Not all family Christmas albums are created equally.

Which is why Putumayo’s newest CD “A Family Christmas” is the one and only disc we’ve been playing this holiday season. The entire 11-track set is
so festive and includes new interpretatios of classic tis-the-season favorites in jazz, blues, retro-swing, folksong and country.

Take a look:

1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – Johnny Bregar
2. “Holly Jolly Christmas” – Martin Sexton
3. “Is Zat You Santa Claus?” – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
4. “Let it Snow” – Leon Redbone
5. “Winter Wonderland” – Deana Carter
6. “Sleigh Ride” – Sam Bush
7. “Here We Come A-Wassailing” – Kate Rusby
8. “Jolly Old St. Nick” – Brave Combo
9. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Debbie Davis and Matt Perrine
10. “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” – The Christmas Jug Band featuring Angela Strehli and Maria Muldaur
11. “Frosty the Snowman” – Lars Edegran and his Santa Claus Revelers featuring Big Al Carson

Listen to a sample by clicking here

The minute we’re in the car, my 3-year-old starts asking me to put in the disc, saying “Play it from the beginning!” I love that he’ll always consider Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “Is Zat You Santa Claus?” as as much of a Christmas classic as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

You can hear sample tracks of A Family Christmas or purchase the CD at Putumayo World Music or at Putumayo Kids (where you can also download a free mp3 from A Family Christmas).

Putumayo’s “A Family Christmas” will lift your mood, no matter how stressed you are this season. Enjoy!

Lisa Maine wins the SouthernMamas giveaway from Totally Bowlicious – a brand new, online store that specializes in fun hair accessories with a touch of whimsy for little girls.

Lisa wins a tutu bow holder, three hair bows, and a fairy wand! The locally-owned Webshop sells embellished clips and bows, ponytail holders and other unique children’s gifts including kufi hats; bows with matching belts; fairy-wand bouquets for newborns.

GIVEAWAY ITEMS!

Totally Bowlicious – a brand new, ADORABLE online store – has a terrific SouthernMamas giveaway this week: tutu bow holder, three hair bows, and a fairy wand. Just in time for the holidays.

Totally Bowlicious specializes in fun hair accessories with a touch of whimsy for little girls. I can’t wait until my baby daughter’s hair is long enough to sport these oh-so-sweet embellished clips and bows and ponytail holders. The online, locally-owned boutique includes other unique children’s gifts including kufi hats; bows with matching belts; fairy-wand bouquets for newborns.

Here are the giveaway rules:

Totally Bowlicious also can do custom orders on just about anything! If you don’t see what you are looking for just email christina@totallybowlicious.com and she’ll do everything she can to make it just for YOU!

This Thanksgiving week, a SouthernMamas reader will win a new book from Random House/Clarkson Potter, entitled “WHAT I KNOW: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10-year-olds and 100-year-olds.”

The autographed hardcover is a collection of life insights from opposite ends of the life spectrum, compiled as the author traveled all across the country to meet and interview centenarians and children alike.

Among those centenarians featured are Savannah’s own centenarians, Eloise Rogers and Lois Fisher, whom I spotlighted in my Savannah Morning News Sunday column shortly before their 100th birthday in 2008. Last year, things took a turn for the sisters. Fisher fell ill and Rogers moved to Greenville, S.C., at the urging of her daughter. On July 27, 2009, Fisher died at the age of 101.

Twins Eloise and Lois were among dozens of 10-year-old youths and 100-year-old sages interviewed by author Roger Emerson Fishman of Los Angeles. The book consists of short quotes and profiles of people from around the nation.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

This book would make a lovely holiday present. It highlights unique perspectives on life and the stories behind them.

Check out the book Web site here and watch the video trailer on the book’s home page to get a sense for the tone and content of the book.

Emily Moody!

Emily wins a page-a-day pre-k readiness skills calendar that focuses on the parent’s needs FIRST. The Ready To Learn Calendar was developed to equip the caregiver/parent with a way to impart needed skills to their child during normal household routine (laundry, household chores, fixing dinner, or going to the grocery store.)

