holiday gift guide 2013 Archives - Have Sippy Will Travel

Hershey Holiday Fun

December 24, 2013 by Samantha 1 Comment

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

When looking for those perfect holiday gifts, why not attack your loves ones through their sweet tooth with the perfect stocking stuffer Hershey’s. Not only do Hershey’s candies make great socking stuffers, but they also make a great add on to a gift or a gift itself to those who are difficult to shop for. What better gift to get a choco-holic then chocolate?

Their current holiday collection includes:

Hershey’s® Collection Pretzels

Hershey’s® Collection Almond Clusters

Hershey’s® Kisses® Milk Chocolates Gifting Canister

Twizzlers® Tree Shaped Cherry Candy King Size

Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cup Cane

Jolly Rancher® Cane

Bubble Yum® Cane
[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, review Tagged With: candy, Hershey candy, Hershey chocolate, Hershey Holiday Fun, holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Toys

December 23, 2013 by Samantha Leave a Comment

My son loves Power Ranger Toys. He is a little young for the TV show, being only 6, but he loves the toys and games and playing with them with his friends. My little brother used to love this show as a kid- I remember that going to get one of these toys during a “holiday craze” was my first experience of adults acting like lunatics during the holidays. I rode my bike to the local Toys R Us, and waited in a long, long line one cold morning to get him the red and blue rangers. I was so shocked when the doors opened and people were trampling each other to grab one, I almost forgot to go get some myself! (And yes, mission successful! LOL)

This year, the Power Rangers celebrate 20 years of teamwork, action, adventure and entertaining children and the newest season of Power Rangers Megaforce, airing Saturdays on Nickelodeon, is currently the #1 kids’ action series. Since its inception in 1993 with the iconic Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series, the brand has been recognized throughout the world for its exciting and humorous adventures that include ordinary teenagers who “morph” into superheroes and call upon their robotic Zords and Megazords in their fight against evil. Now in its 20th season, Saban Brands is marking this anniversary with the launch of a Power Rangers Megaforce all-new live action TV series, which will air on Nickelodeon and will feature new Rangers, Zords, Megazords, villains, explosions, special Power Cards, and the comeback of many historic Rangers for the ultimate battle to save the world.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: kids, review, toys Tagged With: holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, power ranger planes, power ranger toys, power rangers, toys

Travel Well With Always- Prize Pack Giveaway

December 23, 2013 by Samantha 82 Comments

As most of you know, I am a fairly constant traveler. My son and I are always off to somewhere, and packing has gotten down to a science. What goes where, how to pack the least while getting the most out of it, and to avoid checking baggage (both because of the fees and because they don’t always get where they are going. Airlines….sigh.)

Packing up

My son takes his own backpack, filled with toys and snacks to keep him occupied throughout the flights, I take my computer bag, and we both take our carry-ons. In my computer bag, which goes under the seat in front of me, I always keep a book or two, my toothbrush, deodorant, and a few individually wrapped pantyliners. I like to get off the plane not feeling all kinds of gross.

Don’t check your bag until you’ve checked to ensure you have the essentials!
With over 1.6 billion people traveling each holiday season, holiday travel can be filled with unexpected delays, long flight and cramped seats, putting you in sticky situations where you wished you had an essential item to keep you feeling your best.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: giveaway, review Tagged With: always panty liners, holiday gifr guide, holiday gift guide 2013, suitcase, travel

Build a Bear Holiday Fun

December 23, 2013 by Samantha 2 Comments

I recently took my son out for a day in New York City. Being only a few miles away, we go into the city often, but there is something special about the holiday season in the city.

I wanted to bring my son to see all the “traditional” holiday sights in the city- Macy’s window displays, the tree in Rockefeller center, ice skating in Central Park, and of course the highlight of the day would be F.A.O Schwarz, toy store extraordinaire.

He was small last time he saw the Macy’s windows, so he had a great time endlessly walking from one to the next and delighted to see what was inside each one. We also went upstairs to “Santaland”, where he not only visited, but also looked at the “extra” window display from “Miracle on 34th Street” the classic holiday movie. We had just watched it the night before, so he really enjoyed it and loved telling me which part came from where in the movie, and telling me about the scenes. (Since of course, I didn’t watch it with him or anything like that.)

