Winners!

The lucky winner of a Step2 Big Splash Water Park is...

Congratulations, kellyr78!

The lucky winner of a $20 gift card to Cold Stone Creamery is...

Congratulations, Kathy Rambousek!

The lucky winner of a box of Zoo Chocolates from The Swiss Colony is...

Congratulations, sandy1955!

The lucky winner of their choice of My Pal or My Sibling Doll is...

Congratulations, The Tesdalls!

The lucky winner of an Airblown Inflatable Easter Bunny from Gemmy is...

Congratulations, AmberFaith!

Thanks to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! Have a great weekend!

Making a Difference: My Pal and My Sibling Dolls {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, J @ IHeart-Motherhood!}

With all of the companies out there these days, I've always felt that shopping for children's products can easily become very overwhelming. What makes one set of blocks different from another? What is the difference between one t-shirt and one that looks just like it? Why should I consider one teddy bear as a gift over the next?

When it comes to dolls, however, there is no dilemma. Because if it is possible to find one company that not only carries high quality, well made dolls for girls as well as boys, but is also on a mission to promote important concepts such as learning, caring and social consciousness, then there's no way to not be impressed.

Because once you've been introduced to the unique and admirable My Sibling and My Pals Dolls from LorettaRose, LLC, you'll know where to turn for your next doll purchase.

As evidenced in my My Sibling Doll review recently, we are big fans of the family-owned LorettaRose, LLC and the pride that they have in producing such high quality dolls and plush toys. However, taking things one step further, this impressive company recognized that there were very few employment options available to teens and adults with developmental disabilities and created a Work Experience Program to help.

This program gives opportunities to these individuals, providing important work experiences and training and allowing them to find jobs dressing, accessorizing, packaging, and labeling dolls, and packaging, labeling and assembly of other products as well. I'm telling you, when you see the sticker on your My Pal or My Sibling Doll referencing this program, you'll feel touched!

When it comes to the dolls themselves, I just love the idea that My Sibling and My Pal Dolls look like traditional 18" dolls but have the added uniqueness of their socially relevant purpose, cause or difference that they each promote.

Each doll comes with a booklet for children to learn from and enjoy, while helping raise their social consciousness about caring for their peers, the environment, or, in the case of My Sibling Dolls (brothers and sisters of children with disabilities), the understanding of others who learn and grow differently than they do.

With Earth Day right around the corner, My Pal for Peace arrived and was the perfect way to start thinking about peace — both on a small and large scale.

Standing 18" tall with long brown hair, blue eyes (that open and close) and light skin, My Pal for Peace has a soft body and poseable head, arms and legs. Containing all of the the small details that LorettaRose, LLC is known for, right away I was admiring her rooted, shiny hair (styled with a cute front braid), her individual little eyelashes, her blue and white peace sign print peasant blouse, and more.

Coming complete with an eight page booklet, My Pal for Peace encourages children to learn how to be peacemakers all year round. Along with the lyrics to the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth," there is plenty of information included to help encourage kids to consider how even one person can make a difference in the world.

As a mom, it worries me that children can be exposed to bullying in so many aspects of their lives. So, if having My Pal for Peace can help get the conversation started and help children develop coping skills to find a peaceful solution to problems, then every child should have one.

This doll even comes with a section of the booklet that prompts children to write their own thoughts about peace and hopefully feel empowered enough to know that they are capable of having an impact on any situation.

While the message behind My Pal for Peace makes me proud each time my daughters pick her up, I'm also happy with the fact that this doll is extremely well-made and plenty durable enough that my daughters can play with her. Her hair is easy to brush and style and her cute, removable outfit is made in the USA.

Both of my kids have loved My Pal for Peace since she arrived and have had a great time giving her hugs...

...integrating her into their pretend play...

...and overall just enjoying their time with her. Considering she combines the high quality that I look for and a message that I want to encourage, I couldn't be happier about my girls and their new friend.

