Holiday Gift Guide Archives - Page 12 of 18

Video Gaming Fun

November 16, 2015 by Samantha Leave a Comment

The world of Yo-Kai Watch is a strange one, which centers around the city of Spingdale. You take on the role of Nate, an average kid who meets a Yo Kai named Whisper. Yo-Kai are mischievous creatures who love to cause problems for humans. Whisper gives Nate a special watch which gives him the ability to see Yo Kai that are usually invisible. As Nate makes friends, they join his team of Yo Kai and help him uncover a mysterious force in town. With the help of the strongest and best team of Yo Kai, you and Nate can help the town.

The game play of Yo-Kai is quite different then other “capturing creatures” games, instead of directly controlling the action, you act in the role of an assistant, directing Yo-Kai in where to attack, when to use special moves, and giving them items as well. As you battle more, your Yo-Kai can evolve into stronger versions of themselves or can be fused with each or other items to make different or stronger Yo-Kai.

Yo-Kai watch is available now for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS retailing for $39.99 at retailers everywhere and in the eShop on the 3DS.

Runbow is a new game by 13AM Games that brings a fun and interesting platforming party to the WiiU. In Runbow, each player is a different colored character (9 total) who each represent a color of the rainbow. The players have to “mad dash” for the finish line to see who can get there first. But this is no simple foot race, there are obstacles like moving platforms and lava to get in the way. This game is made for classic game players who love a challenge and are always trying to make that next jump and time it just right. As such it may not appeal to very young players who will become more frustrated then those who have been playing platforming 2D games for years. The best pat of this game is getting a few players together at once. With 2 it is fun- with more, it gets frenetic and really exciting. I can only imagine how fun this game would be with 9 players at once. Runbow is available at the eShop for 14.99.

And on the opposite end of the spectrum is a classic platforming game with a softer, more cuddly quality. It is Yoshi’s Woolly World for the WiiU. This game starts one of the Mushroom Kingdom’s most well loved characters,Yoshi. This is his first Woolly adventure, following in the footsteps of Kirby’s Epic Yarn. This game is the next step in the evolution of the yard medium. Each character and environment has a handmade touch that is visually pretty cool. From fraying yarn to the illusion of hand cut corners, it is great fun to play a game with this new setting. In the game, Yoshi must reach the end each level while gathering as many collectibles as possible. For the beginners, just finishing the level will be enough. For the more experienced players, collectibles are key. Each level has its own charm, bringing to life a new platforming experience. Also available are Amiibo extras where you can add a second Yoshi to the fun in the form of Samus, Woolly Yoshi, or even Mario to name a few.

Yoshi’s Wooly World is available at retail locations now as well as the eShop for 49.99 for the game alone or with a special pack which includes a Wooly Yoshi for 59.99.

Disney is on its third installment of the ever fun Disney Infinity line of games. This most recent addition to the crew includes not only Marvel and Disney characters, but also those of the Star Wars line of characters including Yoda, Darth Vader, and Han Solo. But this only scratches the surface- this game is great for beginner gamers because of the easy to pick up and play game play. Each player picks their character from the Disney Infinity figures they own, characters for the previous 2 games work on the third iteration, and play as them throughout the game. There are specific levels which work with specific characters and all characters can be used in the Toy Box, which is our personal favorite part of the game. This portion of the game is player created. People from all over the world can create and share their creations with others and the best are featured as such in the Toy Boxes section of the game. These Toy Boxes show just how robust the game is as well as how creative the players of the game are as well.

Disney Infinity 3.0 is available for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3, Wii U™, Xbox One, Xbox 360 in the Starter Pack, which includes: 1 Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Video Game Disc,1 Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base, 2 Star Wars™ Figures: Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, 1 Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic Play Set Piece, and 1 Web Code Card and is available now retailing for $64.99.

