Welcome to the Book Lover’s Giveaway Hop, hosted by I’m A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by Maryann from Chapter by Chapter.  For this giveaway hop, you’ll find prizes that any book lover will enjoy. 

For this giveaway, one lucky Savings in Seconds reader will win a Holly Jolly gift pack from Lovable Labels.  You can read my full review of Lovable Labels to learn some of the ways that we use them around the Savings in Seconds household.  Wouldn’t these labels look great in your books?  I think so, too.  This giveaway is open to US and CAN readers, ages 18+, and ends 12/10. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

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.

I just grabbed the 3DS XL bundle for my son’s Christmas present (it’s on sale for $199.99, free shipping, plus a $20 Best Buy gift card).   While browsing the games, I came across the Jake Power Fireman DS game for $6.99 (plus tax) on Best Buy.  As a price comparison, this game sells for $25 on Amazon.  It’s also shipped free via Best Buy, plus you can get 3% cashback by going through Shop At Home.

Here are some more DS game deals that were lower-priced than Amazon.   I’m still holding out for some 2-for-1 deals that usually come up closer to Christmas, but if you need a quick and easy gift, check these out.

Our House is $9.99 ($17.89 on Amazon)

Pinkie Pie’s Party $14.99 ($20 on Amazon)

 Dora Saves The Mermaids $14.99 ($19.99 on Amazon)

Finding Nemo Special Edition $14.99 ($19.99 on Amazon)

The Amazon links are my Affiliate links, used for photo purposes.

We are always ready for a fun board game around here. It’s a low-cost way to enjoy some quality time together.  Spontuneous is a great option for families with kids in various age ranges.  Since our youngest is 3 years old, it wasn’t something he could participate in, but my 8 year old daughter is just about old enough to be really good at it.  Since most of her musical repertoire comes from the Disney channel, she wasn’t exactly able to finish the lyrics to our songs.  But it was hilarious to hear her try.  Spontuneous had us laughing ’til we cried.  It really encourages you to think on your feet and be creative.  This is a great option for adults and teens who need a clean, fun game that they can play together.  It’s also eye-opening to realize how many people DO NOT know the lyrics to songs, myself included!

Here are the basic instructions:

It’s really this simple:  One player (Tunesmith) says a word and the others race against each other and the clock to try and blurt out a 5-word portion of lyrics from any song containing the given Trigger-Word!  The player who begins singing first, gets to roll the dice and advance around the board!  If nobody can sing a song, the Tunesmith must be able to back it up with a song of their own, or else they roll both dice and move backwards.  As players advance around the board, certain spaces will require them to draw a Spontuneous Card and attempt the crazy challenge!  Whoever reaches finish first and completes the final challenge, wins the game!

Now, there are some more details included with this.  Be sure to read the directions that come with the box to help clarify everything.  I’d love to see a simpler version (junior edition, maybe?) for the littler kids to play.

Spontuneous has earned several awards from prestigious organizations. Here’s a recent list:

• 2012 –  The National Parenting Council Seal of Approval (TNPC)
• 2012 –  PAL Award –  Play Advances Language (awarded by a speech pathologist of 35 years)
• 2012 – PTPA Seal of Approval – Parent Tested Parent Approved
• 2012 – Mom’s Best Hot New Products
• 2011 – Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products Winner
• 2011 – Creative Child Magazine’s Creative Toy Awards – 2011 Game of the Year
• 2011 – Mom’s Choice – Gold Award

You can save a few pennies by purchasing from Amazon, but will have to add a filler item to qualify for Super Saver Shipping.  The game ships free from the Spontuneous site.

Interested in winning a game for yourself?  There are weekly giveaways on their Facebook page.  Like them on  FB so that you can keep up with the Spontuneous news!

Other social media sites include Youtube ,  Twitter,  and Amazon (Shipping to Canada can only occur if order is placed at this link) http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A38A3BYABLG45C

Eek!!  How did I miss the Friday freebie?  I was too involved with the other holiday events, I guess.  Seems like that’s my typical day anymore.

Well, lucky for me, Friday’s freebie was still FREE! It looks like a great one too.  I love the cover. Here you go, take a peek:

I know I sound like a broken record, but PLEASE always confirm that the book is still free before you hit “submit.”  There are so many good free ones available right now!   And hey, who doesn’t love an almanac?  Especially a free one!

More freebies:

Welcome to the “Have Yourself A Very Merry Chistmas” Giveaway Hop!  This hop is brought to you by Super Events Media & Social Marketing Mom!   This event runs from 12:01am December 1st till 11:59pm on December 15th.  At the bottom of this post you will find links to all of the participating blogs where you can enter to win a fun Christmas related prize with a value over $25!  This super cool giveaway is hosted by Full Price? Never! & MyCraftyLife!