Just as I loved the concept of the My Sibling Dolls, the My Pal Dolls have been equally as impressive. Children are young and impressionable, so why not include aspects such as peace, going green, autism awareness, patriotism and more at the same time? The result is the fun and love that kids enjoy with a doll but with the added bonus of a teaching and learning experience at the same time!

For a wonderful gift for your child, grandchild or friend, My Sibling and My Pal Dolls are a product that you'll feel good about on so many levels. Priced between $40 and $55 for the dolls, $8 to $15 for the accompanying plush products, and $3 to $8 for accessories, these high quality products are built to last for years of use. After all, My Pal Dolls are "Friends for any Reason, any Season!"

And, thanks to the generosity of LorettaRose, LLC, one person will have the opportunity to see just how much fun, love and learning the My Pal and My Sibling Dolls can bring to a child's life, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of My Pal or My Sibling Doll!

To enter to win: Visit My Sibling Dolls and leave a comment on this post telling me which item there is your favorite and why.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow My Sibling Dolls on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook (feel free to leave them a note saying that you are entering the giveaway on Thanks, Mail Carrier!)
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to #WIN my choice of My Pal or My Sibling Doll - great quality and amazing cause! http://bit.ly/HsGzpw @thxmailcarrier #giveaway

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 20th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to LorettaRose, LLC for providing a My Pal Doll for me for review as well as the doll of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Xia-Xia Toy Hermit Crabs Shell Easter Party {Xia-Xia Easter Basket Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, LeeAnn!}

For some people, it's not Easter until they've gone to church. For others, it is all about the ham. Others still? It's the Easter Bunny and his basket of chocolate and candy treats.

For many kids, it just wouldn't be Easter without an egg hunt. Is there anything more fun than searching for those brightly colored shells and discovering the surprises inside?

This year we had the pleasure of taking that fun and enjoyment one step further thanks to our Xia-Xia hermit crab and collections shells Easter egg hunt!

Since hitting the shelves for the 2011 holiday season, Xia-Xia has been a hit with kids everywhere and, as evident in our Xia-Xia review, Big Sister E and Little Sister B have loved playing with these colorful, funny creatures.

Pronounced Shah-Shah (rhymes with Cha-Cha), Xia-Xia are colorful, skitter-scattering, pitter-pattering, loveable, crazy hermit crabs with interchangeable shells and kooky friends to collect and trade. Said to come from the faraway land of Xia-topia, these bright crustaceans were designed with the Carnivale theme in mind and are happy to dance and play all day long.

But since last fall, not only are these crazy crustaceans multiplying, but their shells are, too! While each Xia-Xia comes with a candy colored shell in which kids can find a little friend hidden inside, you can now also expand you collection and your Xia-Xia fashion options by collecting additional shells which each contain two little friends.

Knowing how much Big Sister E and Little Sister B have enjoyed playing with these hermit crabs and their wild and wacky shell fashions, silly faces, and humorous wobbly shuffle, we were excited to share the fun and festivities with our friends with a pre-Easter celebration at the park.

We received four Xia-Xia hermit crabs, eight colorful Xia-Xia shells, regular and jumbo plastic eggs, and Hershey's Candy (Jolly Ranchers) as sweet treats to help fill them. After removing each piece from its packaging, it was time to prepare for a unique Easter egg hunt with these fun characters and shells.

Once our eggs were stuffed and ready, I waited for the kids to be happily entertained elsewhere before hiding them (some in plain site for the younger kids and some slightly more tucked away for the older kids) and then called them over to begin.

Let me tell you, you sure don't have to tell kids twice to go have fun hunting for Easter eggs! We let our younger group of kids have a small head start, but soon they were all happily search for the bright colors of the eggs.

