I love this time of year! The holiday cheer, the festive lights, the real meaning of Christmas, this has always been my favorite time of year. One of my favorite things about this time of year is all the wonderful holiday traditions we share as a family. From picking out the perfect Christmas tree to driving around looking at lights, even all the wonderful holiday baking. An important tradition in my family is Hallmark’s Keepsake Ornaments. Every year, for as long as I can remember, we received a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament selected specifically for us. Years ago my parents selected a collection for my sister, brother and myself. They selected a collection that represented our likes and carry on the tradition of giving us that special ornament even now. On top of our collection, as we grew older we would select a special ornament for each year. A Hallmark Keepsake Ornament that represented that year, that helped remind us of special memories. Anything from being newly weds to our new home to being pregnant and of course baby’s first Christmas. Each ornament has special meaning for us and it’s a family tradition I have started now with my own lil family. Each year I select an ornament for hubby and myself and now I help pick one out for Abby.
Another Hallmark tradition that is new for my family is the Hallmark Recordable Storybooks. I love to read to Abby and the Hallmark Recordable Storybooks adds a special touch to each story. Instead of me simply sitting and reading to her, we are able to record either hubby or myself reading the story to her. This way, if she wants to hear us read her a story she can at any time she likes. Adding the Hallmark Recordable Storybooks to our bedtime routine has special meaning to my family, with hubby in the military there are many times he isn’t home for months at a time. This wonderful recordable storybook allows him to read the story to Abby even when he’s miles away from us. It allows her to hear her daddy’s voice whenever she wants (or needs) to and it helps being him “home” for storytime even when he can’t actually be here. These recordable storybooks are perfect for any family where a parent has to be away from home…especially military families. A few more important points about these wonderful storybooks:
* Whether you’re far away or side-by-side, you can always share a Christmas story with loved ones, thanks to Hallmark Recordable Storybooks. This year, Hallmark Recordable Storybooks not only record a reader’s voice directly into the book; they now feature music!
* You can read or sing one of six holiday classics — including three new titles —and participate in holiday story time with loved ones even if distance causes them to be apart.
* Hallmark also offers more than 15 any day titles, such as Goodnight Moon, Disney’s Lightning McQueen, and All the Ways I Love You, allowing your gift to keep giving any day of the year.
We received “Counting Kisses” to review and I decided to let hubby record this one. With his training coming up soon, it would be wonderful to still have him “read” Abby her bedtime story. He recorded it late last night so I decided to try it out today as we were winding down for nap time. Abby was delighted to have her daddy “read” her a story even when he was gone to work today. She’s been sick in bed and she’s such a daddy’s girl, I could tell it really made her day. “Counting Kisses” is such an adorable storybook, Abby was giggling as she listened to her daddy’s voice. He really enjoyed being able to record the story for her, he loves the recordable storybook idea and has already picked out several he plans to get Abby before he deploys.
And just in case you’re like me and like to spread cheer all year long (who needs a holiday just to make someone smile!) then you will love this:
* Hallmark wants to make it easier and faster for you to spread holiday cheer to loved ones. At Hallmark.com, you can create and send personalized holiday paper cards from the comfort of your own home (you can make the cards in your pajamas if you want)!
*Simply pick your favorite holiday card design, customize it with a photo and a personal message, upload your address book, and Hallmark will do the rest! From addressing and stamping to mailing your season’s greetings, Hallmark has it all under control.
So what are you waiting for!! Christmas is quickly approaching and it’s the perfect time to be enjoying all kinds of wonderful holiday traditions! Best of all, Hallmark has generously offered one lucky reader then chance to win their very own Hallmark Keepsake Ornament and Hallmark Recordable Storybook to help create their own memorable family holiday moments/traditions!
and as a special fun bonus, take advantage of this Holiday Discount!
Hallmark wants to share a holiday gift with my readers – 20% off personalized greetings (minimum purchase $20) at www.hallmark.com. Simply use this discount code: SOCIAL20 (vaild thru 1/1/12)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
<a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”>You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>. **Thank you to Hallmark for generously providing the products for this review & giveaway. I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company in order to conduct an honest review, they did not influence my opinion in any way, all thoughts are my own. This review is my honest opinion of the product(s), I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions included are entirely my own and may differ from that of others. I am not liable for any issues you may incur from use of said product(s). If you have any questions you can contact me or leave a comment.**
The letters to santa mailbox ornament would be a great tradition for my family
Thanks for such a great giveaway!
We like the Barbie ornaments. House full of girly girls here! 🙂
daniellecorrelle @ aol.com (sorry for the anon comment, blogger is giving me trouble)
My favorite tradition is hot cocoa and decorating the tree
This year we’re getting Star Wars and Harry Potter keepsake ornaments. My 4 boys love both!
The ‘Our Christmas Together’ ornament because we just got engaged!
We bought the Polar Express bell for Brady. Would love another! Even the books are cute!
Favorite holiday tradition…..hmmmm….opening 1 present after Christmas Eve church service but before bed!
I’d love the Always Remembered ornament…not to start a tradition but because we don’t have an ornament for the baby we lost almost 3 yrs ago. I haven’t been able to bring myself to physically go out and buy one and the tree just doesn’t feel complete without one for her!
Our favorite Christmas tradition is going to the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass and then letting dd open a present before she goes to bed!
I would love to add the The Story of Christmas Advent Countdown
mframe00@gmail.com
Thank you so.much!! We love Hallmark ornaments! We even did an ornament exchange today at work! It was so fun!
I like the Checking It Twice ornament.