Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.

ELFChristmastown – Matt Kopec (Buddy) and the cast of “Elf The Musical.” Photo by Joan Marcus

We had great seats in the mezzanine level of this beautiful theater. It has been years since we have been here and this was our first trip since it became the Straz Center. The volunteer ushers were friendly and helpful, and even warned me that Act 1 was 80 minutes long, in case I needed to visit the restroom…which I did. I do have 1 complaint about the theater; The show was scheduled to start at 7:30pm but it started at 7:41pm. I’ve been in theater most of my life and the curtain always goes up on time!

The show itself was a delightful re-telling of the Elf story. It was not exactly the story movie goers are familiar with, there are some missing scenes and some new ones. The book and music went together seamlessly. The sets and scenery were well executed as well. The cast did a great job bringing the story to life in a way that was great for both kids and adults. There were plenty of “adult” jokes as well as a lot of pop culture references to make this tale appropriate for all ages.

BuddyandSanta – Matt Kopec (Buddy) and Gordon Gray (Santa) in “Elf The Musical.” Photo by Joan Marcus

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, get your tickets now, the show is in town til the 25th. Next stop is Ft Meyers for the 27th-December 2nd and then onto St Paul, Minnesota for December 5-30. If Elf the Musical isn’t coming to your area, check your local theaters to see what they are offering this Christmas season. Attending live theater events is a great family activity and gift cards for tickets make great Christmas presents!

Elf The Musical on Tour has partnered with Metropolitan Ministries for a holiday food drive. Save $20 off select seats for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday performances of Elf The Musical with the donation of a non-perishable food item, now through show time at the Straz Center ticket office. This offer is valid for seats in price levels 1 and 2 and is subject to availability. One discounted ticket per donated food item, limit of four discounted tickets. Not applicable to prior sales. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Disclosure: We received 2 free tickets to the show in exchange for this review. All opinons are 100% mine.

The post Holiday Guide 2012-Elf the Musical appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The Heart of Christmas.

About the movie:

  It takes an entire community to make a little boy’s dreams come true in the Image Entertainment release of The Heart of Christmas, the heartbreaking yet hopeful film about a family faced with losing their child and their quest to give him one last Christmas. Based on the inspiring true story that gained national attention, The Heart of Christmas boasts a stellar cast that includes Candace Cameron Bure (“Make It or Break It,” “Full House”), Jeanne Nielson (Faith Like Potatoes), George Newbern (Father of the Bride), and Erin Bethea (Fireproof). The film recently received an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Lyrics and Music for its title song, composed and performed by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter, Matthew West, who is also featured in the film. A wonderful gift for everyone, The Heart of Christmas heads to DVD on October 16, 2012 for an SRP of $27.97.The Heart of Christmas tells the story of Austin and Julie Locke, who are devastated to learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. With courage, determination and faith, they decide to give Dax one last Christmas – even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of care and support. The Heart of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays.

In 2010, singer/songwriter Matthew West asked his fans to send him their inspiring true stories so he could turn those stories into songs. Among the thousands of submissions he received, there were three separate letters about the Locke family and the community that came together to support them. Moved by the letters, Matthew wrote “One Last Christmas,” which inspired the filmmakers to share the story with an even wider audience. Premiering on GMC last December, The Heart of Christmas became the most-watched World Premiere Movie in the history of the network, drawing 3.6 million viewers.

For more information about this inspiring true story of hope and compassion, visit the Dax Locke Foundation website at: http://www.daxlocke.org.

My Review:

I watched the movie last Christmas on television and I was moved to tears. I had the opportunity to view it again for this review and yup, more tears! This true story has been turned into a well written screenplay. The story of the Locke family, which is played out daily by families with ill children, will touch your heart and possibly change your life. In the movie, the life of a stranger and her family is changed because of Dax’ story, remember to cherish every moment.

The Giveaway:

One lucky US reader of The Mom Maven will win their own copy of The Heart of Christmas on DVD. The giveaway ends at 12:01 am on 11/30/12. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and verified. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize via email.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received nothing in exchange for this post All opinions are 100% mine.

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Sweet Homemade Gift Ideas (plus clever ways to package them)!

At the Brooklyn bakery One Girl Cookies, owner Dawn Casale rewrites history- updating old family recipes with fresh flavors- and draws upon the past to present the treats in vintage jars, tins, and more. Santa’s not the only one who loves sweets; these unique gifts will make anyone’s holiday deliciously delightful, especially for a cookie swap!

