We love the idea of giving gifts with a local story and the one from DAK’s Spices is a good one!

Karen had been blending her own spices for years but had never thought about sharing her spices with others. When she met Drew, he fell in love with her and her cooking. He had the idea that she should offer her spice blends to others which was the start of DAK’s Spices.

Currently, DAK’s Spices offers a number of different spice blends and each spice blend is created with love in the kitchen of newlyweds, Drew and Karen.

All spice blends contain a unique combination of spices and are completely SALT FREE. So much flavor is packed in one bottle, no other spices are necessary to make any dish gourmet

You will fall in love as we did with DAK’s salt free spice blends

The Giveaway:

1 Dak’s Variety Pack

How to Enter:

LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE our post on Facebook for a chance to win.
(Winner will be drawn on Saturday, December 2nd)

Good manners are not usually something you hear about in relation to children. My kids are known for their “friendly” scowl and nonexistent polite words. With every nose pick, sneeze in face, and lack of shown gratitude I feel a deep sense of failure. We decided to make that a priority and found some easy ways to teach manners that have actually worked.

Tell Good Stories

There are unlimited books on manners that give examples of children with bad manners and then children with good manners and why it matters. One of our favorites is “Manners” by Aliki. It is funny and cute and has been easy for my kids to remember throughout their day.

We are also big on rhymes. My kids memorize rhymes easily and the book “Monster Manners” by Bethany Roberts is one they can recite back to me because they love it so much.

We also tell a lot of made up stories usually involving a situation from our day where we could have used better manners. So far this has been extremely effective for my toddlers.

Lead by example

We have been trying to eat meals together as a family at least once a day and that provides the perfect opportunity to show my children proper manners at the table. I make a point to demonstrate what is appropriate and give lots of praise as they remember and copy good manners. It is more difficult for them to notice my manners throughout the day but I try to include them in any process where I am thanking others or asking for permission. Their dad is really good at saying please to our children when he needs their cooperation. They not only enjoyed being asked politely but seemed to not mind helping as much either.

Reward System

Of course my kids most enjoy our reward system. We have a manners chart with each child’s name on a row. Every time they are caught using good manners they are rewarded with a sticker for their row. At the end of every week they receive a small prize for every set of ten stickers they have earned. This has by far been the biggest motivator and has also allowed the kids to notice and praise each other for good manners.

Children will never be perfect little polite robots but they can be civilized human beings. Hopefully these suggestions will be just what your family needs to experience a few less badly timed toots and belches!! Good Luck!

About Grace:

Grace was born and brought up in Bessemer, Alabama but has a great love for exploring new places. She has been married for 8 years and has 3 kids, expecting number 4 in December. Having been  a student off and on for the last 10 years she is excited to say that she is finally graduating from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling this year. She loves to learn and share what she learns with as many people as possible. Strengthening and encouraging positive relationships with couples and families is a life goal and passion. Her biggest hobby is her family and finding new and fun ways to accomplish the above life goal in her home.

Our Giveaways continue with tickets to Monster Jam Triple Threat Series!

Monster Jam® Triple Threat Series brings adrenaline-charged family entertainment to fans across the country. These world-class Monster Jam vehicles and athletes deliver what fans want to see most…more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action!

Each event tests the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to-head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles — Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs. These athletes battle for points in challenging Racing and Freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit. The point leader will receive an automatic bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals® to compete for the title of World Champion

Featuring: Grave Digger driven by Brandon Vinson, Max-D driven by Jared Eichelberger, El Toro Loco driven by Mark List, Megalodon driven by Justin Sipes, Zombie driven by Ami Houde, Wonder Woman driven by Collete Davis, Blue Thunder by Matt Cody, Monster Mutt Rottweiler by Cory Snyder. Trucks/Drivers subject to change.

The Giveaway:

4 Tickets to see Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at Legacy Arena at BJCC, Saturday, January 6th at 7pm

How to Enter:

2 Chances to win!!

Leave a comment HERE ON THIS POST telling us which Monster Jam Truck or Driver is your favorite and you’ll be entered for a chance to win tickets.

Head over to our Facebook Page, Like Comment and Share for an extra chance to win!

(Winner will be drawn at random on Friday, December 1st. No purchase necessary. Feld Motor Sports is not a sponsor, endorser or administrator of this Sweepstakes.)

Don’t want to wait and see if you win? Go ahead and purchase your tickets through Ticketmaster

The Giveaway:

4 Tickets to see Monster Jam at Legacy Arena, Saturday, January 6th at 7pm

How to Enter:

Leave a comment here telling us which Truck/Driver is your favorite and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. (Winner will be drawn at random on Friday, December 1st)

Don’t want to wait and see if you win? Go ahead and purchase your tickets through Ticketmaster

This is a great gift to keep for yourself or giftaway to someone on your list, as it makes the perfect stocking stuffer!

Created from the inspiration of their large Italian family, Vecchia wants every guest to feel like they are a part of their family. Whether you want to enjoy one of otheir hand-made pizzas fresh out of the brick oven or grab a growler of hand crafted beer on your way home from work, they offer something for everyone.

Nothing goes better with pizza than craft beers and fine wines. Whether you are a hop lover or a grape fanatic, Vecchia has a premium selection of craft beers and Italian wines that will please even the most discerning palette. Their Italian wines vary by season, so there is always something new to try. The staff is great at recommending the perfect pairing for your pizza. In addition to regional Italian wines, they also have an ever-changing selection of local craft beers. The craft beers are sold in growlers, so you can get one for your table or take one to go from the market.

The Giveaway:

$25 Gift Card to Vecchia

How to Enter:

Head over to Facebook and LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE our Faecbook post for a chance to win.
(Winner will be drawn on Thursday, November 30th)