mall of America

Hippity hoppity, Easter’s on its way… and my kiddos could not be more excited! Although, to be honest, we just finished the Halloween loot. Here are some fun basket ideas that will put a spring in their step and a grin on their faces.

1. Sunday best: Spring is all about new beginnings and nothing says Easter more than a brand new outfit! And for the first time in years, the kids will actually be able to wear cute dresses and shorts without freezing. Check out the new Strawberry Fields collection at Janie and Jack for girls’ dresses with matching floral sunglasses and sandals. And for the boys, ships ahoy! He’ll be a charmer in these nautical shorts and matching striped hat.
Janie and Jack (Level 1, South)

2. Easter reads: Every holiday since my boys were babies, we’ve added to their book collection. These were my two all-time favorite children’s books and now I’m passing them down to my guys this year. The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes and The Velveteen Rabbit.
Barnes & Noble (Level 1, East)

3. LEGO: LEGOs are a favorite toy in our house so we love when they come out with new, fun buildables for the holidays. Check out these bunny and chick LEGOs for your little guys and gals. They’re a colorful little snap and click that won’t give them cavities!
LEGO (Level 1, South)

4. Rockin’ E.B.: With the Easter movie “HOP” now out on DVD, check out Build-A-Bear’s Rockin’ E.B. stuffed rabbit. He comes complete with drumsticks and plaid get-up and will hop right into your child’s heart!
Build-A-Bear (Level 1, East)

5. Chocolate dipped PEEPS: What basket is complete without a lil’ sugar?  PEEPS are a staple in every Easter basket, but have you tried them chocolate dipped? Delish! 
PEEPS (Nickelodeon Universe®)

Don’t forget, you can get your photo taken with the Easter Bunny now through Easter Sunday, April 8!

The gifts have been opened, copious amounts of have been food consumed and Santa has made his trip back up to the North Pole. Christmas may be over but that doesn’t mean the season of gifting is over. With all of those gift cards burning a hole in your wallet, it’s time to start treating yourself to some fabulous holiday cheer.

We, the MOA™ bloggers, wanted to share our favorite gifts this year and hope they give you that perfect excuse to pick up a little something for yourself. You deserve it!

1. Opened by: Erin | Gold Plated Earrings @ Swarovski {$75}
2. Opened by: Lisa | Pop Phone Retro Headset @ Forever 21 {$28.80}
3. Opened by: Elissa | Deer Antler Hook @ Urban Outfitters {$28}
4. Opened by: Katelyn | Collector’s Edition I.T. Brush Set @ Sephora {$60}
5. Opened by: Katie | Flat Bottomed Wok @ Williams-Sonoma {$19.95}
6. Opened by: Sarah | Leopard iPhone Case @ J.Crew {$25}
7. Opened by: Brandon | Striped Sweater @ Old Navy {$30}
8. Opened by: Jenn | Hunter Leopard Print Welly Socks @ Nordstrom {$40}
9. Opened by: Micah | “The Dangerous Book for Boys” @ Barnes & Noble {$27}
10. Opened by: Bridget | Marc by Marc Jacobs USB @ Bloomingdale’s {$42}

The blog team has had a blast compiling The Daily Gift series this holiday season for you – our fabulous readers! We truly hope you have enjoyed the series and that our gifts helped spark ideas for you in your search for the perfect gift. If you’re out shopping today – check out the slideshow for last-minute ideas and if you’re all done, I guarantee you’ll find something in the 27 gifts that you’ll want to use that gift card you received to buy next week.

Happy Holidays!

Thank you readers for all of your comments. Congratulations to MLOLSON on winning a $100 Mall of America gift card and a 2 night stay at the Hilton.

It’s just a few days until Christmas, and while most of you have your holiday shopping done, it will soon be time for another trip to the Mall for family fun, returns, exchanges and more. Whether you’re local or from out-of-town, why not make a fun weekend out of it to enjoy everything MOA™ has to offer?

Our friends over at the Hilton Minneapolis / St. Paul Mall of America® are offering one lucky winner a two-night stay for a Friday and Saturday night redeemable starting New Year’s weekend 2011 through the last weekend in January. In addition, they are offering MOA Blog readers a $69 room rate for any Thur-Sat. booking in the coming month (use this link for $69 room rate). We think it’s so great that we’re giving away a $100 Mall of America gift card to accompany this fabulous package. The Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Mall of America offers room service from the award-winning Executive Chef, Eric G Baker, recently upgraded bath amenities to a line of skin care products by Peter Thomas Roth and a gorgeous recreation center complete with a fitness center and indoor pool.

How do you win? Comment below with why you deserve a shopping weekend getaway and you’ll be entered to win a 2-night stay at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Mall of America complete with complimentary room service for breakfast and a $100 Mall of America gift card. To enter, you must comment on this blog post by Tuesday, December 27 at 1:00 p.m. and provide a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. We’ll announce the winner via email and update the post to reflect that we’ve chosen a winner. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Official Rules

It seems like cake pops are popping up everywhere! Here is my recipe for cake pops with a holiday twist:

1. Bake a white cake (a box mix is fine)
2. Let cake cool (Tip: It’s best to make the cake the day before)
3. Break up the cake and mix with ½ cup Peppermint Butter Cream Frosting ($19.95) found at Williams-Sonoma (Level 2, West).
4. Roll into 1 ½” balls and place on cookie sheet
5. Chill cake balls in the refrigerator over night
6. Melt vanilla candy coating in microwave
7. Dip one stick at a time into the candy coating and then into a chilled cake ball
8. Dip cake balls into the candy coating one at a time (Tip: Lightly tap the stick on the side of the bowl to remove access coating. You might need to use a spoon to help coat the cake balls.)
9. Sprinkle Handmade Peppermint Snow ($10.95) found at Williams-Sonoma, over the coated cake ball. (Tip: Do not roll coated cake ball in the snow.)

My fellow blogger Katelyn gave me a great tip to wrap a foam wreath from the Dollar Tree (Level 1, East) with saran wrap and poke the sticks into the wreath to allow the candy coating to cool. For easy clean up, remove the saran wrap and save the foam wreath for the next time you make cake pops!

Don’t have time to make holiday cake pops? Visit Starbucks (Level 1, East + Level 2, West) and try one of their Limited Edition Peppermint Brownie Cake Pops for only $1.61 each!

For all things holiday, including more gift ideas, click here.

For all things holiday, including more gift ideas, click here.

For all things holiday, including more gift ideas, click here.

For all things holiday, including more gift ideas, click here.

For all things holiday, including more gift ideas, click here.