Kids Christmas Crafting: Wrappin' Gifts

While I am not a crafter at heart, my son lives for special projects! I knew that I needed to get intentional about creating some crafting moments with him or else they probably just wouldn't happen. My house is probably not going to suddenly be overflowing with handmade abundance, but he will (and does!) remember these special times where we created things together. Off we went to Michael's to pick up a few supplies (he about died from sheer joy in that store.)

First project I decided on (practical purposes too!) was painting wrapping paper.

 I tried to find a big brown craft roll, but Michael's only had white. (Possibly Hobby Lobby might have?) So I went with a plain roll of brown wrapping paper. Picked up the "dot paints". These things are genius, take off the cap, dab to paint. Boom. Art. The other thing I didn't realize was that these paints dry instantly and so there was no waiting time for paint to dry.

 While I thought we would be going to more abstract direction, my son doesn't quite think that way. Hence the ninjas, dog/sky/son, & picture of his grandma. :)

Don't you just love brown paper packages tied up with string? :)

December fun at Fifth Avenue Place

Sponsored post by Fifth Avenue Place ~ bringing you all the info for holiday fun in Downtown Pittsburgh!
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More info and the Fifth Avenue Place calendar can be found here.
Follow them on Twitter here.   

December 2013

FREE Parking on Evenings & Weekends

Friday, November 29 - Tuesday, December 24
Monday - Friday: Evenings ONLY (Enter after 4 p.m.)
Enjoy FREE Parking with any $20 Fifth Avenue Place retail purchase in the Fifth Avenue Place Garage on Evenings (enter after 4 p.m.) and Weekends.
See Stores for Details ~ Limit: One Per Person, Please
Directions to the Fifth Avenue Place Garage

Holiday Lunchtime Concert Series

Friday, November 29 - Monday, December 23
Live musical performances from some of Pittsburgh’s favorite artists bring the sounds of the season to life during the always entertaining Lunchtime Concert Series.

FREE Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley

Every Saturday beginning November 23 through December 21 & Friday, November 29
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Discover all the sights and sounds of the holiday season in downtown Pittsburgh aboard the FREE Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley.  Hosted by Santa’s little helpers, trolleys circle downtown each weekend picking up at stops approximately every 15 minutes. Holly Trolley stops:
Fifth Avenue Place, The Rink at PPG Place, One Oxford Centre, Macy's, and U.S. Steel Tower (Pittsburgh Crèche).

Crystal River Gems International Amber Trunk Show

Wednesday, December 4 - Friday, December 6 ~ 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Poland’s top amber jewelry designer stops downtown for a three day holiday show!  Offering a rare and extended collection of authentic Baltic amber, the show features one-of-a-kind pieces set in sterling silver – all at wholesale prices. Don’t miss out on this exclusive three-day event, only at Crystal River Gems!

Jim O'Brien Book Signing

Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 20 ~ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Famed Pittsburgh sports author Jim O’Brien returns to Fifth Avenue Place just in time for the holidays!  Stop by the Center Court to meet Jim and purchase one of his autographed books to give as the perfect holiday gift.  New this year is Jim’s latest release “Chuck Noll A Winning Way.”

Creation Stations - FREE Saturday Holiday Activities with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Spiral Into Green

Saturday, December 7 ~ 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Be amazed as Chris Handa brings the magic of the holidays to life!  Discover the trick to creating ice cream with the Carnegie Science Center. Then showcase your very own magic by creating spin art and elf hats with The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh!

Gift Wrap Express

Monday, December 9 - Saturday, December 21 ~ 11 a.m. - close
Found all the perfect gifts?  Then leave the gift wrapping to us!!  Stop by “Gift Wrap Express” and enjoy Complimentary Gift Wrap on all Fifth Avenue Place purchases.
Complimentary gift wrap available on purchases made December 2 - 21 in Fifth Avenue Place ONLY. Receipt must be presented at time of gift wrapping.

Glass Eye Studio Trunk Show at Crystal River Gems

Wednesday, December 11 - Friday, December 13 ~ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Stop by Fifth Avenue Place and explore the world of glass art – from ornaments and paperweights to vases and bowls, Crystal River Gems will be selling a variety of hand-crafted glass merchandise from Glass Eye Studio.
Located in Seattle, Glass Eye Studio has designed and created exquisite handmade glass for over thirty years. Through vibrant paperweights, innovative ornaments, functional bowls and vases, Glass Eye Studio creates some of America's finest art glass, even including ash from Mount St. Helens in some of their pieces.

