Raspberry Ribbon Slices - 12 Days Of Cookies

Your favorite fruit preserves and a time-saving shaping technique are the stars in a melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookie.

Ingredients

1pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

Butter and egg called for on cookie mix pouch

3 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons seedless raspberry, apricot or your favorite jam

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 to 3 teaspoons milk 

 

 

Directions

• 1 Make cookie dough as directed on package, adding flour; blend. Divide dough into thirds. Shape each third into 12-inch log. Place logs 3 inches apart on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.
• 2 Bake at 375°F for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Using handle of wooden spoon or finger, make depression about 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep lengthwise down center of each roll. Fill indentations on each roll with generous tablespoon jam. Cool; place on cooling rack. Cool completely.
• 3 Mix powdered sugar and just enough milk for drizzling consistency; blend. Drizzle icing over cooled logs. Cut each roll diagonally into 12 pieces.

Free Snowman Bag Toppers

Create fun party favors, classmate treats or thank you gifts with the adorable FREE Snowman bag topper printables from alpha mom.  Click here to get your free printables.

Perserve your Memories With The SanDisk Memory Vault

 Technology is supposed to simplify our lives not clutter them.  For years now our family  has stored our family memories on our desk top computers, lap tops, hard drives, cell phones and many other electronic devices in our home only to create a clutter disaster of memories stored on multiple devices -  until my discovery of the SanDisk Memory Vault.

The SanDisk Memory Vault, the first product from SanDisk engineered to preserve your most important photos, videos, documents, and scanned files for generations to come.
SanDisk Memory Vault features Chronolock™ technology:

• Engineered to preserve the quality of photos and videos long term
• Tested to support data retention for up to 100 years*
• Physically designed for long-term reliability and durability

The SanDisk Memory Vault is designed for long-term preservation. Simply connect the device to a computer's USB port for an easy drag-and-drop function and you will have a reliable place to keep all of your most precious photos and videos. Instead of relying on hard drives or CDs, keep your family memories preserved for years to come with the SanDisk Memory Vault.

Minimum System Requirements

• Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, Windows® 7 and Mac OS® X v10.4.11 or above
• USB 2.0 high-speed connector

SandDisk Package Contents include:

• SanDisk Memory Vault
• USB 2.0 transfer cable
• Quick start guide
• Writable labels
• Storage pouch

The SanDisk Memory Vault is available in two sizes 8GB or 16GB  and can be purchased online at SanDisk.






Can you guess what one of my  my 2012 goals will be?  Preserving all our years of family memories into one place rather then the multiple unsafe devices they are stored on now.  No longer will I fear lost memories when a computer crashes or a cell phone is lost .






DEAL: The first 4 moms to email me and request a coupon code for the SanDisk Memory Vault will get a 20% off coupon code for a 8GB memory value .  Email Trisha@247moms.com.

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of SanDisk and received a product sample to facilitate my review, and coupons to giveaway.”

9 No Clutter Kid Gifts For Christmas

Do your kids have more then enough toys, games and gadgets?

We have 9 clutter free gift ideas for your kids, many of which also create family bonding time.

1. Memberships to the local aquarium, zoo, children’s’ museum, science center or YMCA.

2. Tickets to the movies, a concert, an amusement park, a sports event, a play.

3. Magazine subscriptions! Sports Illustrated For Kids, Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, Humpty Dumpty, Highlights, High Five, Zoo Books, Your Big Backyard – just to name a few. Check out Amazon.com or BestDealMagazines.com for terrific prices.

4. Photo “Brag Book”. A simple scrapbook of loved ones near and far for them to cherish and flip through without worries about smudges and fingerprints. There are “Toddler Photo Books” available with chew-proof pages, ready for you to insert your photos. Sassy, Baby Einstein and Gund all make books such as these.

5. A disposable camera, a gift card for processing fees, a simple photo album to display their photos in. Kids love to take pictures of everything!

6. Stationery, stamps, address labels, stickers and art materials to mail letters, notes and artwork to loved ones. Even the youngest child likes to do this, and everyone loves to get mail!

7. Gift cards for movie/game rentals rather than a new game or video.

8. Gift cards for their favorite restaurant, arcade, or family-fun place.

9. “Coupons” for their favorite activities; A Saturday Morning Bike Ride, Etc. Time spent with you is their favorite thing.