Each calendar gives the parent 2 or 3 simple daily exercises (10-15 minute total) for pre-k readiness. readytolearncalendar@gmail.com”

To order, call 865-429-2627 or email  readytolearncalendar@gmail.com. The calendar is sold as a wholesale item at $5.00/calendar and there is a minimum order of 64. The shipping runs from $.50 to $1.00 per calendar. Orders can be taken to assure that calendars are presold. For more info, click here.

Amy Stinson Keaton, who left a wonderfully descriptive post on the SouthernMamas Facebook page.

Amy wins a Tasty Lunch Tote from BUILT NY, which also sells other reusable bags and unique kids’s lunchboxes. (BUILT’s Munchler’s Kids’ Lunchboxes are adorable.

BUILT’s products are made of neoprene (no vinyl or PVC used), are machine washable, affordable, fun and stylish.

See Jane – a modern apothecary at 323 W Broughton St. in downtown Savannah – now has butter LONDON, an amazing line of nail care/lacquers.

One of butter LONDON’s new hot colors is Yummy Mummy, a favorite of expectant mom Heidi Klum.

The butter LONDON line is “Three Free” – meaning there’s no formaldehyde, DBP, or Toulene; therefore, perfect for expecting mummies who want products free of carcinogens.

butter LONDON's Yummy Mummy color

Shelley Smith, owner of See Jane, is so thrilled to have butter LONDON line, she’s offering all SouthernMamas readers A FREE MANICURE WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PEDICURE.

Just mention that you read about See Jane and butter LONDON on SouthernMamas to receive your free manicure.

See Jane is also Savannah’s hottest socializing space for group bookings such as bachelorettes, bridal showers, girls’ night out. For all bookings, the hostess gets a free pedicure.

For more info on See Jane, click here.

Tel. 912.234.1080. Email: info@seejaneshop.com

Lunch always tastes better eaten outside.

Especially when it comes in my Nolita Stripe Tasty Lunch Tote – proof that good things do come in small packages. I love my Tasty Lunch Tote from BUILT NY, which also sells other reusable bags and unique kids’s lunchboxes. (BUILT’s Munchler’s Kids’ Lunchboxes are adorable.

The Tasty Tote keeps soup warm and carrot sticks cool. Even better, BUILT’s products are made of neoprene (no vinyl or PVC used), are machine washable, affordable, fun and stylish. The totes are so roomy and have such sturdy zip closures, I can stuff my son’s water bottle inside, with a few juice boxes and both our lunches with no trouble closing it.

This week, a SouthernMamas reader will win the Tasty Lunch tote in the color of her choice.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Island Child – a sponsor of SouthernMamas – wonderful selection of Corolle and Madame Alexander dolls and accessories in time for the holidays.

Check out the collection of dolls and accessories at the Island Child Web site here. You can order online or at the Island Child store in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Is. 1.888.705.5437 or 843.686.5437.

Island Child – owned by children’s clothing gurus Steve and Senny Powell, who have seven adopted children and have fostered seven children – has been dressing Lowcountry tykes for 25 years

Send Island Child a favorite photo of your Island Child and he or she could become ISLAND CHILD’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

Attention Savannah and Hilton Head Is. moms groups!  Here’s a fun idea for an event: have a Tippy Toes Pottery party.

Tippy Toes is an amazing concept developed by local mompreneur Amanda Reed, who uses your child’s footprints, hand prints and finger prints to create a whimsical painting on pottery.

Think large lobster serving platter, which the claws of the lobster are a child’s footprints or a magical garden with flowers made of a child’s handprints. The artwork includes the child’s name and year.

I was thrilled to attend a Tippy Toes open house today, where Amanda made prints of my two children’s hands and feet to create creative and sentimental presents for the grandparents!

Check out some of the gifts Tippy Toes can create for you here.

Tippy Toes Pottery travels around to events. Hosting a tippy toes event is a great way to get your friends together to make precious memories.

Hostesses receive 10 percent of all event sales toward the purchase of their pottery. Find out more here.

Become a fan of Tippy Toes Pottery on Facebook here.

Alison Zielenbach!