Filed Under: disney, gaming, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015 Tagged With: disney, Nintendo, video games

Operation ResCUTE Book & Plush Set – Gives Back to Pets @OpResCute

November 12, 2015 by Samantha 3 Comments

Have you heard of the inspirational non-profit called Operation ResCUTE™ ($29.99), packaged for young readers as a book-and-plush set. It stars the true-life-story of Jingles, a homeless puppy in New York City that gets to live happily ever after. Youngsters discover (as they snuggle with their plush pup) that shelters are full of friendly faces. With the purchase of this boxed set, they become a ResCUTER.

It’s no wonder Operation ResCUTE is getting two paws up from animal lovers of all ages. The illustrated book is written from the dog’s point of view, in her own voice. After reading the storybook, kids will want to share the importance of being a ResCUTER, a solution to shelter dog adoption. Packaged in a cage-like gift box, the book and plush pal opens their eyes to the many four-legged friends locked away in cages, longing for a loving home. And it really happened to Jingles.

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We have our own adopted dog, and usually a foster dog as well, so we loved this story as well as the idea of ResCUTE. Giving a gift that is not only cute and sweet but also gives back is one we can fully support. Kids on your list and any animal lover would appreciate this adorable gift set.

Like many happy-ending stories, this one began tragically when NYC marketing powerhouse Laurie Brown-Nagin spotted an Animal Control Officer carrying a puppy to a pro-bono veterinarian. The animal lover and mom fell in love with Jingles, the shelter pooch that desperately needed a warm, loving home. As a marketing researcher, Brown-Nagin discovered only 30 percent of pets in homes come from shelters and rescue organizations. Worse, an estimated 2.7 million healthy pets remain in shelters each year! She started a non-profit, www.OperationRescute.com, and used her years of marketing prowess to package this inspiring boxed set for the next generation to read and feel empowered to make a difference.

During this season of giving, parents and grandparents can give a pawsitive present, with 100% of profits going directly toward helping shelter dogs get adopted. Brown-Nagin reports that profits will be used by shelters for marketing /outreach efforts for placement of dogs with families.

Operation ResCUTE Book & Plush Set • $29.99 • Ages 3+

Jingles the dog, the first in the Operation ResCUTE series, shows youngsters the value of opening their hearts and helping someone/something less fortunate. Each boxed set includes an illustrated book and huggable plush pup. Animal shelters give it two paws up! For sale at Amazon.com.

Filed Under: animals, book review, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, kids, review, toys Tagged With: books, charity, holiday gift guide, kids books, pets, toys

Nintendo’s Yo Kai Watch

November 11, 2015 by Samantha 8 Comments

The world of Yo Kai Watch is a strange one which centers around the city of Spingdale, where you take on the role of Nate. Nate is an average kid trying to collect bugs, when he meets a Yo Kai named Whisper. Yo Kai are mischievous creatures who love to cause problems for humans. Whisper gives Nate a special watch which gives him the ability to see Yo Kai that are usually invisible. Nate then has the ability to befriend Yo Kai wherever they may be hiding or causing hi-jinks. As Nate makes friends, they join his team of Yo Kai and help him uncover a mysterious force in town. With the help of the strongest and best team of Yo Kai, you and Nate can help the town.

The game play of Yo Kai is quite different then other “capturing creatures” games, instead of directly controlling the action, you act in the role of an assistant, directing Yo Kai in where to attack, when to use special moves, and giving them items as well. As you battle more, your Yo Kai can evolve into stronger versions of themselves or can be fused with each or other items to make different or stronger Yo Kai. There are many Yo Kai to befriend and each of them has their own unique powers and personalities. The town is full of both people and Yo Kai to help, and with each new quest there is another chance to gain experience as well as gain more Yo Kai.

The little guy loves this game because he thinks the Yo Kai are cute and interesting, so kids should love this game while more experienced players can appreciated the ability to fuse characters together to make new, stronger Yo Kai.

Yo Kai watch is available now for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS retailing for $39.99 at retailers everywhere and in the eShop on the 3DS.

