Ensuring your Toy Shopping is Right On Target!

It's that time of year again! It's time to gather your lists, check them twice, and figure out who has been naughty or nice! ;) Whether you are the type of person who loves Christmas shopping or cringes when it is time to head to the stores to shop for your little ones (the crowds don't' help!), there are some simple things you can do to make your experience fun and stress-free!

When it comes to my Christmas shopping, I'm usually a procrastinator. With a busy year like this one has been, it doesn't make matters any easier. This year I tried to get a bit better and do some early shopping (back in July), but realized once mid-November hit that I hadn't done much more than that. So this past week, I have been scurrying around, making lists, and starting my shopping before I'm too late!

When I start my shopping, I usually have an idea of what I'm looking to buy. I have specific criteria I usually follow, especially for my daughter, to make sure the toys I buy are developmentally appropriate. I do a lot of my shopping online (to avoid the craze in the stores and save a bit of money) but I do some in store to try and to try and keep some purchases local. Either way, I have a general idea of what I'm looking for going in, but figure out the exact item I'm going to buy once I'm online or in-store.  I am an planned impulsive shopper - 1/2 and 1/2!

If you are looking for some toy ideas for your little one's this Christmas that are developmentally appropriate and a whole lot of fun, be sure to check out Fisher-Price's Joy of Learning Playtime Guide. You'll also learn about fun playtime activities, playtips and other helpful information!

If you are using the Joy of Learning Playtime Guide to help you decide what to buy for all the little one's in your life, you'll notice that it is categorized into the 3 Pillars of Development. This makes it even easier for your little ones to expand on different developmental skills and for you to understand the toys you are buying and how they help your children. This will help you feel confident that the you are buying toys that are appropriate for your children and ones that they'll love!

Are there any special things you do when planning your Christmas toy shopping to ensure the toys you buy are age and developmentally appropriate, and a hit with your kids?

Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Play Ambassador and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Cruising with a family is possible, fun, and easy!

Tis the season. And no, not just doing your Christmas shopping! This is probably the time of year you are also busy planning your family vacation for somewhere nice and warm!  Who knows, you might even be planning on surprising your family with a cruise vacation on Christmas morning (I know I sure wouldn't mind that!).

If you have been following me on my blog, Twitter, Facebook, and/or Pinterest, you know that recently my family had the amazing opportunity to cruise the Western Caribbean on the Allure of the Seas thanks to Fisher-Price and Royal Caribbean.

This was our first time on a cruise and it gave us the chance to see that cruising as a family is possible, fun, and easy!  If you are planning your family vacation for next year, you'll definitely want to check out all the fun your whole family can have on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, thanks to great partnerships with companies like Fisher-Price. Stop by to read my article titled, Experiencing the Joy of Learning with Fisher-Price on Royal Caribbean.

In the next little while, I will be posting an article here on Everything Up Close outlining more about our experience. Not to spoil the read, but, it was amazing and I'd definitely do it again!

Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Play Ambassador and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Winners (a delayed draw)

Somehow the winners of this giveaway got lost in the shuffle, so I have to apologize. But, I am finally excited to announce that the winner of the Touch and Feel Books Giveaway courtesy of DK Publishing has been chosen!  Please check the Everything Up Close Winner's List to see if you were the lucky winner!

Remember, the winner must email me within 1 week of this announcement to claim their prize.  Winners who do not contact me within this time frame will no longer be eligible and I will have to choose another winner.

If you didn't win this time, please try again next time - and participate in the bonus entries to earn even more chances to win! 

Thank you for entering and for being a reader of Everything Up Close! If you haven't already, make sure to follow Everything Up Close on Twitter and Everything Up Close on Facebook to make sure you don't miss out on future articles, events, giveaways, and more!