The holidays are upon us and we are all out scurrying around to find he perfect Christmas Gift. It can be hard and overwhelming, but Insight Editions has released something amazing that may just make buying presents a breeze! This year, they have released several books, known as the Discover Series, that turns reading into a fun and interactive experience! I got the opportunity to receive Ancient Egypt, Human Body, and Dinosaurs and I thought I would share my review below!

Before I dive into each book, I just want to state that these books as a whole are amazing! Their pictures, stories, and quality are above and beyond what I expect from children books! The pictures take over every page with movement, life, and color. They nearly jump off the page with wonder. Each time I look at the pictures I find myself noticing something new. There are little bubbles to explain new attributes and information intertwined throughout the pages. It truly is an adventure of discovery through art. Place this within a hardcover on beautiful glossy paper, and this becomes a book that is easy to use, fun to learn from, and durable for some of the most energetic kids. Insight Editions knows what here doing when creating books for families!

Now to the books…

Discover Ancient Egypt

Discover Ancient Egypt is a book where the world of ancient Egypt comes to life through pictures and Amazon Alexa. Kids can flip through the pages and read about he Ancient Egypt culture and check out the amazing sights of the ancient world. Or they cam turn on Alexia and learn about Egypt through a whole new portal with an interactive experience like no other! Readers can hear ancient Egyptian music, learn to pronounce the names of famous rulers, and virtually travel to the world of the pharaohs. Short of a time machine, this is the next best thing for families to learn and interact with a crazy new world.

Discover Ancient Egypt features:

• A long History – Learn about the Nile, the ancient timeline, social structure, and more!
• The Rule of Religion – Learn about the Egyptian gods, their rulers, the making of mummies, the afterlife, and so much more!
• Life in Ancient Egypt – Learn about the land, the arts, their music, their boats, and other things the people used in their life.
• Pyramids and other Tombs – Learn about some of the most well-known pyramids: The Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The Great Pyramid at Giza, Valley of the Kings, and the tomb of Tutankhamen.
• Temples and Towns – Learn about so famous temples and towns within ancient Egypt: Karnak, Deir el-Medina, Amarna, Zawiyet umm el-Rakham, and Abu Simbel.
• The Kings of Ancient Egypt –

Alexa will practically bring this book alive through games, quizzes, and fun facts about the ancient Egyptian word. I love listening to the music of the time and actually listening to the correct pronunciation of the names and places in Ancient Egypt. It’s a fantastic book!

Discover The Human Body

Discover The Human Body is a new way to learn about biology! Learn to pronounce crazy words tha make up the human system, figure out what the strongest muscle is, or look inside the human heart. All of these facts come to life within the book and through Alexa! Like the Ancient Egypt book, the Human Body connects to Amazon Alexia and creates an immersive experience for the reader! Play games, complete quizzes, or even listen to different heartbeats! How cool is that!?!?! This book also provides an up-close look at different organs and cells and the sounds they make!

The picture above features an in-depth look at the human heart, which can be found in Discover the Human Body. With bubble facts, diagrams, and more, any scientist or biology enthusiast will love to learn using this book and the Alexa app.

The book also contains

• Meet he Human Body
• How does the Body Work
• The Body’s Organs
• The Body’s Systems
• Senses
• Body File

Discover Dinosaurs

Now, let’s get to my favorite of the three books! Yes, Ancient Egypt is fascinating and the Human Body is an amazing trek through science and biology, but come on, Dinosaurs are AWESOME! How could we not spend a little time in the realm of the giant lizards? The world of Dinosaurs is one of my favorite things to read about and now with Discover Dinosaurs from Insight Editions, we have a whole new way to learn about these fierce beasts.

Activate Alexa with “Ready Activated” to hear what a T-Rex sounds like, learn to pronounce dinosaur names, interact with real-life paleontologists, and so much more. This groundbreaking technology brings us into the world of dinosaurs as we discover facts about the creature from different eras. With dinosaur themed games, quizzes, and other interactive fun, this book goes beyond reading and takes us on an adventure.

