4 Extraordinary Childrens Christmas Books + a Book on Tape - Holiday Gift Review

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For those who celebrate Christmas there are some wonderful choices for children's books and a book on CD this holiday season. Titles that truly engage whole families, getting moms and dads to bond with your kids. Among Mommy Blog Expert's best Christmas book picks this year are Sad Santa, The Night Before Christmas in Africa, and The Christmas Web. For great holiday books on CD it's The Night Before Christmas in Africa - Gullah Night Before Christmas.

MommyBlogExpert's Best Christmas Book Choices

Sad Santa by Tad Carpenter, Sterling Children's Books, Hardcover $14.95

Santa is anything but sad in this charming book with a modern twist that also harkens back to the old-fashioned publishing days when only a handful of colors were used in illustrations. As the tale goes, on December 26th Santa is hit with a case of post-Christmas let down, that party's over feeling that can sometimes make you feel a little blue.

This story could be a downer. But instead it is all about how the not-so-jolly old fellow looks inside that dark cloud of sadness to find a silver lining to cope with the fact that it's another whole year till he'll be delivering presents again to children around the globe. An upbeat book with a lesson for kids to always think positively and look on the bright side because things can and will get better. 

Peek inside this cute book's pages

 

More information sterlingpublishing.com or SadSantaBook.com

Image from Pelican Publishing

The Night Before Christmas in Africa by Carroll Foster, Pelican Publishing, Hardcover $16.99

It's no wonder that this book was selected as A Favorite Thing for Christmas by the South African Edition of O, The Oprah Magazine. This is an African adaptation of the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas poem by Clement C. Moore that tells the fantastical story of Christmas on the Africa plain where it never snows. 

Perhaps what's most important in the storyline is the Shangaan tribe and how they receive a simple gift, something much more precious than material things. Vividly illustrated by Jean Christodoulou, a well-known South African artist, in the native folk art style of her homeland, children are in for not only a fun story but also a visual treat. Best of all, every book sold supports disadvantaged and learning-disabled children at Sparrow Schools in Africa. 

More information Pelicanpub.com

Image from Pelican Publishing

The Night Before Christmas in Africa - Gullah Night Before Christmas Book on CD, Pelican Audio, Hardcover $15.95

As a companion to either hardcover book of the same title or alone, kids with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads will also enjoy listening to this reading on CD that runs 32 minutes and includes both stories. The first story (see review of that title above) is told in the baritone voice of Sibusiso Victor Masondo and features sounds of thunder as lightning flashes across the African plain sky as well as traditional songs performed by the Sparrows Schools Children's Choir. 

The other story in this recording is Gullah Night Before Christmas which is also inspired by the classic. The tale, authored by Virginia M. Geraty, Ph.D. the world's foremost authority on the Gullah language, takes place in a coastal South Carolina town and involves a rabbit that delivers presents to well-behaved boys and girls, interweaving Gullah traditions. 

More information Pelicanpub.com

Outside Gift Box, Image from The Christmas Web

The Christmas Web by Kerry Grinkmeyer, Best of Us Publishing, Gift Box Hardcover Set, $39.99

If there's a new tradition to start with your family this Christmas it has got to be The Christmas Web. This engaging present comes in a huge 11" x 14" x 3" gift box shaped like a book. Inside the ready to give packaging you'll find a hard copy of The Christmas Web 47-page illustrated storybook that tells kids how the tradition began alongside three 12" tall red, yellow and green wands, each with 70 feet of yarn so you and your kids can spin your own webs for Christmas.

Inside Gift Box with Book & 3 Magic Wands of Yarn

Inside The Christmas Web Book

Here's how this works. After the kids are snug in theirs beds on Christmas Eve, parents unwind the spools twisting and turning the yarn through the house on doorknobs, window sills and other places you think of to create a web. Then in the morning when the kids get up, each follows his or her designated yarn color winding it back onto the spool as they go until it leads them to the special gift from the elves. 

This is sure to be a blast for young and old, so have your still and video cameras ready to capture all the hilarity and action as the children navigate a new, non-electronic sort of web. Available at Barnes &  Noble, Amazon, Hallmark Store, Toys R Us, Learning Express and other book, toy and gift stores nationwide. Free shipping when you order on Amazon or ChristmasWeb.com when using code Kobie1944.

