Give the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season with the Collectible "The Winnie-the- Collection" Box Set (Review)

 Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

I developed a love of reading as a child thanks in part to my Nana who used to gift me a box set of books for my birthday and Christmas.  I still have a handful of the box sets, which I passed down to my girls, who are enjoying the books just like I did when I was their age.  One book series I loved growing up was Winnie the Pooh.  My mom would read these books to me at bedtime, and slowly we built up a small Winnie the Pooh collection to cherish.  Unfortunately, the books were damaged when my family's basement flooded one year while I was away at college.  They ended up having to toss a lot of books including my Winnie the Pooh books due to water damage.  It wasn't until I had children of my own that I started to purchase and put together another Winnie the Pooh book collection for them to enjoy, and be able to pass down to their children one day.

I was sent a selection of children's books from Simon & Schuster recently and couldn't help but smile when I saw four Winnie the Pooh books. What caught my eye with these books is that these books have fun redesigned covers and have the original black and white interior illustrations that I remember in the books I had as a child.  All the Winnie the Pooh books I have acquired for my girls all have color illustrations.  I had wished to find ones with black and white illustrations -- but now I don't have to, as I have four Winnie the Pooh books by A.A. Milne to cherish with my girls and pass them down.

With the holidays fast approaching, why not consider gifting books to little ones in your lives.  Books are the gateway to adventure and help children's imaginations blossom.  And, a book set like this one from A.A. Milne featuring everyone's favorite bear would make for a great gift, that will be cherished for years and years and become a keepsake.  My girls and I love these Winnie the Pooh books, and I know you and your kids will love them, too!

About this Boxed Set:

"With gorgeously redesigned covers and the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, these beautiful editions of the four Winnie-the-Pooh books by A.A. Milne are now together in a collectible hardcover boxed set—sure to delight new and old fans alike!

Buy this hardcover boxed set from Amazon for only $50.56

(Also Available in Paperback)

Explore the Hundred Acre Wood with everyone’s favorite bear-of-very-little-brain, Winnie-the-Pooh!

In Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, meet Pooh, Christopher Robin, and the other residents of the forest, including the timid Piglet, the downcast Eeyore, the impatient Rabbit, the loquacious Owl, the always bouncing Tigger, and newcomers Kanga and Roo. In each chapter they have a new adventure, from searching for honey or celebrating birthdays to hunting Heffalumps or navigating new friendships.

Rounding out the collection are two books of children’s poetry: When We Were Very Young—in which we meet Mr. Edward Bear, the character that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh—and Now We Are Six, in which Pooh and Christopher Robin make frequent appearances. These playful and imaginative verses explore the joys and pains of growing up, the antics of peculiar characters, quiet afternoons in nature, memorable animal friends, and more."

This charming hardcover boxed set includes the following books:

"With a gorgeously redesigned cover and the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, this beautiful edition of the beloved childhood classic Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne is sure to delight new and old fans alike!

Explore the Hundred Acre Wood with everyone’s favorite bear-of-little-brain, Winnie-the-Pooh! In this children’s classic that has captured imaginations for the past century, meet Pooh, Christopher Robin, and the other residents of the forest, including timid Piglet, downcast Eeyore, impatient Rabbit, loquacious Owl, and newcomers Kanga and Roo. In each chapter, they have a new adventure, from searching for honey or celebrating birthdays to hunting Heffalumps or navigating a flood."

"With a gorgeously redesigned cover and the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, this beautiful edition of the beloved sequel to Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner, is sure to delight new and old fans alike!

Pooh and Christopher Robin’s escapades in the Hundred Acre Wood continue! Piglet, Eeyore, and other familiar friends encounter the energetic Tigger for the first time, whose bounce first, think later personality brings new excitement. With more Heffalump hunts and funny moments in store, each chapter is a new adventure!"

"With a gorgeously redesigned cover and the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, this beautiful edition of the beloved classic poetry collection When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne is sure to delight new and old fans alike!

Before there was Winnie-the-Pooh, there was Mr. Edward Bear, a rotund teddy bear who was proud of his stature. Meet him and many other lovable characters in this verse collection that launched A. A. Milne’s career as a children’s author and led to the creation of his novels about Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin.

Full of whimsy, humor, and imagination, these children’s poems tell of visits to the zoo and Buckingham Palace, the romance between Little Bo Peep and Little Boy Blue, the shenanigans of peculiar characters, quiet afternoons in nature, and more."

"With a gorgeously redesigned cover and the original black and white interior illustrations by Ernest Shepard, this beautiful edition of the beloved classic poetry collection featuring Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne is sure to delight new and old fans alike!

Originally published after the novel Winnie-the-Pooh and the verse collection When We Were Very Young, A. A. Milne wrote this classic book of children’s poems about and for his son Christopher Robin when he turned six. With appearances from the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh throughout, these sweet and funny poems tell of playful adventures, the joys and pains of growing up, memorable animal friends, and more."

 Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Start a New Holiday Tradition with Fill Yourself Advent Calendars -- From Cookies, Small Surprise Toys, Bath Bombs and More -- You Decide What to Fill the Countdown Calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging With (Review)

 Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...," -- thanks to Christmas music playing in the car, I have had that song stuck in my head all day, singing it when prepping dinner, and now as I sit down to write more posts for my 15th annual holiday gift guide.  I have a whole day worth of posts dedicated to pampering gifts coming up, following by some great gifts for tweens/teens, before moving onto gifts for foodies, and then a day of gifts just for her.  I was sent so many wonderful products to review, many you probably have never heard about (I am excited to be the one to introduce you to different brands and products this year), so be sure to check back daily for new blog posts dropping, as I continue to fill my holiday gift guide for 2024.  

Seeing that I have Christmas on the brain and literally stuck in my head in song, I thought I would break from what I had originally planned to share today and share a few "Deck the Halls" (see what I did there :-) -- another song soon to be stuck in your head) gift ideas that will make getting into the holiday spirit that much more fun.  First up, I wanted to introduce you to Miss Cookie Packaging, as I bet many of you have probably never of heard this small business -- me included until just a few weeks ago.  

So, what is Miss Cookie Packaging, and why did I want to feature them?  Well, let me start by asking you a question.  Does your family like to count down to Christmas using advent calendars?  They could be chocolate filled, toy filled, etc.  Heck, they even advent calendars for your pets so that they can count down to Santa's arrival, too!  I loved the chocolate advent calendars as a kid, and so did my girls, until the toy-filled ones became popular...and pricey.  The going rate for many of the hot selling toy-filled advent calendars this year are $30+.  Speaking from experience, I know where many of the little trinket toys or building block pieces will wind up after the Christmas tree comes down...on the floor...before I throw them out.  Well, this year, we are trying something different and something I know my girls will like.  We are going to fill advent calendars with surprises we pick out for each other and keep a budget, as the whole idea of this is not to spend a lot, as we count down to Christmas.  What is so good about this new tradition we are looking to start is that the advent calendar fillers will be personalized to each of our likes, so we are bound to open each window to find something that will not only put a smile on our faces, but be something we enjoy.

This is where Miss Cookie Packaging comes in.  This small business makes advent calendar boxes that you can fill yourself.  

From cookie advent calendars for people and pets to ones that you can fill with surprises, there are so many fill yourself advent calendars to choose from.  They even offer fill your own birthday advent calendar boxes for those who like to add a little fun to counting down to your birthday. 

Available in Single ($8), 10-Pack ($65) or 20-Pack ($120) Quantities

We just did this calendar with my youngest who turned 13, and she loved her 12 days of surprises -- from jewelry, her favorite candy, nail polish, money, and small toys, each and every day was like her birthday as she opened a window to reveal a surprise gift. Even though they were small, they were all things she liked and it made for a fun way to welcome in her birthday.  She liked it so much that we plan to do it again next for her and our other daughter.  But, back to the holiday advents...check out a few examples of what Miss Cookie Packaging offers through their online website...

(Cookies not included)

Don't these fillable advent calendars look cute?  Compared to other advent boxes we have bought over the years filled with candy and toys, I have to say the fillable advent calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging are much more durable, colorful and the windows/doors are easier to open and close. 

"Every calendar is made of sturdy white food-safe paperboard that looks amazing.

 And each internal tray is made with a strong white cardboard designed to hold some serious weight."

While many of these advent calendars are intended to be filled with cookies, it is up to you on what you want to fill each of the 12 or 24 days with.  I was sent four advent calendars styles to sample and see up close, and already have plans to fill one with some of our family cookie recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, and gift it to my parents, as a fun way for them to get into the holiday spirit.  

Advent calendars aren't just for kids.  I, for one, picking up one or two of the chocolate ones at the stores to open alongside the girls each day.  But, instead of spending $$$ on chocolate filled advents this year, I will be filling one with some of my favorite gourmet candies and chocolates I pick up.   

I was also sent a Happy Pawlidays 12 day cookie advent for dogs, and will be getting in the kitchen this weekend with my oldest daughter, to make homemade dog biscuits and treats to fill the calendar with, so our two rescue dogs have an advent calendar to enjoy, too.  If you were to get a dog advent calendar in stores they will run you $15+ on average, and most of the treats are hard as a rock or ones your dog will not care for or that will give them tummy troubles.  Instead, you can bake up their favorite dog treats, or if you are pressed for time, fill the days with some of their favorite store-bought dog treats, and turn counting down to Christmas fun for your four-legged friend, too.

I am so happy I stumbled upon the Miss Cookie Packaging website, as now counting down to Christmas, Birthdays and special occasions will be even more fun and special with these fill yourself advent calendars.  I love supporting small businesses, and love how this business is a few towns over by me (who knew).  So, as you gear up for the holidays this year, why not consider skipping the overrated and overpriced advent calendars in stores, and instead support a small business by purchasing fill yourself advent calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging, and then have fun personalizing these calendars with treats, small gifts, cookies, candy and more for each member of your family. Then, get ready to count down to Christmas in a fun new way.  Even those stubborn tweens and teens who are too cool for things like advent calendars and partaking in family traditions will enjoy opening a door/window each day with the family, as you all count down to Christmas morning.  My two girls are so excited for their new advent calendars and can't wait to see what I filled them with.  

