Poor Santa will continue, but with some [...]]]> Due to some technical problems, and a busy schedule, PoorSanta.com didn’t get too much attention once the season actually hit. My primary blog  Blommi.com, is still being updated almost daily.  It actually covers many of the topics covered here at PoorSanta, only without the limitation of a holiday theme.  

Poor Santa will continue, but with some changes.  Please vote in the poll in the sidebar, or leave me a comment below.

These 2 coupon codes are good through November [...]]]> I have been scouring the net for some fun toys that are powered by the creativity and energy of kids (no batteries or plugs).  These a good old fashioned child powered toys.  Kazoo Toys in particular had a nice selection, and currently has a sale going on.

These 2 coupon codes are good through November 23rd.
$10 off 50 with coupon code: 10502009
$25 off 100 with coupon code: 251002009

If you are planning a larger purchase this code would be better:
Save 20% on your purchase of $200 or more with Coupon Code: CJ0920 Expires 11/20/09.

Here are my picks:

The Original Rody Horse is sort of a cross between a hippity hop ball and a rocking horse. This toy is wonderful for building core strength and sensory integration.  I just got one for my own daughter, for Christmas.  It is recommended for children age 2-5 years.  There is a larger “Rody Max” also available, which can accommodate age 5 to adult.  Rody is made in Italy, so it meets the higher European toy standards.

Rody Ride On Horse

Pictured here is Groovy Girl Libbi & Louie by Manhattan Toy (yes the dog comes with her ).  If you are tired of the suggestive clothing on several popular doll lines, perhaps you would like the “Groovy Girls”.  Their bodies are velour with embroidered features.  Each reasonably priced doll, comes with a complete outfit, and more fashions are available.

The Quercetti Super Saxoflute is another Italian made toy that I’ve purchased for my daughter this year. It is made of unbreakable ABS plastic and includes 24 pieces (2 mouthpieces, 2 trumpet ends and 20 twisting tubes). Quercetti also makes several other sets that can combine with this. I feel much more comfortable with toys produced in the EU, over those made in China. Europe is actually stricter about the safety of toys and plastics, than the U.S.

The Treehouse Playset by Melissa & Doug looks like tons of fun. This wood multi-level treehouse, comes with 2 play figures, a relaxing hammock, porch swing, table with two chairs, playful trap door and pulley-operated systems.

I also love the Deluxe Magic Set by Melissa & Doug.  This one is far beyond my daughter.  It is recommended for ages 8 and up, but seems like a quality set.

I also like the Educo kitchen set offered here, but it can be purchased  for less elsewhere.  All the items above are competetively priced, prior to factoring in the coupon codes, but can of course be found elsewhere as well.  The selection at Kazoo Toys is certainly worth checking out, no matter where you end out making your purchases.

In celebration of this weekend’s opening of Disney’s A Christmas Carol in IMAX theaters, IMAX is sponsoring a giveaway.   Enter here to win a prize pack that consists of one Disney’s A Christmas Carol poster and one book, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol: Movie Storybook.”  This is a cross blog giveaway, but there are only a small [...]]]>

In celebration of this weekend’s opening of Disney’s A Christmas Carol in IMAX theaters, IMAX is sponsoring a giveaway.   Enter here to win a prize pack that consists of one Disney’s A Christmas Carol poster and one book, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol: Movie Storybook.”  This is a cross blog giveaway, but there are only a small handful participating.

To Enter:

First you need to become a Facebook fan of Imax.  http://www.facebook.com/IMAX

Then leave a comment here telling me who your favorite character in the Christmas Carol is.  That’s all there is too it.  Ends Wednesday November 11th, 11:59 ET.

There will be more chances to win movie swag  at the twitter party Resourceful Mom is hosting tomorrow night (Thurs. Nov 5th), from 9-10 pm ET.  The hashtag #XmasIMAX will be used for this event. RSVP here: http://bit.ly/3zUrak

Imax will also have opportunities to win prizes this weekend via their Facebook page, as well.

After Halloween Deals

$ Grab up remaining halloween candy.  You can get a great deal on chocolates, and no one will be the wiser when they are chopped up in holiday desserts & [...]]]> There can be considerable benefits to starting your holiday planning now.  Start thinking Frugal Christmas, now… and you won’t miss some great opportunities to save.

After Halloween Deals

$ Grab up remaining halloween candy.  You can get a great deal on chocolates, and no one will be the wiser when they are chopped up in holiday desserts & cookies.

