Looking forward to Christmas with Hallmark

The Christmas adverts have started taking over our TVs and towns across the country are switching on their lights and piping Christmas songs into the shops to get us all into the festive spirit.  With just weeks to go until the big day, I am starting to make lists and get myself organised.  Buying gifts and cards takes up a big part of my to-do-list.

With friends and family that I won't get to see over Christmas, I like to send a card to show I am thinking of them.  This year Hallmark have a range of cards with added razzle dazzle that are bound to add some sparkle to your Christmas message.  With glittering golds and reds and fabulously glitzy, contemporary designs, the range, which includes cards and gift wrapping is perfect for spreading the Christmas spirit. Razzle Dazzle cards start at £2.25.

The Hallmark luxury range have some quality cards with 3D embellishments and are dusted with Christmas sparkle.  The designs really make an impression and the Luxury Boxed cards are £8 for a box of five.  I love the golden dove design, which is simple but classy and the star covered envelope is really lovely.

The Ruby Frost signature range are exclusive to Hallmark.  They have engraved and embossed designs on a white background and are finished with a red ribbon and red wording. They look very sophisticated.  The cards come designed for the special people in your life and feature a short verse
.

There is a fun, budget range of cards in the Just Dotty range that means you can send a Christmas message to someone special for just 79p.  The simple but effective design sees wording written in a colourful font printed against a bright red background and looks perfectly festive.  They are a great value way to send a special card this year to your sister, daughter, husband etc.

You can find these products in Hallmark stores. Take a look online at hallmark.co.uk where there is currently a 50 % off code to use against boxed cards so you can grab yourself a bargain!


Hallmark sent me some of their range to send out this Christmas!

Cardooo - Cards Full of Fun!

Sending greetings cards is always a nice gesture, letting people know you are thinking of them on their special day. However, after they have been admired for a few days they generally get consigned to the recycling bin.  Not with Cardooo!  A brand new concept - the card that you can 'do' that comes with a lot more 'ooo'!

Cardooo are cards for all occasions, filled with stories, activities, fun facts and games, bringing an interactive experience where children can have fun and learn.  While children enjoy their cards, their inventive minds will be developing their numeracy and literacy skills without even realising.  In a world of technology, it is a lovely way for kids to engage with the written word in a positive way, and see the joy in books.

The Cardooo cards are little card sized booklets that fit into a standard envelope and can be posted with a first class stamp in the UK.  Inside you will find fold out pages, sticker sheets, colouring pages, wordsearches, puzzles, stories and more.  It's an excellent idea and at £3.50 they are no more expensive than some birthday cards.  I received a selection to take a look at:  an age card, a story card and a Christmas card.

Cardooo do age cards for children aged 3-7 featuring exciting themes such as pirates, the jungle, pets, trains, knights and mermaids.  Inside you will find loads of activities based around the theme and the age number, as well as a space to write a personal message.  Take a look at the video below showing you what is inside the Trains Cardooo card for 5 year olds.

                            


The Story Cards are great for confident readers who will love reading the retelling of  a favourite classic such as Puss in Boots over twelve pages.  Anything that helps ignite a love of books and improves literacy is a fabulous idea.  The stories are illustrated with some quirky, fun drawings.  The Story Cards are perfect for any occasion and are a lovely keepsake.

                              


Ivy, the Christmas Fairy is the star of this seasonal offering from Cardooo.  The card has a glittery finish and quirky illustrations.  The booklet is filled with fun Christmas activities.  Kids get to colour in a feast, decorate a Christmas tree with stickers and write their own little note with a Christmas Wish to pop into a magical little envelope.  It brings some lovely, festive, interactive fun to the traditional Christmas card.





                              


There are loads of different designs available for all occasions. They even have some licensed Doctor Who cards for dedicated Whovians and fans of the show!

Delivery is free (for the UK) and the price of £3.50 is standard across all the Cardooo cards.  There are designs for all ages and all occasions and they are an original patented design so you know you are giving something unique and special.

Find out more and order Cardooo cards at www.cardooo.com

The Nick Jr Card-o-Matic - Free Festive Fun!

Little ones can make their own e-cards for the special people in their lives with the new free Nick Jr Card-o-Matic.  The  wonderfully animated Card-o-Matic machine is so easy to use and features all the Nick Jr favourites including  Ben & Holly, Dora and Peppa.  Kids will love watching as their designed card goes through the virtual online machine before being delivered onto the festive mantelpiece.  From there, they can be emailed or printed out and given in person.

It's as simple as this to make your own personalised e-card with the Nick Jr Card-o-Matic!

1:  Go to www.nickjr.co.uk/create/cardomatic.

2:  Choose between creating your own card, picking a ready made design or a picking colour in card.

3:  Select the character you want in your card.. Peppa Pig, Dora, Ben & Holly, Team Umizoomi or Bubble Guppies.

4:   Enter the 'to' and 'from' details and pick a font and colour scheme.

5:  Upload a photo and pick a frame.

6:  Personalise the card using the character kit.  Choose characters and scenes to personalise the front of your card.

7:  Watch as it wings its way onto the mantlepiece ready to be printed or emailed.

Here is one that Freddy made with me including a photograph on the front cover!

Have some free festive fun with your little ones with the Nick Jr Card-O-Matic....they will love it!

Last Call for Photo Gifts!

Tomorrow is the last day for ordering cards, calendars, T-Shirts and prints before Christmas from Bonusprint.  So if you want any personalised gifts act quick!!

The Bonusprint site is easy to navigate with lots of great personalised gifts to choose from.  I love giving gifts to loved ones that feature my kids' faces!  This year our Christmas card has Freddy on the front.

It is a lovely A5 card printed on thick card and includes an envelope.  There are lots of borders to choose from including New Year's ones. You can personalise the text inside the card too, a godsend if you are sending lots and don't like writing them all out individually!  Cards start at just 55p each and are suitable for all occasions, not just Christmas.