{Tip: I've found it always makes for more fun for everyone when kids have a set number of eggs to find. Instead of just collecting as many as possible, which might lead to one or two kids without any, we like to give kids a set number, e.g. "Everyone go find THREE eggs. Once you've found THREE eggs, then bring them back to the table to open them up!"}

While the kids were of course excited to discover Jolly Ranchers inside some of their eggs, the added bonus of the Xia-Xia shells were a big hit. Being able to pull them out, laugh over the fun surprise toys inside, and then attach and remove them from the Xia-Xia crabs was a unique twist to a traditional Easter egg hunt.

As Xia-Xia are already a widely popular toy that have continued to appear on wish lists for kids of all ages, these charming hermit crab toys and shells are a great way to bring some fun, colof, magic and imagination to Easter as well. These collectible creatures combine the loveable charm of a real hermit crab but with a child-appealing twist of creativity and entertainment.

Retailing for $12.99 per crab, $5.99 for each individual shell, and varying prices for their accessories and playsets, Xia-Xia products can be found at Toys 'R Us, Walmart and on Amazon.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of their parent company, Cepia, LLC, one person will get to experience the skittling, scooting entertainment of an electronic crab as well in a post-Easter surprise, because...

One lucky person will win a Xia-Xia Easter Basket*!

*Easter basket will contain a new Xia-Xia hermit crab character, Helena, the lime green and pink cutie, or Tiwi, the pink and purple wacky crab, an additional shell, and delicious candy.

To enter to win: Leave a comment on this post telling me another fun item (not candy or chocolate) that would be fun for kids in an Easter basket.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Xia-Xia on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Xia-Xia Easter Basket for a fun and unique way to bring home this hot trend! http://bit.ly/Ht3EGz @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 19th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Xia-Xia and MomSelect for providing the aforementioned Xia-Xia products for me to review as well as a Xia-Xia Easter Basket for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Douglas Company Debuts Clifford The Big Red Dog {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Karen!}

There is something about stuffed animals that all children love. Whether it is their plush, soft cuddliness, their ability to be there for unconditional hugs and snuggling or the way that they can provide security and friendship all through the night, a great stuffed animal can find a place in a child's heart and stay there indefinitely.

But let's face it: there are a lot of stuffed animals out there these days and, unfortunately, many of them aren't so great. Big ones that fall apart, small ones that have pieces falling off, brands that are recalled due to poor craftsmanship... sigh. It's enough to make me want to avoid stuffed animals altogether sometimes.

That is, however, until I was introduced to one of top names in high quality, unique, endearing plush animals around: Douglas Cuddle Toys.

From adorable stuffed dogs to cuddly soft wildlife to fanciful unicorns and dragons, Douglas Toys has been committed to making safe and quality toys for over 50 years. Whether you're looking for cute or realistic, you'll find all shapes, sizes and colors available that, with their sweet expressions, have a way of just being a step above a regular stuffed animal.

Most recently, Douglas is seeing red with all of the Clifford-themed products it has to offer due to their launch of their Clifford the Big Red Dog plush products collection. Available in all shapes and sizes, these charmingly sweet toys are ultra soft and snuggly, no matter if they are sitting, lying down, standing or, in the case of the 30" style, simply huge!

The collection is split into two categories, Clifford Cuddle Pals (plush characters) and Clifford Fun Fashion (themed purses) and, after browsing the adorable variety of options available from Douglas Toys, I knew that Big Sister E and Little Sister B would be thrilled with each and every one.

And when the Clifford Fun Fashion Tote w/Dog arrived, all three of us were immediately drawn to the complete and utter cuteness.

Bright, colorful and just the right size (8" wide) for carrying, this Tote combines two things that every girl I know loves: purses and stuffed animals. How can you go wrong?

The canvas-colored tote is contrasted with a fun quilted material lining and is finished with colorful trim and embroidery. Pulling out the removable mini Clifford the Big Red Dog, he can then be enjoyed as his own traditional stuffed dog.

Each time I have seen Big Sister E and Little Sister B enjoy the Clifford Fun Fashion Tote w/Dog, there has been a part of me that has wondered how silly I would look out in public carrying a toy purse with a stuffed dog in it. It's just that cute!