Just look at the images and bubble facts within the pages! How big was a T-rex head? Well, bigger than a person of course! What did a T-rex eat? Almost anything! And the best part is, every page features different facts, different dinosaurs, and a different immersive experience! It isn’t all about the king of the dinosaurs, the contents feature:

• The Age of Dinosaurs – goes into the rule and end of he dinosaurs figuring he Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous eras
• The Life of Dinosaurs – learn he anatomy, survival skills, and birch of dinosaurs along wish a section of record breaking dinosaurs!
• Discovering Dinosaurs – this is about learning bout digging for bones, reading the clues found within, and becoming dinosaur hunters
• Meat Eaters – from the nightmare dragon o the ostrich mimic, we get to learn about the meat eaters :Allosaurus, Archaeopteryx, Tyrannosaurus, and the Struthiomimus
• Plant Eaters – From the gentle giant to the three-horns, we get to learn about the plant eaters: Plateosaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Euoplocephalus, Pachycephalosaurus, and the Triceratops.
• Dinosaur Families

This is definitely a book for anyone who loves dinosaurs and wishes to learn more and have an interactive experience with the Amazon Alexa!

The sounds are so cool to listen too, the books are colorful and engaging, and the addition of connecting it to Alexa for a brand new take on interactive story time is insane. Screen-free but still with technology kids love, this Discover Series bring learning to life in a fun new way! I highly recommend these books! Each theme will make a perfect gift for anyone in that fandom!

PAW Patrol: Fire Rescue is now on DVD and includes over two hours of episodes! From Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment for the suggested retail price of $10.99, PAW Patrol: Fire Rescue once again brings the idea of teamwork and problem solving to the screen with the best pups around!

Adventure Bay gets a new fire station and Marshall is particularly excited about the grand opening of the new fire station and the new fire rescue gear. However, things take a turn when the grand opening barbeque gets out of hand, and a fire breaks out. This gets Marshall all “fired up” to lead the team in a Fire Rescue! Launching from their all-new Adventure Bay Fire Station, the pups will suit up in protective fire gear and fire equipped vehicles, using team work, to save the day!

GIVEAWAY

We’re getting ready for an exciting adventure with the PAW Patrol pups by announcing our PAW Patrol: Fire Rescue DVD Giveaway! Join Chase, Marshall, Skye, and the whole crew as they embark on heroic fire rescue missions that will have everyone on the edge of their seats. Don’t miss out on your chance to win this action-packed DVD and enjoy endless fun with your favorite furry heroes. Enter now for a pawsitively unforgettable experience! Hurry, the clock is ticking!

Use the form below to enter for a chance to win! If the form is on the fritz, simply tell us who your favorite Adventure Bay character is in the comments below! You can also enter by sending us an email to SKGaleana@gmail.com with your name, email, and what giveaway you are entering.

Remember, Many will enter, only one will win! Good Luck

On Nov 15, 2025, We are taking over the Rathdrum Lions Club building to host a Pokemon Winter Celebration! This will be a party like no other. Throw your standard card shows out the window, this will be a FESTIVAL celebrating all things pokemon! From Games, to drawings, to contests, and more, there will be something for everyone! We will also be giving away massive amounts of cards from bulk to illustration rares!

Starting at 9 am, the Pokemon Winter Celebration doors will open to start the party! Right off the get go, we will have tables prepped for activities, trading, and our famous Coloring Page Contest! Vendors will be there sharing their love of all things Pokemon including The Bat and Hatchet and Curated Gems! These vendors will also be hosting an amazing game at our festival!

Speaking of games, we will be hosting several FREE-TO-PLAY games giving players a chance to win Pokemon Cards! The free-to-play games we will be featuring are:

• Find the Pikachu (A Cutoff Crafts Exclusive)
• Find the Energy (A Cutoff Crafts Exclusive)
• Who’s in the Pokeball? (Sponsored by Curated Gems)
• Name That Pokemon (A Cutoff Crafts Exclusive)
• Don’t Say Pokeball (A Cutoff Crafts Exclusive)
• Investigation (Sponsored by The Bat and Hatchet)
• Trivia
• Team Rocket Battles
• Coloring Page Contest

To learn more about these games and how to play, check out the Cutoff Crafts Blog where they go into detail about this amazing celebration!

Pokemon Pack Battle Tournament

One of the most anticipated games of the day is the Pokemon Pack Battle Tournament! This game requires a ticket to play. Tickets can be purchased here!