Alison wins a $25 gift certificate to SproutBaby, an online source for organic, affordable baby food and products for eco-conscious parents.  SproutBaby sells Sprout Foods, the organic baby chow created by celeb chef (and dad) Tyler Florence.

Thanks to everyone who participated. There’s also another to chance to win big from  SproutBaby,

To celebrate SproutBaby.com’s first birthday, the online store is kicking off  its new referral program with a $2,500 giveaway.

SproutBaby.com will award one lucky winner a $2,500 cash prize in a random drawing for all customers making purchases between Oct-15 (today) and Dec. 15.

SproutBaby.com is also launching a new referral program for parents and families to earn unlimited cash back for referring their friends, relatives and colleagues. For more information, contest rules and referral program guidelines, please visit: store.sproutbaby.com/birthday and store.sproutbaby.com/referral

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a $25 gift certificate to the new planet-friendly online shop SproutBaby, which sells Sprout Foods, the organic baby chow created by celeb chef (and dad) Tyler Florence.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

•Visit SproutBaby.com, click on Shop and tell us what product you’d love to buy by commenting below this post.
•Entry period closes 9 pm Thurs. Oct. 15. Please tell us your name. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Oct. 16.
•You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to subscribe.

SproutBaby.com is the brainchild of parents and professionals that saw an unexplored area of parenting and shopping and wanted to bridge the gap between making healthy choices and making easy choices.

As SproutBaby.com grows to include more options to fit more needs, the company will provide comprehensive, eco-conscious, e-commerce and social shopping which is centered around making it easy to make mindful decisions about the products parents choose to put on, in and around their children and families.

Love your baby. Love the planet.

Tracy Cummings wins a Savannah Square Platter, from the Savannah Collection at The Dish.

The black and white china platter brings the beauty and history of Savannah to the table, featuring hand-drawn illustrations of 15 of Savannah’s squares. Franklin Square, Calhoun Square, Oglethorpe Square and Forsyth Park are among the places chosen to reflect the spirit of Savannah.

Savannah native Susan Wimberly – owner and designer of the Atlanta-based company The Dish – created the Savannah Collection, which consists of the square platter in the giveaway as well as an oval platter, salad plate, small square plate, coffee mug, wine glass, ornament, tea towel, tote bag, and apron. Items are sold separately or in sets, and prices range from $17.95 to $42. The china is dishwasher and microwave safe and available locally at Kitchens on the Square, Missing Pieces, Kitchenware Outfitters, Cadre Shops, CJ’s Hallmark and at www.mulberrygirls.com.

The Dish offers collections for more than 40 cities and 20 states, as well as six universities.

Island Child – a sponsor of SouthernMamas – is offering free shipping on all Lemon Loves Lime orders over $100. No code needed. Just place your order at the online Island Child store.

Check out the Holiday 2009 Lemon Loves Lime collection at the Island Child Web site here. The line includes Swan Lake Holiday (pictured here).

Island Child is in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Is.  1.888.705.5437 or 843.686.5437.

Island Child – owned by children’s clothing gurus Steve and Senny Powell, who have seven adopted children and have fostered seven children – has been dressing Lowcountry tykes for 25 years.

This week, a SouthernMamas reader will win a Savannah Square Platter, from the Savannah Collection at The Dish.

The black and white china platter brings the beauty and history of Savannah to the table, featuring hand-drawn illustrations of 15 of Savannah’s squares. Franklin Square, Calhoun Square, Oglethorpe Square and Forsyth Park are among the places chosen to reflect the spirit of Savannah.

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

• Visit the ongoing online “Ferst Things First” auction for childhood literacy here. To enter to win the Savannah Square Platter, just click on comments below this post to share which auction item you’d like to bid if you decide you want to take part in this online auction to raise funds for the Chatham County branch of the Ferst Foundation. Funds raised in the auction go towards providing registered children with a FREE, age-appropriate book mailed to their home EVERY MONTH from birth to age 5.
• Entry period closes 9 pm Thurs. Oct. 8. Please tell us your name. We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Oct. 9.
• You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to subscribe. . 