WIN - Nickelodeon Dance Video Game (Kinect or Wii) ~ 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Nickelodeon Dance 

Kids can move, groove and learn to improve as they dance along with their Nickelodeon friends - Dora, Diego, The Backyardigans’, and The Fresh Beat Band. This new dance game is designed to help kids stay physically active as they twist, shake, and shout to original Nickelodeon songs and popular favorites too! Kids can really get their heart pumping with the super cool fitness feature for more heart healthy fun with the Nickelodeon gang!

*Available Now- Rated E for Everyone

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and 2K Play are giving away a Nickelodeon Dance video game. Winner gets to pick platform (Kinect or Wii).

Enter for a chance to win.

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS subscriber enter your email address below and comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.
 
Extra entries for each:

• Like 24/7 MOMS on Facebook.
• Follow 24/7 MOMS on Twitter. 
• Like Daily Mom Deal on Facebook.  

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on December 24, 2011.

Enter your email address:


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* We received a complimentary Nickelodeon Dance Video Games for review no financial compensation was received.

Free Hershey Kisses Labels

Creative and sweet are what describe these adorable jars of Hershey candy kisses.  Shindig parties to go created these FREE Hershey kisses labels and bag toppers.  Click here to get your free labels and how to instructions.

Elf On The Shelf Ideas

Did your Elf arrive into your home and now you are racking your brain each night for fun and creative ways and places for your elf to hide out from your children?

I went searching for some new ideas and here is what I came up with:

 - A website called  Elf on the shelf Ideas  that had several fun ideas with pictures showing you creative ways for your elf to surprise your children come morning.   Click here to go there now.


- 100 Ideas for your Elf on the Shelf from Blossom Bunk House.  My favorites were :

Laundry fight – clothes everywhere
Unroll toilet paper roll on the floor, around Christmas tree, etc.
Nerf gun fight – darts everywhere
Turn toilet water blue

Lots of fun and creative ideas  click here to see the entire list

WIN - Radio Flyer Lights and Sounds Racer ~ 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

The Lights and Sounds Racer™ offers fun, fast riding with lights and sounds at a great price! The trike's oversized front wheel feature Traction Tread™ to hug the road and allow your child to take off without slipping or spinning out. The electronic unit has seven buttons play ten different entertaining songs and sounds. It also has working turn signal lights for even more automotive fun. This sturdy plastic trike has a comfortable, low-back seat that is adjustable to grow with your child. 3 AAA batteries included.

Click here to Like Radio Flyer on Facebook.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Radio Flyer are giving away a Lights and Sounds Racer.

Enter for a chance to win.

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS subscriber enter your email address below and comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.
 
Extra entries for each:

• Like 24/7 MOMS on Facebook.
• Follow 24/7 MOMS on Twitter. 
• Like Daily Mom Deal on Facebook.  

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on December 24, 2011.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by

* We received a complimentary Radio Flyer Lights and Sounds Racer for review no financial compensation was received.

Graham Cracker Santas - Christmas Cookie Countdown

 Dessert ready in 30 minutes! Be creative and make these cute looking Santa cookies – perfect for Christmas - Thank you Pillsbury for this fun idea

INGREDIENTS

Red food color

1 1/4

cups vanilla frosting (from 16-oz. can)

12

(2 1/2-inch-square) graham crackers

1

cup (about 75) miniature marshmallows, halved crosswise

6

small red gumdrops, halved crosswise

24

red cinnamon candies

DIRECTIONS

1 Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In small bowl, stir 1/4 teaspoon red food color into 1/4 cup of the frosting; blend well. In separate bowl, stir 1 drop red food color into remaining 1 cup frosting; blend well.  

2 For each cookie, frost 1 inch of one corner of cracker with dark red frosting for Santa's hat. Place 1 marshmallow piece in corner for pom-pom.  

3 Frost remainder of cracker with pink frosting. Place marshmallow pieces on pink frosting around 2 sides for beard. Add gumdrop for nose and cinnamon candies for eyes. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.

 

Use your favorite flavored graham cracker for these Santas. Break the graham cracker squares in half at the center perforation.

Use kitchen scissors lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to cut gumdrops and marshmallows.

Kids can wrap individual Santa Grahams in festive colored plastic wrap to leave as a treat for Santa, or to give to grandparents and teachers.

WIN - California Black Ripe Olives' Holiday Hostess Gift Pack

California Black Ripe Olives’ Facebook page is having a Holiday Hostess Survival Kit Sweepstakes

California Ripe Olives are a holiday staple, no doubt. That’s why we’re giving one lucky winner the ultimate Holiday Hostess Survival Kit! Ring in the yuletide cheer with every dish’s best accessory, as well as a collection of other olive swag sure to see you through the holiday season and well into the new year.

