1. Boulder Scarf

As a weaver and fiber artist, I am fascinated by SLOWCOLOR. The video above not only explains the company’s “trend toward more conscious gifting”, but the natural, handmade processes of the weavers, spinners, and dyers inspire me. I would love to go and visit SLOWCOLOR’s artisans! That would be my dream vacation!

We were sent a beautiful Boulder Scarf to review.

• The scarf that goes anywhere. A treasured companion on your life’s adventures: casual, elegant, for work, and for play. Men like this scarf as much as women.
• Gauze Weave
• 100% premium linen handloomed with pride and passion in India
• Hand Made: As this is a hand made product, slight size and color variation only show the human touch of a soul and heart at work
• Size: 24″x72″

I love my Boulder Scarf. It is the perfect size for how I like to wear my scarves, and the hand dyed linen is rich and beautiful. I can’t help but think of the hands involved in making this product.  Handloomed, natural plant based hand dyed, fair trade…a perfect gift for the eco-conscious!

Good News! We have one SLOWCOLOR Boulder Scarf to giveaway to a lucky reader!

GIVEAWAY REQUIREMENTS

RULES

• This contest is open to US residence only.  No P.O.Boxes.
• You have until 8:00 A.M. EST December 21st, 2011 to enter.

GIVEAWAY

• One winner will receive 1 Boulder Scarf of their choice (inventory availability dependent)
• Value $85.00 (incl. shipping)

MANDATORY ENTRY

• Visit www.SLOWCOLOR.com
• In your comment on SLOWCOLOR’s Facebook page mention what product you would choose and why, and which blog you read about this giveaway with a @tag back to this Eco Child’s Play’s Facebook page.

EXTRA ENTRIES
+ Follow on Twitter www.Twitter.com/beSLOWCOLOR
+ Like www.facebook.com/SLOWCOLOR on Facebook
+ Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall tagging SLOWCOLOR’s FB page (doing this correctly, your post will show on our FB page wall)
+ Comment on another SLOWCOLOR wall post.
+ Tweet this giveaway making sure to mention @beSLOWCOLOR

This giveaway is running in conjunction with Really Natural. Only one winner will be selected from both blogs.

2. Ito En Teas’

Do you know any tea lovers? ITO EN has many great gifts and stocking stuffers for those that adore tea. I love both coffee and tea and thoroughly enjoyed the ITO EN products we tried:

Ito En Teas’ Tea Lemongrass Green Unsweetened Tea:

• All-natural brew of premium loose Japanese green tea leaves and aromatic lemongrass–relax and rejuvenate with this refined and refreshing creation
• Unsweetened tea with no calories, 45 mg of caffeine per 16.9 fl oz, more than 100% RDA of vitamin C, high in tea antioxidants
• Drink for yourself to taste the distinction of a beverage alternative that is healthy and designed for an active lifestyle
• ITO EN’s knowledge, expertise, and experience help them in making an extraordinary ready-to-drink tea

Ito En Teas’ Tea Mango Oolong Tea:

• Has the full taste of oolong tea paired with the bright taste of mango–enjoy the pure refreshment of this invigorating blend
• Naturally sweetened with a touch of cane sugar– only 40 calories per serving, all-natural tea with no colors, powders, or concentrates
• Good source of natural catechin tea antioxidants
• Drink for yourself to taste the distinction of a beverage alternative that designed for an active lifestyle
• ITO EN’s knowledge, expertise, and experience help them in making an extraordinary ready-to-drink tea

Ito En Teas’ Genmai Green Tea:

In a marriage of two classic Japanese flavors, roasted rice adds a mellow nuance to the bright notes of whole leaf and freshly ground green tea (Matcha).

Teas’ Tea Polyfabric™ Reusable Tote Bag:

• Reusable Tote Bag contains recycled content.
• Material: Polyfabric™ is lightweight, durable, and environmentally-friendly.

Catechin Pens (made from recycled green tea leaves):

ITO EN has developed a wide array of methods for recycling used tea leaves and incorporating recycled tea leaves into a range of products and materials. Not only does recycling conserve resources but the antibacterial and deodorizing properties of catechins retained in the tea leaves can be utilized in products made from recycled tea leaves, thereby adding greater value.

We will be giving away one Teas’ Tea Matcha Can to one lucky winner!

Matcha, or powdered green tea, is traditionally used for the tea ceremony. An ideal matcha for every day, our signature Teas’ Tea Matcha welcomes with a crisply defined taste that finishes its flavor cycle with a measure of astringency. Used for “Ousu (usucha)” – Light matcha.

GIVEAWAY REQUIREMENTS

RULES

• This contest is open to US residence only.  No P.O.Boxes.
• You have until 8:00 A.M. EST December 21st, 2011 to enter.

GIVEAWAY

• One winner will receive  a Teas’ Tea Matcha Can
• Value $12.00

MANDATORY ENTRY

Visit https://www.itoen.com

In your comment on ITO EN’s Facebook page mention what product you would like and why, as well as which blog you read about this giveaway with a @tag back to this Eco Child’s Play’s Facebook page.

