2012 Christmas in the Allen Family

It was pretty touch and go for Christmas this year.  We have been out of work due to my surgery and hubby taking care of me.  So money for the holidays was not coming in and I was getting scared my kids wouldn't have anything under the tree but we had some awesome angels save the day! I did go back to work the weekend before Christmas so I had some tip money!!  We had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and I felt very blessed for my family and friends.

This was their BIG GIFT~it's quite funny to watch and it makes me smile!

Here are couple presents they got from others:

They were very happy and that was all I wanted!

Before Christmas we went through the kids toys and gave to another family who was having a hard time during the holidays.  I wanted the kids to know how important it was to GIVE during the holidays and it wasn't all about the PRESENTS!

I grew up in not a very religious family, of course we knew and believed in God but Christmas was all about FAMILY and enjoying spending time with our loved ones.  I've gone over the history of Christmas with the kids but of course the presents are all what they are interested in.  I think as the years go we will do more about WHY there is Christmas and of course keep the FAMILY a big part of it.  However, we live in an area with very little family so we might have to TRAVEL next year!

This year I felt very blessed and I hope to give back what I received this year.  Thanks to my angels who warmed my heart and dried up my tears.

Yoyo.com- 30% Off Code

Do you need to buy some TOYS?  

Yoyo.com is having a sale PLUS 30% off code ( yoyo30)  for your first item that you purchase from their website. 

Shop Here!

Reg $34.00 NOW $14!  

Catch Santa At Your House- Coupon Code

iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos. You can also send a special message to someone special in your life.

Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa and Rudolph caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.

In three simple steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus or Rudolph and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.

I did this last year and the KIDS LOVE IT!  Having a picture of Santa in our house in front of our tree was very special and we plan to do it again this year! 

Ipad Giveaway: For even more holiday magic, iCaughtSanta.com is giving away 2 iPads! No purchase necessary. Enter here:www.iCaughtSanta.com/Contest

COUPON CODE: My Readers Get 25% off your entire order at icaughtsanta.com. Use the following Promo Code at checkout SANTA2012 to instantly save: #icaughtsanta

They also do FUNDRAISING:

Christmas Countdown in the Allen Family

It's looking a lot like Christmas in the Allen family house!  I was a worried last week but I've been blessed with wonderful family and friends.  Thanks for all the blessings that have come our way.  I really appreciate all the help we have received during our hard times.

Decorating the TREE:

Finished:

Art Projects:

Santa and Lil Mama

Happy Holiday Everyone!!!!

PearlMountain Xmas Software Pack ON SALE NOW- Save $41.90!

Holiday Special: Picture Collage Maker Pro- 30% off plus a Free PearlMountain Image Resizer.  This big discount will be available till the end December 25th. 

This 30% off holiday promotion includes Picture Collage Maker, Picture Collage Maker for Mac and Picture Collage Maker Pro. Anyone buying Picture Collage Maker Pro can get a FREE PearlMountain Image Resizer Pro as a gift. This saves as much as $41.90 in total for each holiday customer.  

Picture Collage Maker is easy to use and allows anyone from novices to photography professionals to create eye-catching photo collages on Windows and Macintosh computers. With just a few clicks, users can create collages, scrapbooks, posters, greeting cards, invitations, calendars, and any other type of season greetings that they might imagine.

Some shining points of Picture Collage Maker Pro of the Christmas edition:

• 24 special Christmas templates.
• Enjoy the ease and flexibility of drag and drop to place photos.
• Rotate, resize, and reposition images to ones’ liking.
• Get started quickly with over 130 templates for all projects and occasions.
• Use clip-art, text, and backgrounds to personalize the collage.
• Export the finished collage as an image, print it out, or email it to friends and family.

PearlMountain Image Resizer Pro allows you to resize, convert, add watermark to hundreds of images in batch mode. It supports the most popular image formats: JPEG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, PSD, GIF, TGA, RAW, and almost all image formats. 

Check the promotional page

http://www.picturecollagesoftware.com/promotion/christmas-promotion/index.html

Offers ends December 25, 2012

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Warner Bros. Happy Holidays Blu-Ray Giveaway ends 12/19

Ho Ho Ho, it’s the holiday season and that can only mean one thing... Shopping! But finding presents for your loved ones can be no easy task! That’s why Warner Bros. has come up with their awesome Happy Holidays Blog App featuring some classic and new movies out on Blu-ray sure to please everyone from your teeny nephew to grandma wrinkles!

 
 • Holiday Movie Challenge! Are you a true cinephile? Then take the WB Holiday Movie Challenge! Keep your movie skills sharp with this awesome quiz! Ready. Set. Go!

 • Decode-A-Scene Game! Time is running out! Can you figure out what movie scene is slowly being decoded in front of your eyes? The sooner you figure it out the more points you earn!

