It can be tough to know what games kids have, so gift cards are usually the best way to go when buying these gifts. This can be a bit problematic for those who play computer based games, however.

I was recently contacted by One Power Up, a company that has created a game card that can be used to purchase credits for a number of online games. They offered me a card to try out, so that I could see the variety of games that can be purchased with their cards.

I visited their website and found that there are a number of games available with the One Power Up card. At the moment, you can purchase credits for 21 games, and I am sure that number will increase in the future. There are a variety of genres available, from sports to adventure to RPGs, appealing to a wide variety of gamers.

Loading an account is simple, all you need to do is create an account and add the funds from your card to your desired game. When you are ready for more, simply purchase more credits from participating retailers, such as RiteAid, Freds, or FYE.

My only initial concern about the One Power Up cards were that there are games available on the site that wouldn’t be appropriate for a younger audience. However, they have recently released a Safe Card, which can only be used for family friendly games appropriate for children under the age of 13.

I have been given FIVE $10 One Power Up Game Card PINs to give away to five lucky readers. All you need to do to enter is visit the One Power Up website and come back and let me know in a comment which of the games available would be the most appealing to you or your favorite gamer.

For additional entries (main entry must be completed first)

• Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter/Share on Facebook (Limit 3 entries)
• Subscribe to my feed (email or RSS)
• Friend me on Google Friend Connect
• Blog about this giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for each form of entry.

This contest will close on Sunday, December 28^th at 11:59 PM and codes will be distributed to winners selected by Random.org as soon as is possible.

Product was provided for this review.

Save A Lot has put together a holiday meal menu for 4, which can be purchase for under $20. The dinner includes a 9 lb Sugardale Shank Portion Ham, 2 Lbs Fresh Jumbo Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Express Garden Salad Mix, 16 ounce bottle Portman’s Salad Dressing, 2 Cans Wylwood Canned Vegetables (corn, peas or green beans), 20 ounce can of Libby’s Pineapple, So-Cheezy Shells and Cheddar, Grissom’s Brown & Serve Rolls and a Mrs. Smith’s Apple or Cherry Pie all for $19.31.

In addition to this, they are also offering a downloadable $5 coupon off a $20 purchase, bringing the cost of this meal down to $15. At a time of the year when most of us need to stretch our dollars as far as they can go. You can visit http://bit.ly/8FEm55 to see their menu and to download and print your $5 off coupon.

Save A Lot has also given me the opportunity to provide a holiday dinner for one of my readers. One winner will receive a $20 gift card to Save A Lot, which they can use toward their own holiday dinner! This is a short-notice giveaway, so you only have 24 hours to enter!
Please leave a comment on this post, telling me your favorite part of your family’s holiday meal, then fill out the form below to enter.

For an extra entry, you may tweet about this giveaway (up to three times) then return here and enter again through the form.

The winner will be drawn at 3 PM EST on Friday, December 18. US entries only, please. Winner will be posted here and will not need to contact me to claim.

Only winner information will be passed along to the vendor for prize fulfillment, all other information collected will be deleted after the close of the contest.

Disclosure: I will also be receiving a gift card, as a thank you for hosting this giveaway

It looks like this year’s “skateboard” is the Shred Sled, which we have been given the opportunity to review. This is a dual-deck board with four inline wheels that combines the feel of skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing. This ain’t your daddy’s skateboard, by any stretch of the imagination.

Check out the demo video to see the Shred Sled in action:

I love anything that gives the kids an excuse to get out from in front of the TV and video games, and outside moving their bodies, so on that alone, the Sled gets a thumbs up from me. You need to use your entire body to propel the board, so it is definitely a workout!

According to the boys, getting on the Sled and getting your balance is a bit challenging at first, but once you get the hang of the balance and motion, it’s pretty easy. Just like any similar activity, practice makes perfect, so don’t expect to jump on and take off down the street on the first try! The four inline wheels do give a bit more stability than other boards will. (I wish I had some pictures of them trying it out to share, but alas, the camera has died.)

I personally have not tried to get on the Shred Sled, so I’m taking the word of the others on this one. I have plates and screws in one ankle and let’s just say a fall might not be pretty. Even without extra hardware in your body, I highly recommend wearing pads and helmets for safety’s sake.

The Shred Sled can be purchased at the Shred Sled website and it retails for $119.99. It is recommended for ages 8 and up, and is available in 3 color choices.

One of my readers will have the opportunity to WIN a Shred Sled this holiday season!

MAIN ENTRY: Leave me a comment telling me what your family’s favorite extreme sport is! Don’t forget to leave a valid email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

For extra entries: (MAIN ENTRY MUST BE COMPLETED FIRST)

• Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter (no more than once per day, please)
• Share the link on Facebook
• Blog about the giveaway
• Subscribe to my feed (Reader or email)

Please be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.

Contest will close on Wednesday, December 9th at 11:59 PM. Winner will be contacted and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
Product was provided for this review.

