Seagate is offering to give one lucky Play Library winner a new FreeAgent Go Colored Portable Hard Drive, and they’re going to let the winner pick their color.

The FreeAgent Go would make a wonderful gift for any teen or tween. It provides them with a convenient portable way to store their music, and favorite photos on the go.

From the manufacturer:

The Seagate FreeAgent Go storage solution provides a slim, portable form factor with a load of space to back up and store all your valuable multimedia files from holiday memories to your favorite songs. With up to 500GB of available capacity, the FreeAgent Go portable hard drive has enough room to carry entire libraries of movies, music and pictures, making it a great gift for all the important people on your holiday shopping list.

Additionally, from now through the beginning of the New Year, those who register their new Seagate FreeAgent external storage solution will receive a multimedia package from leading online content providers. The package includes 50 free songs from eMusic, the second largest digital music service; one free movie rental; and 50% off the first-year’s subscription to SmugMug, the leading professional photo-sharing destination on the web. The promotion will run from now through January 31, 2009, giving people plenty of time
to load up their FreeAgent Go hard drive even after they’ve put away all
the holiday decorations. Visit Seagate Load Me Up for more details.

Contest rules:

To enter the contest simply leave a comment on this post.

One comment entry per person.

The contest will run until midnight on December 7th.

While I hope the Seagate Portable Hard Drives will be delivered by Christmas, I make no promises that they will arrive before December 25th.

You may earn additional an additional entry by blogging about this contest. Please leave a separate comment with a link to the entry that mentions this contest.

Good luck!

Check out the Seagate FreeAgent Go, and many other gift ideas for children of all ages at Play Library’s Toy and Gift Guide.

Image via Seagate

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It would make a wonderful gift for the teen or tween in your life. The Picture Mate has been the number one selling small format printer for the last 3 years. It’s easy to use features would be perfect for young photographers to learn on.

You child or teen will be able to print without logging in to a computer. From fixing red eye, and cropping, to borderless printing this little printer will bring great joy to whoever you give it to.

Photography is a wonderful hobby for kids, it helps build creativity, and imagination. Your child can take photos anywhere, on vacation, at the park, or in the back yard. Let them have fun with it.

Contest rules:

To enter the contest simply leave a comment on this post, tell us about one of your favorite childhood photos.

One comment entry per person.

The contest will run until midnight on December 7th.

While I hope the Epson Picture Mates will be delivered by Christmas, I make no promises that they will arrive before December 25th.

You may earn additional an additional entry by blogging about this contest. Please leave a separate comment with a link to the entry that mentions this contest.

Good luck!

Check out the Epson Picture Mate, and more great gifts for children of all ages at the Play Library Gift Guide.

Image via Epson

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The winner was selected by random.org.

Congratulations to comment numbers: 4 - Sandra, 62-Veronica, 92- Jennefer, 30-Tanya, 5-Jenn

I’ll be emailing all the winners tonight and they have 3 days to get back to me, or I’ll have to pick another winner.

Thanks again to everyone who participated.

I have a giveaway and toy extravaganza going on in December here at Play Library, so stay tuned over the next few days for several more fun giveaways.

Image via Betty Crocker

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We’ll kick things off right here at home. Here at Play Library we’re sharing the Best of Toys list this year - check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

It’s never too early to start buying gifts for your favorite gardener, check out the gift guide right here at Mother Earth’s Garden for a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift for entertaining as recommended by me here at She Knows Parties!

Play Library we’re sharing the Best of Toys list this year - check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover - but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience - but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea - but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge - allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season. Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year?

Let Jennifer at Declutter It help you give the gift of time and organization.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift - let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them - Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers. 

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your favorite hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

Liz at Health Bolt offers up a nifty gift idea list for everyone in the family - down to the computer geek.

Just what do you buy someone who’s crazy about genetics? Let our very own Grace Ilbay help you with that one at Genetics and Health

For those on your list who have a taste for wine and cocktails - check out Drinks After Dark and the shop full of gifts that Colleen has compiled that might just add to the element of surprise this year.

Eliza at She Knows Coupons has a fun list of items that will make any couponing mom jump with joy. The only thing that makes a coupon mom more excited than an awesome deal is doing it in an organized fashion.

And last but certainly not least, Gayla at Mom Gadget compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites - A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From all of us at Lifestyles - Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

Image credit: Stock.xchng

Technorati Tags: holiday gift guide,shopping guide,unique gift ideas,b5media,lifestyles channel,health and wellness,christmas gifts,black friday shopping,cyber monday

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Have a Happy Thanksgiving from

Play Library

Image (c) L Gerlach

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Here’s a cute recipe for a Hot Chocolate Mix Jar adapted from Ball’s Fresh Preserving(tm).