Filed Under: gaming, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, technology Tagged With: gaming, kids video games, Nintendo, video games

Easy Office Holiday Decorating Ideas – Marchpower and Areker Holiday Lights

November 1, 2015 by Samantha 1 Comment

If you want to inject some fun and holiday festive feeling into your office space, and make those long work hours just a little bit more enjoyable, utilize these excellent design tips and class up your office space in a jiffy. Whether you’re working in a home office or go to an office building across town, there are simple fixes to help you improve your work space and make the long days go by quickly. Like anything, your output will always depend on the tools you have in place.

Close up of decorated christmas tree in office with business people working in background. Xmas celebration in corporate office. Detail of christmas balls and lights with working office.

Give Yourself Some Motivation

Make yourself more motivated with some well-placed inspirational quotes or photos that will give you an extra kick in the pants when your productivity is dipping. Find an image online of a quote you adore, or a place you’re working to visit, and make it your background image. You’ll see it every time you fire the computer up and receive that extra ounce of motivation with no effort at all.

Bring In Some Nature

Plants are an excellent way to class up your office. They breathe a bit of life back into the often sterile office space, they improve air quality, supposedly can decrease stress, and make the humidity level rise to a healthier standard. Whether it’s a small succulent on your desk or a leafy green wonder in the corner of your office, incorporating plants into your design will do more than you think.

holiday lights

Extra Lighting for the Holidays

We all know that office lighting is the worst, so adding some holiday lights and layers of brightness to your desk space for a better vibe all around. Making your eyes strain all day long is terrible for your eyesight, so brighten up your space for both productivity and mood purposes. What’s more uplifting than Christmas Lights? New LED strawberry bulb colored or or white Christmas lights that you can string along the walls for an ethereal glow, your peepers will appreciate the extra illumination. The colorful or white twinkle options from Marchpower on amazon are so easy to use- since they wrap back up so neat and fast, they won’t tangle or make life messy for next year’s use, either. My son loves the strawberry bulb option so much, we got some for home use- they will be great for the buses outside the house this season.

christmas lights

Clean up the Clutter

Clutter leads to a disorganized mind, and that’s the opposite of what your desk should be. Keep your items organized and keep your computer on top of a clean surface. Cleanliness and organization will help you remain focused and on task, and will look better should your boss or supervisor happen to walk by and check in on you. A clean and clutter-free desk looks more professional, it will help your company’s image, and a deep cleaning once a week can keep you protected from those year-round germs.

Get Modern

It’s easy to find office gadgets and décor with clean, modern lines. Any of the trendy products will impress your colleagues and higher ups, and you’ll get tons of practical use out of them at the same time. Whether it’s thought-provoking artwork that lines your walls to impress clients, or amazing glass sculptures you’ll love showing off, you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces in no time.

The Power of Scent

Scent is one of the most powerful triggers of emotion, so make sure your office space smells calming and is beneficial for your productivity. Whether it’s a plug-in that you place in the wall, or a car freshener that you place in a drawer for a burst of good smells whenever it’s opened, you’ll be amazed at the effect scent can have on your day. It will also help you avoid the lingering stench of coworker’s lunches, and make your desk space one that colleagues and supervisors love to visit. You can easily throw some laundry sheets into your desk, or keep a small pillow perfumed with your favorite scent nearby for a mid-day sniffing pick-me-up.

Surround Yourself with Memories

In the midst of a hard day we can all use a little pick me up. Help yourself recall fun times by placing pictures of smiling family and friends around your desk. Create a calendar on a photo site, and use each month to display some of your favorite photos. You’ll find it hard not to smile when you look up and see your little one or husband smiling back at you.

Stay Healthy

Sitting at a desk hour after hour can have some serious health consequences and as we know, healthy employees are better workers, meaning your productivity will skyrocket if you keep your body in top condition. One way to do this at the office is to use a different type of desk or chair. A standing desk will help you fight the negative effects of sitting up to eight hours a day, or a core building office chair will help keep your stomach tight and toned throughout the day, improving your posture at the same time.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, holidays, lifestyle items, review Tagged With: decorating, holiday lights, office

Fall Fun With New Toys

October 27, 2015 by Samantha 4 Comments

As it gets colder, and more playtime will be spent indoors, you might be thinking about cute new playthings to get your little ones. These toys are adorable- keep your eye out for them, as they are sure to find their way onto holiday wish lists (those are coming up faster then we think!)

