Spend the Holidays Watching Movies with Family on Netflix (Giveaway)

According to new research from Netflix and Leger Marketing, watching movies is amongst the top five holiday traditions in Canada. Nearly half of those surveyed (47 per cent)—and 58 per cent of households with children—reported that they watching movies together is part of their holiday tradition. Holiday dinners, cooking, baking and shopping were also listed as top family traditions.

I know my holiday season isn't complete unless I watch Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (the cartoon, not the Jim Carrey version), and I can't wait for Hannah to watch with me for the first time this year. However, with my subscription to Netflix I know I will be watching a lot more movies than just the Grinch this holiday season.

Netflix is the world's leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV programs. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can instantly watch movies and TV programs streamed over the Internet to PCs, Macs and TVs. Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are the Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, Internet-connected TVs, home theatre systems, digital video recorders and Internet video players; Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV. In all, over 800 devices that stream from Netflix are available.

And in case you didn’t know, you can also give the gift of Netflix to friends and family - just head to https://signup.netflix.com/Gift to purchase a Netflix gift card. It's quick, easy, and may be the perfect gift for that person who has everything on their list (there's NO WAY anyone owns all the movies and TV programmes on DVD/BluRay that Netflix offers). According to the aforementioned survey, 42 per cent of Canadians shop online to avoid crowds and lineups, and by buying a Netflix gift card you can join them.

I am slightly obsessed with Netflix. Sesame Street, How I Met Your Mother and a slew of movies, new and classics? I think I could sit in front of my TV all day!

Would you like to win one of two three-month subscriptions? Enter using the Rafflecopter below.

Open to Canadian Residents (excluding Quebec) who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Wednesday, December 19, 2012. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a six-month Netflix subscription for review purposes. As always, the opinions and language on my blog are all my own.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Toys "R" Us Holiday Fair

This week Hannah and I (and my cousin Jessica) had the opportunity to attend the Toys "R" Us Toy Vendor Fair.

Basically we got to have a sneak peek of the hottest toys and gadgets coming out for this holiday season, and I mentally started a list of all the things I want to put under the tree for Hannah for her first Christmas. I also mentally started a list of toys I can't wait to purchase when she's older so that Chris and I Hannah can play with them.

Some highlights from the fair (at least for me) included:

Information on Monsters University - the prequel to Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc. As a huge Sulley fan, I'm happy to report the movie will be in theatres on June 21, 2013. AND they are re-releasing the original in 3D on December 19, 2012 so you can re-watch (or watch for the first time) the movie that started it all on the big screen. There are a bunch of cool toys coming out along with the film - a talking Boo doll and action figures are a few.

Infantino's new Pop & Swap Gym would be a great gift for a newborn. The activity pods, graphic cards and activity plush toys are all interchangeable - so you can use them together, attach them to the stroller or mix things up for baby. The Gym also plays 10 minutes of lights and music, and grows along with baby as she strengthens her visual and motor skills. HappiTaps are also a gift that I'm considering for Hannah - they use your iPhone or iPod, you download an app - and it becomes an interactive toy that plays peekaboo and plays with your child.

I was so excited to stop by the Crayola booth. Their earliest products are 12 months plus, and I can't wait to buy Hannah the My First Crayola Washable Markers Palm Grip with My First Crayola Mess-Free Marker and Paper. In many years, I could also see the Crayola Catwalk Creations under the tree as a gift from Hannah's Aunt who is a fashion designer.

Mega Bloks also had fun assortment kits of Hello Kitty and the Smurfs.

On my first Christmas I got a Cabbage Patch Doll from my Godmother. I still have her today. This Christmas I will definitely be getting Hannah the Newborn Cabbage Patch Doll - and with its soft face, I won't have to worry about her whacking it into her own face.

So many amazing toys, so little time.

Have you started your holiday list for your little one? If so, what's on the list?

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Add-a-Kid Wins Best Kid's Gift

We're still wearing shorts and flip-flops, but the retail industry is already looking ahead to the holiday season.

The 2012 Retail News Best Gift Award winners were recently revealed in Toronto during the Fall 2012 Toronto Gift Show hinting to Canadians what should be on their wish lists this year. Hundreds of new products competed for various categories to win recognition from the Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA). The 2012 Best Kid's Gift Award went to Add-a-Kid of North York, Ontario.

Add-a-Kid provides unique bibs, onesies and t-shirts in a range of sizes for various ages in many themes including sports, occupations, hobbies and fantasy in a variety of styles. (How cute is this Elvis shirt?) Note the unique photographic hangers. They make great gifts for baby showers, children's birthdays or holiday presents.

Hannah was sent an uber cute Monkey bib. As she is our little monkey, it was quite fitting. The bibs are meant for babies 6 months and older. They are over-sized, which allows the clothing underneath to stay protected from whatever doesn't reach the tummy. They are also super absorbent which allows the clothing underneath to stay dry during each and every feeding.

The care instructions for the bib are quite simple - just throw into the washing machine and then air-dry so the print stays like brand-new.

The Add-a-Kid line retails from $11.99 (bib) to $17.99 (onesie or t-shirt).

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.