Gift Guide 2010

Now that it's December, I'm sure everyone's minds are on what to get for under the tree this year. Through blogging, I've gotten the opportunity to work with PR firms and many have passed along ideas for gift giving. I've collected my favorite suggestions into this post; I hope you'll find out about exciting new things!

For the Family:
I think one of the funnest things you can do, is give the gift of an outing or event that will everyone will have a good time at and create memories together. If you live in the Detroit area, I'd like to suggest the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam, coming to Ford Field on January 8th. ALL KIDS (12 and UNDER) are ½ OFF!!! HUGE value for great seats on this show. The kids prices will come out to $15, $12.50 & $10. Tickets include FREE entry to the Pit Party which takes place from 2-5pm on Saturday, Jan.8th. This Pit Party allows you to meet all of our truck drivers and get autographs from each one! You can also participate in some fun activities and see our Monster Jam trucks up close!

Other great ideas for families to spend time together include getting a family membership to a local museum or attraction that you can all go to together. For instance, we enjoy being members of our local zoo.
Available on the 14th: Vying for the title of “World’s Greatest Villain”, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) – along with his hilarious crew of mischievous minions – plots to pull off the craziest crime of the century: steal the moon! But when Gru enlists the help of three little girls, they see something in him nobody else has ever seen: the perfect dad. From executive producer Chris Meledandri (Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!, Ice Age, Ice Age: The Meltdown), and featuring the voices of an all-star comedic cast, including Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove and Julie Andrews, Despicable Me is “rousingly funny, heartfelt and imaginative” (Pete Hammond, Boxoffice Magazine).

For Boys:
The world’s greatest Super Heroes return to face their craziest villains in the second action – and laugh – packed volume of The Super Hero Squad Show with the release of The Super Hero Squad Show: Quest For The Infinity Sword! Volume 2 DVD. Watch as Iron Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Thor, Falcon and their friends faithfully – and hysterically – protect Super Hero City from the wild, weird and even wacky villainy of VillainVille’s most infamous baddies, led by the sinister Dr. Doom!
Field Binoculars from Backyard Safari Outfitters are standard issue for every outdoor enthusiast. You’ll be amazed at what you discover as you peer throughyour binocs. The 5x30 power crystal clear optics bring nature up close and in crisp detail. Adjustable, rugged and waterproof, these binocs are the first piece of equipment you need in your collection. You’ll be amazed at what you discover as you peer through your binocs. These binoculars are also equipped with soft, safe, rubber eye cups, rubberized hand grips and a sturdy carrying strap.

For Girls:
Snow! Santa! And holidays galore! From Ludwig Bemelmans’ best-selling children’s books comes little Madeline and her wintery adventures with her dog Genevieve, her loyal friends from Miss Clavel’s class and next-door neighbor Pepito!

Madeline’s Christmas & Other Wintery Tales contains five animated episodes, all making their DVD debut: Madeline's Winter Vacation, Madeline and Santa, Madeline at the North Pole, Madeline and the Ice Skates and Madeline's Holiday with Mr. Grump.
Tweens can be completely individual with their very own lip balm. The Lovely Lip Balm kit allows girls to make lip balms, which will keep their lips shiny and moisturized, for themselves and their friends. It also comes with flower shaped compacts to hold their unique lip balm; plus it tastes like cotton candy- yum!

For Preschoolers:
You can literally take your favorite Sesame Street characters with you everywhere! ATP Electronics is introducing Sesame Street Video USB drives with a special “wearable” connector strap. The drives merge Sesame Street’s educational content with a new technological format that enables storage for files like photos, music and video. Each wearable drives comes with a complimentary character-specific full-length home video. In addition to its reliability, durability and portability, the drives are also waterproof and dustproof, providing a care-free fashion accessory for children of all ages. The collection includes seven beloved icons: Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster,Grover, Abby Cadabby, Ernie and the Sesame Street sign.

For the Sports Fanatic:
Know a sports mom or dad who spends a lot of time on the sideline cheering for their son or daughter to score a goal on the field during the winter? Zippo is expanding its product line beyond the traditional windproof lighter they’re known for. One of these products is their hand warmer. It’s actually rather clever and stylish. It’s just a tad smaller than a deck of cards and it uses lighter fluid to produce heat. While it burns lighter fluid, it does not produce a flame. It stays hot for hours and of course is reusable, unlike the tossable hand warmers you buy from the grocery store.



Disclosure: PR materials were used in this post; I have received some of the products featured for review. I have not been compensated otherwise, for this post.