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Zoomer has been around for a few years now, first with the arrival of the adorable dog (at the time, just called “Zoomer”) and then with quite a few iterations and species since then. There are now all kinds, sizes, and colors of “Zoomer” (Zoomers?) that your kids can play with, the newest being Zoomer Jester and Zoomer Chomplingz. The new Zoomer Jester is the all-new interactive Zoomer Dino ( the “Jokeasaurus”), and a silly version that loves to make you laugh.

Jester can detect your movement with his nose as he rolls around balanced on his two wheels. Like the other “Zoomers”, he can get angry, spin around, chomp, growl, and more (this one giggles, too). He is controlled by your hands or the remote control- he even “learns” tricks you teach him. Make sure you charge him up when you are done playing so that it’s all ready to go for the next bout of fun. Prices vary, available in stores like Toys R Us and Amazon.

Zoomer Chomplingz are little versions of the Zoomer Dinos, and just as much fun. They are interactive, having mouth and nose sensors as well to detect motion, and come with a bone to play catch with. These dinos make all sorts of noises- including passing gas. Yes- gross. So, you know your kids (and dad) will love it even more. Chomplingz can also be set into “gaurd mode” to protect your room (or dinner!) and will ferociously growl at those that dare to tread near your belongings. There are 3 versions available everywhere, and 5 that are each exclusive to a certain store (IE Walmart, Toys R Us, etc). Check out http://zoomerdino.com for info on where to buy your favorite, prices, and more.

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When you are ready for bed, check out Cloud Pets. These cuddly companions are good for more then snuggles- mom, dad, or anyone you choose can leave your child a message that can be replayed over and over again- just in case they are being missed. This Bluetooth-enabled plush toy from Jay at Play lets families and friends connect by downloading the free app from the Apple Store or Google Play and then recording a message to your child. After the message is received by the cloud (where they got the name) your adorable pet, which is available in Puppy, Kitty, Teddy, Bunny, Elephant, or Unicorn, can play back that message as often as desired. Only one message at a time can be played, and you must be close to the pet when you are making the recording- no sending messages from Alabama to Florida! A blinking red light lets your child know there is a new message waiting for them- they can just squeeze it’s paw to hear it, and even reply back to the sender. Get yours at http://cloudpets.com.

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The fun to build littleBits Gizmos & Gadgets Kit is so much fun for kids who enjoy building, tinkering, and inventing. The one kit provides all the materials and instructions to design 15+creations, not to mention what kids can experiment and design on their own. Kids can build anything from a functioning racecar, or a bubble machine, to just figuring out how the gears work- it’s even good for smaller tinkerers- you know your kids best, but I would say 7 or 8 and above (and adults can play, too).

Yes, mom and dad, there IS and handbook- some of us need it. Here is a list of what it comes with- “The Gizmos & Gadgets Kit comes with a range of electronic building blocks, a detailed, step-by-step handbook with instructions for 15+ inventions, and all the accessories and craft tools needed.” (From manufacturer) There is more online, on the littleBits website and the free littleBits app. Get yours at http://littlebits.cc/shop

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For the Starawberry Shortcake lover in your life- or the girl who grew up in the 80’s- there are a bunch of awesome options this year, as Strawberry is celebrating her 35th birthday. In celebration, there are some special toys to mark the occasion. There is a cute Strawberry Shortcake Classic 35^th Anniversary Edition Small Doll, and she looks and smells just like she did when I was a kid- really. It brings back great memories for me, and she inspires new games and imaginative play for kids today. This special edition reproduction of the original doll can only be found at Target. Retails for $10.

