Once again we have been blessed with another VeggieTale dvd to review and this time it is about Christmas and the joy of giving.    It is called  Saint Nicholas: A Story Of Joyful Giving.  Every year we do an anual Christmas Cartoon Fest where we have friends and kids over to watch Christmas cartoons and VeggieTales is always included.  It will be great to have the new one this year to show to everyone.  I love the moral storylines that go with every episode and this one is no different.  This dvd teaches how important it is to be a giver-this dvd really did a great job getting that message across, something that will really stick to the kids minds and hearts.  My husband recently lost his job of 11 years and this DVD really hit home with me this year.  One never knows when they will be in need!  The songs are really GREAT this year and has Matthew West singing “Give Christmas Away”.  

The DVD has many special features and they are worth checking out.

“Give This Christmas Away” Operation Christmas Child music video
 Behind The Song with Matthew West and Amy Grant
 Art Gallery
 Audio Commentary
 Sing Along with Larry
 Discussion Guide
Family Activity – “Bob & Larry’s Sugar Cookies” recipe 

US Residents: When you purchase the Saint Nicholas DVD, you can log onto a special website and choose a free VeggieTales DVD to send to a friend and pay only $2.99 for shipping and handling.

One of the special features is about Operation Christmas Child.  My children fill shoeboxes every year for this ministry.  Shoeboxes full of toys and toiletries go all across the world to children who don’t have ANYTHING.  It is amazing when you see video of these kids eyes when they open their box, they also get the gospel message in their own language in a booklet.  It could be the only way they would EVER hear of this man named Jesus.  I have heard some incredible testimonies from some of the children who have received their boxes. 

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Big Idea, who provided the product for review.

Can you believe it is that time of the year again?   Christmas time!  I LOVE Christmas, everything about it!  I even love making my cards every year-a beautiful family photo to send off to everyone we love.   You have to check out my sponsor Tiny Prints, they have AMAZING cards, they are truly beautiful and they have such a variety.  There are many things happening right now at Tiny Prints and I wanted to share it with you before the holidays are here. 

Our celebrity holiday card collection for charity

Raised print thermography holiday cards:

Photo collage cards:

Pop-up holiday cards:

Tri-fold holiday cards:

Discount “Studio Basics” holiday cards:

And lastly our year in and year out customer favorite Christmas cards: http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/christmas_cards.htm

And Photo books

Become the Face of Tiny Prints!
Enter the Talent Search Contest for a chance to see your smiling faces featured in the 2010 advertising campaign!A feature in our 2010 Spring Marketing Campaign
Professional Photo Shoot
Free set of personalized stationery from Tiny Prints
Cash Prize: $1,000
Plus, all finalists will receive $100 Tiny Prints gift certificates. 

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to let your family shine—register today through November 27, 2009!

I couldn’t wait for Chris’s party to show off homemade Christmas gifts because I just made something I LOVE.  Now I made these for myself, I’m know, NO FAIR but these would make WONDERFUL gifts and they would be great things to make with your children.  If you collect all of your beautiful Christmas Cards every year like I do because you NEVER know if you will be able to use them here is a great idea. 

Buy cheap poster board like the kind for school projects for .50.  It took 3 for 6.  Cut the board 12×17 and glue your favorite cards on or tape or whatever adhesive you like.  Then cover with contact paper.  The contact paper can be difficult so it is best to have someone that can help hold it while you are making sure it doesn’t get crinkled up.  If you have a laminator big enough that would be best but I didn’t.  Here is the finished product.  I made one for each family member and 1 guest.  Of course Mine is my favorite because I gave it the vintage look, but I did try to personalize it a little bit with names and things they love.  My youngest LOVES animals so I put a lot of animals on hers.

We were so excited to be able to receive Prima Princess Presents The Nutcracker.  I have a five year old daughter who has loved the nutcracker music since falling in love with the Tom and Jerry Nutcracker a few years ago.  She is the perfect age for this dvd. 

It has beautiful scenes of a warm cozy winter and Christmas  and lots of little girls dancing around a beautiful Christmas tree.  Then it goes into the ballet.   I was concerned she would be bored with the nutcracker since there are no words in it but they thought of that and actually have a nararrator telling the story throughout the ballet.    She asks to watch this over and over so it has been a huge hit in our home for sure.  This dvd is a great way to give young children an appreciation of a beautiful ballet on their level.  We love it!

It retails for 12.99

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Prima Princessa, who provided the DVD for review.