Hallmark Confidence Care Package - Review and Giveaway

When you think of Hallmark, the first thing that probably comes to mind is cards. Cards for every occasion are their trademark. However, they sell other things as well. Think party supplies, wrapping paper, picture frames, ornaments, and recordable storybooks. 

Hallmark knows that kids need more than school supplies to face the exciting and challenging situations the upcoming year holds.  That's why they created a back-to-school confidence checklist to help parents encourage and build confidence in their kids - now and all year long.

Let them hold onto your words.

Kids often get embarrassed when parents say "I love you" in front of their friends.  Think about sticking a card in their backpack or inside a textbook so they can find it later and hold onto it all day.  Hallmark's Kids Collection features cards addressing topics for young adults, including nerves about school and positive reinforcement for hard work, as well as topics for tweens and teens, such as peer pressure and choosing friends wisely.

Surprise your child with a lunchtime delight.

Fruits and veggies will help a kid be physically fit but don't forget about a child's emotional wellness.  Surprise your child with a serving of love and pride with Hallmark's new bite-sized Lunchbox Notes.  The unexpected "I love you" or "good luck" will let your child know you're by their side even after they get on the school bus.

Bring story time to life.

Story time is an opportunity to develop reading skills, but it's also a time for patents and kids to bond.  If work keeps you from being home after school or an evening activity causes you to miss bedtime, Hallmark can help.  Hallmark Recordable Storybooks allow you to record your voice, and your little ones can read along with you even if you're far away.

Hallmark's Recordable Storybooks are hardback books with stories from original and familiar titles. What makes these books special is the recorder that allows a person to retell the story. Once a person's voice is recorded, it can be saved so it is not erased. When the child opens the book to read, they will hear the story being told aloud by a loved one.
 
Making your special mark on each recordable storybook is simple. I received the Counting Kisses Recordable Storybook. After going through the pages and mimicking the words written on the page, I saved the recording. When the pages are turned by my children, they can hear my voice being spoken to the words that are on the book. What's wonderful is that it never skips a beat. If the kids turn the book to one of the middle pages first, that's what they hear being read aloud. The sound quality that comes through the speakers is pure. I don't particularly care for the pinpoint holes that adorn each page, but I believe they're essential so the person reading can hear the voice talking clearly. On the inside of the book is a "To" and "Read To You By" section that can be filled out. The Recordable Storybooks are a neat concept and a treasured keepsake for the recipient.

I believe that kindness mostly begets kindness.  Showing your children that you notice them and doing simple positive acts helps their self esteem and lets them know that they are loved.  The Lunchbox Notes for Kids and the encouraging cards are great ways to show that you're thinking of your child.  When my kids start school I will be placing the Lunchbox Notes in their backpacks and leaving cards out for them from time to time. 

Win It!

One person will win a Hallmark Confidence Care Package that includes:

Hallmark's Kids Collection three-card pack

Lunchbox Notes

Recordable Storybook

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment with the title of  a Recordable Storybook you like.

Extra Entries:

"Like" Hallmark on Facebook.

Follow Hallmark Cards on Twitter, HallmarkPR.

Follow me on Twitter, partymix25.

Tweet about this giveaway, leave a link to the tweet (can be done once daily).

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Blog about this giveaway or enter it in a giveaway linky, +2 entries.

One extra entry per relevant comment for commenting on any NON-GIVEAWAY post. Comments must be made during the duration of this giveaway. Come back here and tell me where you commented.

Leave a separate comment for each entry and include your email address in the comments.  Giveaway is open to residents of the USA.  Giveaway ends 8/23/11 at 8 pm CST.  Winner will be randomly drawn and will have 48 hrs. to respond to email notification or a new winner will be drawn.

I received products for review from Hallmark.  The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way.  Please do your own research before purchasing products.  Your opinions and results may differ.