Take a look at this YouTube to see how fun The Christmas Web is



More information and to order additional magic wands  ChristmasWeb.com

Any or all of these books will be a welcome alternative to the electronic gifts many children will be receiving this season. What's more is that each of these will help instill a love of reading in kids as well as create wonderful holiday memories for both you and your children that can be captured and passed generation to generation.

FTC Disclosure: I received the books and CD featured to facilitate this post but did not receive any payment. Thoughts in this blogpost are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Hanukkah Menorah DIY Easy Crafts for Kids

Celebrations

Hanukkah Menorah DIY Projects for Kids

Since menorahs are the most often associated symbol of this holiday, I'd like to share twelve of the most wonderful do-it-yourself menorah craft ideas. Any of these will be loads of fun for both kids and grownup big kids to create either alone or together -- depending on their ages and abilities.

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is among the most celebrated of Jewish holidays world wide. Contrary to popular belief Hanukah is not the Jewish equivalent of Christmas. Jews light the eight branched menorah candelabra each of the eight nights of this celebration every year to recall the single vial of pure olive oil found following the Greeks rampage through the Temple in Jerusalem. Miraculously that tiny bottle of oil burned for 8 days and nights. 

Eco friendly cork menorah Tierra Sur design

On the first night of Hanukkah, which this year falls on Saturday evening December 8th, using a helper candle called a shamash, the first candle will be lit. Each night thereafter, an additional candle is added in Jewish households on every continent around the globe until on the last night of the celebration when all eight flames will be burning.

I made this Hanukkah Gingerbread House 

Arts and crafts are the perfect way to spend quality time to connect with your children and you'll be creating family heirlooms for future generations to enjoy. Don't forget to take pictures of your work at some of these will only last for one season. Keep in mind that except for those made with exclusively fire proof materials most of the menorahs in this post are for decorative use only and should not be used with an open flame.

My preschool son with bread, pretzel & raisin menorah

Here's a green way to use all those wine bottle corks you've been saving but don't know what to do with. Chef Todd Aarons at Tierra Sur, the only Zagat rated restaurant in Ventura County, California, created the original recycled cork menorah with his kids that you see pictured at the top of this post. Use a hot glue gun and follow the layout shown in the photo I took or create your own menorah style.

Purple Rhino Menorah, Image from Aunt Peaches

If corks aren't your cup of tea, maybe a glitzy Purple Rhinestone Rhinoceros Menorah craft by Aunt Peaches will do the trick. This will certainly put a smile on the faces of both kids and kids-at-heart alike and make building upon an oversized plastic animal toy that you probably having laying around your house if you have kids. It's unbelievably easy to craft and you'll end up with a fun, beautiful and unforgettable centerpiece for your Hanukkah celebration for sure. How to Make

Original 21" LEGO Menorah that my kids made 

For LEGOs fans comes this original menorah made designed and made exclusively from LEGO blocks by my own children. All you have to do is look at the photo up close to see how this was constructed and then start building. If you'd like to make this a permanent part of your Hanukkah memorabilia to use year after year consider using glue so that the blocks won't fall about when you box this up after the holiday.

Pixel Menorah, Dreidel Designed by my kids

If your child is into Pixels, then this colorful Pixel Menorah and Dreidel that my children made years ago for Hannukah might be a fun project for them to build. It's easy to build, just take a close look at the photo and get started.

My daughters painted the tall ceramic menorah when they were in grade school

Another idea is to go to a paint your own ceramics chain store like Color Me Mine which is where my girls went to make this heirloom quality ceramic menorah. They made this when they were about 8 years old but still use it every year even though they're teens in high school.

Image from Crayola

This eco friendly Birthday Candle Bowling idea from Crayola could be easily adapted into a Menorah Bowling Game for Chanukah if you use eight "candles" crafted from recycled quart size milk cartons. How to Make

I made this Menorah Challah Bread for Chanukah

This gigantic Menorah Challah Bread measuring about 18" tall that I baked is actually edible and fun and easy to make. Based on a traditional Sabbath Challah Bread recipe, watch for another Mommy Blog Expert post soon with the step-by-step directions to make this.