 $ Many halloween candies are not individually marked as such.  Pop them in the back of the freezer and they will make stocking stuffer fillers.

  $  If you are a fan of “The Nightmare before Christmas”, start planning a themed Christmas party now.  Gummie worms & those foil covered chocolates, that look like eyeballs ,will never be cheaper. Some halloween props, like cauldrons and mummy wraps, will actually work for the theme. 

  $  Angel and Elf costumes might be found in the clearance racks now.

Right now stores are trying to moved this stuff out as quickly as possible and cutting prices drastically.

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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.

I just came across a great offer from Kodak Gallery.  When you sign-up on their site, the company emails you a code worth $15 toward anything in their product catalogue.  This code could cover the cost of Christmas cards, or a specialized gift for a loved one.  Postcard style cards from Kodak are generally 10 [...]]]>

I just came across a great offer from Kodak Gallery.  When you sign-up on their site, the company emails you a code worth $15 toward anything in their product catalogue.  This code could cover the cost of Christmas cards, or a specialized gift for a loved one.  Postcard style cards from Kodak are generally 10 for $4.99-$6.99 and folded ones start at $1.49 each.  Under $15 choices for gifts include:  select photo mugs, ornaments, T-shirts, photobook or mousepad.  The discount would also provide a nice deal on more substantial gifts, such as,  keepsake boxes, photo pillows or calendars.  The offer is being done in 3 waves starting Oct 20th, 29th and Nov 6th (100,00 codes in each wave).  Although this sounds like a lot, I am sure this offer will become popular very quickly.  Once the $15 codes in each wave are exhausted, sign-ups will be given 40% off codes.

Once you get code in email, you will have til end of the month to validate it.  The validated code, will add the credit on your account and will then have no expiration date.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/kodak-free-photo-gift.jsp

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 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.

Chocolate Covered Butter Cookies Recipe

Basic Butter Cookies (Double  Dough Batch):

2 cups softened butter (I use salted, if you use unsalted add a 1/2 tsp of salt to recipe)

1 1/3 cup of granulated sugar 

3  lg. egg yolks

2 tsp vanilla extract

4 3/4 cups flour

1. Preheat oven to [...]]]> Here the basic butter cookie is elevated to a luxurious treat, by sathering it with chocolate.

Chocolate Covered Butter Cookies Recipe

Basic Butter Cookies (Double  Dough Batch):

2 cups softened butter (I use salted, if you use unsalted add a 1/2 tsp of salt to recipe)

1 1/3 cup of granulated sugar 

3  lg. egg yolks

2 tsp vanilla extract

4 3/4 cups flour

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Cream butter & sugar (and salt if needed) at high speed.  (Use a large bowl this is a double batch of dough)

3. Add vanilla and yolks. Beat til smooth.

4. Turn mixer down to slow speed and slowly add flour, just til mixed in.

5. Separate dough into 2 or 3 manageable sized balls, for rolling out.

6. Lightly flour your counter and roll out dough  to about 1/4″ and cut your shapes.

7.  Place on Parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for approximately 12-13  minutes.  (if you don’t use parchment cookies will cook a minute or 2 faster).

8. Let cookies rest a couple minutes, before removing from baking sheet, to avoid breakage.

Chocolate Coating:

The chocolate used on these cookies is basically just a thick ganache.

8 oz. semi sweet baking chocolate squares

2 1/2  tbs of milk

1.  Chop the chocolate into smaller pieces to speed melting.

2. Combine milk and chocolate in microwavesafe dish.

3. Heat chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds, then stir with fork.  Repeat, until the chocolate mixes smoothly (it will still be a little thick).  Add a little milk if you need, but do so sparingly.

4. Let Chocolate sit for a couple minutes, just til not steaming hot.

5. Place cookie flat down on chocolate.  With smaller cookies, twisting while lifting may give you a nice swirled effect.  Larger cookies will probably require the chocolate be spread out with icing spatula or the back of a spoon.  (You can sprinkle nuts or crushed candy cane on at this point if you like).

6.  The cookies will need several hours to “set-up”.  I usually leave them overnight.

The chocolate will not be enough to cover all the cookies, as it is a single batch recipe and the dough is a double recipe.  I usually serve the plain butter cookies along side the chocolate covered ones as shown here, or use half the dough for another cookie style.