Thursday, November 18, 2010

Checking Our List #16: Melissa & Doug Parking Garage from Gifted Imaginations {Review & $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, ♥Cari♥!}

I always have a hard time answering when my family and friends ask me what my daughters are "into" when their birthdays or holidays are growing near - can't I just answer, "Everything?" For some reason, that doesn't always get the most positive response.

The problem is that yes, they like pretend play and yes, they like outdoor play and yes, they like building with blocks... they're just the type of kids that, when they have a cool, fun, imaginative toy, it doesn't matter what it is in particular, they love it! Whether it is active or quiet or large or small, as long as they can be creative and inventive, they're happy.

So, maybe it would be easier if I just pulled up Gifted Imaginations and used page after page of amazing toys available there as an example?

Carrying a huge variety of items from some of the most respected manufacturers that all parents know, Gifted Imaginations offers educational toys that promote active and pretend play for kids of all ages. Whether you browse by category, age or brand, you'll be sure to find something unique and fun for infants all the way through childhood.

For us, Gifted Imaginations was able to provide my daughters with a high quality way to play, store and imagine with all of their toy cars in the Melissa & Doug Parking Garage.

As soon as this arrived and I began taking the pieces out of the box, I already knew that this Parking Garage was going to live up to the extremely high quality standards that we knew and loved from Melissa & Doug.

However, while I admired and appreciated the well-detailed and thorough directions and how nice it was that every last piece of this toy was labeled for fast and easy assembly, my kids were anxiously interested in just how entertaining this already was going to be.

In no time at all (10 minutes? Maybe not even that long?) I was screwing in the last ramp and it was time to sit back and admire just how detailed and incredible this four-level wooden parking garage truly is.

With a hand-operated elevator that moves between the levels with the turn of a crank, two colorful cars, a gas pump, a car wash and a parking booth with an attendant, this wooden set is packed with features and details for long-lasting play.

Measuring in at 16" x 17" x 16," my kids almost didn't know where to begin playing with the Parking Garage. Bring the cars up to the top in the elevator? Maneuver them around one of the levels to find just the right parking spot? Or maybe head straight for the car wash and its cute, fuzzy roller to get clean?

As this is recommended for ages 3 and up, I was initially hesitant that Little Sister B wouldn't be able to work the elevator or really understand what to do with the cars, but she proved that she could easily hold her own. Both she and Big Sister E had no problem turning the dials to raise and lower the elevator and they were able to move their cars throughout the levels and down the ramps without any issues - and with lots of smiles and giggling.

The addition of the separate gas pump and car wash are a really nice touch, as well as the toll booth and attendant. Both of my kids thought it was fun to raise and lower the toll booth arm and were vigilant about heading to the gas station to make sure their cars didn't run out of gas - there's even a hose to place right into the cars to fill 'er up!
An added bonus to the Melissa & Doug Parking Garage is that as well as the two cars it comes with, any small cars will easily fit in the elevator and throughout the levels. That means that as well as having more options to play, this is a great place to park and store a decent-sized toy car collection to be ready to easily pull it out to play again next time.
For a fun, unique addition for any child who enjoys cars, the Melissa & Doug Parking Garage is extremely high quality and allows for individual or multiple children to play. Fitting right in with the large collection of top-of-the-line imaginative and educational toys that Gifted Imaginations is known for carrying, this Garage retails for $66.99 (below the list price of $79.99) and would make a wonderful holiday gift.

Thanks to their generosity, one person will have the chance to select just the right active, creative, pretend toys or gear for the child in their life, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift certificate to Gifted Imaginations!

To enter to win: Visit Gifted Imaginations and tell me the name of one of the items you might purchase with this gift certificate.

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 head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Gifted Imaginations there, too!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Gifted Imaginations on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and/or sign up for their email newsletter (found near the bottom left of their homepage).
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) 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!

Checking Our List 16: WIN a $25 gift certificate to Gifted Imaginations for great toys! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/cradLd #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 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 have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} 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 Thanks, Mail Carrier and Gifted Imaginations. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on December 10th at 11:59pm CST. 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. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Gifted Imaginations for providing a Melissa & Doug Parking Garage for me to review as well as a $25 gift certificate 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.

