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The gift of gold

I'm happy to report that most of my Christmas shopping is complete. Of course, there are several people on my list I haven't shopped for yet, but I'm strange and I love waiting for the last minute to shop. I like being a mall in the middle of the afternoon on December 24th. Call me crazy, but it's something I love to do.

Every year I give my children typical presents I know they'll love—things they've asked for, from LEGO to books to DVD's. We also donate to CHEO and give several new items to children who are with the Children's Aid Society, as well as drop off toys for the Toy Mountain, because the best part about the holiday season is giving, especially to those less fortunate than us.

Something else I love doing for my children every year is getting them something extra special. A gift that won't lose value over time and a gift they'll cherish for years to come.

My six year old is into collecting special coins and gold bars. He absolutely loves visiting the Royal Canadian Mint—and I do, too. Taking a tour of the Mint is educational, and a lot of fun. The Mint was built in 1908, and currently produces hand-crafted collector and commermorative coins, gold bullion coins, medals and medallions. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic medals were made in this facility, too—these medals were so neat to see up close! The Mint's gold refining and advanced engineering operations are also located right here in Ottawa.

This Christmas, I wanted to surprise my son with a special gold coin. I knew he would love
the new Fine Gold Cougar Coin as soon as I saw it on the Mint's website.



I asked the @CanadianMint on Twitter if they had any of these gold coins left in their store and within minutes, I received an email from them, telling me how much they love my blog and how they'd love to work with me on a review and giveaway with this goild coin. Isnt' that amazing?

I was so excited, and I know my big boy will be thrilled on Christmas Day to see this shiny new gold coin to add to his collection.


Let me just pause here for a moment to say how in love I am with Twitter. The power of Twitter never ceases to amaze me.

The Mint is so amazing they are also giving one of my readers the exact same gold coin. You're in luck because these gold coins are so popular that they're not even beeing shipped out until mid-December.

This special collector's gold coin is struck in 99.99% pure gold and is a collectible keepsake.

Perhaps there is another child out there who also loves collecting coins or gold? This would be the perfect gift for that child—or adult! It's the gift that will be cherished forever, and it will never lose its value.

To win this gold coin, please leave me a comment below telling me what special gifts you like to give your children for the holidays or for special occassions. Do you have certain traditions, too?

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 13th.

Good Luck!

Comments

smilenwaven said…
My DS is 27... I STILL give him a hot-wheels car in his stocking. AND he still looks forward to them! :)
missbobloblaw said…
What a beautiful coin! We have a yearly tradition of taking the kids pictures in front of our Christmas tree holding their special cookie plate that reads 'Dear Santa- How good is 'good'?' on Christmas Eve. They are always wearing their brand new PJs that Santa drops off early! Makes for some great memories looking back at the old pics!
Anonymous said…
I like to search for the perfect gift for my sons that they will love. It takes time but it is so worth it when they open them up Christmas eve and I see their faces! We like to all be together Christmas eve and visit some friends, watch Christmas movies and just be together. Thanks for the great giveaway! Happy Holidays!
jemrah said…
That's a beautiful coin !! A coin every year would make a fantastic tradition - i also like giving a special Christmas ornament each year. They create wonderful memories.
karen said…
I love to give my kids books. I hope they one day pass them on to their own children.
Amy Brown said…
My daughter is young so I'm still starting traditions, I've been making ornaments with photos for the tree and she likes to look back at the old ones as we put them on the tree.
thanks!
amym_brown @ hotmail.com
Tooth Fairy said…
Tooth Fairy ♥ coins! Cougar gold coin is real cool!
Traditions in our household involved real candles on real tree once upon a time...and it was not set up nor seen till xmas eve. St Nick brings goodies to stuff in your boots/shoes Dec 5th. nite!
Katrina Brady said…
I've always tucked a mandarin orange in the toe of the stocking. My mom always did this for us kids. Of course that's because back then they were expensive and a special treat. Even though my kids could of gone into the fridge and gotten one, they always looked for the mandarin!

sweetpeg at gmail dot com
ginette4 said…
I give my dauhters a ornament every year, usuallly the ornament is from an ongoing series and we also give them a coin set from that year.
Karla S said…
I always give son new jammies to wear christmas eve,,he also collects coins,but I hever bought anything like this,,he would love it! Thanks!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
Twitter is an awesome form of Social Media - I am constantly amazed!