Holiday shopping season is here again and the Global Influence network has some great gift ideas for you, tried and tested by real moms. Click on the links to check out what our team of reviewers had to say about each of these gift ideas, and then take a moment to enter our fun giveaway and take a chance at winning some of these fabulous products. Featured Reviews Pouchees -

Busy moms need all the help they can get to stay organized and keep life as simple as possible. The Pouchee is the perfect solution to keeping all those little things together, putting everything you need, right at your fingertips.

Duck Hunter -

Duck Hunter turns the excitement of the hunt into an activity the whole family can enjoy. Launch the duck in the air and try to hunt it down with the toy shooter as it flies freely in the air. A fun choice for those who love outdoor sporting.

CardStore cards

-Personalized holiday cards are an important item on everyone’s to-do list and often a hassle to create and print. Cardstore.com has everything from family photo cards to invitations for your big holiday party, simplifying your holiday season.

Great Holiday Gift Ideas

Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry

Just Elfin’ Around

Card Cubby

Harumika By Bandai

Harumika Runway Showstopper

Harumika Style Starter

Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo

Strawberry Shortcake Playset

Kota Monty Rex

Wall to Wall Basketball

Nerf Pocket Vortex

Busy Ball Popper

Talking Chuck Truck

Leapfrog My Pal Scout

Leapfrog Tag Jr

Leapfrog Scribble and Write

Animal Planet Polar Land Playset

Animal Planet Dinosaur Playmat

Onionhead Adult/Teen Feelings Pack

OnionHead Children’s Feelings Pack

Onionhead A-Z Feelings Magnet Set

FotoboxPlus

MeTime Tees

Tote Buddy

Fun Holiday Giveaway!

For this holiday guide, we want to share the love with the blogosphere! Some of our generous sponsors have donated prizes to be given away to lucky readers! To enter to win one of the following fabulous prizes, simply fill out the form here: http://tinyurl.com/y8t92rw

Prizes include:

Things RememberedCustom Couture Jewelry

Pouchee

Elfing Around

Harumika

Onionhead Feelings Pack

Nerf Wall to Wall Basketball

Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo

MeTime T-shirt

Entries will close on December 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be contacted by email after the close of the contest.

Global Influence Member Guides

Need more ideas for this holiday season? Check out the guides that some of our Global Influence members have put together on their own sites!

Thrifty Jinxy, Happy Healthy Hip , And Twins Make Five , Because Two People Fell In Love, Mommy Musings , Lipstick to Crayons , Bargain Briana , Mommy PR , Shop With Me Mama, Santa Picks, Rave and Review, Connected 2 Christ , 3 Boys and a Dog, The Classy Closet , Contest Corner, Lisa Reviews , A Giveaway Every Day, HulaHoopinMom, Spalibrations, High Impact Mom, From Cribs to Car Keys

All reviews listed in the Global Influence gift guide were product provided. Featured positions were purchased by sponsors. Member gift guides are not affiliated with Global Influence.

There will even be a few fun giveaways that will give you the chance to win some of these great products!

While each review, recipe, and recommendation will be its own post, this will be considered my “home base” with links back to each of the holiday reviews. I hope you’ll keep checking back to see the fun unfold as we get closer and closer to the culmination of the holiday season!

Image courtesy Sxc.hu User – lusi

Video games seem to be an item on nearly everyone’s list, especially handheld games. We’re a family of gamers, with even the little ones wanting to try their hand at playing with the big kids. However, finding games that are age-appropriate for younger children isn’t always easy, and finding games with an inspirational storyline – even harder!

Winter’s Tail is an interactive storybook, that includes mini-games and other fun features, soon to be released for the Nintendo DS. Based on the Scholastic book of the same name, this story features Winter, a young dolphin who lost her tail in a crab trap. The story shows how trainers helped her to overcome her injuries and learn to swim again. You can find out more about Winter at the Winter’s Tail website.

Here’s a little information about what the game has to offer:

Take an exciting journey on your Nintendo DS and learn about the real-life story of Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who overcame incredible odds. Including fun mini-games and a fully interactive storybook based on the Scholastic Book Winter’s Tail, read by the authors Juliana, Isabella and Craig Hatkoff. The release date is set for November 24th.Rated E for Everyone!

Check the trailer out here:

I haven’t yet received my own copy of this game, but will post a full review once we have had a chance to play it. In the meantime:
Two lucky readers will have the chance to win a copy of Winter’s Tail for the Nintendo DS! (value $29.99)

Main Entry: Visit the Winter’s Tail website, then come back here and leave a comment telling me which of the activities there interests you and your children the most.

For additional entries: (MAIN ENTRY MUST BE COMPLETED FIRST)

• Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter (no more than once per day, please)
• Share the link on Facebook
• Blog about the giveaway
• Subscribe to my feed (Reader or email)

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for EACH entry.

Contest is open to entrants with US mailing addresses only. The contest will end Wednesday, November 25 at 11:59PM EST. Winners will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.

Good luck and keep checking back for loads more fun, as the holidays approach!

Disclosure: Product provided in exchange for this giveaway and future review.

WINNERS!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3
19

Timestamp: 2009-12-02 09:54:56 UTC

Congrats to Tara Hernandez and Jakell M!