Click here to go to California Black Ripe Olives Facebook page to enter the California Black Ripe Olives’ Holiday Hostess Survival Kit Sweepstakes.


How do you use California Black Ripe Olives during the Holidays?  Try this simple appetizer recipe that your guests will devour.

The Salami Thing

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 9 pieces salami, large thick sliced
• 12 California black ripe olives
• toothpicks

Directions

1. Soften the cream cheese and spread each slice of salami with the cream cheese.

2. Stack three slices on top of each other, ending with the top slice having no cheese on it.

3. Cover and refrigerate till cheese is set and meat is good and cold.

4. Cut into 12 wedges. Garnish with an olive on a toothpick and push into top of each wedge

Also, California Black Ripe Olives is having a Giveaway on 24/7 MOMS. Here are the details...

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and California Black Ripe Olives are giving away a Holiday Hostess Gift Pack including the following items:

-2 cans of California Black Ripe Olives

-Bamboo cutting board

-Can opener

-Olive dish with olive picks

-Appetizer dish

-$25 gift card

 
Enter for a chance to win.

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS subscriber enter your email address below and comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.
 
Extra entries for each:

• Like 24/7 MOMS on Facebook.
• Follow 24/7 MOMS on Twitter. 
• Like Daily Mom Deal on Facebook.  

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on December 24, 2011.

Enter your email address:


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* We received a complimentary California Black Ripe Olives Holiday Hostess Gift Pack for review no financial compensation was received.

Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk

....to create conversation 
Q: If you could trade places with anyone for one week, who would you want to trade with and why?

Riddle:
Q: Why does Santa have 3 gardens?

A: So he can hoe hoe hoe.

15 Giveaways Ending Saturday at Midnight

WIN: Twirls and Twigs are giving away a $75 Twirls and Twigs gift certificate. Click here to enter.

WIN: Family Game Night is giving away a Family Game Night 4 The Game Show.  Click here to enter.

WIN: General Mills through MyBlogSpark is giving away a Cheerios Prize Pack. Click here to enter.

WIN: Discovery Girls is giving away 1 complimentary year subscription to the Discovery Girls Magazine, 1 set of our Fab Girls books (4 total), and  

1 10-Year Anniversary Collector's Edition. Click here to enter. 

WIN: Gamewright is giving away City Square Off, Knock Your Blocks Off, and Flip Out. Click here to enter.

WIN: PAIGELAUREN Baby is giving away a Classic Sac in Slate - NEWBORN SIZE  and NEWBORN cap. Click here to enter.

WIN: PURE is giving away a ONE Flow.  Click here to enter.

WIN: McNeill Designs is giving away a Brighter Minds Game Package including: You've been Sentenced!, all 6 of the Add-on-Decks, Twisted Fish and the Wheel of Chorture Games. Click here to enter.

WIN: Fitbit is giving away a Fitbit Ultra.  Click here to enter.

WIN: World Vison is giving away a plush goat toy, Gertie. Click here to enter. 

WIN: ArtStamps is giving away an ArtStamps gift card. Click here to enter. 

WIN: For All Time Clocks is giving away a Gift Certificate for a custom made 12" clock. Click here to enter.

WIN: I See Me! is giving away A Christmas Bear for Me Gift Set.

Click here to enter.

 

 

 

WIN:  Franklin is giving away a Franklin AnyBook Reader, 60-hour edition. Click here to enter.

 

 

 

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and JC Toys are giving away a 14" Crawling Lola Doll!

Click here to enter. 

DIY Edible and Non-Edible Gifts in a Jar

Some of the most thoughtful gifts are the ones you make.  This can be for any age.  Taking the time to think about the person and make something for them means you took the time for them.  Christmas can get very costly.  You have friends, teachers, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, moms, dads, nieces and nephews...   The list can go on and on.

Here are some ideas to inspire you to make some fun gifts in a jar that anyone can do!!  All you need is some canning jars that you can purchase at most grocery stores.

EDIBLES:
A great gift to give your girlfriends or family members that you don't normally buy for is a nice treat.  Could be just a jar of their favorite candy or a baking mix like brownie or how about peppermint hot chocolate!

Click HERE for instructions

Click HERE for instructions

Click HERE for instructions

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Click HERE

Click HERE

NON EDIBLES:

You don't always have to have food in the jars to make a really nice gift.  Check these out!