This MBE Gingerbread Menorah is edible

Another one of a kind baking project I made is this whimsical Chanukah House Menorah. This idea was inspired by the gingerbread houses that are so popular during the Christmas holidays and is as much of a blast to make with kids as it is to carefully break it up with a hammer to eat. Stay tuned, cause how tos are coming to this blog shortly for you to make this with your own family this year.

Image from Crayola

Don't you just love this clever and easy craft from Crayola -- a lit menorah that you can create with your child's handprints. If you have two colors of washable paint at home and a pair of little hands you can make this heirloom craft to preserve memories for years to come. How to Make

My triplets as preschoolers show off their Mommy's menorah face painting

Just about all kids like face painting, so why not decorate your children's adorable cheeks with menorahs like I did when my kids were preschoolers? You don't need to go out and buy fancy face paints for this easy project. All you need is some thinned out water based poster paint. You don't necessarily need to be a great artist, either, as these menorahs are painted on to little faces in just a couple of minutes, using a few simple straight and U-shaped strokes and dots to light the candles -- and you've created a menorah!

Image from Parents Magazine

This menorah from Parents Magazine is made from painted empty wooden thread spools, pencils and erasers. Definitely a really cute art project for kids to make at home or school. How to Make

Image from Martha Stewart

And what MommyBlogExpert Menorah Art and Crafts roundup would be complete without an idea from Martha Stewart? I just love this concept of using a branch to create a simple but very elegant Hanukiah which looks so beautiful painted silver and accented with silver Hanukah candles for a wonderful monochromic effect. How to Make

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or other compensation for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar This Week With Prizes December 2-8

Twitter Parties

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Updated 12/7/12 with ongoing additions - Includes Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to check back often every week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter Facebook and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Monday, December 3

Libby's Holiday Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @libbystable @resourcefulmom. Prizes: ONE (1) Grand Prize Calphalon Contemporary 10" and 12" Non Stick Omelette Combo($120 value) and Magic Bullet Blender ($79.99). THREE (3) runner up winners will receive Pottery Barn Rhodes Kitchen Crock. #Libbystable RSVP

Identity Guard Safe Holiday Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @IdentityG @resourcefulmom. Prizes: FOUR (4) $25 Visa gift cards, ONE (1) Grand Prize of $100 Visa GC. #IdentityGuard RSVP

Hasbro Zynga Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @HasbroNews @ClassyMommy. Prizes: Hasbro games brought to life including Words with Friends, Draw Something, Farmville and CityVille. To participate use hashtag #HasbroZynga Details

Best Buy Gifts That Do Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET with @2Wired2Tired talking about tech gifts for families. Prizes: Best Buy Gift Cards  #GiftsThatDo Details

Hope Springs Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomof3 and others Talking about the movie Hope Springs from Sony. Prizes: BedandBreakfast.com gift card and Hope Springs SWAG. #TMOM #TMOMHope RSVP

Tuesday, December 4

Affordable Christmas Gifts at Sam's Club Nivea Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @miscfinds4u @mimibakermn. Prizes: FOUR (4) $100 Sam's Club Gift Cards #NIVEAMoments #cbias RSVP

Stork Nest Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @thestorknest @resourcefulmom. Prizes: TEN (10) winners each receive a case of Fisher-Price Daytime Diapers plus everyone that attends will receive something special at the end of the party. #StorkNest RSVP

Timothy Green Twitter Party with @socialmoms @Disney @OddLifeMovie at 7 pm ET. FORTY (40) prizes including TEN (10) $20 Amazon gift cards for Tweeting in advance of the Twitter Party and THIRTY (30) Blu-ray combo packs of The Odd Life of Timothy Green  #TimothyGreen RSVP

Cookie Exchange Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @HersheysKisses @resourcefulmom. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners each receive a prize pack that includes Hersheys Kisses Nostalgic Art Apron, Hersheys Cookie Cutter, and 2 bags of Hersheys Kisses. ONE (1) Grand Prize receives all items above plus $50 gift card. #cookieHQ RSVP

