Every year I vow to have at least half of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving…and every year I fail miserably. Sadly, this year is no different. As most of you know by now, I’m a major procrastinator. The mere thought of aggressive holiday shoppers, traffic jams, full parking lots, and Black Friday frenzy creates a wave of anxiety for me. I find myself asking who does this? Is it really worth it? Are people really standing in line at 3AM to get the latest video game? Why wouldn’t everyone just stay at home and shop online?
That being said, I’ve recently discovered one huge motivator to get me out the door: FREE money.
A few weeks ago, Borders contacted us to experience their new and expanded Toys and Games section of their store by giving us a $100 gift card. Wow! Francesca, in true friend style, let me have it so that I could cross some names off of my holiday list.
The first thing I noticed when I entered Borders was a major overhaul and makeover of the store. They seemed to have expanded not only their toys and gifts section, but also their office supplies and stationary section. There are some amazingly cute gift bags and all kinds for fancy shmancy wrapping paper.
With Emi in tow, it took her no more than 5.6 seconds to find the Toys and Gifts section. It’s much larger than it used to be in our San Francisco store. There are shelves and shelves of puzzles, games, and Legos, in addition to all of their great children’s books.
The first two things Emi reached for were the Melissa and Doug puzzle sets. I heart Melissa and Doug puzzles for all their handmade goodness and heirloom qualities. It just so happened that all of their Melissa and Doug wooden toys were buy one, get one half off. Yippee!
Here’s a look at our loot from our shopping excursion. I’ll admit that I did it in two trips. Note to self: taking a two year old to shop for other children during dinner time = grouchy mom and patrons.
The staff at Borders were very helpful and extremely accommodating. They helped me find age appropriate games (Hello Kitty memory!) and told me about promotions to help make the most of my gift card. Best of all, they lent a hand and put my toys at the register so I could shop and watch (aka run after) Emi.
The moral of my story: solo shopping = productive shopping and Borders is now a great alternative when shopping for toys and games.
More importantly, Borders has provided Francesca and I with two $100 gift cards to giveaway on our site.
Sharing is caring, friends.
To enter: Simply visit Borders Toys & Games and leave a comment telling us what game or toy you remember playing with as a kid. Why it would be a good choice for kids today?
This giveaway will be open until Thursday December 3 at 9PM EST. We will announce the winner on Friday December 4, 2009. Good Luck!
Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
The legos for me and my kids, they were always great growing up…
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I love scrabble! It’s fun & good for building vocabulary.
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I have always loved Scrabble and it’s perfect for kids today to teach spelling, learning new words and being creative.
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I remember playing with a chemistry set, like the one listed on the site. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Two of my sisters and my favorite games were Operation (great hand and eye coordination) and Pig Pong (also hand, eye coordination…and lots of giggles!)
Thanks for the chance!
Stephanie´s last blog ..The Christmas Glass by Marci Alborghetti
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I use to love playing candyland and old maid
I think its still a good game as it helps kids to learn how to count, colors and more
Thank you so much for giving me a chance to be a winner
camper223[at]live[dot]com
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Scrabble&it is great for today’s kid,teaches new words!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
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I’d have to go with Legos. Our daughter is still playing with Legos that WE had as kids, and they never get old!
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I always liked those tv toys with the moving picture and music that you wind up with a button. I saw them again at target the last time I went and am thinking about getting one for my twins. It seems like something they would really enjoy
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I remember playing (and loving) the game Memory (which is similar to the game S’Match on Borders’ site) as a kid, and I really do think it stands the test of time — it teaches abstract thinking and really instills the skill of keeping images and memories in mind, which I think are great abilities to practice. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
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I remember playing Rush Hour – it was so fun and it would be great for kids today because of the educational value in addition to the fun aspect! Thanks!
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I remember playing with science kits my mom would buy me from toysrus. I think these type of toys are great learning tools and show that science can be fun. I would buy the Magic Science Wizard’s Kit as a christmas gift.
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I remember playing a lot of Scrabble as a kid.
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I never had a kit like borders does, but I remember playing with homemade Sock Puppets as a kid.
Larry (cakeblast)´s last blog ..Skin MD Giveaway Concludes!
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Shoots and Ladders all the way.
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We used to have marathon games of Monopoly that would last a few hours each day for about a week!
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Scrabble! It is good for today because it teaches new words and spelling.
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trivia pursuit was always huge in our household
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I remember having a bead making kit as a kid and I saw some at Borders the other day. I think it is a great gift to be creative & make something!
tuesday´s last blog ..Vtech Jungle Gym Ride & Learn Bike Review & {Giveaway}
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Legos are fun and encourage creativity.
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My sister and I used to love playing “beauty parlor” when we were young. I see Borders has the Magnificent Manicure Kit combing the fun of beauty parlor play with science! How great.
Tammy´s last blog ..FIRST Wild Card Tour: The Christmas Kitchen
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I remember playing Candyland and Scrabble.
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I loved puzzles as a kid. The more pieces the more challenging. I think it would help kids today become more calm, focused and patient in the era of Impatience.
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I remember playing with Lincoln logs. It was so much fun.
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I grow up playing with Lego. I would spend hours building things.
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I remember playin wth Legoes. They would be a good toy for today’s chilldren becaise they they encourage creativuty.
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I remember playing Memory, and it’s still good for kids today (and adults!) to make those brain connections and build or keep a healthy brain.
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I remember playing with legos. They still are great toys.
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Legos!! They inspire creativity and spark the imagination. My daughter loves building castles with hers.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
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when i was a child we played a lot of monopoly. it’s good to learn how to count money and keep track of money.
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I would pick Scrabble. It’s great for kids vocabulary, and to also learn meanings of words as well.
sweeps4us(at)gmail(dot)com
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I remember playing with shrinky dinks! Too fun, plus you get to learn the science of shrinky dink. Cool!
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I remember playing with my American Girl Doll!! I love the Make Your Own Sock Puppet kit from their site!
Cassie
cjm92995@yahoo.com
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Life and Candyland were always fun! Recently bought Life again and it is still fun.
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I loved Chutes and Ladders!
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I remember playing with American Girl Doll Molly and it was fun reading about her adventures. Those books and dolls are still good for kids now.
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I loved playing operation as a kid
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I remember playing Candyland
Miranda Allen´s last blog ..***GiveAway*** HField Wi-Fire Wifi Booster
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I loved playing operations with my brothers and sisters!
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Uhhhh…just curious…how will you decide which of the 538 comments are worthy of a gift card? Random drawing? Funniest comment? Most sincere? Remembering the laughs we had at Camp Loma Mar? Jolt Cola costume buddies? “Party Animal” buddies? Someone who let you clean my room once? How? Wow, you have a really tough job in choosing the two winners. Didn’t we play a game of “Life” together once? Just kidding…….kinda.
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I loved playing connect 4 as a kid. I’m interested in the new connect 4 and wondering how it works.
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I would purchase family games so the whole family could spend time together having fun!
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I love scrabble! It’s fun & good for building vocabulary.
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rajee´s last blog ..Reminder – 9 fabulous giveaways that end on December 5, 7 & 8, 2009
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Brings back wonderful memories of my Granny she was big on board games!
Cathy
Cathy´s last blog ..January 2010 Registration Open
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I love the finger crayons. I remember drawing with them when I was little. I think that they are sturdy enough for my 2 and a half year old twin sons. I also LOVE everything Melissa and Doug!
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I think scrabble is a great game and it helps kids build their vocabulary and work on spelling.
Angela P´s last blog ..FREE Aveeno Tote
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