Click HERE for instructions

Click HERE

Click HERE

Click HERE 

Click HERE

Click HERE

Click HERE

More ideas:

Scrapbooking Supplies

Kids Crayons & Markers

Seeds or Bulbs

Crockpot Fixings

Bakers (sprinkles, cupcake liners)

Candles (filled with votives or tea lights)

Teachers (gift card, school supplies)

Makeup and/or Polish

WIN - ZAZOO Photo Clock ~ 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

ZAZOO Photo Clock

ZAZOO KiDS just released the brand new ZAZOO Photo Clock to help teach kids better sleeping habits. The digital screen shows the daytime photo on the clock tells kids when to get up for school, while the starry night images show that it's still sleepy time. It's also great for weekends to help make sure parents get their much needed sleep and prevents kids getting out of bed way too early. There's even a naptime setting! What's more, the ZAZOO Photo Clock can be personalized with pictures of kids and family, and even plays music and videos.

ZAZOO Photo Clock has recently received 2011 Winner Awards from both the National Parenting Center and the Parent Tested Parent Approved organizations. 
Click here to visit ZAZOO Photo Clocks website.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and ZAZOO KiDS are giving away a Zazoo Photo Clock- winner can choose design.

Enter for a chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS subscriber enter your email address below and comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.
 
Extra entries for each:

• Like 24/7 MOMS on Facebook.
• Follow 24/7 MOMS on Twitter. 
• Like Daily Mom Deal on Facebook.  

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on December 17, 2011.

Enter your email address:


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* We received a complimentary ZAZOO Photo Clock for review no financial compensation was received.

Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies - 12 Days Of Cookies Countdown

It's the latest sweet crazy "Salted Caramels" Turn buttery shortbread into something extra special by simply topping with caramel, chocolate and a sprinkle of salt. It's a winning combination!

from Bettey Crocker

Cookies

1 1/2  cups unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

Topping

1 bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped

2 tablespoons milk

4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoons coarse (kosher or sea) salt 

 

Directions

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups butter with electric mixer on high speed until creamy. Beat in sugar and vanilla. On low speed, beat in flour until blended. 
• 
  
• 2 Divide dough in half. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper, roll 1 portion of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter. On ungreased cookie sheet, place cutouts about 2 inches apart. Repeat with second portion of dough.
•  
• 3 Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until set and just barely light golden (do not overbake). Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks; cool completely. 
•  
• 4 In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and milk uncovered on High 2 minutes 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Frost each cookie with about 1 rounded teaspoon caramel mixture.
•  
• 5 In small microwavable bowl, melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate over caramel on each cookie. Sprinkle generously with salt. Let stand until se 

 

WIN - Geomate.jr Combo Pak ~ 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Meet Geomate.jr - The Geomate.jr is the easiest way to get in on the geocaching fun. It takes treasure hunting to a new level for the whole family and is so much better than a plain GPS device.  It comes pre-loaded with 250,000 caches covering the entire U.S. or your part of the world. So all you need to do is switch it on and follow the arrow and distance to the geocache! So easy! The Geomate.jr is the perfect holiday gift for the whole family.  It’s also perfect for scouting, camping and birthday parties – you can even design your own custom caches in your yard or for a school event.  About the size of a granola bar, it’s lightweight and fits even small hands.

The Update Kit brings out Geomate.jr's best qualities. The Update Kit gives you access to current geocache databases and geocache databases for the entire world! With the Update Kit you can create your own private geocaches and you can also download your own Pocket Queries into the Geomate.jr.  Geomate.jr has proudly won a National Parenting Center Award, Outdoor Industry Award and a NAPPA award. Enter for a chance to win.

Click here to Like Geomate.jr on Facebook.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Geomate.jr are giving away a Geomate.jr Combo Pak which includes the Geomate.jr and the Update Kit.

Enter for a chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS subscriber enter your email address below and comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.
 
Extra entries for each:

• Like 24/7 MOMS on Facebook.
• Follow 24/7 MOMS on Twitter. 
• Like Daily Mom Deal on Facebook.  

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on December 17, 2011.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by

* We received a complimentary Geomate.jr for review no financial compensation was received.

4 Free Christmas Subway Art For Framing

 Need a last minute gift, a fun decoration to add to your home this year?  these FREE Subway printables are perfect for hostess gifts, teacher gifts and keeping for displaying.  Enjoy!

Peonies and Poppy Seed created this fun and festive Subway art for printing and framing.  Click here to download and print your FREE Subway art.

Smile Like You Mean It created a colorful and fun Subway art for printing and framing.  Click here to download and print your FREE Subway art.

Eighteen 25 offers a free printable Subway art for framing and displaying during the Christmas season.  Click here to print your FREE Subway art.

Inkgenious  reminds us of the meaning of Christmass with this FREE printable art ready for framing.  Click here to print yours.