The combination of the great fabrics and the versatile features of this fashionable tote give it a huge dose of added charm and appeal and a whole lot of added fun for any Clifford fan. All that it needs is a matching Emily Elizabeth, T-Bone and Cleo!

The strong construction and durability of this tote ensure that it can be used as a functional purse, which just makes it even more fun to give or receive it as a gift. Add that to how well-made and high quality the Clifford plush is, and you've got two-in-one fun!

For darling traditional or unique plush items for babies and kids of all ages, Douglas Toys has the selection and quality that you need. Now with the addition of their line of Clifford products, the child in your life just has one more reason to love what you pick out.

Available directly from their website, Douglas Toys' plush Clifford pets and products range in size from 7" to 30" and have a suggested retail price range of $10 to $160 each. Giving one of these cuddle toys as a gift is one that you know will last through a lifetime of love. Thanks to their generosity, one person will get to find out just how great Douglas Toys are as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of Clifford Cuddle Pal or Fun Fashion (valued at $20 or below) from Douglas Toys!

To enter to win: Visit Douglas Toys and leave a comment on this post telling me which Clifford the Big Red Dog plush or fashion item you might choose if you win.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Douglas Toys on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN your choice of Clifford the Big Red Dog plush pal from Douglas Toys! http://bit.ly/HglUXX @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 18th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Douglas Toys for providing a Clifford plush for me to review as well as a Clifford item of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Imperial Toy Bubble and Outdoor Toys {Review}

With the combination of each passing month (which seem to fly by quicker and quicker) and the unusually spring-like weather we've been experiencing this year, I find myself both anticipating and dreading the arrival of summer.

On the one hand, I'm looking forward to cookouts, spending time at the pool, and the flexibility to meet with our friends at all of our favorite playgrounds without having to plan around school.

On the other hand, however, no school means less structure to our days and my kids not getting to do something that they love. At the same time, the weather will be hot, the days will be long, and I'll need plenty of ideas on hand to be ready to stave off boredom between activities.

So when it comes to preparing for summer and spending time outdoors, I love knowing that there are companies that are able to incorporate the laughter and magic of childhood with the fun and entertainment of intriguing, unique toys. And who knows that better than Imperial Toy?

Founded in 1969, Imperial Toy LLC is the worldwide leader in the sale and manufacture of Bubbles and Novelty Toys and is distributed in over 50 countries worldwide. With everything from arts & crafts to dress up clothes to outdoor toys, kids are sure to love the variety, entertainment and more.

This spring, Imperial Toy has debuted a new collection of bubble and outdoor toys that are designed to inspire endless fun... and, when a selection of four of them arrived here, we were ready to put them to the test.

How fun! Although the weather in our area recently cooled down, we were still ready to hit the yard for some laughter, water and bubbles.

Starting with some water balloon fun, the KAOS Tie-Not Filler and the KAOS Cyclops are just the thing to add ease, convenience and entertainment to your backyard.

In the past we have typically filled water balloons using the faucet of the sink, but that always proved to be a little tiresome... not to mention inconvenient to head back inside if we ever needed more. Between having to track wet feet into the house, the annoyance of stretching the water balloons just right (ensuring that they didn't snap and break), and then trying to get them tied, well, it just didn't make for all that much fun.

Instead, the KAOS Tie-Not really does make tying and filling water balloons easy. Simply attach the Tie-Not to a garden hose, slide on the balloon and press the lever at the top to allow the water to flow...

...and, after filling, detach the balloon by sliding the end through the slot and tying.

Retailing for only $3.99, the KAOS Tie-Not Filler comes with 50 biodegradable water balloons and is truly quick and easy to use. In no time, you're able to fill balloon after balloon for plenty of ammunition for a day of fun!

When it comes to throwing those water balloons, however, it's one thing to just toss them... and quite another when you're launching them with the KAOS Cyclops. This one-handed water balloon launcher kicks things up a notch by allowing kids and adults to comfortably throw water balloons up to 100 feet with a simple flick of the wrist!