How this works:

1. Purchase a Cutoff Crafts’ Pack Battle Tournament Entry Ticket. Every Battler needs a ticket.
2. Come to our Pokémon Winter Celebration.
3. At 2pm we will start checking tickets and preparing for the Pack Battle Tournament! All players must be checked in and ready to battle by 2:29pm. The Battle will start at 2:30pm!

Cutoff Crafts will supply the packs for each battle. 

How to play Cutoff Crafts’ Pack Battle Tournament:

1.  Players will sit across or next to each other.
2. A member of Cutoff Crafts will give each player a pack. Packs will start with Trick or Trades and could increase in value with each round. The final battle will feature a Prismatic Evolutions pack. (Packs are subject to change)
3. Once a member of Cutoff Crafts says “Battle”, players will rip open their packs and display their cards. A member of Cutoff Crafts will decide who is the winner using a ranking sheet we will have available. The player with the top card wins the battle and moves onto the next round. The player who did not win, steps away. All players keep the cards they open. Yes, that means if you pull a crazy $1000 card, it is yours.
4. The next round will be the same. Players will face off with a sealed pack of Pokémon cards. This will continue until one player remains. The last remaining player will be declared the Winning Battler and receive The Grand Prize!

The Grand prize is a Near Mint 2016 M Charizard EX card and a Charizard Card Holder Statue!

This pack battle has a special surprise! The more people that join the bigger the prize pool! That means, the grand prize increase as we get more players! Once each level is reached, the prize is unlocked! We have already unlocked the Promo Card set! So share and buy your tickets ASAP to see how many levels we hit!

Possible Prizes added to the Pokemon Pack Battle Tournament are:

(CHECK) Level 1: Promo Card – Cutoff Crafts will add a Cosmic Promo Card to the prize pool!

Level 2: Japanese Pack – Cutoff Crafts will add one random Japanese Booster Pack to the prize pool!

Level 3: Charizard Tin – Cutoff Crafts will add a Charizard Pencil tin to the prize pool. The tin comes sealed with two booster packs!

Level 4: MewTwo EX Box – Cutoff Crafts will add a Destined Rivals MewTwo EX sealed Box to the prize pool. This contains two promo cards, a large promo card, and 4 booster packs inside!

Level 5: Surprise! – Cutoff Crafts will be adding a HUGE SURPRISE to the prize pool! If we reach 200 players, Cutoff Crafts will add a Sealed Pokemon Center Mega ETB!

This means if we reach Level 5, one winner will take home:

• One 2016 M Charizard Card
• One Charizard Statue
• One cosmic promo card set
• One Japanese pack
• One Charizard Tin
• One MewTwo EX Box
• One Pokemon Center Mega ETB!

That is over $500 in prizes to one lucky winner!!!

(NOTE: due to the Pokemon Market, the cost per item is subject to change according to the market. Cutoff Crafts will not be responsible for the decrease or increase in price. We are simply stating an estimate. No cash or other items will be given for a loss or gain in market value.)

This celebration will be our biggest one yet! Share the news and come to play! We hope to see you there!

2025 has been a crazy year! From new gaming systems to the insane explosion in the local market world, the top gifts for Christmas this year range from geeky fandoms to beautifully finessed categories. While the top wants vary from name brand to handcrafted love, there is one brand that has taken 2025 by storm. This one, solitary brand, has become so well known, it feels like 1999 again. I speak of course, of the ever popular cardboard sparkles…Pokemon Cards.

From booster packs to ETB, Pokemon has become highly collectible for both kids and adults. This Trading Card Game has not only created a huge fandom, but it has provided a place for people to connect with fellow collectors in trades, sales, and games. One of my favorite examples of Pokemon connecting people is at our booth. At some of our Comicon’s and Craft Fairs, we have seen families come together, opening exciting booster packs of pokemon cards, and getting excited when they get a hit

In short, Pokemon Cards are a top want for both adults and kids this holiday season. But there is another toy that has remained popular for both kids and adults as well. I speak of the dreaded plastic pieces, the LEGOS. Year after year, Legos have remained a top want for collectors and builders. This year, LEGO is not pulling any punches, they have released several builds that are large and in charge from art builds to fandoms such as Star Wars, Legos seems to remain on top with their innovative creations fans love.