World Market Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @pollinatemedia @alwaysnwonder @growingupThomas @worldmarket. Prizes: FOUR (4) World Market gift cards in these denominations: two valued at $25, one at $50 and a Grand Prize GC of $100.  #WorldMarket RSVP

12 Days of Shop Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @ShopdotCA @Listen2Lena @MyChaos @SimplyStacieNet @MommyKatandKids @Jen_Banks. Prizes TBA - for Canada only. #12DaysofShop RSVP

Pack More Health Twitter Party at 9-10:30 pm ET with @JeannetteKaplun @hitherroadjane @BrenHerrera @LAFlowers @LBConnect. TWELVE (12) Prizes including: an iPad Mini, one 22-piece cookware set worth over $1K and ten Nutrilite Nutritional supplements valued at $100 each. #PackMoreHealth RSVP

Responsible Holiday Entertaining at 9 pm ET with @MommyMatter @ThisLilPiglet @SoberJulie. Prizes: @TheTaxiGuy vouchers, Molson Coors Tshirts & golf shirts, 5 copies of PDF copies of Mocktails & More.  #HolidayMocktails RSVP

Wednesday, December 5

Hoya Lenses Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @suburbanmomclub. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 American Express Gift Cards. Grand Prize: ONE $100 American Express GC + a coupon good for a free pair of lenses. #HoyaLenses RSVP

Holiday Fashion Legware Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @OMGhada @HaveSippy. Prizes:  FOUR (4) $200 prize packs full of Duane Reade legware products; ONE (1) Grand Prize of $200 worth of Duane Reade products + $100 Duane Reade Gift Card. #DRLegware RSVP

Philips Holiday Lights Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @themotherhood @CooperMunroe @EmilyMcKhann @ParentPalace and others. FIVE (5) prizes to be given away including One set IMAGEO Table Lights, two LumiWare Table Platters and two sets of LED bulbs. #HolidayLights RSVP

SkyMall Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @SkyMall @AudreyMcClellan @VeraSweeney. Prizes: TBA #SkyMall No RSVP Details

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET talking about mobile safety for kids and parental controls. Prize: Motorola DROID XYBoard 10.1 Tablet. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #VZWSafety.

Rubbermaid Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Rubbermaid @MommyMomentBlog @MommyKatandKids @MomvstheBoys. $750 in Rubbermaid prize packages.  #Rubbermaid RSVP

Mattel Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MC_MomCentral. Canada only eligible to win $900 in Prizes. Participate by following hashtag #TopToys2012

Thursday, December 6

Huggies Walmart Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @somedayilllearn. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart gift cards. #HuggiesWalmart RSVP

Holiday Twitter Party with Smart and Final at 2 pm ET. Hosted by @SmartFinal @rockinmama @themommyfiles. $250 in prizes including: THREE (3) Smart & Final $50 gift cards & ONE (1) $100 S&F GC. #ChooseSmart RSVP

Honking Holidays Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Chuggington. $300 in prizes plus Grand Prize which is a LeapFrog Leapster loaded with Chuggington kids videos. RSVP

Holiday Deals Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cleverlysimple @mustlovecoupons @thriftynwmom @beltwaybargain @savings @savings_nation. $300 in prizes including TWO (2) $25 Christopher & Banks giftcards, TWO (2) $50 Amazon GCs and ONE (1) $100 Amazon GC. #SavingsNation RSVP

Holiday Spruce Up Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @CraveBox @zipporahs @lisasamples @stacieinatlanta and others. Prizes every 10 minutes: FIVE (5) $25 Visa giftcards, TWO (2) Crave Boxes and assorted brands products. #holidayspruceup RSVP

Net10 Wireless Holiday Twitter Party at 9-10:30 pm ET with @Net10Latino @CouponMamacita @MamaXXI @ThriftyNinja @JoscelynRC @SocialSavvyMom @JollyMom @LatinoMarketing @LatinaMomBlogs. Assorted prizes that include LG Optimus Logic Android Touchscreen, 30-day airtime card, Sony BDP-S590 3D Blu-ray Disc Player w/ Wi-Fi, $100 Visa Gift Cards, Samsung 24" LED HDTV and more. #Net10Latino RSVP

