The Sparkle Box:The Story of a Very Special Christmas Gift

<< click here to find your own on Amazon

The PERFECT book for the holidays!! It teaches the kids the value of Christmas and gives you a cute little box to fill yourself for that special day.
**Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, anticipating holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift -- a sparkly box sitting on the mantel above the fireplace. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's parents explain that the things that they've been doing for others are, in fact, a gift for Jesus -- for Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. This heartfelt story will inspire readers to adopt this faith-centered tradition in their own homes, using the included Sparkle Box

About The Sparkle Box - A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas 

Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him. 

Written by Jill Hardie

Illustrated by Christine Kornacki

Available now!

Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages, with a fold-out sparkle box included!

ages 4 to 8 

Author Bio

Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday.  The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace.  Jill hopes that The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.  

Illustrator Bio

At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a love for painting and bringing stories to life.  After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dreams of illustrating children's books began to take shape.  She spends her days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.  

http://www.thesparklebox.com/buybook.aspx

**I received this book for review purposes and am not being compensated for a positive review**

**Hello Kitty Volume Limiting Headphones**Review

I received these amazing little headphones to review with one of my children and it only seemed right for my daughter to be the one to review them with me. These are the Hello Kitty Volume Limiting Headphones #30309

Key Features

• Suitable for children ages 3-9
• Parent Approved for safe use
• Kid-Safe technology for safe listening
  

• Rock Out with Sanrio Style

  The outer face of the ear cups on the Hello Kitty Kid-Safe Headphones features Hello Kitty's face with a playful pink design. It's a fun way to add some style to your ears, while showing the world how much you love Hello Kitty.

  

• Rich, Full-Range Sound

  Large, full-range drivers give you a rich sound experience, with crisp highs and warm, clear bass tones. The ear cups are lightweight with thick, comfortable padding to provide noise isolation, while the headband bends easily for a comfortable fit.

  

• Built-In Volume Limiter

  The Kid-Safe headphone series features a built-in volume limiter, which protects children's hearing by automatically limiting audio volume to approximately 80% of the original maximum volume. These headphones are safe to use for children from 3-9 years old.
• 

• Take Your Music Anywhere

  The Hello Kitty Kid-Safe Headphones are compatible with all portable devices that feature a 3.5mm stereo jack output, including iPod, iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and tablets, and portable gaming devices such as the PS Vita and Nintendo DS series. These headphones are also compatible with laptops, PCs, CD players, and home audio systems.

My daughter loved these  Hello Kitty Headphones, not only were they Hello Kitty but they were super soft and comfortable on her ears. She used them for a game system and honestly her noise could not be heard outside of and when I tried them on myself the volume was crisp and clear but at a perfect volume to understand what was being said. These would make a perfect gift for that child needing a pair of headphones and comes in styles of many different characters.

   **I received this product for review purposes, no compensation is being offered for the review. All opinions are my own and others may vary.**

**Dang Foods** Coconut Chips

      As their site states "A Very Addictive Snack" and that is no lie!! I have always been a fan of coconut chips but more times than most they are too sweet, not sweet enough, too dry or too moist but these are FAR from any of those descriptions. The dang foods has quite a story behind it and its name:(provided from their site as too not miss any facts):

Dang is named after my mother, who grew up eating food from some of the best chefs in the world: Bangkok’s street vendors. One day, she passed on her recipe for Thai Lettuce Wraps just like she used to have as a college student. I found myself involuntarily snacking on one of the ingredients - Toasted Coconut. It had a strong, sweet aroma and a very satisfying crunch. I immediately called my family, who have been importing goods to the US for more than 30 years, and with that, our company was born.

Dang’s motto is “Dang, that's good!" 

The gracious people at the dang foods offered to let me and my family sample their delicious Coconut Chips in my home and I have to admit after reading about the company and the high quality of products I had no doubt that we would LOVE them. 

Made from the nutrient-packed copra, or meat of the coconut, our toasted coconut chips are a delicious snack that provides loads of energy. The meat is sliced out of mature coconuts then gently toasted until golden brown with a dash of sugar and salt. The toasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the coconut meat and turns it from white to golden brown. Professional tasters detect notes of vanilla, yogurt and pear. What do you taste?