860 comments:

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Christina said...

I love Melissa and Doug Items and have not seen th parking garage yet. I would actually most likely apply he Gto the purchase of that, but other items I love are the Dino grasping toy and the Waldorf dolls.

Christina said...

I entered the giveaway at A Mom's Balancing Act :)

Renee said...

I would get the Educo Count Down by Hape, it is a little more than 25 but I would put the certificate towards that. :)

Christina said...

I follow Gifted Imaginations on Twiiter as gcbabykisses.

Christina said...

I am a FB fan of Gifted Imaginaions (Christina Graham).

Christina said...

I signed up for the Gifted Imaginations newsletter.

Christina said...

I entered the CSN Stores giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the ATG STores giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Pillow Pets giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Summer Infant giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Melissa and Doug shopping cart giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Epson giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Xtrema giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Kidcraft Baking Set giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the RCA giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Hearthsong giveaway!

Christina said...

I entered the Little Tykes giveaway!

Christina said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/gcbabykisses

Christina said...

I follow you via GFC #2

Christina said...

I am an email subscriber of Thanks, Mail Carrier #1

Christina said...

I am an email subscriber of Thanks, Mail Carrier #2

Christina said...

I am a FB fan of Thanks Mail Carrier (Christina Graham) #1

Christina said...

I am a FB fan of Thanks Mail Carrier (Christina Graham) #2

wigget said...

i might get the Skuut Wooden Balance Bike

wigget said...

subscriber

wigget said...

entered at A Mom's Balancing Act

wigget said...

entered Little Tikes Neighborhood Market giveaway

wigget said...

entered HearthSong giveaway

wigget said...

entered Epson PictureMate Show giveaway

wigget said...

entered Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart giveaway

wigget said...

entered ATG Stores giveaway

wigget said...

entered CSN Stores giveaway

Jessica said...

I would get the Educo Count Down by Hape

Jessica said...

entered giveaway at a mom's balancing act

Jessica said...

followed gifted imaginations on twitter
@hongdoufantuan

Jessica said...

gifted imaginations facebook fan
jessica tang

Jessica said...

gifted imaginations newsletter subscriber
jessicatang90@hotmail.com

Jessica said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/hongdoufantuan/status/5321880273690624

Jessica said...

followed you on GFC #1 - Jessica

Jessica said...

followed you on GFC #2 - Jessica

Jessica said...

your RSS subscriber on google reader #1 - Jessica

Jessica said...

your RSS subscriber on google reader #2 - Jessica

Jessica said...

your email subscriber #1
jessicatang90@hotmail.com

Jessica said...

your email subscriber #2
jessicatang90@hotmail.com

Jessica said...

your facebook fan #1
jessica tang

Jessica said...

your facebook fan #2
jessica tang

Jessica said...

entered hearth song giveaway

Jessica said...

entered ERGObaby doll carrier giveaway

Jessica said...

entered alphabet photography giveaway

Jessica said...

entered ATG stores giveawaya

For Our Family said...

I would want to buy the Trunki Sunny Orange by Melissa and Doug

Jessica said...

entered wind & weather giveaway

Jessica said...

entered CSN stores giveaway

For Our Family said...

Follow on GFC #1

For Our Family said...

Follow on GFC #2

For Our Family said...

Entered the CSN Stores gift certificate giveaway

For Our Family said...

Entered at a Moms Balancing Act

For Our Family said...

Entered ATG stores giveaway

Liza767 said...

Melissa & Doug Magnetic Responsibility Chart

Liza767 said...

entered @ balancing act

Liza767 said...

follow gift on twitter

Liza767 said...

tweeted here
http://twitter.com/#!/lizavla/status/5328238704336897

Risingsouth said...

My girls would love to have the Alex Rub a Dub Fashion in the Tub.

Risingsouth at verizon dot net

Anonymous said...

I would get the All Star Sports Bag Fill and Spill Toy by Melissa and Doug.
My son would love it!

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

I think I would purchase the CitiBlocs 100 pc set! They have so many fun looking toys on their site though, it's hard to choose! Thanks!