He loved seeing all the lights, displays, and of course the giant tree that NYC has to show off during this festive season. He has not been to FAO during Christmas time ever, so this was a surprise for him and he was thrilled. The store was bustling, quite crowded, and full of shoppers and tourists alike. As a six year old, being in the most famous toy store in the world at Christmastime was almost too much to bear, and he bounced around from one area of the superstore to the next before deciding he wanted to go to the new Build a Bear Workshop now in the store.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: review Tagged With: build a bear, Build a Bear Holiday Fun, christmas in NYC, holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013, NYC, NYC holidays

Give a Gift That Is Guaranteed to be Re-gifted… up to Nine Times!

December 21, 2013 by Samantha 3 Comments

Heifer International Offers Perfect Last-Minute Livestock-ing Stuffers. Most people dread knowing their gifts have been re-gifted. At Heifer, not only do we expect it, we know the more times our gifts are passed around, the better.

By giving the gift of a cow, or a sheep, or a goat, you will be the first in a chain of giving that can positively affect eight additional families in need. Each family that receives an animal passes on the offspring of the animal they received, helping transform their entire community. We call it Passing on the Gift®, and it’s the hallmark of our model. When you give today, you can have up to nine times the impact in ending hunger and poverty.

So if you’re still searching for the perfect gift for the person who has everything, consider. Heifer International. It’s a thoughtful and easy way to show you care: charitable gifts of animals and resources that will help families around the world to lift themselves out of poverty.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: holidays Tagged With: holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013

Mega Bloks Skylanders Swap Force

December 19, 2013 by Samantha 9 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate the review. All opinions are my own and honest.

Mega Bloks are at it again with their newest video game tie in for Skylanders :Swap Force. Mega Bloks are the makes of brick based construction sets for little ones much like other block building sets, but the key difference is the figures are a bit different. They are less block y and more movable. Each figure has multiple points of articulation, they can move any which way you want. Arms and legs have ball joints making more realistic motion available. So Flynn can break dance, bust a move or just fight some bad guys. Each set sports at least one figure which is nice. The one we are looking at today is: Flynn’s Rescue Ship.

Flynn’s ship sports 3 figures, the main ship itself as well as a separate flying mast which can be used to transport characters back and forth to and from various other sets or just the living room table. The ship itself has two levels of play available, above and below deck. Above deck has a working crane, and landing area. Below deck has a firing launcher from a hide away spot and an intricate looking engine. Along with the figures and vehicles, there are also a ton of accessories to complete the setting, like wenches, hammers, chests to plunder, barrels to break while looking for loot and even a stand for one of the figures, Magna Charge. The stand helps keep the wheeled figure from falling over while also looking like he/she is ripping up the ground getting ready to speed off. Also since Magna Charge is a Swap Force character he can easily be separated in two and swapped with other Mega Bloks Swap Force figures to further extend play time.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: review, toys Tagged With: holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013, megablocks, review, skylanders, toys

Great Toys for Christmas

December 19, 2013 by Samantha 1 Comment

Disclosure- I received the below in order to complete reviews. All opinions are my own and honest. For more info, see the “I Disclose” tab.

Looking for last minute holiday toys and gifts?

So many people wait until the last minute- but that’s OK- there are some great finds and sales to be had this week.

Some of my favorites are;

Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ninja Control Shellraiser

My son loves this new vehicle, which has all the bells and whistles and has been dubbed “so cool”. The Turtles figurines can really ride on it, and it fits in really well with the rest of the set if you have a little collector. Side note- daddy had a lot of fun playing Turtles with my 6 year old as well. He played with the “old school” version when he was a kid, and we still have some of the oldies floating around the house. “Drive the Turtles into their next battle with this new, full-function remote control vehicle. From rail-riding to street-surfing, Donatello’s customized combat creation packs a powerful punch. With the green team all aboard, the Turtles will cream the Kraang with a frenzy of fast-firing sewer covers! This vehicle comes with full-steering remote-control action, as well as the ability to control the rapid-fire sewer-cover cannon. Compatible with most Turtles basic action figures (sold separately).” $49.99, most toy stores and online as well.

