Holidays | Faith and Family Reviews

Archive for Holidays

Christmas Tree Hunting – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on December 12, 2012
in Family Stuff, Holidays, Seasonal Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

We went Christmas tree hunting at a friend’s farm. They had a beautiful white birch grove as well as a grove of silver trees that this photo does not do justice. It was beautiful.

In our search we had to be careful for holes left from where trees were dug up. Blondie is standing in on in this photo. Our friends’ farm use to be a tree nursery.

We eventually found a tree very similar to this one. It was huge and a monstrosity to get into the van!

We each took turns cutting down the Christmas tree. We actually had to go back out and buy a new saw because ours was too dull to do anything significant in the way of cutting. Makes for an interesting story to pass down through the years.

When we finally got the Christmas tree shoved into the van it was a tight squeeze for everyone to get back into their seats.

This is what the tree looked like for a few days. It took a few extra cuts to get it just right and I haven’t yet taken an updated photo of it cut down to size or completely decorated.

When do you put up your tree?

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Sears #styleSURPRISE

Posted by html404 on December 11, 2012
in Fashion, Holidays, Seasonal Stuff, Shopping

Over the years Sears has been a trusted brand in my life. Guess I learned that from my mother, as well as my mother-in-law as they shopped at Sears…and still do. As most of you know, Sears provides everything from appliances and apparel to jewelry, electronics and more.

This holiday season Sears is hosting their Holiday #styleSURPRISE Sweepstakes where entrants can enter to win $5K worth of SYW points. I entered. It’s very easy, especially if you already have an account. Just sign in or sign up and follow the prompts at the link I just provided.

I think if I won the Holiday #styleSURPRISE I would update my wardrobe, costume jewelry and even buy my family some goodies. Below I’ve shared a little bit of my style.

My Style

At Sears.com I found a pretty Maxi dress that I like, except for the low neckline, love the empire-like waistline though. I usually have to buy petite sizes because I am so short and regular size/length dresses are too long.

Fashion Accessories

I like pretty simple and practical when it comes fashion accessories. Here are a few pieces of jewelry that appealed to my eye and no I don’t think either of them go with the dress above:

You can visit Sears for more everyday fashion inspiration.

Imagine if you won $5k worth of SYW points? What would you buy? Leave me a comment.

This is a sponsored post, I am a Sears blogger, though all opinions are my own.

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Melissa & Doug’s Terrific Twenty Giveaway is Back!

Posted by Brande on December 6, 2012
in Blog Stuff, Contests, Fun Stuff, Giveaways, Holidays, Kids Stuff, Kids Toys, Shopping

Melissa & Doug’s Terrific Twenty Giveaway is back! Head over to Melissa & Doug’s Facebook page or here’s the direct link for the entry form. Enter to win a new prize everyday!! Don’t forget to check out the Terrific Twenty on Melissa & Doug’s website!

I receive nothing for doing this post except an entry into the blogger’s sweepstakes.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by html404 on November 22, 2012
in Holidays, Seasonal Stuff

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Faith and Family Reviews!

Hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends! Once again we are flying solo this holiday, opting to stay at home – no hosting even – and we are going to enjoy our own home grown meal of turkey, potatoes, butternut squash and pumpkin (in a pie of course!). Then other yummy things we are making or have bought to gobble down with the rest of our meal.

We are very grateful for many things but here are some at the top of our thankful list:

1. Jesus who died on the cross for our sins to give us eternal life in Heaven one day. He’s the ultimate reason I live.
2. God’s provision financially has been huge for our family over many years but this year has been amazing in a different way. I could say so much more but it would take a book. Seriously. Just when we think we are at the bottom of the barrel, He comes through.
3. Family. A husband to love and who loves me, and our children…other reasons I live. I can’t imagine life without any of them.

May this truly be a season of thankfulness for all of us…

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20 ESV

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Christmas Roses

Posted by html404 on November 19, 2012
in Books, Holidays

I went on a bit of a reading spree this weekend and it hindered me from getting the rest of my garlic planted, as did another tooth ache – same one – but thankfully no swelling this time and feels find today. I’ve enjoyed reading 3-4 of Amanda Cabot’s books. Probably because most of her books hold a redemptive grace story, lined with the need for forgiveness. This one stirred my emotions (nothing new there!) and I loved the rose aspect of it. Thanks to my husband roses are my favorite flower.

Set in 1882, Christmas Roses is a pleasant story and one I’d read again at Christmas time, just for the mushy story. Every now and then I get in the mood for one of these and this weekend was one of those times.

While the romantic part of the story line was predictable, it’s an endearing Christmas story sharing the joys of redemptive grace, healing, forgiveness and love. Something we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

I liked how gifts of service were emphasized in the story because I think it is a way we can show our spouses or love interest we love them, but not every couple will be the same so there needs to be a balance, as well as discovering what our loved one appreciates the most.

As a side note, I was short on time and asked my daughter to read this book first (I ended up reading it at the last minute and then found out it wasn’t due until the end of the week…it’s done early for a change!) and while she liked it she isn’t crazy for mushy romance novels. She agreed that Christmas Roses was predictable and she knew who was going to end up with who.

A thumbs up from me, though I am itching for another great mystery/story of intrigue!

“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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The Christmas Pony

Posted by html404 on November 19, 2012
in Books, Holidays, Reviews

As the title suggests, The Christmas Pony is indeed about a little girl’s hopes, dreams and even prayers of getting a pony for Christmas.

Set in 1937, the middle of the Great Depression, when people were struggling just to put food on their tables, Lucy knew better than to wish for a pony but she had more faith than the grown-ups in her life and she continued to pray for that very thing.