EXTRA ENTRIES

+ Follow on Twitter ITO EN

+ Like http://www.facebook.com/Itoen on Facebook

+ Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall tagging ITO EN’s FB page

(doing this correctly, your post will show on our FB page wall)

+ Comment on another ITO EN wall post.

+ Tweet this giveaway making sure to mention @ITO_EN

This giveaway is running in conjunction with Really Natural. Only one winner will be selected from both blogs.

3. STL Ocarina

Children love and deserve musical instruments; however, the noise they produce can be irksome to parents. One trick is to only choose instruments that are pleasant sounding, no matter how they are played. STL Ocarinas fit this description with beautiful, ancient sound.

We were sent two ocarinas to try:

Teacarina:  When I first opened up our Teacarina, I thought, what a charming little cup. This multifunctional instrument allows you to play and sip, which is sure to delight any child.

The Teacarina, a combination pottery teacup and ocarina, allows you to play simple tunes between sips of your favorite tea or other hot drink.

Manufactured in a range of beautiful colors, the Teacarina is a hollow walled, handle-less teacup that doubles as a soothing and intriguing musical instrument.

As with other ocarina, you produce music by blowing through an air chamber, changing pitch by fingering four holes of various sizes on the side on the cup.

Whale:  Super cute and would make a great stocking stuffer!

An ancient instrument with roots that lie in the dawn of history, clay ocarinas were played by the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas of South and Central America. A world away, ocarinas shaped like birds and animals and dating from as early as 5,000 BC have been found in India.

Would I buy this product? I think so. The products we were sent range from about $10-$20; however, they were shipped with styrofoam peanuts (not compostable). They come with simple fingering charts to help you play songs. They are simple and sweet, which is how I like gifts for children.

4. Children’s Stainless Steel Utensils – Sun Moon Stars Cutlery Set

We aim to live plastic-free in our household, but upon inspection, you will find the ubiquitous plastic containers, although BPA-free.  Utensils and dinnerware designed for children are often made of plastic, as parents fear breakables and expense, but it doesn’t have to be so.

Life Without Plastic is a great online retailer that can help you find safe alternatives for your family.

Our vision is to help all living beings, including the Earth, by working toward decreased reliance on plastic. We realize that plastic is not going to disappear any time soon. We recognize the benefits of plastic and the important roles it plays in society. We simply wish to build awareness about its dangers and the existence of healthier alternatives for household products. Healthier for the Earth, healthier for us all.

Life Without Plastic sent us a Children’s Stainless Steel Utensils – Sun Moon Stars Cutlery Set.  These cute utensils have wider handles that are easier for little hands to grip, and the whimsical designs are sure to delight.

Put the universe in your little one’s hands! Our brand new, and long-awaited, Children’s Stainless Steel Utensils are delightfully adorned with a smiling moon and sun reclining in a sea of stars. The fork’s blunt tines and the knife’s gently rounded edge are safe for small mouths, and the spoon is generously deep to hold the ideal gulp of cereal, yogurt and everything in between. They are the perfect size for small hands, yet large enough to grow with your child. Our eight year-old loves to use them.

I really like these utensils!  They are made in Korea from an ethical source.

Would I buy this product?  Yes.  I feel the price ($19.95) is reasonable, and I really trust Life Without Plastic! After reading about the company, I know I can buy anything on their site without compromising our health and environmental principles.

5. Made to Play!: Handmade Toys and Crafts for Growing Imaginations

During this time of year when parents and grandparents are looking for the best toys to give this holiday season, we are reminded that the best toysare simple and have been adored since children began playing.  The best toys inspire imagination and are handmade toys.

Joel Henriques, a crafty dad, has assembled a book of easy projects any parent can make with their children. Made to Play!: Handmade Toys and Crafts for Growing Imaginations includes simple to follow directions, photographs of finished products, and diagrams.

Delight young children and encourage play through unique handmade toys. From sewn and stuffed musical instruments to interlocking paper building blocks and wooden animal figurines, the projects in this book are meant to encourage open-ended play. Organized by kid-loving subjects, the toys here follow the themes of Zoo; House; Blocks, Cars & Trucks; Dress-Up; Music; and Art. Overall, the projects here are meant to stimulate imagination, build confidence through success and enjoyment, and enhance the bond between family and friends through the creation of unique, artistic handmade toys and crafts.

The thirty-five projects in this book include a variety of crafts, from drawing to sewing and light woodworking. The toys presented here are made out of wonderfully tactile materials—repurposed fabrics, wood, and paper—and invite opportunities for creative and imaginative play. Every project is easy to complete, made with accessible materials, and requires little time to make. The projects are simple enough that endless variation can come from the making of each, leaving enough room for you to make the item to suit your own personal interests.

Books like Joel’s are very inspiring.  When I make things with my children, I feel like a good, green parent.

Joel has even more projects on his website!  I can’t wait to make a bottle cap tambourine!

Disclosure:  The products described above were sent to us as free samples.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews.  The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.