Since copra is high in fiber, you don't have to eat a lot to feel full…a few handfuls and you'll be good to go. We think toasted coconut chips are the perfect snack because they satisfy your snack cravings quickly and give you a boost of energy.

     I have to admit I do not have  a preference of the two styles they sent me they were both filling and tasty, easy to munch on out of the bag or mixed with morning yogurt.

The Caramel Sea Salt with Coconut Sugar was the first one I opened not for any reason in particular I just grabbed and opened. The flavor was naturally sweet not artificial tasting, the pieces were not shredded but flaked and the texture was crisp but not tough. The original was your basic style Coconut flakes with a buttery style flavor the taste was perfect even when added to yogurt or oatmeal. 

This is an extremely involved company they do many conventions and other marketing to get their products known. These can be found online as well as some stores in most areas but you can check it out here for availability.

**All opinions are 100% my own some may differ. I received this product for review and am not being compensated for this article.**

**Lovely Candy Company**

     I had the privilege of trying for myself this Lovely Candy Company and was not only fascinated at the variety of candy being gluten and GMO free but excited to try it for myself.
     The company provided me with 4 samples of their Lovely candies :
the Original Caramels decadent of the group I enjoyed this one first out of the box it was chewy and tasted fantastic just like I was eating a caramel full of fat and bi-products. These are the #1 best seller and after sampling them I see why.
This was a chocolate swirl caramel and was very rich in chocolate flavor I felt it had a very even taste between the caramel and the chocolate. My son enjoyed this one because it reminded him of chocolate:)
When I took these superfruit style out of the wrapper, it was noticeably different from other candy chews. \

It had real fruit pieces inside and through the candy and they were large enough to be seen. They were very flavorful yet soft and chewy, flavors of cranberry, blueberry and raspberry.

The flavors of apple, cherry and blackberry, similar to the superfruits in texture and appearance.
     All bags are resealable and when you purchase 3 bags you get free shipping in the US. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for those that have a restriction and even those without I felt they were very tasty and very natural flavored.If interested in finding these they are available in many stores<HERE>
**I received these products for review and my opinion is 100% my own. The company was very easy to work with and the variety available was perfect for many tastes.**I will not be compensated for the product besides what I received to review.

** #TheSelfie Review by Gabba Goods **Holiday Gifting IDEA!!**

     I received this handy little camera remote for review and it is perfect for the Apple iPhone,iPad or iPod touch(which is what I reviewed it on). The remote shutter release is an easy way to snap a pic of yourself or a group with just the click of a button. It was super easy to carry with me and small enough to fit in my purse or even jacket pocket.

 The shutter closes as if you are taking the picture direct from iPod.

 The button is perfectly sized and easy to push.

 The cable attaches to the ear phone plug on the iPod

The cable has a good length and easy for another person to hold to snap a picture.

• NO SOFTWARE, NO INSTRUCTION MANUAL, NO INSTALLATION NECCESSARY!
• Works with both camera and video mode!
• Cable length approximately 4.5 ft long!
• Works with Apple device only! 

     The ARV of this handy little gadget is $19.99 and can be found at Gabba Goods, The Urban Outfitters and these other participating retailers. So if you are looking for that perfect techie gift for that Apple enthusiast this Holiday season..LOOK NO FURTHER!!
**I received the product to review, I feel this is a perfect addition to the Holiday Gift guide or any occasion. The product does as stated, I am not being compensated for this review.

**Best Buy your Holiday Shopping Destination** #sponsored

Best Buy is the authority and destination for all your technology and appliance product gifting needs this holiday

The assortment is second to none:

• Feature more than 100 products sold only at Best Buy this Holiday
• Offer a market-leading selection of the hottest tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles and titles, wearable technology, health and fitness gear, mobile accessories and much more.

Blue Shirts and Geek Squad Agents are passionate, highly trained, knowledgeable and impartial so they can help ensure you get the perfect gifts for your family and friends…and yourself

They know price is important to us, and frankly it’s important to them too. Their Low Price Guarantee will ensure you’re getting the most competitive price possible.

The combination of bestbuy.com and their 1,400 stores offers the ultimate showroom to touch, test, try and buy the latest technology.