Looking for something more cuddly? The Strawberry Shortcake Classic Rag Doll 35^th Anniversary Edition will do the trick, and she is adorable. She is great to take along on trips, put in your “baby” stroller, and tuck in to bed with your child at night. Also- great for the collector. She is $20.

Not retro, but still fun for kids (and a great take along toy) is the Strawberry Shortcake’s House Playset. Of course, with it’s signature “strawberry” scent, this house will be the best place for Strawberry and all her pals to get together for parties. It comes with (an exclusive to this playset) 6 inch Strawberry Shortcake doll and Custard the cat figure to start off the collection. The strawberry shaped house opens up to show off the interior of Starwberry’s café , and comes with quite a few accessories like cakes, pies, items for Custard, a table, and more. Retails for $40.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, review, toys Tagged With: holiday gift guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2016, toys

Lazy Lizards Yoga Products For Kids

December 24, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

As many of you know, I am a yoga fan. I practice regularly, and have had my son and even my grandmother do yoga (at their level) with me. My son is, like many kids, wiggly and impatient, and yoga is great for redirecting that energy.

Lazy Lizards created a kid sized yoga mat with 12 poses printed on the mat along with a DVD to go along. Kids can easily follow along with the DVD or just use their mat. Their is also a space where kids can personalize their mat to make it their own- my son was completely horrified by the thought of drawing on his mat, but I think some kids would like to. My boy can be a little finicky, like his mother.

They have 4 colors of eco friendly, kid sized yoga mats, with poses printed directly on the mat, as well as the Lazy Lizards Yoga DVD. Introducing yoga at a young age can encourage a healthy lifestyle early. Kids love doing yoga, and it is great for them. Yoga comes naturally to children, they love to use their imaginations to move their bodies in creative ways. Have your child try yoga, and watch him or her grow from the inside, out. It is great for you to do together as well- something you both can do. It’s nice to have healthy activities you both can enjoy.
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Filed Under: evergreen, family, fitness, health, Holiday Gift Guide, kids, review Tagged With: Holiday Gift Guide 2014, yoga

Captain Toad: Treasure Hunter

December 24, 2014 by Samantha 8 Comments

Disclosure- We received the below in order to complete this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

There are many Nintendo characters out there who, after a major to minor introduction in a Mario game, received their own spin off game. Some of this elite crew are Yoshi, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Of these classic characters the newest addition is Captain Toad. Captain Toad started out life as a series of mini games in Super Mario 3D world. The mini games were puzzles where the player manipulated the point of view using the Wii U game pad to navigate carious 3D worlds based on the current levels Mario is working on.

Captain Toad: Treasure Hunter builds upon this premise of puzzle solving through point of view manipulation and changing camera angles. The interesting bit about Captain Toad is he has no powers, no jumping at all, just running and walking. Of his unique talents, he can puck plants which reveal themselves to be gold coins or turnips which can be used to defeat enemies. Also Captain Toad can collect a pickaxe which can destroy enemies and blockades.
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Filed Under: entertainment, gaming, Holiday Gift Guide, technology Tagged With: family video games, kids video games, Nintendo, video games

Gifts from Aurore Yoga

December 24, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

With the end of the year around the corner, its time to start thinking about living more healthy in the coming year. One of the best ways to do this is with an exercise program. Personally, we enjoy yoga workout programs which can be done either at home, at a gym, or some towns even have yoga workout days at the community center once a week or so.

Whatever your particular comfort level is, yoga is a fun way to exercise which is meant for every level of health and at every age (my son and grandmother both do yoga with me) and can be done by a broad category of people. The only necessity is a yoga mat- well, not a necessity, but it sure helps. There are quite a few accessories which could make your adventures in yoga much more fun.

Today we are looking at a few Aurore yoga products which are the perfect accompanies to that new yoga mat. Namely, the new soy meditation candles and yoga mat sak.
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Filed Under: health, Holiday Gift Guide, review Tagged With: Holiday Gift Guide 2014, yoga