Step 1: Choose your cookie!

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling
Makes 24 whoopie pies. Working time 30 min. Total time 1hr. 15 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light-brown sugar
½ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1⁄3 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peppermint Filling (recipe below)

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together sugars, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until mixed, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 30 seconds. Cover and refrigerate batter until chilled, about 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (about ½ inch wide). Pipe 2-inch circles onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing whoopies 1½ inches apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)
4. Bake until whoopies spring back when touched, about 9 minutes. Cool completely on pans.
5. To fill pies: Turn half the whoopies over so they’re bottom-side up. Using a pastry bag or butter knife, add a dollop (1½ tablespoons) of Peppermint Filling onto each whoopee bottom. Top with remaining whoopies.

Peppermint Filling
Makes 2 cups. Working time 10 min. Total time 10 min.

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more if needed

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; add peppermint extract and salt, and mix for 30 seconds. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and mix for 1 minute. If filling is too soft to hold its shape, add more confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency. (Store in refrigerator, in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed onto surface of filling, for up to 5 days.)

Nana Cookies
Makes 36 cookies. Working time 25 min. Total time 40 min.

2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening, at room temperature
½ stick unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk
¼ cup whole milk

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together shortening, butter, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg and egg yolk, and beat for 1 minute.
3. Reduce mixer speed to low; add a third of flour mixture and a third of milk, and mix for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl. Repeat. Add remaining flour mixture and only enough milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to yield a smooth dough, and mix. (It should not be too sticky.)
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip (about ½ inch wide). Pipe 4-inch-long cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)
5. Bake cookies until lightly golden around edges, about 15 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Cream Cheese Shortbread with Toasted Walnuts
Makes 36 cookies. Working time 15 min. Total time 30 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add chopped walnuts and stir to combine. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix for 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 20 seconds. Take bowl off mixer and finish mixing dough with a rubber spatula.
3. Roll about 1½ tablespoons of dough into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press to flatten top. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing 1 inch apart.
4. Bake cookies until light brown around edges, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti
Makes 48 biscotti. Working time 25 min. Total time 1 hr. 35 min.

4 navel oranges
2 cups sugar
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¾ cup shelled pistachios, unsalted
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
Fleur de sel, if desired

1. Cut long, thin strips of zest (avoid white pith) from oranges. Place zest in a small saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then drain off water. Repeat boiling and draining process 2 more times. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring 1½ cups water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Add zest and simmer for 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. Place chocolate chips in a food processor and pulse 3 or 4 times to break up. Add pistachios and pulse 2 or 3 times.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter and remaining sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and beat on medium speed until incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Reduce mixer speed to low; using a slotted spoon, add candied orange zest to buttersugar mixture and beat for 30 seconds. Gradually add three-fourths flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add chocolate-pistachio mixture and remaining flour mixture, mixing until dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
7. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using damp hands, shape each piece into a 12-inch-long log, ½ inch high.
8. Bake logs until firm, about 24 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 250°F. Cool
logs on baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes.
9. Transfer logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each into 24 half inch- thick biscotti. Place biscotti on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing ½ inch apart. Sprinkle with fleur de sel, if desired. Bake biscotti until slightly crisp, about 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 2: Wrap it up!

• Cherry vintage tins add a personal touch to baked goods. Striped and polka-dot patterned tins, paired with contrasting ribbon or wrapping paper add a unique touch.
•  Take a bakery fresh approach with printed paper bags. This bright idea is reminiscent of childhood fun at the country fair.
•  Mini-Bundt, cupcake, and loaf pans double as “boxes” that recipients can put to good use. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
•  Mason-jars are a sweet way to wrap up treats. Don’t have any on hand? Try an empty honey or jam jar. Short on time? Layer the dry ingredients into the jar, secure the lid then write the remaining directions on the tag. Don’t forget a bow!
•  For a professional finish, reinvent old holiday cards with stamps and scissors to create a personal tag without spending a dime!

What are you baking this holiday season? I love finding new recipes so if you’ve blogged your recipe please leave a link!

The post Easy Recipes-Holiday Guide 2011-Holiday Baking Ideas appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Build-a-Bear is the perfect gift because you get to create your own new best friend. Bears, dogs, bunnies, hedgehogs and even elephants are available for you to build, dress and bring home. We love dressing our Build-a-Bear friends and Princess Cuddles has quite an extensive wardrobe that fits her diva-in-training personality.