Erika said...

I follow them on Twitter

Erika said...

I like Gifted Imaginations on FB

Anonymous said...

I follow Gifted Imagination on twitter

twitter name DayLeeDana

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

Follow & tweet - http://twitter.com/Erika105/status/5332645965725696

Erika said...

follow with GFC

Erika said...

follow with GFC

Erika said...

subscribe to RSS feed

Erika said...

subscribe to RSS feed

Erika said...

email subscriber

Erika said...

email subscriber

Erika said...

FB fan

Anonymous said...

I LIKE Gifted Imagination on facebook
FB name AlbertDana Arsenault

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

FB fan

Erika said...

Your blog button is on my blog - http://erikajo.blogspot.com

Erika said...

Your blog button is on my blog - http://erikajo.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

#1 follower GFC

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

Your Holiday blog button is on my blog - http://erikajo.blogspot.com

Erika said...

Your Holiday blog button is on my blog - http://erikajo.blogspot.com

Erika said...

Your Holiday blog button is on my blog - http://erikajo.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

#2 follower GFC

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

entered rca

Erika said...

entered kidkraft

Erika said...

entered xtrema

Erika said...

entered citiblocs

Erika said...

entered ergo

Anonymous said...

#1 subscriber by email

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

entered gummy lump

Erika said...

entered summer infant

Anonymous said...

#2 subscriber by email

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

entered pillow pet

Erika said...

entered atg stores

Erika said...

entered wind & weather

Anonymous said...

#1 I LIKE you on facebook
FB name AlbertDana Arsenault

dmraca at gmail dot com

Erika said...

entered csn stores

Anonymous said...

#2 I LIKE you on facebook
Fb name AlbertDana Arsenault

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

i follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DayLeeDana/status/5334611395608576

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered little tikes

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered HearthSong

dmraca at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

The Cargo Carrier! My son would love that!
faithonfyre at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

entered RCA

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered KidKraft

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered Xtrema

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered Epson

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered Mellissa and Doug

dmraca at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

entered Summer Infant

dmraca at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I entered at Mom's Balancing Act:)

faithonfyre at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Entered ATG Stores

dmraca at gmail dot com

Kathleen said...

i would love to purchase the Happy Giddy Picnic Set by Melissa and Doug

Kathleen said...

i subscribe by email 1

Kathleen said...

i subscribe by email 2

Megsp22 said...

The Melissa and Doug Victorian Dollhouse :)

meagan.paullin@yahoo.com

Megsp22 said...

Follow you with GFC

meagan.paullin@yahoo.com

Kathleen said...

i entered the mr. potato head trick or tater giveaway

Megsp22 said...

Email subscriber

meagan.paullin@yahoo.com

annies home said...

love the Peek-Squeak Monkey by Manhattan Toys

shopannies@yahoo.com

annies home said...

follow gifted imag on twitter
shopannies@yahoo.com

Erika said...

I entered the giveaway at A Mom's Balancing Act!

annies home said...

subscribed to gifted imaginations email list
shopannies@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

entered my pillow pet

dmraca at gmail dot com

Mrs. Kaminski said...

I'd get the Melissa and Doug sushi set

Anonymous said...

entered CSN Stores

dmraca at gmail dot com

Domestic Diva said...

I like hte Jack Wooden Magnetic Dress-Up Set by Melissa & Doug .

Anonymous said...

entered Wind & Weather

dmraca at gmail dot com

ashleynichole said...

I would get some of the 0-12 month toys :)

Mommy V. said...

I really love the Circus Playset by Plan Toys! I would definitely buy that with my gift card!

Mommy V. said...

I entered the contest at A Mom's Balancing Act!

Mommy V. said...

I'm following Gifted Imaginations on Twitter! @vira25

Mommy V. said...

I like G.I. on Facebook! (Vira L. Reda)

Mommy V. said...

I joined G.I's mailing list!
vira(underscore)reda(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mommy V. said...

I follow you on twitter!
http://twitter.com/#!/vira25/status/5368852162547712

Darcey said...

I liked the HABA Colored Glass Blocks. There are a lot of neat items to choose from though so I might change my mind.

