Make Memories This Father’s Day With Hallmark’s “Dad Has Character” Gift Pack

For as far back as I can remember, I have had a special place in my heart for the Hallmark store.  It started even before I could form memories.  It actually started before I was born, to be honest.

My grandmother began a tradition with her two daughters (my mom and her sister) of purchasing (or making) them each an ornament every year from the year they were born.  The thought was that once they were grown and married they would have at least a few ornaments for their trees that first Christmas.  As soon as Hallmark started selling Christmas ornaments (in 1973) my Gram began purchasing those.

After I was born (I’m the first grandchild) she extended the tradition to myself and every additional grandchild that came after me.  When I was old enough to shop Hallmark, myself, I supplemented those ornaments with a number of my own purchases.  And, of course, I’ve purchased my share of Hallmark cards.  They have a card for absolutely every occasion – including Father’s Day, which is just around the corner!  Within the past few years they have also  started offering the musical and recordable ones, which I love.  It’s fun to watch someone’s face as they open what they think is a regular card and “You’re Unbelievable!” starts blaring.

Recently they’ve added a few new additions to their amazing line up of products.  One of my favorites are the recordable storybooks.  With my parents living in Maine and us in Kentucky, they obviously don’t get to see Bubbles as often as they’d like, so these books are quickly becoming a way to bridge the gap between visits.  Last year I sent The Night Before Christmas Recordable Storybook to my Dad and had him record himself reading it for Bubbles.  That book and the reading of it was a yearly tradition between myself and my father, so it was a great way to pass that tradition on to Bubbles, even without my father physically present to read to her.

We just received a new recordable storybook Lightning McQueen and His Winning Team.  I can’t wait to drop it in the mail this week and send to my Dad to work his storytelling magic again.  Since we are a family of huge Disney fans – and that includes my father – this book is perfect.  And I love the “moral of the story” about friendship and working together as a team.

Bubbles LOVES her new buddy Watson

One of Hallmark’s other new products are their interactive storybooks and story buddies.  If you haven’t yet experienced one of these – head to a Hallmark store and check them out.  They’re seriously adorable.  We received Watson the raccoon and oh my goodness – not only is he sweet, he really does interact with you!  When you read keywords from his story (there are currently three different Watson books out) – he responds!  I sat him on the couch with us as we read the book to Bubbles and she almost jumped out of my lap the first time he spoke.  From then on she was intrigued; throughout the day she kept carrying him over to me so I could make him “talk” to her.

All these products would make for excellent Father’s Day gifts.  Dad or Grandpa would love sitting with their favorite little one – plus Watson – to share storytime.  And if your situation is like ours where Grampie lives so far away, purchasing a book for your loved one to read for the kids is a pretty priceless gift.  I think these would also be great for anyone that’s deployed in the military – they could send home the gift of their voice.

Would your father, hubby, Papaw, or any other special guy love to receive a Father’s Day gift full of these items?  If so, you’re in luck!  One winner will receive three Hallmark cards, a recordable storybook, a story buddy, and one interactive storybook (see image below)!  To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received products in order to facilitate my review.  No additional compensation was received and all opinions, as always, are 100% that of myself and my family.