Being Cheap is Easy: Hallmark
Showing posts with label Hallmark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hallmark. Show all posts

Creating New Holiday Traditions with Hallmark #NorthpoleFun!

December 15, 2014

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NorthpoleFun #CollectiveBias

#NorthpoleFun, Hallmark, Walmart, Northpole, Santa in Michigan
One of my favorite parts of having a family of my own is creating traditions together.  Each year at Christmastime, we love to look through cookbooks and try new cookie recipes--our favorite so far has been the Reese's Chewy Chocolate Cookie!  We have combined some of our growing up traditions: my family celebrates on Christmas Eve and Ricky's family hung candy canes on the tree with new ideas like Elf on the Shelf (ughhh!).  
#NorthpoleFun, Hallmark, Walmart, Northpole, Santa in Michigan

After our Christmas pictures last week, we were doing a little holiday shopping at Walmart and the girls noticed the Northpole collection.  Before buying anything, I wanted them to check out all of the toys and products available to see what they gravitated towards. 

The biggest hit was the Northpole Communicator which you can call Santa and his elves once a day.  They have a super cool cookie cutter wheel (why didn't I think of that?!), soft plush polar bears, "snowballs" you can throw, a Dance Like An Elf microphone which calls out dance moves and much, much more.  Everything is located by the card section in your local Walmart store...also sometimes by the gift wrapping section.  Everything is based off of the new Hallmark movie Northpole and the DVD is also available in stores!  It stars Kelly from Saved By the Bell, so I'm already sold.
#NorthpoleFun, Hallmark, Walmart, Northpole, Santa in Michigan

I wanted to surprise the girls with the Northpole Communicator, so I waited a few days until our next trip to Walmart.  Gabby asked to look at the section again and when I told her we were buying the toy, her face just lit up.  Definitely a priceless moment!  When the twins came home from school, I told them there was a surprise waiting for them.  The minute Olivia saw the big microphone, she screamed with joy...she's a bit dramatic.  Of course, we had to call Santa right after dinner.
#NorthpoleFun, Hallmark, Walmart, Northpole, Santa in Michigan

The best part about the Northpole Communicator is that it can be used again year after year.  At the base, by the battery pack is a cartridge which you set the date and time.  You can buy new cartridges every season so every call to the North Pole is unique!  Heads up: you can only call the North Pole once a day, so make sure your family is all gathered around.  We like to keep ours up high so little fingers don't attempt to play with it all day long (*cough* Gabby).  Our new tradition is to "dial in" every night after showers and stories.  You never know who you'll talk to--either Santa, an elf or someone else!  Santa told the girls they were on the good list last night and they've been talking about it non-stop!
Michigan holiday books, Christmas Books, #NorthpoleFun, Hallmark, Walmart, Northpole, Santa in Michigan

My favorite find was the Santa is Coming to Michigan book for only $8.99!  It is a new favorite to add to our holiday book basket.  I love how they really highlight all parts of Michigan.  The girls LOVE to hear their town Grand Rapids listed, although they are sure to point out that we don't have a chimney like they mention.  

There are many other gifts for everyone that I'm eyeing from the Northpole Collection,  They have cute mugs (think teachers!), sprinkle bells for cookies, books, ornaments and more! Make sure to check out the whole aisle of fun at Walmart before products run out! I can't wait to see the movie, which ares on the Hallmark Channel all season long. 

Hallmark, Northpole movie, #NorthpoleFun, Walmart, Christmas traditions, #Ad, #Cbias
This picture sums up my crazy little ladies! 


Have you started any new traditions this year?

#BirthdaySmiles with Hallmark!

December 18, 2013



 The holiday season gets crazy...then in my family we go straight into birthday season.  From December 31st- mid February I have 17 birthdays for friends and family.  17!  That is nutso!  Even better, 4 out of the 5 members in this house have birthdays within a 2.5 week time span. Gabby is a lucky lady to have a summer birthday!

My sister is turning 16 on December 31st...I cannot believe it.  Right now, I don't think she's too happy about celebrating her birthday with New Year's Eve, but I think that she'll enjoy it in the future.  Everyone will want to celebrate on her big day. Yes or No? (Nicole! I know you have the same bday...living in NYC no less.  Does it get better?)

I do know that celebrating close to the holidays kinda sucks, since my birthday is January 16th.  Here are some tips to make holiday season birthdays a bit more special:

1. Don't try to do the one gift for two holidays.  Yes, my blog is called Being Cheap is Easy, but that's plain rude.  Now, if it's a nice BIG gift...that's different.
2. Focus on the person who is having the birthday.  If possible, avoid talking about Christmas or other holiday plans...unless the birthday girl/boy brings it up.
3. Avoid holiday colored decorations at the party. This also includes extra holiday leftovers...no one wants those 2 week old cookies!

#shop #cbias
So many Hallmark options at Walmart!

For 2014, one of my goals is to do a better job at keeping in touch with people.  I thought I would start off by sending cards for birthdays.  It's a simple way to say you're thinking of someone.  I am always drawn to Hallmark cards because they have so many options.  There are budget, musical, funny, sentimental...whatever you might be feeling.  At Walmart, they had 3 aisles of cards!  I spent 20 minutes browsing, trying to not seem super creepy when I was cracking up.  I found so many great cards, except a perfect Sweet 16 one for my sister.  There were TWO 16 cards...so sad!

I did find a few perfect cards.  Not sure who this one is for yet, but it was simple, yet funny.
Walmart #shop #cbias

The minute I saw this one, I knew that I had to get it.  I call my girls "little monsters" all of the time and there just happens to be 3 on this card! 
#Shop #Cbias

For more ideas, check out the Live SoFab Holiday Digital Magazine.

What kind of card are you drawn to?  Funny and Inappropriate or Sappy and Meaningful?

I thought I would end with a little giggle....




 
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