Already I have several products via the Parent Bloggers Network and books through The Henry Holt Young Readers Program which I will be reviewing in 2008. Certainly there will be plenty of fun things to try out this year. I look forward to it!
Of course, the holiday season ended up being quite a time for reviewing products, even if it was just in my head until just now. Here are a few "observations" I made about some things I've encountered in the last several weeks.
First off, everyone who was everyone - including us - used tiny*prints for their stylish holiday cards. While Shutterfly was "the thing" last year, tiny*prints was the most popular option this year. Wow, it was nice to have such varied and interesting cards taped to our wall! One gal at a holiday party was astonished at how many people sent her tiny*prints cards. She had never heard of 'em and was a bit annoyed since she considers herself in-the-loop. I found them via Cool Mom Picks. It will be interesting to see what happens next year... Meanwhile, if we need cards done for any reason, I know I'll turn to them. (Wish I had known about them before I sent out our "We've Moved!" cards!)
Most of the gifts this year were from Amazon.com, such as Grandma & Grandpa's gift to the boys of rod hockey
My favorite place to shop this season, though, was Modern Tots (I found via found them via Cool Mom Picks). I got bamboo dominos (currently out of stock on the site) for the Cat, cardboard pinhole camera sets for my cousin and my brother, and 3-D drawing pads for the younger cousins. I bought a tiny $3 colored pencil set, too, although a certain Spliggle found it before Santa could use it as a stocking stuffer. I nearly bought up the whole store, there are so many cool things at Modern Tots. I expect I'll be going to them again in the future.
When I realized last-minute (Christmas Eve MORNING) that Husband really, truly, super-wanted a Slingbox
Yes, one can purchase a Slingbox at Amazon.com
A previously-mentioned-on-this-blog product showed up in a box wrapped up for me under the tree: Husband got me some Dashe wine.
Awhile ago, I reviewed Jump Start World. Our free-for-review trial had the first two units, but there are ten more in the first grade adventure. As a post-Christmas and pre-Birthday gift to the Cat, I purchased the additional ten adventure packs. As a result, the Cat has been eagerly plowing through new learning games: reading, math, social skills, and problem-solving. I have been very impressed with the program and am glad that the Cat is learning so much while having fun.
What other previously reviewed products are still getting play in the Karianna household? Well, the Cat got a telescope for Christmas, but still loves his Discovery Kids Talking Telescope. And the Zula Patrol has gotten some play of late. Splig is suddenly very into volcanoes. Wii Boogie is still very much a part of the Karianna household, although recently the Cat and Husband have been honing their golf skills. (Prior to that, it was tennis: the Cat has over 2000 skill points!)
To be honest, I would have gotten the Dangerous Book for Boys, the Daring Book for Girls, or Deceptively Delicious for some of the cousin-types; however, these books have gotten so much publicity that I figure they already own them! Likewise, I have seen lots about The Middle Place in the media, so it may not be a "unique" book to gift. BUT, perhaps I can convince my pseudo-defunct Book Club to pick it up for discussion. Regardless, it really touched me.
Even though I wasn't part of the reviews on the Parent Bloggers Network for Beauty Confidential: The No Preaching, No Lies, Advice-You'll- Actually-Use Guide to Looking Your Best
Best wishes to you and yours for a productive product-purchasing 2008!