Lucy’s mother ran a boarding house which kept the family afloat during such a stretching time financially. So when a pair of strangers were looking for a place to stay while their car is being repaired Lucy excitedly invites them to stay at her family’s boarding house….after all she had prayed for more boarders. I loved Lucy’s faith, definitely something to learn from.

This book surprised me about half way through and took on a new prayer for Lucy. The shift in the story was a good one.

I appreciated the values taught in this book and the family’s work ethic. I think as we make plans for our farm, this story made me think of how God has provided for us this far and reminded me that if it’s His will, He’ll continue to provide for all our needs.

My daughter also read the book and enjoyed it. She thought it was really sweet. She thought Lucy was a big help to her mother. She didn’t like Veronica (I didn’t either she was a vain creature who only thought of herself) nor Lucy’s belligerent friend, Helen, who wasn’t much of a friend at all.

Overall it gets two thumbs up from us.

“Available Sept 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Pinypon Party Review!

Posted by Brande on November 14, 2012
in Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Kids Toys, Reviews, Shopping

I was very excited when I received an email saying Faith and Family Reviews was chosen for this Pinypon Party! I love to review new toys and I know my daughter does too! We live in Northwest NJ and lost our power on Monday October 29th due to Hurricane Sandy. I got the congratulations email Nov 1st (thank you iPhone) and this HUGE box came within the next day or two, which was such a treat for my daughter since we didn’t get our power back until November 7th. Needless to say we started our party early, thanks to MommyParties.

Here’s a picture when we opened the box.

So, a few of you are probably asking “What is a Pinypon?”

These little guys are Pinypons. They are all interchangeable.

Mix and match their legs, bodies, hair, and heads. Some even have 2 different faces on each side. Get product for small motor skills for the pre-schoolers.

Here’s the party set up! MommyParties graciously sent two sets of Vans, a few extra dolls and an extra baby doll to giveaway at our party.

Pinypon Party Review

We played find the Pinypon card to win a Pinypon. In addition, there was a drawing out of a hat for the extra Pinypon Van and the Baby. The Mom’s took extra coupons to pass around to other friends. So, everyone went home happy with their new toys. Due to all our outages and impassable roads, some of our party goers were unable to attend. I did have a parent ask that I not post pictures of her children and I am respecting their privacy.

All in all, Pinypon and Nenuco are great toys. Pinypon dolls do come with some very small pieces and parents should watch their children with the dolls and pieces. The recommended age on the box is 4 and my daughter is that age. She did wonderfully with them and loves them.

Here’s a few pictures of her playing with them.

Visit Pinypon and Nenuco on Facebook or Twitter Pinypon and Nenuco

Be sure to check out their websites too!

www.pinypon.com and www.Nenucofamosa.com

Oh and as a side note, with the holidays upon us this would make a great gift idea for the little girls in your life. Christmas, birthday etc.

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Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

Posted by Brande on November 8, 2012
in Blog Stuff, Books, Deals, Education, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Giveaways, Holidays, Kids Stuff, Kids Toys, News Worthy, Parenting, Shopping

Head over to Melissa & Doug’s Facebook page to enter to win one of their Terrific Twenty! Then, don’t forget to visit Melissa & Doug’s Website to see all of the Terrific Twenty and the many other fabulous learning toys Melissa & Doug has!

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OctoNovemCember Shopping Holidays #OctoNovemCember

Posted by html404 on October 24, 2012
in Holidays, Seasonal Stuff, Shopping, Uncategorized

Can you believe there’s only a week left of October? Seriously, I don’t know where time goes. Before we know it we will be snowed in! But shhh….you didn’t hear that from me!

What does the above image make you think of? To me it denotes Autumn, Thanksgiving and Christmas (insert your preferred holidays) all rolled up into one. I generally only shop for food for Autumn and Thanksgiving, as we do not give gifts for either of those holiday events. I shop for gifts for Christmas.

For Christmas gifts I am usually shopping all through the year. I am not as good about starting right after Christmas with the end of year sales as I use to be, but I am done shopping well before Christmas except for maybe…one…or two last minute gifts for the hard-to-buy people in our family.

This will probably be weird but I don’t shop on Black Friday. I have never relished putting myself or my children~~‘s lives at risk~~ through the crowds and hassle of racing for the sales. It never seemed worth it to me.

It saves money to shop early and to have a budget in mind of what you are going to spend. With the advent of technology there are even more ways to save by taking advantage of online sales, FREE shipping, using sales or coupons in conjunction with FREE shipping offers increases your savings.

Shopping Holidays

This holiday season, you can visit the promotion page to learn about the OctoNovemCember™ shopping season and watch the video about Pumpkin-Headed Turkey Claus, the King of OctoNovemCember™:

Win a $1000 Shopping Spree

Now thru 10/31 you have a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree by sharing the Pumpkin-Headed Turkey Claus video. The more times you share, the more entries you get (up to 20!) and one winner is picked each week.

Tech Savvy Shoppers

RetailMeNot has Coupons App for iPhone and Android phones to access deals, coupons, popular stores and categories to help make shopping easier.

Social Media Shoppers

If you are a Social Media Maven be sure to “like” RetailMeNot.com on Facebook, follow the company via Twitter @RetailMeNot and add them on Google+ to stay current with deals you don’t want to miss.

Happy OctoNovemCember™ Shopping!

This is a paid post by One2One Network and RetailMeNot.com

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Twin Sisters Productions QVC Time Change!

Posted by Brande on July 20, 2012
in DVDs & CDs, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Holidays, Music, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Seasonal Stuff, Shopping

Twin Sisters Productions are airing on QVC Saturday morning from 6:00 am to 7:00 am. However, you can begin ordering at midnight! Here’s the product number is F09784 !

Happy Shopping!