With Thanksgiving behind us, households everywhere are busy shopping, traveling, and enjoying family. We had a wonderful Turkey feast full of laughs, love, and pumpkin pie, but the excitement comes this weekend when I head to the Houston Ballet to see the Nutcracker with four women I love: My Mom, Sister, Niece, and Daughter.

It's events like this that really bring the Magic of Christmas into our home and our hearts. That's why I'm happy to introduce you to two Christmas Books, by Scholastic, that will warm the hearts of both you and your children. What better way to create memories to cherish?

About The Christmas Magic:



Far, far North, when the nights are longest and the stars shine brightest, Santa begins to prepare for his big night of giving. He gathers his reindeer, feeds them parsnips and berries, and polishes his bells and his sled. Then lovingly, he chooses toys for every child in the world. For Santa loves them all, and he knows what each child at heart wants most. Then, with the thrum of magic that makes reindeers fly, he spreads the Christmas joy and warmth throughout the world--as he always has -- and always will until the end of time.

About The Nutcracker and the Mouse King:



In this gorgeous telling of The Nutcracker, Gail de Marcken brings E.T.A. Hoffmann's richly enchanting world to life. With beautifully detailed illustrations, the story of THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING will become an instant classic . It's a story readers of all ages will delight in.

What We Liked:

• Hard Cover: The book is hardback, which we love. Our two older children (ages 6 and 7) have learned how to take care of their books, however, we have a 2-year-old who is still learning. With special Holiday books, we like to have them sturdy to withstand "The Toddler" and being packed away from one year to the next.

• Magical Colors: Nothing says "Magical" to me more than the mixture of Blue, Silver, & White. The cover of The Christmas Magic, itself screams READ ME. My children merely saw the cover and HAD to know how they can experience what was inside this story.

• Memory Maker: Yup. I said it. I'm a sucker for Holiday Books. We have an extensive library dedicated just to Christmas, but books provide so many awesome memories for my children, it's hard for me to invest money into something that will fade by the end of the day. These books and titles last a lifetime with sweet memories of reading by the dim lights of the Christmas Tree or the edge of the bed.

• Size: These two titles are bigger than they look! The pages were easily seen from across the room and when we snuggle we all help holding it, bringing us that much closer.

• Life Events: As I mentioned before, we're heading to see The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet this weekend. A perfect way to help us get prepared is reading The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. My daughter relates this book to the magic and excitement of the Ballet and Christmas.

This is usually where I insert my Momma Improvement, but not today folks. These are amazing Christmas stories that are perfect for bedtime stories or gift giving for the entire family!

Buy It

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King retails for $18.99, while The Christmas Magic can be purchased for $16.99 at Scholastic's Online Store.

WIN IT!

Thanks to our friends at Scholastic, two lucky Momma Findings readers will win one of two prize packs with both The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and The Christmas Magic books.

How to Enter:

Required Entry:

Tell me, in the comment section, what you do to make Holiday memorable for your children. Are there specific books you read, activities you do, or events you look forward to?

Extra Entry Options:

- 3 Extra Entries if you blog about how you make Holidays memorable and link back to this post. Leave 3 separate comments with the url to your post.

- 2 Extra Entries Add the Momma Findings 2009 Holiday Gift Guide button (on your left, complete with html copy/paste code) to your blog sidebar. Leave two separate comments stating you have, along with your blog url.

- Sign up to be an email subscriber right there on the right side

- Follow Momma Findings on Facebook Networked Blogs.

- Follow Momma Findings and My Sippy Cup Runneth Over (my personal blog) on Google Friends.

- Follow me on Twitter (@Sarann) and send out a Tweet linking to both this contest and replying to @Sarann. Leave a comment with the URL link to your Tweet.

- Tell me your thoughts about my 2009 Holiday Gift Guide by leaving a comment on that post. Once you do, come back here post a separate comment stating you did.


Contest starts today November 27th - December 5th Midnight Central Time and open to US residents only. Leave each entry in separate comments. You don't have to be a blogger to enter, but please leave a valid email address for contact purposes.

**CONTEST NOW EDED**

Congrats to Deb K and Shop Nannies! Check your inbox on how to claim your prize

This post made possible by Scholastic who sent us The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and The Christmas Magic books. Opinions here are solely my own and have not been wavered by the products I received or compensated in any other way.