The Wii rocks for so many reasons. Though we still don’t have much time to play it, we thoroughly enjoy the moments that we do, and it’s a great way to entertain the entire family when the weather’s crappy. We don’t have many games, but that may change since my recent discovery of Wiiware, a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii console from the Wiishop channel. Without going to the store. Can I get an Amen?

UK based game developer Zoonami kindly gave us some Wii points to spend on their new Wiiware game, Bonsai Barber. It’s for 1-4 players and is rated E for Everyone-Comic Mischief. For some reason, the name of the game didn’t click for me until we actually played it. And yes, we were actually giving haircuts to foliage. You choose from a selection of tools of the trade – scissors, clippers, paint for fun, water to regrow foliage and more, and cut the “hair” (twigs and leaves) of one of the twelve Bonsai salon customers, which include a shallot, a strawberry, a cactus, a carrot, a banana and more, each with their own interesting personality. If you play daily, you’ll get a new 5 customers each day to test your stylistic skills. Sometimes the customer requests a certain style, or you can choose from over thirty available styles. If you don’t play daily and miss an appointment, you’ll hear about it (on your Wii message board, but if you perform well you may get a gift or a postcard from an exotic destination from a customer who has traveled afar to show off their new do. I’d never let my kids Wii every day and there are no worries about the game being annoying if you don’t.

While my husband and I enjoyed the game for a few minutes, it’s definitely a kids game and our three year old absolutely loved it. It was really fun for us to play as a family, but is not a game you’d sit and play with your adult friends for long. It’s el cheapo – amounts to about ten bucks – and is great fun for all ages so if you have children or grandchildren of the under 10 set, I’d highly recommend it!

Buy your 2000 Wii points card online in Canada or the USA and get shopping!

Win it! You could win one of THREE 2000 Wii points cards or a Wii console courtesy of Zoonami! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on December 7, 2009. The first number drawn will win the Wii (along with a Wii points card so you can order Bonsai Barber! Those Zoonami folks are so thoughtful…) and the next three will win the points cards. Good luck! (Remember, you can always get extra entries at T.O.P.!)

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Remember friendship bracelets?

Turns out they never went away.

I just got old.

Who knew?

The infamous Klutz, a company from whom I have purchased approximately a gazillion gifts that I had to force myself not to keep & play with, has recently released Fancy Friendship Bracelets ($19.95) for ages 8 & up. It’s the sequel to the original ‘Friendship Bracelets’ book. This one comes with a bunch of way cool all-new bracelet designs that any girlfriend would be glad to receive. There are four bright reams (is that what they’re called?) of cord & one black one, as well as more than 200 sparkling beads and some super heard & flower charms.

They range from simple to slightly more complicated designs and there’s something for everyone’s taste. The toughest thing about this kit is actually giving the cute stuff you make to someone else and not keeping it all for yourself. Or is that just me?

Win it! TWO winners will each win TWO copies of this new book. One to keep…and one to share! To enter, just comment here before noon mst on Monday, November 23, 2009.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNERS EMAILED

I love Christmas.

I love Christmas cards.

I love sending them and I love receiving them.

Growing up with a military Daddy, I have friends from all over the world and receive some pretty spectacular cards. I’ve always thought my cards were pretty nice too, until I got my order from Blue Whale Invitations this year. They’re in a completely different league than anything I’ve ever bought, made for myself or reviewed in the past.

Owner & artist Melissa Aird leaves no stone left unturned when she’s working with you to custom design your card. She has a great selection of pre-designed Christmas greetings on her site ranging from $2.25 – $2.75 per card, but if you don’t see exactly what you want she will literally do anything to ensure you get what’s perfect for you at no extra cost. The process begins with Melissa asking some simple questions about your style & preferences. From there, she designs several cards and mails you a completed sample of each one complete with envelopes and a price for each one should you choose to order some. You make your choice(s), let her know of any editing you’d like and WHAM. Gorgeous, custom-designed and hand made cards appear in your mailbox.

Pictured at right are one of the two sets she designed for our family – a gorgeous double figure skate with our picture attached. They feature shining silver grommets and quality satin ribbon, and look truly stunning . We also got some of the negative film strip cards that are listed on her website, and just had her change the text and font for us and include our pictures.

The single figure skate on the Blue Whale Invitations website sells for $3.75, and our custom designed double ones sell for close to $8 each. Steep? Yes. I don’t recommend you order 100 of those, but they’re just perfect for the extra special people in your life. That dude you haven’t seen since high school can have the one you had printed at Costco.

Blue Whale Invitations isn’t just Christmas cards. In fact, that’s the least of what Melissa does. If you need a mailed greeting, she can make it. And make it well. I’d highly recommend her for any occasion, but you’ve still got time to order your Christmas cards!

Win it! Blue Whale Invitations is giving away a set of 20 mailed greetings – custom or not – it’s up to you! To enter, simply comment on this post with your favourite item from her site or email theopinionatedparent at gmail dot com with BLUE WHALE in the subject line & put your fave in the body of the email before noon mst on Monday, November 23, 2009.