Savannah native Susan Wimberly – owner and designer of the Atlanta-based company The Dish –
created the Savannah Collection, which consists of the square platter in the giveaway as well as an oval platter, salad plate, small square plate, coffee mug, wine glass, ornament, tea towel, tote bag, and apron. Items are sold separately or in sets, and prices range from $17.95 to $42. The china is dishwasher and microwave safe and available locally at Kitchens on the Square, Missing Pieces, Kitchenware Outfitters, Cadre Shops, CJ’s Hallmark and at www.mulberrygirls.com.

The Dish offers collections for more than 40 cities and 20 states, as well as six universities.

Hooray! Your tot’s finally hit the birthday circuit. Too bad gifting is now a never-ending chore.
Make it fun with a visit to Four Kids, Savannah’s hippest new store for children.
Toy connoisseurs Doug and Debbie Haupt pack the store at 10 Whitaker Street in downtown Savannah with everything from wooden toys to dolls, shoes and accessories.
There something for everyone on your list – even some “green” product toys and classic toys.
Hurry before the holiday rush.
Mention you saw Four Kids on the Southernmamas and receive a 10 percent DISCOUNT before Dec. 31, 2009 (Sale items are excluded).
912.238.1919

Have you checked out Petite Feet yet?

Shopping at Savannah’s newest shoe store for children is a relaxed and enjoyable experience, thanks largely to the fact that it’s a child-friendly store with a comfortable atmosphere.  Puzzles, TV, children’s book and toys keep the tots busy while you shop.

Petite Feet’s knowledgeable personal service ensures that each child is fitted correctly. And you don’ t have to fight for parking spot. Petite Feet at 5521 Abercorn next to Fresh Market and across from Publix is in a super convenient location with easy in-and-out parking.

But best of all are the popular brands Petite Feet carries – all the ones you’ve been searching for, but have a tough time finding in our area: Lilly Kelly, Keen, Merrell, Michael Kors, Morgan & Milo, Naturino, Ralph Lauren, Robeez, Roxy, Sanita, See Kai Run, Simple, Sketchers, Sperry Top-Sider
Teva and many more.

Visit their website at www.petitefeetsavannah.com for more brands and information

Petite Feet, Savannah’s newest shoe store for children, is open and ready to “outfit Savannah’s little soles!”

The next time you go to Publix or Fresh Market, stop by Petite Feet at 5521 Abercorn to see their collection of popular styles and popular brand name shoes for back-to-school and weekend fun!

Visit their website at www.petitefeetsavannah.com for more information

Jan Gaudry Welsh and Casey Welsh, Co-Owners

Savannah’s Just for Baby and More – a sponsor of SouthernMamas.com – has been certified through a national program as a “Baby Product Expert”.

For a store to be listed as a Certified Store on BabyProductExperts.com, the store must be mystery shopped and evaluated by an independent Retail Evaluation Service familiar with the juvenile industry. Only stores with a passing score have the opportunity to be listed on the site.

Each store is graded on the following categories: Customer Service, Telephone Etiquette, Store Appearance, Associate Greeting and Product Knowledge. The evaluations are used not only to certify a store but also to improve the store’s future performance.

Just for Baby and More is now certified as a Baby Product Experts (BPE) store.

Congratulations Jan Gaudry Welsh and Casey Welsh, Co-Owners of Just for Baby & More, 7701 Waters Ave.

Special sales, prizes and events will be going on all of September, the store’s anniversary month. For more info., contact 912.355.4455 or click here.

Planning a child’s birthday party or your BFF’s baby shower can be stressful. How is a mere mortal supposed to choose the perfect items to include in the gift bags or create one of those amazing diaper cake centerpieces?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have your very own event planner to help you put it all together?  Posh Petals and Pearls to the rescue.

Posh Petals and Pearls will make your child’s birthday, your BFF’s baby shower or even your wedding day a unique and unforgettable event for you and your guests.  You’ll learn how to incorporate your own personal style into all of the party details.

Posh Petals and Pearls provides full-service wedding and event coordinating; specializing in classy, timeless and elegant designs serving the Savannah and Statesboro areas as well as the coastal Carolina area. 