It’s certainly no surprises that Pokemon and Lego are top wants. A quick scroll on an social media platform shares pack openings or Lego build videos. However, the gaming world has also reached a pinnacle of fun with games connecting players online such as Mario Kart and Cal of Duty, or board games making a massive comeback such a DnD! Either way you go, they have huge fan followings with many players streaming while they play. This of course, makes gaming another top request for the Holiday Gift Guide. While we will share a couple top wants below, when it comes to games and platforms, be sure to ask the giftee their favorites. The gaming world is huge!

Connecting online and collecting are great areas to start in order to find that perfect Christmas gift, but there are other places to look as well. Sometimes, a break from the commercial is needed and something unique or handmade is the key. Homemade jams, laser cut game boards, crochet cozies, personalized shadow boxes, and other local craft fair items always make a special gift. Our sister blog, Cutoff Crafts, created a fantastic local Holiday Gift Guide that highlights some of the more unique and personalized items that can be found in the North Idaho area. We will share our favorites of these below as well.

Without further explanation about what a Holiday Gift Guide is, because I think we all know at this point, here are the items we found to be tops on the Christmas Lists this year! We have even included a few North Idaho Local gift ideas. These are great unique items!

2025 Holiday Gift Guide
	Pokemon Cards The popularity of Pokemon warrents it the number one spot! So many Christmas lists will have Pokemon requested as a wanted item. Cutoff Crafts has shoppers covered. They sell booster packs, pins, lanyards, and other Pokemon swag. They even have fun Pokemon Goodie Bags that give a chase for the highly coveted Prismatic Evoltions Booster Pack. Shop their pokemon items here or in person at their next event in anticipation of the holidays! Tip: they have several items not listed online. Contact them for what they have in stock.
Star Wars Advent Calendar Star Wars Legos have always been a top want, and their annual Holiday Countdown Advent Calendar is a joy to open. Starting Dec 1st, the giftee opens a present every day until Christmas. It’s a gift that keeps on giving! This year, the advent features a Christmas Jawa, a candycane mouse droid, A Christmas astrometric droid, tools, and a fun BB-8 snowman! Shop Here (Affiliate Link)
	LEGO Fortnite Durrr Burger Building Set For the fans of the game Fortnite, the Lego builds are hilariously fun! This set lets fans create a toy display model of Durrr Burger, complete with crazy eyes and long tongue, the iconic restaurant mascot from the Fortnite universe. Once complete, the video game model becomes a cool collectible display toy that will upgrade the decor in any game room or bedroom. A great Christmas gift for kids who love gaming and Fortnite fans of all ages. Shop Here (Affiliate Link)
DnD Dragon Mystery Loot Dice Set Gamers always need another set of dice. Our Goblin hoard is a display of our power in the fantasy world. More is always better. This Mystery Loot Dice Bag is a Cutoff Crafts exclusive and contains two sets of dice: One standard and one halfling! To top it off, there is a chance for some rare sets with tri-colors, fun fonts, or even inclusions! A perfect choice for any DND fan or player. Shop Here
	Mini Funko Pops For those who collect Funko Pops and are running out of room, Funko created Funko Bitty Pops. These Funkos are in many differnet Fandoms including, Batman, Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pixar, Princess, Lord of the Rings, and more! Cutoff Crafts has a few items displayed on their website, but I would suggest contacting them to see whatelse they may have! Shop here
Finger Biting Dinosaur These fun little Finger Biting Dinosaurs are extremely popular! Dinosaurs found within these mystery loots come from the Jurassic World movies and Camp Cretacious! That means you can find an Indominus rex or a Scorpios Rex! These are perfect for stocking stuffers or White Elephant Gifts! Shop Here
	Nintendo Switch™ 2 One of the top wants this year is the Nintendo Switch™ 2! This bundle on Amazon.com comes with a full game download for the Mario Kart World! With this gift, fans can start their Nintendo Switch™ 2 adventure with a full game and access to exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 games. Nintendo Switch 2 is the next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system—packed with upgrades and fun ways to connect and play together! Shop Here (affilaite link)