We all know what’s under our own sinks, right? But do you know what’s lurking under the sinks of your closest friends? If you do, you might be concered about the products that they are using. This contest gives you a chance to win for your friends an under-sink makeover that could change the way they clean.

(taken from the email sent to me about the contest)

The “Under the Sink Makeover Contest” is seeking nominations on www.SeventhGeneration.com/under-the-sink today through August 14, for under the kitchen sink areas that are in desperate need of organization and detoxification. Submit a photo of the area under a friend’s sink and a 250-word description on why they deserve an under the sink makeover (e.g., she’s concerned for the health of her family and the environment, the area under her sink a toxic wasteland, she’s overwhelmed by the chaos of motherhood and wants to change but doesn’t know where to begin, etc.), for a chance to win great prizes.

One lucky grand prize winner will receive a package that includes:

· An in-home consultation at the friend’s house with Dr. Alan Greene, practicing pediatrician and specialist in green living

· A one year supply of Seventh Generation products for both the entrant and the friend in need

· A trip to New York City for the entrant and her friend that includes a one-night stay at the W New York – Times Square hotel

· A day of pampering at New York’s Green Spa that will include a Body Polish, Wellness Massage, Ocean Vegan Spa Manicure/Pedicure along with a one hour make-up application and lesson

Four other finalists and their friends will receive a Seventh Generation Living Home Starter Kit containing a variety of home-cleaning products for their own under the kitchen sink makeover, in addition to a luxurious Lavera home spa kit containing Lavera’s customer favorite BODY SPA shower gel, body scrub and bath salts, and premium LAVERÉ Anti-Aging body lotion to pamper themselves.

Want to have an impact on what products your friends are using? Visit Seventh Generation and enter to win an under sink makeover plus a fabulous trip to NYC!

Look for an upcoming review here on some great Seventh Generation products that I didn’t get the chance to try out last time!

On Friday and Saturday, during conference hours, you will find me wearing a Litzky PR t-shirt that says “Free PR? Become A Fan” and carrying a cute Litzky tote bag. Want a little preview?

I’ll have all the details on how you can enter to win a month of free PR services from Litzky Public Relations! It’s as easy as becoming their fan on Facebook and telling them what you want to promote and your favorite 3 PM snack! Really!!

Look for me wearing my bright red t-shirt and be sure to say “Hi!” if you’ve worked with Litzky in the past. I’ll have a Flip camera, and would love to get your testimonials about your experiences with the Litzky crew, to feature on their Facebook page!

Just a few hours left!! Can’t wait to see all of my bloggy friends in the flesh!

The contest will run throughout Blogher, from Thursday, July 23 – Saturday, July 25th.

If you don’t know the wonderful ladies of Litzky, here’s a little blurb from their promotional materials:

“Litzky Public Relations is a woman-owned and run boutique PR agency specializing in toys and family entertainment products. Our clients are like family and we enjoy introducing them to our friends in the blogosphere; we take pride in building and maintaining meaningful relationships that produce great results for everyone!”

They certainly have not disappointed me on their promises! Not only will I be spreading the word about a great contest at Blogher, giving away a free month of PR services, but I also get to host a fabulous pre-Blogher contest, that anyone can enter! Whether or not you are heading to Chicago to hang out with me and the lovely ladies of Litzky, on Monday you can enter to win an AMAZING prize pack, stuffed with goodies from Litzky PR clients! It really is Christmas in July!

This prize pack includes prizes for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens! The winner will receive:

* Nerf Wall to Wall Basketball Set

* Nerf N-Strike Wii Bundle

* Super Soaker 50

* Littlest Pet Shop Playful Paws Daycare Center

* My Little Pony Newborn Cuties Little Rainbow Dash’s Room

* Baby Alive Better Now Baby

* FurReal Friends Lil Patter Pup

* FurReal Friends Teacup Pup

* The Shred Sled

* A full Cherry Blossom Market set

* Playskool Busy Ball-tivity Center

* Playskool Clipo Creativity Table

* Martian Matter Alien Maker

I am already jealous of who ever wins this great bunch of products! My Christmas list would be just about take care of in one fell swoop, before summer was even over!

All you need to do to enter to win this ridiculously amazing Christmas in July prize pack is to hop on Twitter on Monday, July 20th any time between 9 AM and 9 PM EST and tweet with the hashtag #LitzkyPR. I will choose one tweet at random that will win the ENTIRE Christmas in July Prize Package from Litzky PR!

Good luck to you all and I’ll see you on Twitter on Monday!! (Follow me @slpowell)

Contest brought to you courtesy:

Millions of people around the world use Twitter daily to connect, network, work and play.

Anyone on Twitter who tweets with the hashtag #HouseofGems between 12:00 noon eastern Monday, June 22nd and noon eastern Saturday, June 27th will be entered to win an iPhone 3GS! U.S. residents 18 years and older are eligible. The winner will be announced during the #houseofgems SiteWarming party Saturday, June 27th at 9 p.m. eastern.