Friday, December 7

Sears Style Art of Fashion Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @SearsStyle @Glitterfelt @7onashoestring. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 Sears Giftcards and ONE (1) $100 Sears GC. #ArtofFashion #cbias RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET talking about the issues that drive your choice for a wireless carrier. Prizes: A smartphone + $125 Verizon gift card or a MyCharge Rechargeable Power Bank + a Verizon Insider Swag Bag. To be eligible to win a use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

SnapBox Picture Perfect Twitter Party hosted by @CleverGirlsColl at 3 pm ET. Prizes: Framed Canvas SnapBox Prints & more. #SnapboxPrints RSVP

Saturday, December 8

Laser Pegs Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @LaserPegs. Prizes: TWENTY (20) Laser Pegs Necklaces, ONE (1) Bot Kit 670, and ONE (1) Indy Car Kit 870 Grand Prize. #Laserpegs RSVP


NEXT WEEK

Sunday, December 9

Duracell What Powers You Twitter Party at 4 pm ET during the Dolphins vs the 49ers Football Game with @360smiley. Prizes: Win one of 50 footballs signed by Patrick Willis, linebacker with San Francisco 49ers.  #WhatPowersYou RSVP

Sin City Rules Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @LanaFuchs. #SinCityRules RSVP

Be the Boss Twitter Party at 11 pm ET with @TheMeltingPot @CleverGirlsColl. Prizes include THREE (3) fondue gift sets and FOUR (4) $100 gift cards to The Melting Pot fondue restaurant. #CleverBetheBoss RSVP

Monday, December 10

Time 4 Family Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lomargie @plussizemommy. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart Gift Cards. #cbias #Time4family RSVP

Cravebox Holiday Spruce Up Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cravebox. #HolidaySpruceUp  More details soon.

Tuesday, December 11

Full Core Stop Snacking Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @MsMissy62 @tsue1136. Prizes: Visa Gift Cards one winner each in the following denominations: $25, $50, $75 and $100. #cbias #stopsnacking RSVP

Fisher Nuts Tuesday Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @guarnaschelli @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @TroyPattee @MomItForward #simpletwists #gno RSVP

Wednesday, December 12

Eyes Lips Face Twitter Party at 1 pm ET to celebrate e.l.f. cosmetics with @somedayilllearn. Prizes: e.l.f. giftcards in the following denominations $25, $50, $75 and $100. #eyeslipsface #cbias RSVP

GMO Free Your Holiday Twitter Party at 8-10 pm ET with @gmoinside @bookieboo and others. Prizes: Lots of giveaways, too numerous to list. #gmoinside RSVP

It's the weekly @TheOnlineMom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Duracell Power Smiles Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @duracell @lucyhale @shespeaksup. $750 in prizes including the seasons hottest toys and batteries to power them. #PowerSmiles RSVP

HasbroGame Night Holiday Twitter Party at 9 pm ET @HasbroGameNight @Busymommymedia. Prizes: FOUR (4) winners will receive a 4-game prize pack that includes Scrabble Catch Phrase, Jenga, Twister and Yahtzee. #HasbroHappierHolidays RSVP

Thursday, December 13

Duda Farm Fresh Foods Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Dandy_Fresh @momspark chatting about Dandy Meyer Lemons and Dandy Celery Celebrations. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 Williams Sonoma gift cards, TEN (10) 1 pound bag of Meyer Lemons winners and a Grand Prize of a $100 Visa GC. In addition Duda Farm Fresh Foods will be donating $5 per participant in this Twitter Party to benefit Seminole County Families in Transition Program @FIT_Seminole up to $1000. #HolidayBest RSVP

Mom Inspirations Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @cafeyak. Prizes include Burt's Bees, Glittertoos & more. Participate by following hashtag #Mominspirations

Friday, December 14

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win a use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP


COMING SOON

More parties TBA!

More Twitter Parties constantly be added to this list as soon as they're scheduled so stay tuned by following this blog.  

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. If you'd like to add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party Calendar email janis at janiselspas dot com with Twitter Party in the subject line including all the details and links in the body of your  message.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email janis@janiselspas.com for information with Twitter Party Consulting Query in the subject line.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.