Just load a balloon into the large scoop top, bring back your arm, and launch!

Both Big Sister E and Little Sister B have had a great time seeing just how far their water balloons can go by using the Cyclops. Each time they sent another one flying, their eyes lit up with just how easy it was to send it soaring!

Featuring a large, curved top for quick reloads and a starter pack of 50 biodegradable KAOS water balloons, the KAOS Cyclops retails for $9.99 and would be a lot of fun for gatherings and water balloon fights — just make sure to pick up more than one so that everyone is on an equal playing field!

When it comes to bubbles, the Super Miracle Bubbles Bubble Turbine and the Super Miracle Bubbles Glow Fusion Hi-Beam Sabre also proved to be great additions to our backyard entertainment.

The new Super Miracle Bubbles Bubble Turbine is great for ages 3+, as all that is required is to dip it in the bubble tray and pull the trigger. The fan-like design blows the air out, and with it humongous bubbles!

We did find that at times the soft blades of the turbine bumped into the surrounding casing (the front is interchangeable from a single, large hole to multiple smaller ones) and caused it to stop moving. However, by just pushing the blades back to give them space, they started spinning again just fine... and the results were definitely worth it!

Retailing for $12.99, this Bubble Turbine has been an item that the girls have returned to time and time again. It is easy for them to swish the front in the tray of bubbles and they love how easy it is to pull the trigger and have it result in large, floating bubbles!

For bubble fun in the day or at night, the Super Miracle Bubbles Glow Fusion Hi-Beam Sabre can provide a unique and fun twist that is sure to entertain.

During the day, the Fusion Wand can be used as a traditional bubble wand. Simply wave it around or blow through it and a stream of great bubbles comes wafting out into the air.

But for bubbles after dark, our whole family was amazed by the transformation. By mixing the two packets of Infusion Activators into a bottle of Super Miracle Bubbles, it instantly was transformed into a glowing, magical orange liquid.

Using the included Fusion Funnel, we poured the Fusion Solution into the Hi-Beam Sabre and were able to have glow-in-the-dark bubble fun like never before!

This Hi-Beam Sabre instantly proved to be a favorite due to the glowing bubble solution, as the girls were thrilled to see it illuminating out in the yard. Although it didn't seem as though the bubbles themselves were glowing (it was hard to tell though, as we weren't able to find a spot that was in complete darkness due to streetlights, neighbors' porch lights, etc), seeing the solution was enough in itself.

When it dripped on the ground or popped on the girls' hands, they giggled over the bright spots that it left and they laughed over seeing it on their skin, pajamas and faces when they looked in the mirror.

For an extremely unique and fun way to enjoy bubbles, the Hi-Beam Sabre retails for $9.99 and is reusable by purchasing another bottle of Super Miracle Bubbles Glow Fusion Bubble Solution for four more ounces of glowing bubble fun.

On a mission to be "First in Fun," Imperial Toy has a wide selection of toys for boys and girls of all ages. This summer, it's time to head outdoors and enjoy an extra dose of laughter with any of these great products... and more!

Find out more about these great toys by connecting on Facebook with Imperial Toy, Super Miracle Bubbles and KAOS.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Celebrate Easter with Lindt {Hoppy Easter Basket Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Deb K!}

While there will always be conflicting opinions about Easter and how one family might celebrate it differently than another, isn't it important that we set aside our differences in the name of something we can all agree on?

I'm talking about chocolate here, people.

There's nothing wrong with the jellybeans and the marshmallow chicks and the gummy bears, but let's face it. What matters most is the chocolate.

And although it's easy to walk into any drugstore and pull the first chocolate bunny you see off of the shelf, I always find that to be a little risky because I never know how good it is going to taste. Who wants to pick up a sweet treat for themselves or as a gift and have it end up not tasting all that good?

