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December 8, 2014 By Wendy 29 Comments

Calming the Christmas Antsy Pants with Northpole Gifts #NorthpoleFun

This shop about Hallmark Northpole gifts has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NorthpoleFun #CollectiveBias 

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house…the kids were going BANANAS.


You know how it goes. The weeks leading up to Christmas are busy and hectic and by Dec. 24th, the kids are two flakes short of a full-blown meltdown. You can’t blame them, really. They’re super excited, trying to be “good”, waiting for Christmas gifts with no concept of how long it is until the big day arrives. That’s why my mom always let us open one gift on Christmas Eve (that, and the fact that we always opened pajamas, which made for nice Christmas morning photos. I’m on to you, Mom.)

Well, this mama has a bag of tricks of her own now, and I’m making a case for a new tradition – the pre-Christmas gift.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

I realize I may take some heat for this, but I’m going to say that the pre-Christmas gift just might be even more important than those that come on Christmas morning.  They can really amp up the magic of Christmas while also helping to calm and reign in the excitement that kids can have trouble containing. They don’t get lost in the mountain of other Christmas gifts. And, in the case of the new Northpole gifts and toys inspired by the new Northpole movie from Hallmark, they’re just so darn cute.

And while it might seem contradictory that I write about cutting back on toys, then suggest gifts before Christmas, there is a method to my madness. Have you ever gotten a Santa or Christmas-y gift on Christmas Day, only to pack it away until next year? Yeah…that. No fun. Christmas-themed gifts have to come early! I say just cut back on the other stuff!

So what I propose is this: head out to your local Walmart and look for a Northpole display (you won’t miss it. It’s blue and red and awesome and BIG!) and pick up a few items from the new line of holiday toys and gifts. Just be prepared – you’re going to want them all. There’s a communicator that lets you talk to Santa, lots of games, some really cute baking supplies. I wouldn’t be suprised if I heard they had a few kids in on designing the line. It’s that fun.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

Good ol’ story time

You just can’t talk about the interactive plush or the 3D North Pole map without talking about the book that tells the story of Northpole. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say that it’s one you’ll want to read each night. (A huge plus, am I right?) It’s beautifully illustrated, and the story just might make you tear up a little, you softie.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

If you pick up the book, make sure you grab a copy that comes with the Find Me Santa Snowflake ornament.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

This video clip will tell you why!

Warm up the oven

After 20 years working in bakeries, I think the icing that runs through my veins may have been passed on to my kiddos, too. If your kids love baking as much as mine do, the Bake Like an Elf baking set is the right thing to pull out on a snowy day. (There a Sprinkle Bell, too! No more spilling!)

I’m always amazed at the time you can kill in the kitchen when dough and sprinkles are in the mix.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

I mean, the measuring cups are a boot, a mitten and a tiny bell. My daughter couldn’t have been any more smitten!

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

We made basic sugar cookies first, and used my favorite trick: 2 packets of hot cocoa in the dough. The kids think it’s brilliant, and I’m inclined to agree because chocolate.

And while we’re talking chocolate, our Northpole Magic Reveal cups are another thing the kids think is brilliant. The design appears when the cup gets cold, so you have to do something cold – like frozen hot chocolate – in them to get the effect.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

And by frozen hot chocolate, I mean melted ice cream. Throw in some snow if you have it, and again, brilliant. See how easy that is?

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

Game it up!

If the kids have a little *extra* energy to burn, let ’em toss presents down the chimney! The Rooftop Drop game is giving me a run for my money on the “brilliant/easy” thing. It’s out of the box and the kids are playing in about a minute flat.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

But holy snowballs, did they ever love it! They played forever. And who knows how, but they came up with about ten different ways to play.

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

But if you play this game, you must must must get the Northpole Magic Snowballs to go with it! They toss just as well as the bean bags, but they light up when they hit the ground!

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

For less than $3, they just may have been our best Northpole find! Both kiddos have been carrying them around for days. When it comes to little kiddos, I guess a fuzzy glowing snowball is about as magical as it gets!

One more time: simple, brilliant. 

Pre-Christmas gifts help you celebrate all season long! #NorthpoleFun from Hallmark #shop

Make it a movie night

Last but not least, gather up those cookies you made, fill your Magic Reveal cups and grab those snuggly snowballs, because Northpole (starring Tiffani Thiessen) is a new Christmas classic that you won’t want to miss! And nothing cures the antsy pants better than a feelgood movie. It premieres Friday, December 12 at 4pm/3cst on the Hallmark Channel!

See a trailer here!

Whether your traditions are new or old, Northpole Toys really are an adorable way to spend December celebrating the spirit of Christmas instead of just waiting for it to arrive. I almost feel like they’ve given us a longer holiday this year, if that makes sense, and I’m definitely grabbing the Northpole Communicator before Christmas if I can find one!

Find out more about the entire line of Northpole gifts at Walmart here.

 Do you have any pre-Christmas gifting traditions?

Related

Filed Under: Family Fun, Product & Service Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: #Cbias, #Shop, Christmas, holiday gifts, reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura J says

    December 9, 2014 at 12:19 am

    Oh I love those magic snowballs! How fun!!! We would have to much fun with those!

    Reply
  2. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    December 9, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    That is a really cute line. I need to go get a few things 🙂

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 9, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      Be warned! The whole line is ADORABLE!

