CheapTweet Blog

Whether you still have holiday shopping to do or you’ve been done for weeks, Thursday, December 17 is a great day to do some online shopping. December 17 is Free Shipping Day, and it’s one of the best days of the year to stock up on things you need (and maybe even things you don’t). You already know you can avoid the crowds, the lines, and the stress of stores by shopping online, and on December 17 you can also avoid paying for shipping.

Hundreds of online retailers are participating in Free Shipping Day by offering free shipping at their sites. And most of them will guarantee delivery by Christmas. We’re keeping track of all the free shipping offers on CheapTweet. com. And we’ll be posting some of favorite free shipping deals to Twitter from @CheapTweet.

So stay tuned for the best Free Shipping Day deals. And as always, happy shopping and happy saving!

We’re excited to introduce our newest CheapTweet Store – The Discovery Channel Store!

The Discovery Channel Store is filled with unique gifts, games, toys and gear. Find educational toys and games, books and DVDs, telescopes, health & fitness equipment, cutting-edge gadgets and electronics, and items from your favorite Discovery Channel shows.

And best of all, they’re having a great holiday sale today and tomorrow! Get 50% off all toys in the Discovery Channel Store until 12/16 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Use code EMPLOYEE50 for your discount.

So, go check out the Discovery Channel CheapTweet Store and be sure to follow the Discovery Channel on Twitter at @Discovery.

We’d like to introduce our newest CheapTweet Store – Intel Business Exchange.

Don’t let their name fool you – Intel Business Exchange has great deals on “competitively priced software and services for businesses, developers and consumers.” In the Intel BX Software CheapTweet Store, you’ll find discounts on all kinds of software products, including security, business, education and software developer tools, from well-known brands like Intuit, Magix, Salesforce.com and more.

So, go check out the Intel Business Exchange CheapTweet Store. You can also follow @Intel_BX on Twitter.

This week, Heather – our Happy Hatchling guest blogger and mom – shares her second set of recommendations for traveling with your baby during the holidays (see her first set here).  This week she’s focusing on how to make air travel less stressful.

Flying on an airplane with a baby is stressful, period. Everyone wants their children on their best behavior, and the best way to ensure a great, relaxing trip is to be prepared. Here, I have laid out some rules that may help make your holiday travels successful!

Rule #1: Kids get bored when you board early.

Don’t board the plane right way, so avoid sitting in confined spaces as long as possible. If you are flying with someone else, let your flying buddy get your overhead bags on the plane while you and your tot explore near the gate.

Rule #2: Avoid the dreaded screaming baby scene on take off and landing.

Make sure your baby suckles during these times and it will keep the changing air pressure from causing ear pain. If your baby is nursing, this is great because it can also lull your baby to sleep while keeping their ears comfortable. If your toddler is no longer nursing or drinking bottles, do what my friend Becky, mother to three, suggests: treat your child to lollipops. It will make them more cooperative and, if done regularly, will make them excited to go on a trip.

Rule #3: Bring lots of entertainment.

Go for small and soft items (to reduce the desire and minimize the noise that comes with banging your toys). Also avoid toys that make lots of annoying noises. Bring out a new item and remove the previous toy every 20-30 minutes to renew interest and decrease boredom. Here are some ideas to keep your baby entertained.

• Sticker books
• Soft books
• iPhone games like AnimalPuz, Peekaboo Wild and Drum Kit, and Blackberry games like Baby Go
• Simple items like plastic spoons, plastic baby keys, and colorful and cheap bracelets (this is a bonus item because it serves as a fun toy and can be a great accessory for you)

Rule #4: Be prepared for a delay.

Bring lots of dry snacks and drinks. Use a snack catcher to make eating snacks cleaner and take longer.

TSA allows babies to have more than the allotted 3 oz. containers of fluid. You should bring all the fluids you’ll need like milk, juice, and water (do not trust airplane tap water!). During security screening, fluids should be pulled out of the diaper bag and will undergo a vapor test by airport security. I once flew without milk because I thought there would be some on the plane, but evidently, the beverage cart does not carry whole milk. That was a mistake I will not make again.