The Unofficial Ghibli Cookbook For anime fans, there is a fun cookbook that makes a wonderful gift! Featuring recipes inspired by Studio Ghibli movies, each page showcases a delicious treat to make! Dive into the dreamlike worlds of these animated film masterpieces and enjoy the recipes created by Thibaud Villanova, a specialist in the cuisine of the imagination. With adorable illustrations and full color photo spreads, these delightful and simplified dishes are suitable for both beginners and more seasoned chefs. Shop Here (affiliate link)
	Handcrafted wreaths Handcrafted wreaths will make great Christmas gifts because they are versatile and visually appealing. They can be enjoyed year-round outdoors or indoors. They will add a touch of charm and personality to any space. Our wreaths will be enjoyed for years to come and be a constant reminder of the giver’s thoughtfulness. Contact Here
3D Shadow Box 3D Shadow Boxes make for incredibly thoughtful and unique gifts because they combine personal storytelling with artistic depth. They reflect memories, hobbies or beliefs. This type of design is visually captivating. They are handcrafted and cannot be purchased in a box store. It’s a durable keepsake meant for display and make perfect gifts for those hard to buy friends and family. Shop Here
	Delicious Treats English Toffee & Fudge is easily enjoyed by all. These sweet treats come in a variety of flavors, assortments, and holiday packaging options making your Holidays a breeze! They even offer nation wide shipping. It’s the perfect yummy Christmas Gift! Because these are made locally, you must contact the seller through their facebook page to order. They will then help get you the perfect Christmas Gift! Contact Here
Game Trays Game Trays such as Farkle, 10k, or Yahtzee, elevate game nights with their expertly crafted hardwood designs. With three different versions to choose from, it makes it easy to find that board gamers perfect tray! Each tray measures 9.5 inches wide and features laser-engraved scoring for a seamless gaming experience. Because these are made locally, you must contact the seller through their facebook page to order. They will then help get you the perfect Christmas Gift! Contact Here
	Pet Beds Allison McClellan from Hope Creations LLC creates several handcrafted unique gifts. Have a request? Contact her here: allison@hope-creations.com, and she will help you find the perfect gift! Some of her top items are gifts for our pet friends. Let’s not forget the Furbabies! Shop Here
Room Sprays Karri Gallant is the owner of Ambrosia Ambiance. These items make great gifts because they don’t cause headaches for most people that get fragrance induced headaches. Home fragrance options are versatile, thoughtful, and create a cozy, memorable atmosphere. With a wide variety of scents and styles, they can be personalized to suit any occasion or personality, making them both practical and meaningful Shop Here
	Hot Buttered Rum Mix HotThis cozy and delicious drink mix is perfect for the holiday season! Just mix with water and add a little rum and you have a tasty beverage for a holiday dinner, night cap, or to get you through all your gift wrapping! It’s also delicious mixed with apple cider for a non-alcoholic option. Fans of warming drins will find the mixture a perfect gift for the holidays! Because these are made locally, you must contact the seller through their facebook page to order. They will then help get you the perfect Christmas Gift! Contact Here
Caramel Apple jam Who wouldn’t like a sweet treat for the holidays? To fulfill the sweet-tooth need, My Brothers Keeper Pantry Jams supplies jams that are very popular and affordable. They will take special orders, and will mail up to six jars via USPS to anywhere in the lower 48 states. Their Caramel Apple jam is their best seller. While it contains no actual caramel, with its cinnamon and nutmeg, many people have compared it to a delicious apple pie. Because these are made locally, you must contact the seller through their facebook page to order. They will then help get you the perfect Christmas Gift! Contact Here
	Snowflake Ornaments These personalized Snowflake Ornaments feature delicate snowflakes, each engraved with the name of a loved one — 2 to 7 in total — all gently falling around your shared family name resting in the snow. Softly lit and beautifully crafted, this ornament brings a warm glow to your holiday decor and a smile to anyone who sees it. Thoughtful. Personal. Made to last. This is more than an ornament — it’s your family’s story, frozen in a perfect moment of holiday joy. Because no two snowflakes — and no two families — are ever the same. This adorable ornament will be a perfect Christmas Gift and become a family keepsake. Shop Here

We hope this helped you find some amazing gifts or at the very least, sparked some ideas for that special someone! May your Holidays be cheerful and bright this Christmas!