This would be a fun idea for kids away at college, or for those hard to stop for teens in your life -- fill the slots with gift cards from their favorite restaurant and retailers

December 1st is fast approaching, so don't delay in ordering your 12 or 24-day fill it yourself advent calendars from Miss Cookie Packaging.  There are so many great designs to choose from, so get ready to fill a cart, and support a small business in the process.  I can't wait to hear which styles you go with and what you plan to fill each fillable advent calendar with. So, be sure to head back to this post or tag on social media so I can see what you go with. 

 Disclosure: I was sent a sample from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Plan a Fun Themed Family Movie Night This Holiday Season with the Help of the "The Unofficial Elf Cookbook" -- Includes 75 Recipes to Spread Some Christmas Cheer! (Review)

 Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now in hardcover from Amazon for only $20.26

Ever since COVID, we started doing monthly movie-themed family movie nights with friends over Zoom, where we would make a handful of themed snacks and dishes, before moving onto crafts and trivia or games. Then, we would settle in and watch the movies together, hopping back on Zoom at the end of the movie to share our favorite parts and vote on the next movie night for the next month.  These themed movie nights were a hit then and still are.  Just last month we did a Mean Girls movie night with a couple of my daughter's friends in place of hosting a birthday party.  They made and enjoyed mocktails, made homemade pop tarts and granola bars, and played a handful of games and answered trivia.  After the movie was over, they all voted on a movie to watch this month, as we all gear up for the holidays.  They unanimously voted for Elf -- come on, who can resist Buddy the Elf?  I started to research and plan activities and crafts for the movie, and was happy to find the "The Unofficial Elf Cookbook" by Bryton Taylor, and released by Simon & Schuster, available.  This cookbook is chock full  of delicious recipes that are not on.ly easy to make, but are great at spreading some Christmas cheer while filling your bellies.

Many of the recipes in this Elf-themed cookbook include full color photos of the dishes, which I love, as it helps me decide if I want to try a recipe or not.  Plus, with 75 recipes to choose from - both kid-friendly and ones adult would like if they want to plan an adults only themed movie night, maybe as part of a wrapping party or Christmas swap.  Like other cookbooks, I read this one cover to cover, and marked up over a dozen recipes -- a few drinks, appetizers, a main course and a couple desserts, to consider for our upcoming movie night.  All the recipes look and sound so good -- the hard part will be narrowing it down to a few recipes.  But, the good thing about this cookbook is that we watch Elf a few times throughout the year, so I will definitely be making more and more recipes to enjoy when watching this family-friendly movie.

If you family loves Elf or are looking for a fun new tradition to start with your family, why not consider picking up the "The Unofficial Elf Cookbook" and plan a themed movie night soon.  Or, if you know a die hard fan of Buddy the Elf, this cookbook would make for a great gift idea, and one that they would use time and again.  This upcoming weekend we are going to try out Little Buddy's Chex Mix and the Boardroom Tussle Tac-Ohs to enjoy while we put up and decorate the Christmas tree. We always have the Elf movie playing in the background, to help get us into the holiday spirit. I'll let you know how the recipes turn out! :-)

More about this cookbook:

"The Unofficial Elf Cookbook (9/17/2024) is here to help elves and humans alike celebrate Christmas in true Buddy style! Inside, readers will have the chance to try out recipes inspired by the movie’s most memorable moments from the North Pole to New York City. Perfect for nostalgic Elf enthusiasts looking to recreate Buddy’s Christmas cheer or families enjoying the movie together for the very first time, this book brings the magic of the movie to kitchens everywhere.

Time to get your fill of the four main food groups—candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup—with these 75 sweet recipes inspired by the beloved holiday film Elf.

Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite…snack food? Whether you’re preparing for a journey to meet long lost family or trying to impress that special someone with the world’s best cup of coffee, The Unofficial Elf Cookbook is here to keep your hunger at bay.

 

From appetizers and main dishes to refreshing drinks and holiday-worthy desserts, this book features 75 delicious recipes inspired by the holiday classic Elf. Try recipes like:

-Buddy’s Breakfast Spaghetti: Because nothing says breakfast to an elf like spaghetti topped with fudge sauce, candy, and Pop-Tarts!
-Papa Elf Pot Pies: Enjoy a perfect comfort food dish to remind you of visiting loved ones around the holidays.
-Passionfruit Spray Martinis: Whip up a delicious drink (or try the mocktail version!) that’s all delicious and no perfume-y confusion.
-And much more!

Perfect for nostalgic Elf fans looking to recreate that Christmas cheer or families that are sharing the movie together for the very first time, The Unofficial Elf Cookbook has all the recipes you need to make a Buddy the Elf–approved meal!

 Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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