these beautiful but shy creatures and learned a lot about them. They are quite selective about their Bamboo diet and are much softer as a Xeko Pal than they are in real life. Next time I am in China, I really want to go to the Wolong Panda Reserve in Sichuan!

Each of the Panda Pals stands roughly 7 1/2 inches tall. Its tag contains “mission information” for the “Xeko Agent” about what they are to do with their giant panda. It also contains facts and information about the giant panda, making this a really educational critter as well. The tags also include a secret mission code that they can use to gain access to the online game. On the rear of the Panda, there is even the Xeko symbol embroidered on his cute little tush!

The Xeko Giant Panda is really soft and very cute. I love the expression on his little face. He is sure to charm most any child. The website is graphically delightful and you can really learn a ton just by visiting - child and adult alike. It is designed to look like a rainforest and there appears to be a ton of stuff kids can do on it. I can’t wait to see the game that the code on the panda unlocks! Because of our Chinese daughter, we have developed a real 'thing' for Pandas around here, and I think this one will be no exception. I cannot wait for my girls to read the message and the story behind the giant panda and learn more. It really ought to excite and interest them and the online game will be something I see being played again and again.

As a parent, I am completely enamored our new little friend here. The fact that the panda is made from organic cotton and soy-based materials is wonderful. I love Xeko's tagline - Play Xeko - Be a Force of Nature. I want my girls to BE a force of nature and a force to be reckoned with and the fact that a simple plush animal like this helps to raise the environmental awareness in my kids, can only be described (in the words of Martha) as a Good Thing. The fact that at face value it is a stuffed animal, but behind the scenes it allows kids to experience an interactive adventure that teaches them about the world we live in, makes him a wonderfully versatile little stuffed guy!

So....Play Xeko - Be a Force of Nature!

ENTER TO WIN A PLUSH GIANT PANDA FROM XEKO PALS

Note: by entering this giveaway, you are actually entering to win all the toys in Group 5. The more individual posts you enter, the more of a chance you have to win the Group prizes. The entries will be combined from all posts and a winner selected, so you have a chance to win the Group prizes even if you only enter on one post.

To enter to win the Xeko Pals Giant Panda:

• Visit the Xeko Store and check out all of the Xeko items.
• Come back here and leave a comment telling us what you liked the best.

That’s it!

To earn extra entries:

• Post our Because It’s Christmas button on your site (you can find the code for it on the middle right sidebar) - 5 EXTRA ENTRIES
• Blog about this giveaway and link back here and to Xeko Pals. (the links must be active/clickable) - 5 EXTRA ENTIRES
• Subscribe to our updates. - 1 EXTRA ENTRY
• Enter a Because It’s Christmas giveaway over at What's That Smell? and/or 3 P’s in a Pod and come back here and tell us which post/giveaway you entered on. - 1 EXTRA ENTRY PER POST/GIVEAWAY ENTERED

Please leave separate comments for each additional entry, ie: if you blog about this, leave 5 separate comments.


Giveaway will run through Nov. 30th at noon central time and is open to the USA.



Because It's Christmas began Nov. 10th on my blog, 3 P's in a Pod and you won't want to miss a minute!

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