Savings in Seconds is excited to share two great prize packages with you!

Few things in life make my husband happier than bungee cords.  If something is going to be transported in our car it will probably be strapped down with at least one of these straps. I’m lucky that there are laws about carseats, otherwise my kids would probably be strapped in with a bungee instead of a five point harness.  When CARR contacted me to review their straps on Savings in Seconds, I knew immediately that they would be a hit at my house.  Little did I know that these are the mother of all bungee cords.  We are not talking about the el cheapos that will break if stretched too far.  Carr’s combination locking tie-down straps are a great way to secure valuables.  They are easy to hook together yet have a weighty feel to them. I would be comfortable to put any load on with these securing it.  Want to see your guy have the wide-eyed look on Christmas morning? Surprise him with these!  This package contains three products and is valued at $110, open to US readers.

Our second prize package is for the readers on your gift list.  One reader will receive a hardcover copy of Biblical Beauty and a paperback copy of Mystery of the Silver Statue.  This package is valued at $35 and is open to the US.    Cozying up with a great book is one of my favorite parts of Christmas vacation.  Biblical Beauty focuses on natural beauty and how to use beauty tools to enhance it. It includes some fascinating information about ancient women and their beauty secrets.  The Mystery of the Silver Statue would be great to tuck in a young reader’s stocking.  Full of history and adventure, coursing with positive messages of self-worth, this book is a tribute to children who face great obstacles.  I liked the fact that the book uses higher-level vocabulary such as “deliberately” and “jubilation.”  The text includes such vivid description that I could visualize the scenes in my mind.  These are important features of quality books for young readers.  There’s also a good cause tied to this book.  The author’s son battled cancer at age 5, and the author Ray Perkins is donating 50% of the proceeds from this book sale to the American Association for Cancer Research.  I hope you’ll check out these books.

Ready to enter?  Use the rafflecopter form below. You can enter both giveaways; please be sure to indicate on the optional entry if you have a prize preference!  The prize packages are open to US readers ages 18+.  Good luck!

Please note that unless otherwise mentioned, bloggers are not responsible for shipment or delivery of prize packages.

I’ve pinned the daylights out of the organization pictures on Pinterest.   The common theme I see is a plethora of shelving.  However, shelving can be pricey. Not to mention the frustration of assembly.  Do I hear an amen?

Well, let me tell you about Way Basics.  I stumbled across Way Basics when trying to find some affordable storage bins for our playroom.  Several things about Way Basics appealed to me.  First of all, the simple and clean design just looks great with any decor.  The bright colors are so inviting!  The fact that there are NO tools needed with Way Basics was a huge selling point.  And finally, since these storage cubes are made from 99% post-consumer recycled paper, the carbon footprint is clearly greener than that of traditional shelving.   The stacking of these cubes is very versatile so that you can create a custom look at a fraction of the price.  This cube was $20.  It’s so light that I could pick it up and move it easily.   It took me all of eight minutes to assemble this cube, and that included the time it took to open the box.  Unbelievable!!

The instructions are very simple and well-illustrated.  I had no trouble locating the pieces for each step.  It is truly as easy as pushing in a peg and removing a label, then sticking it all together.

I planned for this storage cube to go in our playroom, but my daughter claimed it for her room instead.  It is a perfect backdrop on her dresser.

There are many pieces on the Way Basics website that I’m eyeing for the playroom though.  Hint hint, if my husband is reading!
The Holiday Gift Guide can also be for your New Year’s Resolution, right?

Connect with Way Basics on Facebook and on Twitter.

If you’re in the mood to do some holiday shopping now that it’s finally (already?!)  December, don’t miss out on Sneakpeeq.  I am addicted to this great site.

Click here to join Sneakpeeq for the first time and a $10 badge will appear in your account.

I love the peeq part, which lets you see what your special price is. A few days ago I snagged 4 fun lip balms for only $3 shipped.   I also like the ability to choose the badges I want to use.  For example, today there was a $5 badge available.  However, I had a $10 badge that expires in a few days.  I used it and grabbed this adorable Iso peacock hairdryer for less than I paid for my bargain brand dryer at Target!!   We needed a new hairdryer and this has good reviews.  It was $31 after my peeq, and I applied a $10 badge.  I paid $26 with FREE shipping on Sneakpeeq.  This would make such a cute gift if you have someone on your list who enjoys fab hair products.

The same dryer is selling for $69 on Amazon.  Yippee for my deal!!

Click here to join Sneakpeeq for the first time and a $10 badge will appear in your account.  Have fun!!

This is my affiliate link.  I hope you use it to get $10, too!