The first item I chose was a
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle. I chose this item because it can be enjoyed and cherished by my family for many years to come. I also liked the idea that a puzzle would bring us together for some family time. That is why I think a photo puzzle would be a great gift if you are looking for one special gift to give to a whole family. This glossy 252-piece puzzle sells for $24.95, measures 10-1/2" x 13-1/2", and comes in a storage tin that has the photo printed on the lid. Even if someday the puzzle pieces become too worn or get lost, I will still cherish this tin.
The puzzle the photo was printed on was not made for younger children. Our six year old had a tough time with it because some of the pieces would fit into each other even if they were not meant to go together. Also, the edge pieces and a small handful from the center were all still physically connected and had to be pulled apart. Still, in the end the finished puzzle looked great and my husband, our 6yr old, and myself were able to spend quality time together.
The second product I selected was from PhotoWorks' large selection of
photo mugs. I started off designing a mug for my husband, but then decided that I wanted one for myself as well. So I turned two of the white
15oz Photo Mugs into a pair of his and her mugs.
These mugs were $15.95 each and offered five different layouts, some of which included personalized text. I opted for a simple 4-photo design. On each mug, I selected a photo of each of our 3 children to use. Then on my husband's mug, the fourth photo was of myself, while on my mug, it was one of my husband. You can see the designs from three different views below . . .
Both mugs turned out great! The only complaint I had was that the two smaller photos on my husband's mug had a strong red tone, especially the one on top. I find this happens frequently at most photo services when there is something that is red or reddish brown in the photo and I'm not sure how to avoid it since my original photos looked fine. Another thing is that I cannot find the answer to whether these mugs are dishwasher safe or not. There is nothing mentioned in the product description and the bottoms of the mugs are not marked. I think we will have to hand wash these just to be on the safe side.
Aside from the previously mentioned issue with the red tones, my husband and I are extremely pleased with how our his and her mugs turned out. I think a pair of mugs would be a practical and affordable gift for a couple of any age. It definitely makes me smile to look at the photos of the most important people in my life while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa (sorry I'm not a coffee-drinker).
To view the entire selection of photo gifts offered by PhotoWorks, visit PhotoWorks.com . If you are looking for something special to include in a child's Easter basket this year, I found some great ideas, such as photo playing cards, photo bookmarks, photo mousepads, and several themed photo books suitable for children. Through 3/18/10, you can receive Free Shipping on all orders over $15 when you use Code: SPRINGSALE at checkout.
Thank you to PhotoWorks for sending us samples of their photo products free of charge to base this review upon and for providing our winner with a coupon for $50 off their order.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive $50 to use towards their PhotoWorks order plus free shipping.
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Take a look at the vast assortment of photo gifts and photo books offered on PhotoWorks.com . Then leave a comment telling me what you would use your $50 towards if you won this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest. Extra Entries:
1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND PhotoWorks.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.
4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.
5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.
6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.
7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
Several years ago, my husband began getting migraine headaches. At first, he didn't even know that he was experiencing anything more than extremely bad headaches. The pain was crippling and the only way he could find comfort was to lay down in a completely darkened room after taking the maximum dose of pain medication. Still that did not guarantee that the migraine would go away. Sometimes it would take many hours before he would feel better. He even tried some of the stronger medications made especially for migraine relief, but they left him feeling groggy and eventually like he was hung over.