Susan Castriota Book Signing

Wednesday, December 11 ~ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
For the first time at Fifth Avenue Place, meet award winning illustrator and author, Susan Castriota.  Susan was chosen to design an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree in 2008, has been a guest at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and has appeared on numerous national and local television shows.  Children of all ages will enjoy reading the series of children’s books, Wilson’s Wondrous Tails!  The true and inspiring story of Wilson, who was rescued from an animal shelter, will touch the hearts of all who read it.  Stop by on Wednesday, December 11 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm to meet Susan and pick up an autographed book for a special child in your life.

For more information, please visit: www.wilsongetsadopted.com

Gift Certificate BONUS Days!

Thursday, December 12 - Saturday, December 14
       • Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
       • Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
If you're still searching for that perfect present, stop by Fifth Avenue Place December 12-14 and earn a FREE Fifth Avenue Place Gift Certificate with qualifying retail purchases. Simply present your receipt in Center Court to receive:

Spend	Receive
$25 - $49.99	$5 Gift Certificate
$50 - $99.99	$10 Gift Certificate
$100 +	$25 Gift Certificate

Limit: One per customer, please.
There is no better time to wrap up (or start!) that holiday shopping, and Fifth Avenue Place is the destination for Great Gifts this holiday season!

Make-A-Wish and Wish 99.7 FM Light Up A Child's Life Campaign

Friday, December 13 & Monday & Tuesday, December 16 & 17 ~ 6 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Help make a child’s wish come true this holiday season!  Stop by Fifth Avenue Place for the annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser with WISH Radio.  Ron Antill and representatives from Make-A-Wish will be broadcasting live from 6 – 9 a.m. in Center Court, collecting donations and raising awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Creation Stations - FREE Saturday Holiday Activities with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Silver Spectacular

Saturday, December 14 ~ 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Make your holidays merry and bright and join The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh making silver foil wreaths and stained glass ornaments! And, our cheerful elves will be on hand with bells on for face painting and balloon art.

Blissful Blue

Saturday, December 21 ~ 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Capture the moment with strike a pose photos and display your creativity by creating ice paintings – all with The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh!  Airbrush tattoos help keep the holiday memories alive. And, create keepsake bead rings with the Carnegie Science Center. 

First Night 2014

Tuesday, December 31
Ring in the New Year at the biggest family–friendly celebration in the region – First Night and the raising of the "Future of Pittsburgh" Ball.
For more information, visit www.firstnightpgh.com
 

Please check the calendar frequently, as events often pop up and will be added.

The cutest gifts from Pick Your Plum!

Note sets: $1!!

For the person in your life that loves beautiful, fun & unique gifts, Pick Your Plum is a place to check out this weekend!

Arm warmers: $1.99!

 

Seven deals through Monday. Seven everyday. At seriously jaw to the ground prices.

1: Washi: 9 rolls for $9!! A dollar a roll. Lower than ever!

Chain Seed Bead Necklaces: $3.99!

2:Secret Deals hidden on the site with rub your eye prices. We PROMISE you will want to hunt for these. They will be items that have never been priced as low as $2. Ooooo, the thrill of the hunt!

Wool Hats: $7.99!

Cream Square Tins: $2.99!

 Knit Infinity Scarves; $4.99!

More deals coming every day!

Happy shopping here!

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This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of the Pgh Momtourage!

65% Off select BabyLegs products + FREE SHIPPING!!

Starting Thursday, 11/28 - Tuesday, 12/3, customers can enjoy up to 65% Off select BabyLegs products + FREE SHIPPING on all orders with no minimum purchase.

 EXCLUSIVE Cyber Monday legwarmer bundles: 3 pairs of legwarmers for $12!

These make excellent gifts! They have leg warmers, socks & tights.

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I use these so much with my kids (both boy & girl)! Great for layering in the winter, potty training, crawling, and just looking so cute with skirts & shorts. :)

Shop now!