     You can find more gift ideas at the Best Buy Gift Center

  I know this year some of the hottest toys are sold at your local Best Buy retailer whether you are in the market for video games and systems, or like my household my daughter is looking for the newest and hottest Barbie Digital Makeover Kit. If you have smaller ones be sure to check out those great Fisher Price products in store and look at the comparable pricing to other retailers.

   Something for everyone on that Christmas list young or old is found at Best Buy in store or online. Starting December 1st they are offering an exclusive offer for 15% off Speakers, Headphones, Health & Fitness, Mattel and Fisher Price tech toys for all my readers.As well as 10% off Headphones & Portable Speakers (excludes beats, bose and Sony  This offer will be valid 12/1 to 1/15.  So its the perfect time to get that shopping done for everyone on your list(I know I will be).

Technology is evolving quickly and becoming increasingly complex- Best Buy is here to help make it easy for your to choose the products and services that work best for you.

• Phones: At Best Buy you can see and try all of the phones, carriers, plans and accessories under one roof with industry-leading trade-in options
• Tablets: Best Buy is the only place in America where customers can see all of the latest and greatest tablets. 
• Computing: Best Buy features the best selection, advise, services and support in computing. They help set the market by working with the industry's tech leaders to develop a highly specialized and innovative assortment of laptops, many of which are only available at Best Buy.
• Mobile Accessories: Best Buy has one of the largest selections of accessories and wearables this holiday. Bluetooth speakers, smartwatches, health & fitness gear and headphones will truly rule holiday. 
• Home Theater: Best Buy offers the world's newest technology, best assortment and service in home theater.
• Appliances: Best Buy is better positioned than ever to bring the latest small appliances and special deals to you.
  
• Gaming: Best Buy is THE destination for gaming this holiday. Not only dodo they have the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles, but the hottest game releases and everything else you need for a great gaming experience.
• Music/Movies/Musical Instruments: Best Buy offers terrific deals on the best entertainment stocking stuffers.
• Digital Imaging: Best Buy features the newest selection of cameras, accessories and advise so you can find the perfect gift or capture your own holiday memories.
• Tech Services: Best Buy is home of the Geek Squad for help installing, repairing, troubleshooting, optimizing and offering all sorts of technical advice from every Best Buy store, in-home, online and by phone

 The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

**My Pacific Pearls** #MyPacificPearls

     I had the opportunity to review a beautiful piece of jewelry from My Pacific Pearls, a family owned and a global leader in the pearl jewelry industry. I have to say, I had never owned a pearl necklace and it was something on my "bucket list" and now i can cross that off because now I have a beautiful, real, piece of hand made beauty.
     The my Pacific Pearls offers one of the lowest prices and chances are no other company can beat their price, but if you do find it cheaper elsewhere they will beat it. The pearls are of the highest quality and each piece is individually made so it is unique with the utmost attention paid to every detail.
     I received the product less than a week after providing the color of necklace I preferred:
Mine was the 7-8mm Lilac Princess Necklace with 14karat gold filled clasp from the The Bua Bay Collection.

It came via USPS in a brown packing envelope(kind of surprising with the item being jewelry) delivered by my post man. The box was wrapped in bubble wrap and the outer box is a nice simple gold deco box and on the inside of the box is the actual box that is black and flips up to reveal the necklace. I felt it was professionally wrapped for a jewelry company. It has a nice little draw string bag attached to inside.

All the pearls were strung and attached to the gold filled clasp, the clasp was the hardest thing for me to figure out(sorry I'm not used to pearls), it is called a fish clasp and unless you know the pinch, pull and twist method you will find it a headache:)  I felt the pearls were very shiny and smooth, the color was very pretty and true to the chosen..all pearls seemed to be the same or nearly size(none looked off to my eye). The necklace was a lot easier to work with than I expected a delicate piece of jewelry to be. It was approximate 50 pearls with an AA+ rating.

Yes after much researching I figured out the clasp and was able to put it on and I felt like a princess ready for a party. The necklace was so light weight and dressy but simple and would sure make a great piece to show off for the holidays. 

