#Hallmark Has the Perfect Gifts, Greetings and Decor for the Holidays! (#Review + #Giveaway)

Christmas is a truly magical time. This is the first year that my three year old son is sor of starting to understand what Christmas is all about. This is also the first year he's sort of interested in the Christmas magic... the elves, and of course, beloved Santa. I am seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child this year, and it's making it even more special than ever before.

Hallmark knows a thing or two about making the holidays extra special for families. For years, Hallmark has been provided people with special ways to communicate and share through greeting cards, and other items, too. The Christmas elves behind the scenes at Hallmark have made some recomendations of the very best gifts and greeting from Hallmark this season! Cherly and Meg, two long-time elves wanted to send our family a few fabulous gifts and greeting to enjoy and share about! Take a look at the 'Festive Four' gift ideas for the holiday season from Hallmark...

We were excited to receive our own pack of the Festive Four to review and enjoy as a family. I couldn't wait to see the new ornament I'd chosen from the 2013 collection, the special book, North Pole Communicator and the new greeting cards from Hallmark!

Our goodies from the Hallmark elves...

LEGO Star Wars YODA Ornament- New for 2013

The Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments are so special. I love looking at them when we go into the stores, and I have my eye on one in particular to gift to my son this Christmas. One of our Christmas traditions is that we each receive a new ornament as a gift each year- one that reflects our personalities. For instance, last year, I gave my husband a glass piece of bacon ornament, because he loves bacon, and B got a dinosaur with his name on it. I chose the LEGO Star Wars YODA Ornament from the 2013 Hallmark Keepsake Collection to gift to my hubby this year, because he is a huge Star Wars fan, and still loves LEGOs! I can't wait to see his face when he opens this one up! He'll be thrilled and it will add a special touch to our family's Christmas tree!

There are over 350 new Keepsake Ornament designs! They make wonderful additions to your ornaments collection, or make great little gifts to share with family, friends, teachers, etc!

Santa and the Christmas Eve Flight Be a Part of the Story® Book

The Santa and the Christmas Eve Flight book is too, too cute for words! B has taken such an interest in reading, and I couldn't be happier. We read together every night, and this is sure to become a well loved addition to our collection. With this interactive book, your child becomes part of the story. When the story is read aloud, Santa chimes in, asking a question, which a choice for your child to make. When the child answers, Santa gives an appropriate response, and the child helps Santa make his big trip around the world on Christmas Eve!

This Christmas Eve will be a little bit different for us that years past. We're used to attending and providing music for our 9 pm candle light service each Christmas Eve. This will be the first year that our whole family will be attending our 5 pm Christmas Eve service, and B will be singing in the service with the little ones. Hubby will go back for the 9 pm service, but B and I will be home (I can't ask my three year old to sit through two Christmas Eve services). I will be making a Christmas Eve Box for B to open up on Christmas Eve. In it will be a new pair of jammies, some hot cocoa, a placemat for leaving cookies and milk for santa, and The Santa and the Christmas Eve Flight book from Hallmark. My plan is for us to snuggle up after we put out the cookies and milk for the big guy, and have a warm cup of cocoa and read this special story, marking a new Christmas Eve tradition!

Our fun greeting cards from Hallmark...

I love Hallmark's greeting cards! They make it so easy to share a sentiment or laugh with a friend, co-worker or the folks you care about most in the world. With silly, funny, whimsical, beautiful greetings to choose from, there's certainly a card for everyone on your list this year. I can't wait to pop some of these fun greetings into the mail and surprise some of my friends!

My favorite little goody from the Hallmark elves...

We also received the very snazzy, high tech North Pole Communicator! This special communicator allows your child to communicate directly with the North Pole, beginning December 1st. It's easy to use, and comes with a top secret envelope for parents (which includes set up instructions). Each day from December 1st through Christmas, your child can turn the dial to be connected to the North Pole. Once the green light lights up, press it and wait for a special message from one of Santa's elves, or maybe even the holly jolly Big Guy, himself! You can call the North Pole once a day... the message will automatically change the following day.

Take a look and listen to what the North Pole Communicator does...

Our North Pole Communicator, in an easy to reach spot for B.

We have been calling the North Pole each day this week, and we've gotten to talk to lots of fun elves from Santa's workshop! Since our scheduled are crazy in the evenings, we start each day by calling the North Pole through the North Pole Communicator each morning, as a family. I love seeing B's eyes light up when he realizes he's made a connection and is talking to an elf!

Hallmark has so many magical ways to share the love, and make new memories this holiday season. You can look for these special items in store or online! We love all of these special gifts and greetings that we received from the Hallmark elves, and we're sure that you and your family would love them, too!

Want Them? Buy Them!

Head on over to the Hallmark website to browse the entire hoiday gifts and greetings selection! You can also connect with Hallmark through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Want Them? Win Them!

One lucky MBP reader will win their very own North Pole Communicator and pack of greeting cards from the elves at Hallmark! Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter to win! Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older. Please remember to comment on this post for your entries to be counted.

Special thanks to the Hallmark elves for sending us these wonderful gifts and greetings, and helping to make our holiday season extra merry and bright... and for offering this special holiday giveaway for our readers!

Good luck!