One of the best things about Build-A-Bear Workshop is the opportunity to make or buy a unique gift, add a customized, signature sound or embroidered message and give it to someone special. From newlyweds to new parents, sports fans to foodies, tweens to tough guys, Build-A-Bear Workshop has something for everyone and every budget.

What could be more personal than LIVE elves, ready to talk to your child about his/her wishlist? Thanks to our friends at Build-A-Bear Workshop, your family has a direct line to Santa and his little helpers! By visiting  http://play.buildabear.com/, your child can create their own wish list with one of Santa’s elves and tell them what they want for Christmas! Parental agreement is needed for all children under 13.

If you are rushing through the mall wondering what to get the people left on your gift list I suggest giving them all Build-a-Bear Workshop gift cards so they can build their own friend.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place. All opinions are my own.

The post Holiday Guide 2011-Last Minute Gift Ideas-Build-a-Bear appeared first on The Mom Maven.

We have had ours for a few weeks now and it works great. We haven’t lost or left game cartridges in the car or at a friend’s house because they are always attached to the DS. If you have a DS or 2 or 3 in your family get them each a Memorex Universal Game Selector Case. It will keep the missing cartridge chaos at bay.

Disclosure: I received a Memorex Universal Game Selector Case for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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The Internet and television may be dominating leisure activities and zapping outdoor time for kids, but that won’t slow down the fast growing trend millions enjoy: GPS treasure hunting called, geocaching. Thanks to Apisphere, Inc., the company behind Geomate.jr (www.mygeomate.com), children, their families and adventure seekers from all walks of life can get hip with the increasingly popular and fun geocaching phenomenon, a great group activity for scouting, summer camps and schools. Geomate.jr, the first and only device of its kind, combines technology and outdoor play while providing hours of geocaching entertainment; it is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations.

Sadly, according to the Outdoor Foundation, outdoor activity among children ages 6 to 17 declined 11 percent in 2008. “Geomate.jr offers a way to reconnect our children with family time and nature while encouraging them to be active, get outdoors and explore the environment,” says Warren Hewerdine, co-inventor of Geomate.jr and Apisphere’s vice president of marketing. He says, “Savvy kids will get their technology fix from the easy-to-use device, and it eliminates the traditional fuss of Internet connections, downloads, coordinates and preplanning to provide a spontaneous geocaching experience families can enjoy anytime, anywhere.” Geomate.jr acts as an electronic compass, guiding you to within yards of a geocache.

People all over the world have enjoyed geocaching but up until now, the GPS receivers required were expensive and difficult to use. “Geomate.jr is about the size of a granola bar and built tough so it can take a beating. The contoured grip fits comfortably in the hands of kids and adults,” says Hewerdine. “Then all you have to do is head out to a local park, the back country or just down the street to get started on creating lifelong memories and a new found appreciation for the outdoors.” The Geomate.jr makes a great gift idea any time of year, and thanks to its size, it is a perfect stocking stuffer around the holiday season.

Products available include:
Geomate.jr – Geocaching GPS Retail: $69.95
Pre-loaded with 250,000 geocaches covering all 50 U.S. states, just switch it on and be directed to your closest geocache.  European, Canadian, Australian & New Zealand versions are also available.

Geomate.jr – Update Kit Retail: $24.95
The key to update any Geomate.Jr with the latest and greatest geocaches for the U.S. or for around the world.  Other features such as being able to create a private geocache list and Pocket Query support are also accessible with an Update Kit.

Geomate.jr – Combo Pack Retail: $94.95
Everything you will ever need in one box including a Geomate.jr, an Update Kit, a Geomate.jr Travel Tag, batteries, lanyard, and documentation.

Geomate.jr is available for purchase at major outdoor retailers including REI, L.L. Bean, Gander Mountain and Eastern Mountain Sports.  It is also available through Target, Amazon.com and Geocaching.com. For more information about the Geomate.jr, including demo videos, please visit www.mygeomate.com. Follow on Twitter: @geomatejr and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/geomatejr.

My 16 year old son and I headed out to check out 2 local geocaches. We had no luck locating the first one but we had success at the second one. Here is a video of our expedition:

Geocaching an a fun, affordable family activity that you can do anywhere and the Geomate Jr makes it easy!