Posh Petals and Pearls provides packages ranging from day-of directing to full service wedding consulting. The PPP pros specialize in planning events such as bridal related showers and parties, children’s birthdays, baby showers and any other event you may desire. A few examples of their work are pictured here.

Contact Tara Skinner and Ashley Greene via email poshpetalsandpearls@yahoo.com or call 912.596.6064 or 912.659.9590.

Tired of assembly line invites and stationery? Just your luck: Savannah-based graphic designer Emily McCarthy gives new moms and baby shower-throwers alike a fresh take on the old baby announcement and invitation.

Emily has been in the invitation and stationery industry for more than eight years. While still employed as Senior Designer for one the largest invitation retailers in the country, Emily has created emma j design – an exclusive offering of custom invitations and stationery. Mixing modern and traditional, Emily adds her flair to any event.

A firm believer in setting the mood of your event with the invitation, Emily works one-on-one with each client to create a unique invitation that can only be found at emma j design. All of her illustrations and artwork are completely custom and are drawn specifically by the artist. Emily, originally from the Atlanta area, was a newcomer to Savannah three years ago and is excited to offer her talents and services to the South.

emma j design offers custom invitations {couture wedding and letterpress, birthday parties, dinner parties, baby and bridal showers}, baby and moving announcements, custom stationery and monograms, wedding styling {logos, invitations, programs, favor tags}, corporate branding and logos, business cards, catalogs and product design.

Contact Emily McCarthy today to set up an appointment or to place an order. Email inquiries to emily@emmajdesign.com .

Visit www.emmajdesign.com for an online gallery of work and to visit her popular blog: A Savannah Redtop.

Looking for a fabulous date night? How about a fun night out with the girls? Coming soon to Broughton Street in downtown Savannah is The Melting Pot! At The Melting Pot, fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience where you can truly dip into something different. Come discover The Melting Pot’s relaxed atmosphere, private tables, fine wines, attentive service and exceptional fondue dinners.

Start with a creamy cheese fondue. Then choose from four flavorful fondue cooking styles and a variety of entrées including filet mignon, lobster, blackened chicken, duck, shrimp, salmon and more. For dessert, enjoy mouthwatering chocolate fondue served with dipping items including fresh strawberries, cheesecake, marshmallows, pound cake and brownies.

To enter to win, sign up here for Club Fondue. Club Fondue members receive free chocolate fondue for two on your birthday and wedding anniversary. You will also receive monthly emails about The Melting Pot’s grand opening, ladies night out, wine tastings and other fun events.

You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to enter. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so.

You have until 9 pm this Thurs. July 30 to enter and then The Melting Pot will choose a name. SouthernMamas will announce the winner here Fri. July 31.

The Melting Pot will be opening soon in September. Come and enjoy a night of fondue!

You gotta love free kids shoes. Especially when their feet seem to grow a size over night. Thanks to See Kai Run, we’re giving away TWO pairs of their stylish and comfy kicks! Specifically, you could score the Cameron Sky girls’ sandals  (size 8 in green, shown to the right) OR the Seamus by Smaller (size 0-6 months in gray/steel blue, shown below.) Just check out the rules below to enter to win a pair.

Struggling to find that perfect unique gift for the soon to be mommy?

Give her a much needed break and time off her feet with a one-size-fits-all 912Food2Go.com gift card.

Call 912.354.3663 to have the gift card sent to the new mom and 912Food2Go.com will throw in a 912food2go.com restaurant guide and 2 weeks of free delivery fees for use after the birth. To receive this special free delivery, tell them SouthernMamas sent you.

So now when dinner time rolls around, all the new mommy has to do is pick up the phone place her order.

912Food2Go.com is Savannah’s premiere, locally owned and family operated restaurant delivery service. Whether you want to feed your family and friends at home, need to plan a hassle-free meeting at the office, or would like to plan a meal in the park, 912Food2Go.com delivers lunch and dinner from a variety of local restaurants.  Hours  are Monday – Friday 10:30 AM- 10:30 PM and Saturday & Sunday 4 PM- 10:30 PM.