Rule #5: Get up and stretch with your baby.

Your baby may like to smile at other passengers, and if your tot is learning to walk or crawl, the aisle can allow for a little bit of freedom. I bought my first pacifier clip specifically for traveling.  Previously, on a flight my daughter spit out her pacifier and it landed between a snoring passenger’s legs and I had to reach in and get it. I now use a pacifier clip to avoid those embarrassing moments; here’s one from the Etsy store 3Hands2Hold.

Got other tips for making air travel with a baby easier or less stressful? We’d love to hear them – leave them in the comments!

Thanks to our Twitter followers, here are some great inexpensive gift ideas, perfect for the holidays or any other gift-giving occasion. If you have other suggestions, please leave a comment.

• Fun eco-friendly products, plus a holiday promo & $2 shipping from @guffly
  
• Gifts under $25 from Gifts.com via @NatGold
• Gifts from bustedtees.com, 6dollarshirts.com, thinkgeek.com via @joelkodner
• Reusable water bottles (such as Camelbak and Platypus) are less than $10 via @DuhKeeks
• Pashmina scarves from @AsraiStyle would be perfect gifts for women
• Blue Avocado has bags under $25 for the stylish eco-shopper via @yarnmaven
• @CookiePie0402 has a dessert cookbook for less than $20
• Fireplace DVD, Digital Photo keyring, USB SD card reader, restaurant gift cert., manicure kit, makeup travel case via @NatGold
• Gifts with aloha, under $10 via @KrisBordessa
• @Shopping_List provided a list of inexpensive gift ideas
• @tangerinekitty sells handmade keyfobs, aprons, and pouches that are perfect for women
• iPod/iPhone accessories are available for less than $25, as are iTunes gift cards and DVDs via @saronoff
• Cute shopping bags from @niseema
• @pumpkinpetunias has free printable stationery, so you just need to add envelopes and a pen
• Tasty treats for under $20 via @princesskitten
• RedEnvelope.com via @niseema
• @robynsart says almost everything in her shop is under $25
• @theviolincase has Mini Violin or Cello is $19.50  and beautiful STRAD posters are only $16
• Gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations, salons, or a bottle of wine via @ItsThaTarheeLdy
• Jewelry and accessories from @FidesFashion

Note: This post is part of our holiday sponsorship by Best Buy. Though this is part of an official sponsorship, this content is completely our own.

Have you heard of the Twelpforce? It’s Best Buy’s Twitter-based customer support service.

The Twelpforce’s Twitter account describes itself as “a collective force of Best Buy technology pros offering tech advice in Tweet form.” It’s a giant Twitter account run by actual Best Buy employees who can answer customer questions, help make purchasing decisions and just generally be available when customers need them.

Best Buy employees can voluntarily add their Twitter accounts to the Twelpforce and then whenever they tweet with the hashtag #twelpforce, their tweets become part of the @Twelpforce Twitter account. So, the Twitter account is run by numerous actual Best Buy employees, from all across their stores.

We think the Twelpforce is a great idea. Best Buy employees – Blue Shirts – have the hands-on knowledge and experience that allows them to answer customer questions. And there are lots of times when I might want to ask a question about a product before physically going into a store or making a purchase online. Twitter is a great channel for that. We also think it reflects well on Best Buy that they would trust their employees and let them tweet on Best Buy’s behalf.

How do I use the Twelpforce?

Getting your questions answered by a member of the Twelpforce is really easy. Just log into your Twitter account and tweet your question, starting with @Twelpforce. One of the Twelpforce employees will see it and reply to you. That’s it. It easy, fast, and free. You should try it next time you have a question about a gadget or some electronics. For example, it might be helpful if you’re trying to decide what to get someone this holiday season. Hint, hint.

Plus, the Twelpforce made these fun caroling videos (you can watch them all here).

So, if you have any questions about gifts this holiday season, ask the Twelpforce! And be sure to check out all of Best Buy’s great deals on electronics.