Instead, on the opposite end of the spectrum, I always know that I can turn to the brand of chocolate that is in a category all its own when it comes to being delicious: Lindt.

First created in 1845 when a father and son manufactured solid chocolate in their small confectionery, Lindt's entrepreneurial spirit and passion for making chocolate is still strong today. In the past 160+ years, it has become known as one of the most innovative and creative companies making premium chocolate, with six production sites in Europe, two in the USA and distribution and sales companies on four continents.

This year marks the 60th birthday of the LINDT GOLD BUNNY and to celebrate, Lindt is doing much more than simply offering this iconic product for Easter baskets everywhere. While customers are still able to shop this wide collection of bunnies - ranging from mini 10g bunnies to life-size 1kg bunnies in milk, dark and white chocolate - LINDT GOLD BUNNY is also giving back.

That's right, this single bunny is helping make a difference, as this year Lindt has teamed up with Autism Speaks yet again and will donate 10¢ of their proceeds for each bunny sold in the U.S. in 2012.

What's more, Lindt is also donating up to $25 to Autism Speaks for every #Pin4Autism pin on Pinterest through Easter. To participate, simply visit Lindt’s #Pin4Autism board on Pinterest and select and re-pin the Easter tradition photo that you enjoy most. For each #Pin4Autism pin, $1 will be donated to Autism Speaks, per re-pin. While pin donations are limited to one per person, you can maximize your impact by inviting friends and family to get involved.

If you feel like you want to do even more to help, go ahead and recreate one of the Lindt inspired projects or create your very own Lindt Easter project pin, whether it's a recipe, craft, etc., that incorporates Lindt products from their Pinterest page. Then simply email Lindt and include the image or link to your creation, along with the subject line: #Pin4Autism Donation and Lindt will donate $25 to the cause for your efforts.

What amazing ways to support autism awareness this season! There are even more ways to get involved, so be sure to visit LINDT GOLD BUNNY and find out how you can help.

As well as feeling good about your purchase, the only thing that could make Easter better would be to present your family or friends the gift that is the perfect size and contains a treat for every taste palate: the Lindt Hoppy Easter Basket.

Arriving well-packed and cool to prevent even a hint of melting, the Hoppy Easter Gift Basket contained just the right selection of items to make anyone's mouth water.

Mmmmm. Pulling each item out from the colorful basket, we found one 100g milk chocolate Lindt Gold Bunny, four Lindt Chocolate Carrots, two bags of Lindt Mini Eggs, and a large bag of assorted smooth-melting LINDOR Truffles eggs (in milk, white, dark and stracciatella).

As the perfect way to bring excitement, joy and a heartwarming smile to the Easter season, the Hoppy Easter Gift Basket was just enough premium Lindt chocolate and just enough spring style. From the cute basket to the decorative grass to the cheery striped ribbons, this is an all-around great idea for decorating a table or surprising your lucky recipient.

The hardest part about this basket is feeling guilty for pulling it all apart... but it must be done in order to fully enjoy all of Lindt's chocolate expertise and their delicious products. I love milk chocolate, my husband loves dark chocolate, and our daughters love any chocolate, so this definitely hit the spot for all of us!

Retailing for $55, this is a great way to surprise just about anyone on your list. Who knows? Maybe they'll appreciate it enough that they'll share a truffle egg with you!

This Easter and beyond, be sure to head to your nearest Lindt retail location and become the hit of the party when you give the tastiest gift. Featuring premium chocolate products to satisfy every need – large or small – the Lindt collection has something for everyone.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be prepared to celebrate a post-Easter mouth-watering surprise, because...

One lucky person will win a Lindt Hoppy Easter Basket!

To enter to win: Visit Lindt and tell me another of their delicious items that you would like to give or receive as a gift.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Lindt on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

YUM! I want to WIN a Lindt Hoppy Easter Basket (ARV $55), the tastiest holiday gift! http://bit.ly/GUbIDT @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 17th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Lindt for providing a Hoppy Easter Basket for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.