Last weekend, I headed over to the mall with my mini-me for a fun holiday finds event hosted by fellow blogger, Corine Ingrassia. This was no ordinary event- it was a holiday scavenger hunt that involved challenges, interacting with store employees, collecting items, and lots of walking! Bloggers and their kids spent the morning ringing in the holidays at the Mills.

More reading: Spring Shopping at the Mills + a Giveaway!

img_0008

The event kicked off at Santa’s Workshop (located in the center of the mall, downstairs).

We were given goody bags, breakfast, and props to pose for a selfie with Santa. By the way, I’m convinced this is the real Santa!

img_0009

Next, we did some fun challenges including the mannequin and the Andy challenge.

The mannequin challenge is basically a video of everyone frozen (like a mannequin!) in action. The Andy challenge comes from the movie, Toy Story where the toys drop as soon as they get word that their owner Andy is coming back.

See our challenges here:

Mannequin Challenge at the Mills 

Andy Challenge at the Mills 

After those challenges, we went on to collect bags from three stores, a Starbucks holiday cup and the hardest of all get an employee to sing. But we did it. Shout out to Santa’s helper who was such a great sport! See her song here: Singing Santa Helper

We also had to find the latest sales at the Mills and let me tell you... there were some great deals. Many stores had a buy one get one 50% off and others had crazy savings of like up to 70% off.

After everyone was done completing their tasks, we met up again at Santa’s Workshop for a group photo. We had a fun morning at the Mills at Jersey Gardens. It was nice to work with my daughter as a team even though we didn’t win (we were still rewarded a gift card to shop!). It was also nice to see other bloggers with their kids since usually, the events I attend are only for adults.

holiday-fun-finds-group-pic

Since we were at the mall (with a gift card), of course, we decided to stick around and shop!

Well, most of the gift card was spent on her at stores like Justice, Claire’s, Old Navy, and Forever21. But I did score a nice new phone case at the new Kate Spade outlet- which I must return alone to! Everything was 70% off and the phone case came out to under $13.

If you’re looking for some great savings, here are some tips:

  • During the holiday season, the Mills At Jersey Gardens has “extra festive hours”, keeping its doors open as late at 10pm and 11pm (see hours here)
  • Extra savings! Get your coupon book from guest services for additional savings.
  • Great teacher gifts and gifts under $30
    -Bath & Bodyworks
    -Swarovski
    -Vanity Fair
     
  • Kids Holiday style
    – Abercrombie Kids (jeans under $19.99 & up to 40% off winter styles!)
    – Carters/Oshkosh (up to 60% off)
    – Justice
    – Children’s Place
    – Gymboree
     
  • Kids Toys + Accessories
    – Claire’s Store Outlet– Entire store Buy 3 get 1 free! (great for holiday accessories and stocking stuffers!)
    – Disney Outlet ($8.99 super soft full size plush blankets)
    – Lego Store Outlet
    – Kidstown
     
  • Gifts for her
    -Kate Spade
    -Alex & Ani
    -Saks off fifth
    -Michael Kors
     
  • Gifts for him
    -Levi’s
    -Nike