The post Holiday Guide 2011-Gifts for Kids-Geomate Jr appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The Bracelet Mate is perfect for a night out on the town or at a club because you always know where your belongings are and they don’t get in your way out on the dance floor like a purse often does. It would also be great for travel, shopping, pretty much anywhere you go.

You can enter to win a Bracelet Mate of your very own! It won’t arrive in time for Christmas though it makes a great gift for yourself.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

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Last year at tax time I shared a bunch of tips for protecting yourself from identity theft in my first Fellowes giveaway, now Fellowes is back with their P-12C Cross-cut shredder which retails for $89.99 and is available at Target stores nationwide.

The Fellowes’ P-12C paper shredder ideal for heavy-duty home use because it features:

• Fellowes’ patented SafeSense® technology, an advanced electronic safety sensor that surrounds the paper entry and automatically disables the shredder when hands touch the paper opening
• High-security Cross-Cut technology, destroying a single sheet of paper into 399 particles
• A slim profile design, which allows it to fit easily in home offices, kitchens and other rooms
• An easy-to-use pull-out bin and has the ability to shred staples, credit cards and paper clips

I have been using my P-12C shredder for a few weeks now and I love how it even shreds staples so i no longer have to make sure they are all removed before shredding!

The folks at Fellowes want you to be safe from identity theft too! One lucky reader of The Mom Maven is going to win the Fellowes P-12C paper shredder.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends at 12:01am on 12/21/11. The winner has 48 hours to respond via email. This prize will not arrive in time for Christmas. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received a Fellowes P-12c shredder for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Hand-Dipped Chocolate Pears. What’s more delicious than orchard-fresh pears? Pears dipped in chocolate, of course! This innovative new treat makes a stunning centerpiece or dessert plate. Winter pears enrobed in dark, milk, and white chocolate, they come with a warning: Extremely tempting!

Noel Gift Box. This adorable gift box will delight families with the classic flavors of the season including snowball malt balls, peppermint bark, and more sweet treats.
Founders’ Favorite Holiday Gift Box. This gorgeous box unfolds to reveal sweet and savory delights including Harry & David’s famous Royal Riviera Pears, Moose Munch, truffles from the candy kitchen and much more.

The post Holiday Guide 2011-Last Minute Gifts from Harry & David appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The #1 New York Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the compelling performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast including Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Bryce Dallas Howard. The Help is a courageous and empowering story about very different and extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project.

The Help Blu-ray Combo Pack provides audiences with the chance to delve deeper into the movie through compelling, never-before-seen bonus features, including “The Making of “The Help:‟ From Friendship To Film,” an intimate look at how the life-changing experiences of close-knit childhood friends director Tate Taylor and novelist Kathryn Stockett led to the creation of the best-selling novel and its transition to the big screen.

Additional bonus includes “In Their Own Words: A Tribute To the Maids Of Mississippi,” which is an honest observation of life in the South from real-life maids, including director Tate Taylor‟s childhood caretaker, Carol Lee; Deleted Scenes; and nine-time Grammy Award®-winning and multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter, Mary J. Blige‟s “The Living Proof”, music video from the film‟s end titles.

In continued efforts to provide consumers with multiple viewing choices and unprecedented quality, value and portability in a single purchase, The Help has been packaged as follows:

3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada

Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Features:

•  The Making of “The Help:” From Friendship To Film
• In Their Own Words: A Tribute To The Maids Of Mississippi
•  Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including “Humiliated”, “A Book About Jackson” and “Johnny‟s Home‟ (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)

DVD Bonus Features:

•  Two deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor including “A Senator‟s Son‟ and “Keep On Walkin”
•  “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Features:

•  The Making of “The Help:” From Friendship To Film
•  In Their Own Words: A Tribute To The Maids Of Mississippi
•  Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor including “Humiliated”,  “A Book About Jackson” and “Johnny’s Home” (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)

DVD Bonus Features:

• Two deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including  “A Senator’s Son” and “Keep On Walkin”
• “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige

1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Bonus Features:

•  Two deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including “A Senator’s Son” and “Keep On Walkin”
• “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige

High Definition Digital Download = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
Bonus Feature:

•  Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including “Humiliated”, “A Book About Jackson” and “Johnny’s Home” (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)
•  “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige

Standard Definition Digital Download = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Bonus Feature:

•  Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including “Humiliated”, “A Book About Jackson” and “Johnny’s Home” (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)
• “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige

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