 • Holiday Survival Guide! Throw an epic holiday party this season! We have some awesome tips to make you look like a total holiday master!



One PinkMama's Place Reader will WIN: Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection, Classic Christmas Favorites or Dr. Seuss’s Deluxe Holiday Collection on Blu-ray (Prize will be chosen randomly from the above Blu-ray titles!) a Rafflecopter giveaway



I was supplied with material for this post by Warner Brothers
.

List of Free Shipping Merchants Dec 17 Only!

Monday (12/17) has become known as “Free Shipping Day” and it's one of the last days for guaranteed Christmas Delivery

Click HERE to see the  lists all 1,500+ participating merchants from FreeShippingDay.com

Bah Humbug!

It's the holiday season and I just can't get into it.  This year I wish I didn't have to decorate or put on that  smile for the kids but I have too!  I think I put my family in jeopardy for having a horrible Christmas.  My health hasn't been very good this past year and final in October I went to the Dr and then it got worse so I had to have a hysterectomy in November.  I'm happy I did but wow the worse time of the year possible.

My husband took family medical leave to take care of me so we are both waiting for EDD to issue of our disability checks but they have told us they are back logged. WTF really we haven't had any money come in for almost a month so we have went through what we had in checking.  Within this month we had 3 birthdays.  The only one we spent money on was our son's though.

However, my situation is only TEMPORARY. I do know that. How can I feel like this when there is 20 families that won't have their kids with them on Christmas so whatever I'm going through and feeling I need to suck it up and know that next month we will be fine again.

Next week is Christmas and how do I get through this without breaking down crying.  I know it's not about the PRESENTS but the kids are looking forward to presents and as their mom I want to give that to them.  I did some shopping before I went into the hospital but only small items.  This hurts my heart knowing I can't give them more.  I told them today that some of their gifts are going to have to be IOU's- they asked what that was and I told them I was going to make coupons that they can cash in for in January.  I love my kids because they said that was okay and look forward to having a long Christmas.

I love my kids they are so compassionate and I really want to give them what they give to others.  Last week a friend posted she didn't have any gifts for her son and BOTH of them went through their toys and now we have a big box to give to my friend.  I wish I could do the same for them!

I'm trying to go back to work in next weekend so we can at least a Christmas dinner!  This week we will be eating everything in the pantry and I'm sure by next week we will have our checks and I can stop feeling like Scrooge.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Making Magical Memories Disney World Sweepstakes

Who wants to WIN a Walt Disney World Vacation?   I'm 44 yrs old and never been to a Disney Theme park and I know I'm missing out!  When I go we will go through Pixie Vacations because it looks like they know what families want to do to have FUN! 

Enter the Making Magical Memories Disney World Sweepstakes brought to you by Pixie Vacations- ENTER HERE

Pixie Vacations ® wants you and your family to enjoy the Walt Disney World ® Resort for 4 days and 3 nights of magical memories. Experience and enjoy the Disney Magic when you stay at a Walt Disney World ® Resort hotel and make new memories at the Disney Theme Parks.  

Why book with Pixie Vacations ® instead of directly with Disney?

Why should I book with Pixie Vacations, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, instead of booking directly with Disney? There are three main advantages to using Pixie Vacations ®.

·        Concierge Level of Service

·        Lowest Possible Price

·        A History of Disney Knowledge equals Disney savings

"We want to plan and book the best Disney Vacation you have ever had. We are not a call center; we are past Disney Cast Members and Disney Vacation Planners that know the ins and outs of Disney."

Details about the prize:Grand Prize vacation shall include the following:
One (1) standard room for maximum of four (4) persons in room at a Walt Disney World® Moderate Resort hotel for three (3) nights.
Up to four (4) Park Base Tickets for four (4) days.
Keepsake luggage tag (one per person).
Dining package includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack per person/night of package.

Valid for redemption most nights during Value and Regular Seasons. Holiday travel is not included. Travel to and from Orlando FL is not included.
Official Rules are here:
http://pixievacations.com/index.php/2012/12/12/sweepstakes-offical-rules/

Enter the Making Magical Memories Disney World Sweepstakes brought to you by Pixie Vacations- ENTER HERE

Prayers to the Sandy Hook Victims

As a mom my heart is heavy today!  My prayers are going out to all the families of Newtown Connecticut.  I wanted to go grab my kids from school and just hug them but I didn't because I didn't want to freak them out.   I will be holding them pretty tight tonight and giving that extra loving they deserve.  Let the people you love know it please!

Let us all try to do something to make this a world something we can be proud of and not be scared of!  

I will be burning a candle for the families tonight!

I really need to stop watching the news though- I keep crying!