Hot Chocolate Mix Jar

What you’ll need:

• 1 Ball wide mouth quart jar
• 1 Ball wide mouth lid and band
• 7" square of blue (or holiday) printed fabric
• 1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 1" wide blue
• 1 Grossgrain ribbon 13" long by 3/8" wide white
• 1 Grossgrain ribbon 30" long by 1/8" wide blue
• Paper images (from scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, cards , or stickers) If you want to duplicate the look here you’ll need two snowmen, a small mug image, and a shovel.
• 2 1/8" x 3 1/2" scrapbook paper, for gift card
• 3 snowflake buttons
• Clear 1/4 cup measuring cup
• Craft Glue Dots
• 3-1/4" foam layering circles
• Hot chocolate mix
• Scissors
• Pinking Shears
• Paper Punch
• Ruler

How To Make It:

1. Read all the instructions and gather all of the supplies above before you get started.
2. Assembling the Jar~ Draw a 6" diameter circle on the back of the fabric, and cut out the circle with pinking shears. Fill the jar with the hot chocolate mix. Place the lid on the jar, center the fabric, and twist on the jar band.
3. Cut a 2 1/2" x 3 1/4" snowman (or chosen) image for the front of the jar, and attach it with the glue dots.
4. Wrap the wide blue ribbon around the jar and over the lower edge of the snowman image, securing the ends at the back of the jar with glue dots.
5. Repeat with the white ribbon, centering it over the blue ribbon.
6. Attach the snowman and shovel images to the front of the jar with glue dots.
7. Fold the 2 1/8" x /3 1/2" scrapbook paper in half to form a gift card. Center and attach the mug image to the front of the card.
8. Use the paper punch to punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the gift card.
9. Wrap the thin blue ribbon around the jar and tie it in a knot.
10. Thread one end of the ribbon through the holes in the measuring cup, and the gift card. Tie the ribbon into a bow to secure the cup and card.
11. Use glue dots to glue the snowflake buttons to the top of the jar as a finishing touch.

You don’t have to use blue and snowmen, you can use green, red, silver, or gold fabric with any Christmas image. You can also adapt this for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother Days, a teacher’s gift, or any other occasion you can think of. Just change the ribbon, and the images you use to fit.

It can be a lot of fun to make handmade gifts with your child. Start a new family tradition, and spend some time together crafting gifts for family and friends this holiday season.

Image via Ball(tm)

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• Thanksgiving Fun For Kids features games, coloring pages, and activities to occupy children during your Thanksgiving gathering.
• Thanksgiving Party Games and Activities, has games and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
• Check out these really cute ideas for decorating the kid’s table for Thanksgiving.
• All Holiday Cafe pointed out The Toymaker has free Thanksgiving Printables.
• Put the kids to work this Thanksgiving with a handy new kitchen gadget.
• Put the children to work making recycled Thanksgiving crafts.
• Write a thankful poem.
• If your kids are like mine they’re done with school after tomorrow, and home for the next 5 days. Here are 15 fun things to do with your kids during the Thanksgiving break.

There are a ton of great ideas here. I hope some of them work for you and your kids during your Thanksgiving celebration.

Image via Stock.xchng

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I sent out a query to try to find the best toys to include in the list, and received a huge response. I’m sorting everything out now.

One toy I’m sure I want to include on my list is Jakks EyeClops Night Vision Goggles. They’re on both my son’s, and my 7 year old neices Christmas list.

Do you have a spy kid in your family? The Eye Clops Night Vision Glasses are powered by actual infra-red driven night vision technology, these high tech goggles allow visibility up to 50 feet even where it’s completely dark.

They’re fun for young kids, those who are still kids at heart. Now your kids can see what’s happening after the sun goes down. With a close proximity stealth mode, your little agent can go on undetected secret missions and covert operations all around the house.

You can find out more about these cool glasses at the EyeClops website or check out the Eyeclops Night Vision Goggles and other toys for boys when you visit the Play Library children’s gift guide.

Image via EyeClops

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Guacamole is loaded with healthy good fats, nutrients, and fewer calories than most other spreads. It’s a great food to get your child interested in.

Let them help you make these fun, healthy, guacamole holiday treats.

To make this tasty version of the Grinch in your kitchen, cut your favorite sandwich into a triangle, cut off the points to make a pear shape. Top with Wholly Guacamole classic, smooth and etch Grinch brows and cheeks. For eye,  use yellow pepper circles topped with pimento stuffed olives. Cut an olive for the nose and add a sprig of celery greens for hair.

O’ Guacamole Tree…Make holiday lunches fun with cookie cutters and toppings to magically transform that  plain turkey sandwich into a holiday masterpiece– a tree or star decorated with sour cream garland and mini tomato ornaments.

To decorate your holiday shape sandwiches use basics from your pantry including: diced fresh vegetables, olives, canned corn, nuts and even bacon bits. Anything your kids might eat becomes fair game and helps to inspire creative, healthy eating. Squeeze fat-free sour cream from the corner of a zip-close bag for extra flair.

Images courtesy of Wholly Guacamole

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Each Decorating icing pack will decorate 12-2 inch cookies. The decorating bags are easy to use, you can just clip the tip off and start decorating.

Five lucky winners will receive one each of red, green, blue, and white icing. These will be wonderful for letting your children help you decorate those Christmas cookies.

Check out these posts for fun Christmas cookie decorating ideas you can do with your kids:

Colorful Christmas Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Cookie Pops Homemade Christmas Gift Idea

50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas

To enter the contest leave a comment on this post telling us about your Christmas cookie making adventures, or your favorite cookies to make for Christmas.

You can earn additional entries by blogging about this contest, or subscribing to Play Library’s feed. Leave an additional comment for each one of these you do.

The contest is open only to residents of North America.

Contest ends Tuesday November 25th at midnight EST.

The winner will be selected randomly by random.org.

Good luck!

Image via Betty Crocker

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