Darcey said...

I follow them on FB.

Darcey said...

I've subscribed to their E-mail newsletter.

Darcey said...

I entered the checking our list 9 giveaway.

Darcey said...

I entered the checking our list bake set giveaway.

Darcey said...

Fb entry 1.

Darcey said...

Fb entry 2.

Darcey said...

I'm following you on GFC 1.

Darcey said...

I'm following you on GFC 2.

Darcey said...

I'm an E-mail subscriber 1.

Darcey said...

I'm an E-mail subscriber 2.

Darcey said...

I entered the giveaway at Mom's Balancing Act.

Anonymous said...

entered A Mom's Balancing Act Gifted Imaginations giveaway

dmraca at gmail dot com

Tash said...

I really like the tool box and the animal nesting blocks.

Mommy V. said...

I follow you on GFC!

Mommy V. said...

I follow you on GFC! #2

Mommy V. said...

I subscribe to your emails!
vira(underscore)reda(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mommy V. said...

I subscribe to your emails! #2
vira(underscore)reda(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mommy V. said...

I'm your fan on FB! Vira L Reda

Mommy V. said...

I'm your fan on FB!#2
Vira L Reda

Darcey said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/dlynn83/status/5373829522132992

Darcey said...

I entered Little Tikes.

Darcey said...

I entered Citiblocks.

Lloyd Family said...

i would purchase a jack wooden magnetic dress up set, a joey wooder magnetic dress up set and a giraffe grasping toy
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i follow gifted imaginations on twitter (@jlloyd9105)
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i am a fan of gifted imaginations on facebook (jenny lloyd)
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i signed up for gifted imaginations newsletter
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered the checking our list #1
little tike market
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #2
$50 hearthsong gift certificate
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #3
rca camcorder giveaway
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #5
xtrema skillet
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #6
citiblocs
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #8
epson picture printer
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #9
melissa and doug shopping cart
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #10 summer infant monitor
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #11
alphabet photography
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i entered checking our list #15
csn stores
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

i follow you on twitter (@jlloyd9105)
tweet - http://twitter.com/jlloyd9105/status/5354440387203072
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

1 google friend connect
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

2 google friend connect
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

e-mail subscriber #1
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

e-mail subscriber #2
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

1 facebook fan (jenny lloyd)
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

2 facebook fan (jenny lloyd)
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

button #1
www.crazy4giveaways.blogspot.com
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

button #2
www.crazy4giveaways.blogspot.com
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

button #3
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reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

checking our list #2
www.crazy4giveaways.blogspot.com
reljsw@gmail.com

Lloyd Family said...

checking our list #3
www.crazy4giveaways.blogspot.com
reljsw@gmail.com

Yours Truly said...

I'd get the Bella Butterfly Picnic Set by Melissa and Doug.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Yours Truly said...

I entered the giveaway at A Mom's Balancing Act.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Alison said...

My son would think he died and went to heaven if he got that parking garage! I also like the learn to dress monkey. Thanks! (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I entered at a mom's balancing act (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I like gifted imaginations on fb (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I've entered most of your holiday giveaways. (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I subscribe via email (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I subscribe via email (alidear at hotmail dot com)

KT said...

I really love this puzzle: Beginner Pattern Blocks by Melissa and Doug and many of the other Melissa and Doug puzzles...which is most likely what I'd spend my money on, if I were to win.

myjourneyppf (at) hotmail (dot) com

KT said...

I entered at A Mom's Balancing Act


myjourneyppf (at) hotmail (dot) com

KT said...

Holiday Gift Button is on my blog: 1
http://myjourney-ppf.blogspot.com/

myjourneyppf (at) hotmail (dot) com

KT said...

Holiday Gift Button is on my blog: 2
http://myjourney-ppf.blogspot.com/

myjourneyppf (at) hotmail (dot) com

KT said...

Holiday Gift Button is on my blog: 3
http://myjourney-ppf.blogspot.com/

myjourneyppf (at) hotmail (dot) com

KT said...

Cute Button is on my blog: 1
http://myjourney-ppf.blogspot.com/

myjourneyppf (at) hotmail (dot) com

KT said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KT said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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