The first two bargains I found are directly from the Step2 website.  They currently have the “Fairy Wonderland” wooden playset  marked down from $49.99  to $19.99.  The Step2 site also has a Pirate Ship Playset discounted [...]]]>  I have found some good deals on Step2 toys, which include free shipping (essential since Step2 toys are often heavy).   

The first two bargains I found are directly from the Step2 website.  They currently have the “Fairy Wonderland” wooden playset  marked down from $49.99  to $19.99.  The Step2 site also has a Pirate Ship Playset discounted $52.99  to $26.49. 

The rest of the deals are from Meijer.com.  They have several Step2 items on sale or clearance, are currently offering a $10 off coupon code and free shipping on orders over $75.  The discount code is : UPICK09

Two of the play kitchens here are particularly good bargains right now: 

 The 50’s Diner play kitchen $149.99 is priced $125 – $10 (coupon code) = $115 . 

The Lifestyle Party Time Kitchen $159.99 is currently marked $131 – $10 (coupon code) = $121

Considerably less than these play kitchens are priced at most online retailers, most of which are not including free shipping.

If you live in an area where your kids can still play outside regularly in the winter months.  You might want to grab the deal on the Naturally Playful Lookout Treehouse $149.99 now at $99 – $10 (coupon code) = $89

Meijer also has a good price on the Step2 Action Train Table reg. $79.99 now $49.00.  You will need to add more to your order to utilize the free shipping discount, but there are many other toys on sale and clearance, as well.  I doubt it will be a problem to find a nice filler item or two.

 PoorSanta.com is one of [...]]]>  
“Where the Wild Things Are” was one of my favorite books as a child, so I am quite excited to be involved in this contest. Enter below to not only see this incredible new film for free, but get some great movie related swag , even the book we all remember from childhood.

 PoorSanta.com is one of a select number of Momfluence Network blogs offering readers an exclusive chance to win one of two “Where the Wild Things Are” Prize Packs.  The winners will be selected from the combined entries of participating blogs. 

The Where the Wild Things Are Prize Pack contains:

-          A pair of IMAX movie tickets

-          Where the Wild Things Are book

-          An adult Where the Wild Things Are t-shirt (L or XL)

-          A kids Where the Wild Things Are t-shirt (size large)

-          A Where the Wild Things Are Crown

-          An exclusive Where the Wild Things Are IMAX poster

To be entered to win you must first become a  fan on the IMAX Facebook Page. 

Then fill out this  Entry Form .

The contest ends on Friday Oct. 23rd at 11:59 pm ET, and is open to all U.S. residents 18+ years of age.

For even more chances to win tickets and “Where the Wild Things Are” swag, join the Where the Wild Things Are Twitter party on Monday October 19th from 9-10 pm ET.  We will be tweeting with the hashtag #IMAXWildThings.  Resourceful Mommy will have an RSVP page available prior to the party. 

Good Luck, and I will see you at the Party.

Below [...]]]> While searching for interesting inexpensive gifts, I came across the site Ten Thousand Villages.  It is a site which sells unique items handmade by disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries.  Ten Thousand Villiages is a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association, and sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for the artisans and their families.

Below are a few of the more interesting finds I came across on the site.

Peace Dove Cinnamon Box

I have owned a box similar to this one for about a decade now (and I picked it up second hand, so who knows how old it really is).  Even after all the years I’ve had it, when I open it up, the scent of cinnamon is still strong.  It makes for a nice pick me up, and my toddler just loves to sniff it.  At $10 it seems like a great pick for a holiday gift, especially since it has the peace dove on it.http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/peace-dove-cinnamon-box

Matchbox Retablo Ornament

This tiny Peruvian retablo nativity is made with plaster figures in a painted matchbox & includes a special gift card telling how it was made.  Although it is small it packs a lot of novelty at the small price of  $6. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/matchbox-retablo-ornament

 Embroidered Aceh Purse

This stunning and unique handbag is produced by artisans in a refugee camp in Aceh province in Sumatra, using traditional embroidery techniques.  These people were displaced by the tsunami of December 2004.  The bag sells for $44. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/embroidered-aceh-purse

Shipping costs for items are very typical for size and weight.  There are also 4 soon to be 5 brick and mortar stores, as well as, local festivals that sell these goods to benefit their organizations.  Locations can be found on the website.