      Reply
  3. Debbie Denny says

    December 9, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Really neat items. I will have to head out to look at these,.
    Debbie Denny recently posted…Canon is on My Family Gift List from Best Buy! #CanonatBestBuy #HintingSeason @CanonUSAimagingMy Profile

    Reply
  4. maria @ close to home says

    December 9, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Hallmark has the cutest campaign going on right now You cant mess with Hallmark and holidays.
    maria @ close to home recently posted…Tips for a Holiday Party Photo Booth and Rudolph GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm

      I know! Every time I see someone else post about Northpole stuff, I see something else I want. I’m going to be buried soon!

      Reply
  5. Chelle @ Oh Just Stop Already says

    December 9, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    I saw these at Walmart the other day and was debating on getting it for the kids. Now I think I will. We always watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with the kids and then on Christmas Eve the hubs and I watch Zombieland while wrapping presents after the kids crash.
    Chelle @ Oh Just Stop Already recently posted…Freedom To Be Spontaneous Shouldn’t Get Stuck #TheMoodStrikesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm

      I LOVE Zombieland! My husband would be thrilled if I made that a new tradition!

      Reply
  6. Ronnie says

    December 9, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    I love the whole set of goodies you showed! The snowballs look like fun for the night.. maybe there’s a game to create there. I don’t celebrate Xmas myself so no gifts to give but I love Xmas goodies. 🙂

    Reply
  7. becca says

    December 9, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    No pre christmas gifting but son wants a snow ball shooter.
    becca recently posted…Knights Inn #Review #TravelMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 9, 2014 at 9:58 pm

      My son is getting one this year!

      Reply
  8. Liz Mays says

    December 9, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    The Bake Like an Elf kit seems so fun. Those books look great too.
    Liz Mays recently posted…Pumpkin Dumpkin Cake with Creamy Cheesecake Pudding ToppingMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Christine Luken says

    December 9, 2014 at 7:33 pm

    I always loved it when my parents read me Christmas stories on Christimas Eve.
    Christine Luken recently posted…No Cookie Cutter Budgets (Podcast)My Profile

    Reply
  10. Amy Desrosiers says

    December 9, 2014 at 8:31 pm

    I love that there are so many Northpole Gifts this year! We have a few of them and my kids love them so far!

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 9, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      Same here! I even stashed a few for Christmas Eve 🙂 Shhh….don’t tell!

      Reply
  11. Christina Berry says

    December 9, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Oh so cute! So many awesome goodies – wish I had a little one to give them to! Thanks for sharing!
    Christina Berry recently posted…Free Blog Planner Printable SetMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Mama to 5 BLessings says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:30 am

    What cute ideas. I love the snowballs, my kids would love those especially since we live in Florida where it does not snow.
    Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Get Into The Christmas Spirit With Fun Kids Movies (Giveaways)My Profile

    Reply
  13. Tonya C says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Great ideas! We usually read the Night Before Christmas and have hot chocolate on Christmas Eve. This year I’m throwing in new pajama gifts to our tradition. Now I may have to add one of these ideas too. They look like lots of fun!
    Tonya C recently posted…HOT Toy List Giveaway: Monster High Catacombs PlaysetMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 10, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      Pajamas are the best…but I agree that a few Northpole items complete the gift! We got a map of the northpole that comes with 3D tracking glasses that I’m pretty sure will keep my son busy most of Christmas Eve night! That and some hot chocolate and we’re golden!

      Reply
  14. Lisa says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:23 am

    I had no idea Hallmark had all of this! Can’t wait to go shopping now!
    Lisa recently posted…Wyndham Rewards GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 10, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      It really is a HUGE line of stuff! And the quality is top-notch. Nothing cheaply made here.

      Reply
  15. Denise says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:48 am

    I got the snowflake so much fun

    Reply
  16. Nicole Elliott says

    December 10, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    I agree that gifts before Christmas can sometimes be almost as or more fun than gifts other times!! Especially when they’re gifts like these–looks like you are in for a magical and no ants in the pants rest of the month! #client
    Nicole Elliott recently posted…How To Get Your Kids To Help Out Without A FussMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      December 10, 2014 at 1:18 pm

      I definitely think the Northpole toys are lifting my holiday spirit just as much as my kids’! And I’m totally in love with the blue and red instead of traditional Christmas colors. I’m hoping I can grab some extras for next year, too!

      Reply
  17. Debbie L. says

    December 10, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    We are planning a trip to the mall – I was to check out all of the Northpole items. They look like so much fun.
    Debbie L. recently posted…The Vineyard by Michael Hurlley ~ Giveaway ends 12/18My Profile

    Reply
  18. Amanda Love says

    December 10, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Hallmark makes the cutest things for Christmas. Not only do I love their decorations and cards but love all the little stuff that they make that makes the season so much brighter.
    Amanda Love recently posted…Legend of the Poinsettia Book & Craft: Poinsettia OrnamentMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Lexie Lane says

    December 11, 2014 at 2:46 am

    Mine is definitely getting antsy. I get asked everyday, “mommy why is Christmas taking too long?” These are great ideas and will definitely try!

    Reply
  20. Amanda says

    December 11, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Oh my! How sweet! I need to check out these gifts at Hallmakr!

    Reply
  21. Katie Harding says

    December 12, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Such an adorable line of gifts, thanks for sharing! My boys are going to love these!
    Katie Harding recently posted…Spiced Caramel Coffee Recipe: Coffee meets Dessert!My Profile

    Reply

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