Peter Rabbit DVD and Gift Set

Based on the classic Beatrix Potter tales that are now a new TV show which has become a favorite for many kids (and will be in your home if you have missed it thus far) the Peter Rabbit set not only features episodes from the TV series, but also some activities to keep your little bunny hopping. This is great to take along when you travel or to have on hand for sick days or snow days, or even to bring along to grandma’s house. The included puzzle and crayon pack is perfect for keeping little hands busy instead of getting into trouble in the garden. Exclusively at Walmart for $20

“Welcome to the Lake District, home to Peter Rabbit and his pals, Benjamin Bunny and Lily Bobtail. Tag along with this intrepid trio on exciting adventures that teach valuable skills like reasoning, problem solving and the value of friendship. Nickelodeon’s Peter Rabbit, a modern take on Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters and locations – and some new ones as well – will have you cheering along with his pals in the first episodes from the series. Peter Rabbit is a high-stakes, humorous, heartfelt series that will bring back childhood memories for those familiar with the classic series, and help make new ones for a whole new generation. Plus, this gift set also includes a Color-Your-Own Puzzle and Crayons Pack!”
[Read more…]

Filed Under: review, toys Tagged With: Christmas toys, Great Toys for Christmas, holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2013, holiday toys

Peppa Pig is Here to Bring Holiday Cheer

December 18, 2013 by Samantha 5 Comments

Disclosure- I received some of these products in order to complete this review. All opinions are my own and honest.

My son loves Peppa Pig. The TV show is one of his favorites, and he can tune in on Nick Jr. daily. When the first Peppa Pig toys came out, he was psyched. Nothing is better then playing with your favorite characters and acting out the mischief they get into (and making up some of your own). Truth be told, as much as he likes Peppa, he likes Daddy Pig more- he snorts WAY louder. He also likes her baby brother George, because he throws toys, spaghetti, and hides from Peppa (which really peeves her). So, the boys have it, according to my son.

Bedtime Peppa ($26.99, available at Toys R Us) This soft and cuddly plush doll from Fisher-Price sings a sweet lullaby and lights up as she counts sheep. Bedtime Peppa Pig has cheeks that light up red, as well as she will sing lullaby songs, snort, and talk to you when you press her tummy. She even has her own blankie (which is sewn to her so it can’t be lost, thus avoiding bedtime tantrums).

Muddy Puddles Bathtime Peppa ($12.99, available at Toys R Us) Kiddos can clean up in the tub alongside Peppa and George with this fun new bath toy from Fisher Price. Includes a bathtub caddy that sticks on tub walls.

If your child is familiar with Peppa, you know the “Muddy Puddles” theme. There are plenty of shows about jumping in them, making muddy messes, and the toys, books, DVDs, and now new bath toys run the same gamut. Kids like mud? Who would have thought. The Muddy Puddles Bathtime Peppa Pig toys are cute- Peppa and George are covered in mud, and need a bath. When you put them in warm water, the mud “disappears”. The bathtub has suction cups on the side to stick to the bathtub wall, and a hole in the bottom to drain the water out.

Peek N Surprise Playhouse ($34.99 available at Toys R US) Come over to Peppa’s house for a playdate full of sweet surprises. This portable, four-room playhouse opens to reveal a home filled with fun transforming furniture – switch the sink from messy to clean, fill the tub for a bubble bath, set the family table for dinner time and much more! The playhouse includes over 15 play pieces and folds closed for easy clean up. Peppa and George figures are included for playtime fun. It comes with 2 piggies, and you can get extra characters to go with it as well. It opens up into a house, but everything (furniture, characters, etc) fits neatly inside and folds shut for easy on-the-go carrying. Yes, it even has a handle to make it extra easy to take along.
[Read more…]