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This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of the Pgh Momtourage!

Harlem Globetrotters: Ticket Giveaway!

Harlem Globetrotters

CONSOL Energy Center

Thursday, December 26th, 7pm

 

Bring the whole family to the Harlem Globetrotters brand new "Fans Rule" show and get 25% off your tickets.

Use password SAVE to get 25% off and order your tickets here.

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The biggest family show in America is coming to CONSOL Energy Center when the Harlem Globetrotters take fan participation to the extreme by letting fans decide which NEW Globetrotter rule they'll add to the game like 6 on 5 or the Trick Shot Challenge! Experience hours of fun for kids, grandparents and everyone in between.

 

 My son LOVES this show every time it comes to town!

 

GIVEAWAY:

FIVE winners will win 4 tickets each! 

Winners will receive vouchers to exchange for tickets at the CONSOL Energy Box Office.

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Go here to enter

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Contest open for entries until Sunday, December 8th, 2013, 7pm.

Winners chosen at random. Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be selected. 

 I was given tickets for my family in exchange for promoting this event.

 

 

THREE RIVERS CLASSIC hockey ticket giveaway!

THREE RIVERS CLASSIC 

Division I Men’s College Hockey Tournament

CONSOL Energy Center

December 27-28, 2013 

SESSION ONE:   Friday, 12/27

4:30pm:  Boston College vs.  Bowling Green State University 

7:30pm:  Robert Morris University vs. Penn State University

SESSION TWO:   Saturday, 12/28

4:30pm:  Consolation Game (two defeated teams from Session One)

7:30pm:  Championship Game (two winners from Session One).

Trophy presentation and award ceremony to follow

Ticket prices

Two day packages: $20, $27.50, $40, $65

Individual Sessions:   $12.50, $17.50, $27.50, $40

TWO DAY PACKAGES GO ON SALE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 10:00AM AT THE DICK’S SPORTING GOODS BOX OFFICE AT CONSOL ENERGY CENTER, TICKETMASTER.COM, ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS OR CHARGE BY PHONE AT 800-745-3000.

GIVEAWAY:

We have THREE family 4-packs of 2-day passes to give away! That's for all 4 hockey games!

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Go here to enter.

Must enter complete info to be eligible, i.e. first/last name.

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Contest open for entries until Friday, December 6th, 2013, 8pm. Winners chosen at random.  

Lovin' these small businesses!

If you follow Pgh Momtourage at all, you've probably noticed that I'm pretty excited about Small Business Saturday this holiday season! The over-consumerism of the big box stores has begun to over shadow the holidays and when they took over Thanksgiving, I was ready to avoid them all together. I've been enjoying browsing through my Small Business Saturday listing and already begun making fun, personal purchases. I love that they are supporting so many hard-working people (many who I have gotten to know through the Momtourage) and I think SBS is going to be a huge boost to these businesses this year!

So in this post I am highlighting a few of my friends who make the most beautiful products! They are not local to Pgh, but they are all talented, creative moms (except Perch, no kiddos yet. :) who work like crazy to take care of their families, but allow us the pleasure of having pieces of their amazing works in our homes.

BROWN-EYED GIRLIES

• Stock up on headbands and bows for Christmas, baby shower gifts, birthdays and more!! Most bows and clips are interchangeable. Most of the snap clips, clippies or bows can be worn alone or attached to the interchangeable headbands or beanie hats. Adorable girl scarves as well.

 BEDECKLE

• Beautiful scarves, earrings, clutches, head wraps + more! Perfect gifts for women in your lives.

 PERCH SHOP

• Home of the rope box, custom rope knots, & cool vintage wooden crates! Check back often as new crates and rope are added all the time.

 CRANNY FOUND FAVORITES

• Her inventory changes year round and often includes great calendars, a Christmas album, wreaths, yarn Christmas trees, yarn letters + more! Check out her 2014 Year-at-a-glance calendar. Ain't nobody got time for that! // Sweet Brown & One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something. // Henry David Thoreau. Or per-order Here + There // A Christmas collection of original piano solos.

 97 DESIGN INC.

• Baby bibs & burp cloths, scrabble tiles, rope scarves, wooden signs, jewelry holders, pillows, chalkboard frames + more!