Review and Giveaway Text Bands

Secret codes, clubs, passing notes, these are all “fun” things about being a kid. Of course I thought my kids would never make up “clubs” or anything like that. For me, call it the stereotypical “some one always gets left out fear”. However, I found that so far it isn’t too big an issue. My boys tried being part of a club that was exclusive to, well, 3 boys, 2 of them MINE, and when I explained how that could make someone feel if they were left out they changed their tune really quick. A few days later,  enter technology and Hallmark’s text bands. We received a pair of text bands to review. Pictured below are our text bands on my daughter and niece. They wanted in on the action but since they are too young to use them we let them model them and the boys get the perks of keeping them.

text bands

Text Bands are cool wristband gadgets that, just like a watch, kids can wear on their wrist.  My kids love the concept. They can type up to 10 characters into it and then can bump fists or shake hands with their buddy, and the message they typed will transfer to the other person’s text band. Each band has a built in filter to keep kids from passing bad words back and forth.  each band can hold up to 24 messages.

The directions were so simple my 9 year old was able to follow them and get both text bands going without any help from mom. I love it when kids’ things are made easy enough for them to actually set up themselves. (Thank you to the creators of text bands for that small blessing.) The boys love playing around with them and sending each other messages. It is a little silly at times as they try to out do each other in what they say. Through this I have also learned that text speak goes over kids’ heads pretty easily. I think they will be pros in no time though.

Currently the starter kit is available in two colors – charcoal and purple. This includes the band and texting module, and is priced at $14.99.  You can then buy different bands to switch it up, with 8 colorful options to choose from. The bands are $4.99.   They are available at Hallmark God Crown Stores.

Hallmark has graciously offered to give one of our reader’s a set of text bands. The winner will receive 1 set of Text Bands.Please enter below and be advised that we do check to ensure you have actually completed the entry. I would hate to have to disqualify a winner because they didn’t actually complete the entry.  Thanks so much and GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No coupons? No problem! week of May 9

Sorry I’m a little late with this one this week. My pick of the week is still going to be Giant! I went there this morning and had mixed success.

First, the Hallmark catalina offer is still working. Buy any three cards and get $5 back. The $0.99 cards work and I’ve purchased dozens. But, I did have one transaction this morning not work for me, so choose carefully and be prepared to return them or eat the cost if it doesn’t work. At the Kennett Square store they do have $0.99 Father’s Day cards. I also read online that in Altoona, PA, the store has been instructed to NOT restock any of the $0.99 cards until this deal is over. Pfft! So while this is a great deal, it’s turning into a YMMV (your mileage may vary) deal very quickly.

The Scott deal is also still running through this week. But any three Scott items from different categories, and get $3 back. The three categories are toilet paper, paper towels and wet wipes. The paper towels are $1 and the small TP roll is $0.87, so you can just pay $1.87+ tax and get $2 back. And that $2 will roll onto a second deal, just make sure you have something to eat up the overage. I’ve been using the $0.50 coupon on the wipes, which are $1.89. Once that coupon doubles, I’m paying $0.87 + $0.89 +$1.00 and getting $3 back. Love free TP!

But if you don’t have any coupons, still lots of small freebies to be had at Giant. I am completely stocked in greeting cards now, for the next few years!

Headed back to Giant-Scott & Hallmark deals

Last night I was poking around online and found some more Giant deals at hcw. I think I may go back this week and do some of these.

First, Hallmark has a promo that is buy any three Hallmark cards, get a $5 catalina on your next order (oyno). The $0.99 cards are working. And, Giant automatically deducts 10% from the sticker prices of cards, so you only pay about $2.75, get $5 back. Nice!

The second is a Scott deal. A bit more complicated-you have to buy different categories of Scott products. Buy two and you’ll get $2 oyno, buy three and get $3 oyno. But this is categories, not items. In other words, buy a toilet paper and a tissue, or a toilet paper and a Scott wet wipes. NOT two toilet papers or two tissues.

And, this is a wrench in the works and one of the reasons I don’t like Giant. When you get your $5 Hallmark catalinas, it’s being reported that you can only use one at a time, or one per transaction. So even though this deal stacks (buy 15 cards, get $25 oyno) you wouldn’t be able to use them all at once anyway. It is however, a nice way to get started on the diaper deal I posted yesterday.

Last night while we were eating dinner, I was thinking to myself how many freakin’ napkins we go through at each meal. And I thought about going back to Acme to do a deal on the Bounty napkins. Now I may see if the Scott ones work instead. Hmmm, I don’t usually like Giant, but definitely warming up to them this week!