One holiday tradition that we have is to open our Stockings and ONE gift on Christmas Eve. It helps to take the edge off. The one gift is usually either pjs (that are already washed) or a book (to read before bed).

That coin is so lovely!
Anonymous said…
Hi there, our tradition we have for our kids is to make a trip to Watertown to buy 2 Hess trucks for our two boys. The kids love them so much.
Sharonnelt said…
I love twitter - today, I interacted with the CanadianMint bc I had trouble finding the toothfairy coin, they offered to get me one. I found it but isn't that awesome. We give our kids eight gifts for the eight days of chanukah - each night they get to pick their own present - I always get themm one great gift and other little ones - they always get something frivolous like chocolate or nail polish and then something they need like pjs. sharonnekatz at hotmail dot com.
Chantal said…
Cool giveaway Loukia! I special thing is the advent calendar. So far we have only done Playmobil and Lego but next year I am hoping to do our own calendar with activities (a la MissFish).
Angella said…
We donate to the food bank (my SIL works there and her stories break my heart) and we donate to a big event that gives gifts t tots through teens.

We decorate sugar cookies on Christmas Eve, and they get to open one present on Christmas Eve after service (always jammies, like my husband and I did growing up).

:)
My kids also open their jammies on Christmas eve! We heard about it from our friends, and decided to adopt the tradition. xo
Anonymous said…
OOPS, tried to post a comment yesterday but it didn't work...our tradition is that our elf on a shelf brings the kids new christmas pj's on december 1st. For the rest of the entire year those pj's are known as their "Stanley" pj's.
Tiffany
@mydirtca
snack mommy said…
We have several traditions including the orange in the two of the stocking and the new Christmas jammies. Those I inherited from my parents, but the new one we created is our "Countdown to Christmas" box. On Dec 1st, I wrap a box full of their Christmas books and CD's, 2 new advent calendars (LEGO and Kinder), a box of Pot of Gold and their new jammies so they can wear them ALL month.

My son loves coins from the Mint too!
Brenda A. said…
A+ for customer service from The Mint! My kids are ASKING for coins for Christmas! This would be a very special extra gift!

wickenching (at) yahoo (dot) com
@BarleySugar said…
I started buying both my daughters special christmas ornaments from their first Christmas when they leave home they will both have a fully decorated tree full of memories ...My 10year old would LOVE this she is so into collecting coins!
Unknown said…
My kids love getting a new Webkin z in their stocking - I've been doing that for years now....and they love it!
Unknown said…
I love searching for a special book that relates to their likes at the time to read on Christmas eve :) x
Tracy said…
When I was a child I would always get a coin from the Canadian Mint and I still have them today. I have passed on the tradition with my daughter. It's unique and special!
Stacy Monaghan said…
I like to give the kids a photo album with pictures of themselves and their brother/sister throughout the year, it always seems to be a favorite of theirs.
CaraBee said…
My granddaddy gave us a silver dollar coin every year for Christmas all while I was growing up. Its a wonderful tradition!
MJ Moore said…
Hi, I'm in the US so I don't know if this giveaway is open to me, but I have to say I LOVE this idea of a special, meaningful gift for my children. Mine are really young still, but I'm looking forward to incorporating something like this when they are older. Although for now I'm getting them each an ornament every year...

butterflyrouge(at)yahoo(dot)com
What a cool gift! I am giving Asher the 8 wheel remote control tractor he has been talking about all year. Elijah would love something like this! I am going to check it out!
Anonymous said…
We like to see the lights at upper canada village, have hot chocolate and chili for dinner. Fun :)
mariposaman said…
A little something in a RESP and then a small gift. Pizza the day before Christmas. Just small traditions.
Lady Mama said…
Your son has great taste. My husband is crazy about gold too. We haven't visited the mint before but would love to go one day. And yes I agree Twitter can be an amazing thing!