I did have an issue with the first necklace that was sent it was totally able to be fixed without any problems. The customer service was extremely helpful and easy to work with. The relay of messages was very quick and response time timely, this is definitely something you want with jewelry. I did review their reviews on the site and they have some amazing customers who could not be happier with their piece just as I was. The My Pacific Pearls strives for customer happiness and provides "you" the consumer with the quality you are looking for at a reasonable price. So if YOU are in the market for that nice piece of jewelry for that Christmas Party or even NEW YEARS date look no further than My Pacific Pearls.

What will I get with my order?

 

· You Buy a Deal. We Gift a Meal.· Fast, FREE Shipping within the US and Canada

· Certificate of Authenticity and Valuation

· Premium Black Leatherette Jewelry Box

· Luxurious Satin or Velour Storage Pouch

· Pearl Care Instructions

· Lifetime VIP Discount Card

**I received this product for review purposes, the receipt of product does not promise a good review. All opinions stated are my own and I feel the product is portrayed as stated. I receive no affiliations with company nor am I paid for this review**

**Doc McStuffins All Better Game** #wonderforge

     The biggest girls trend in my household as many other households across the country, Doc McStuffins, and her ability to treat sick and injured toys. I know when I was little I sure wish we had a Doc McStuffins in our house it would have saved a lot of tears when it came to that favorite broken toy :)

     This Doc McStuffins All Better Game is rated 3 and up, for 2 to 4 players and I'm going to say it is fun for the whole family, boys and girls alike. My daughter was so excited to see all the related items to what she sees on TV included with the game, from medical instruments to bandages and let me tell you she has diagnosed everyone in this house with an ailment.
     The doctors bag is included, for game time you store the game pieces and for clean up time you can put almost everything in there for easier storage.
     The bandages are clearly marked each one different for a different diagnosis, scoring tiles will be all face down, get spinner and tools handy.
     This was a great game for the kids as it kept them entertained for hours, you can do so much with all the included pieces and when they were done playing by the rules they took turns treating their toys and animals. If you have kids that are interested in Doc, this is definitely a must have for the Christmas stash > for retailers.
**I received the products mentioned to review with my family all opinions are 100% our own. I was not compensated outside of the product for review purposes**

**Madison Street Beauty** #MadisonSBeauty

 60% off sitewide :)

 Wide Variety of shadows

 Nailpolish too :)

Competitive pricing great product lots of color and sparkle:)

**California Delicious Gift Baskets** #caldelicious Review and Giveaway

        Well it's that time of year again, the holiday in which you are looking for that perfect present for that hard to shop for individual. You can't go wrong when you give a basket of goodies that one person or family enjoys and can share. I know how hard it is to find that special gift but do not want to look to sappy or too cheap and this is the perfect gift for anyone on my list. Whether you want nuts, fruit, chocolate, organics, wines, cheese or all those in one the California Delicious website has them all, for any budget and almost any taste.

       I had the chance to try a basket with my family and after searching over hundreds of choices I chose a fruit and nut basket called the California Healthy Gift Basket. It was most appealing to the kids who cannot get enough fruit without the extra chocolates we don't need so soon after Halloween. This amazing basket contained 6 fruits(apples and oranges) and 6 boxes of nuts(mixed, almonds, cashews). The fruit was so fresh as if it was just picked, the apples we cut into were green and red and both were juicy and flavorful. The nuts were plain, or salted and even a seasoned(which was a little more spicy than I assumed:), spicy but very good and flavorful). These all came packed in cellophane in a wooden basket and even shipped to your recipient would make an awesome gift. This is most definitely you're go to shop for that perfect someone. The best part is when you visit the site it offers you money saving specials, perfect for saving while shopping.

       Make sure you visit them for announcements on Facebook and twitter, pinterest and Instagram. They also have a contest on their Facebook page make sure you visit, it's worth $100 all for a picture.

The lovely people at California Delicious are giving you a giveaway of a $50 credit to their online store, $50 would get a great basket to surprise someone with.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



  **I was given the ability to browse the wide array of gift baskets and choose one to review with my family.All opinions are my own, as well as pictures(except for the 2 stock at top), others opinions may vary. I was not and will not be compensated outside of the basket I received.**