THE BLOG – Page 17 – Canadian Dad

Did You Get Caught By The Flu This Season? {Plus A Giveaway!}

January 26, 2016/253 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

Well, we’re almost at the finish line and, knock on wood, we haven’t had any major sickness in our house to date this flu season. Is it just around the corner? Maybe, but I’m staying confident in my belief that this year’s flu shot is going to do its job and keep us from missing out on hockey, ballet, skating, sledding, baseball and everything else in between.

The truth is that I got so sick last year that I completely changed my lackadaisical behaviour when it comes to flu prevention. Getting the shot was one step but I have become obsessive about things such as hand washing, cleaning my workstation and germs in general. Besides, it’s hard to teach your children the importance of clean living when you yourself don’t follow your own advice. One thing I will caution you against, however, is using google to look up how many germs are out there and where they like to hang out the most… No, seriously, don’t do it!

Throughout this Shoppers Drug Mart flu shot campaign, I have received a number of comments on both sides of the fence about whether or not you should get the flu shot for you and your family but there is only one fact that matters to me. As I discussed in the post about Flu Shot Myths, getting the flu shot will not make you sick and even if it only gives you a slight advantage of not getting sick this winter, I am going to take any advantage I can get.

That said, there is still time to get out to your local Shoppers Drug Mart to get your flu vaccination. If you think reaching February means you are safe, you need to think again!

GIVEAWAY

Now, because you are all so amazing, I am going to be giving away a Cold & Flu Prize Pack which includes a $100 gift card from Shoppers Drug Mart! This should get you through any sniffles you may come across during flu season and prevent you from having to reuse tissues… This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.

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Fitbitting: It’s All The Rage

January 21, 2016/1 Comment/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

Seriously, if I had to hear one more thing about Fitbit and how everyone has one of these things, I was going to lose it! As if I had the time to wear a clunky man bracelet all day long so I can care about how many steps I was taking. If I wanted to count steps I could just guesstimate based on what I had accomplished that day.

This was me about 2 months ago before I got my first Fitbit Activity Tracker. I started with the Fitbit Charge and, well, you guys know what happened there… What I didn’t share in my last story is that I only lasted 2 days without a Fitbit before I went back to Best Buy and purchased the more expensive Fitbit Charge HR, which comes with a watch wristband that makes it practically unlosable.

For anyone who doesn’t understand the fuss over the Fitbit, let me try to explain it. Imagine everywhere you go there is a giant scoreboard in the sky with all your friends listed on it and the scores posted are how many steps you have taken that day. Even the least competitive person will have a hard time looking at the scores without feeling the need to move around a little, so you can imagine what it does to someone like me who has played competitive sports his whole life.

As my wife will corroborate I have gone from lazy, sleeping in all the time couch potato, to annoying “Let’s go for a walk!” guy. Where I used to lie on the couch to play video games, now I stand and march while I play, which is tough at first but you get the hang of it. The funny thing about it is that while I love competing in the weekly challenges against my friends, the need to do physical activity has actually overtaken my desire to win, which is just the best. That said, I still get miserable when I forget my Fitbit on the charger for the day… Baby steps, people.

Being open to, and loving, the Fitbit hype has allowed me to open my mind to the other fitness aid options out there. When Best Buy reached out to me about their fitness options, I was surprised at how much they had to offer in both tech and non-tech gear. They have asked me to go through their online fitness catalogue and share a few items that caught my eye, so here are just a few things I would love to work with.

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1. Fitbit Charge HR Fitness Tracker

I had to lead off with the star of today’s show, the Fitbit Charge HR. I have now tried the Flex and the Charge and recommend this particular Fitbit solely for the watch band that it comes with. I found the other versions easy to knock off my wrist and feel safer knowing this one is staying put.

Check out the Fitbit Charge HR for yourself on the Best Buy website.
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2. Breville Juice Fountain Plus Centrifugal Juicer

Ever since I discovered Booster Juice a few weeks ago I have been fascinated with the idea of creating my own healthy concoctions from the comfort of my own home. While I haven’t tried this juicer yet, Breville is a company I trust to make a quality product.

Here is a link to check out the Breville Juice Fountain Plus Centrifugal Juicer over at Best Buy.
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3. JayBird X2 In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

If you’ve been reading my blog for any reasonable amount of time you will know that I am a headphones junkie. Seriously, I love headphones, mostly because they provide my ears with the gift of music, but also because I love the different feel and designs they offer. These look like they would be perfect for running with.

Here is more info on the JayBird X2 In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones!
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4. Weider Pro Power Cage

While this purchase seems a little out of character for me, I have recebtly started weight training and I love how compact this system is. That and the fact that compared to some others I have seen, this one is way more affordable for the average person.

Here is a little more info on the Weider Pro Power Cage.

5 Reasons Why Netflix Is Crushing It Right Now {Plus a Giveaway!}

January 15, 2016/86 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

As I have recently come to find out, there are many things to love about Netflix. So many, in fact, that I had to narrow down my list to the top 5 or run the risk of writing a 300 page novel.

1. Netflix Kids – We love the Netflix Kids option in our house because while my kids are old enough to turn on the TV and set up Netflix by themselves, I feel a lot better knowing that they are going to be selecting shows that are appropriate for their ages. Some favourites in our house are H2O Mermaid Adventures, LEGO Ninjago, LEGO Friends and Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse. Also, once Fuller House is released I can promise you that my daughter will have it playing on a loop!

2. Documentaries – Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have heard about the polarizing Netflix original documentary ‘Making a Murderer’, which follows the murder investigation of Steven Avery, who had recently been exonerated for a crime that he spent 18 years in jail for. Hopefully the popularity of this documentary will lead people to explore what else Netflix has to offer. I have already watched Happy, Forensic Files and Cosmos, and have Trophy Kids, I Am Ali and Best of TED Talks on tap!

3. Original Programming – What was once solely a streaming service has quickly turned into one of my favourite sources for television shows. In just the last year I have loved Daredevil, Bloodline, Narcos, The Last Kingdom, Jessica Jones and Wet Hot American Summer. That’s only 6 of the many shows that Netflix has produced and the list of shows for 2016, including Marvel’s Luke Cage, looks even more incredible!

4. Great TV Shows – Here is a short list of shows that my wife and I have binged watched on Netflix. Breaking Bad, Pretty Little Liars, How To Get Away With Murder, House of Lies, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Suits and Gotham. Oh yeah, there’s also the cancelled shows they’ve revived such as The Killing and Arrested Development, which were both fantastic! You will literally never run out of great shows to watch on Netflix and it is definitely worth the investment!

5. Kung Fury – I’m not sure what to say about Kung Fury other than that it is a must watch for anyone who loved 80’s martial arts and police movies. The 30 minute short film is the closest thing you will experience to being on drugs without actually being on drugs and will blow your mind. Please go watch this, urgently!!

GIVEAWAY!

Now, who wants to win a 6 month Netflix membership so you can test out the service for yourself? Winning is easy, simply leave a comment below and let me know what your favourite television series of all-time is and I’ll pick a winner next week. Good Luck!!!

The Winner is #76, Hannah!

Random Netflix Winner

Don’t Miss Out This Winter!

January 6, 2016/2 Comments/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

It’s that time of year again where small germs seem to morph into super germs and spread through people’s homes like wildfire. For those of us lucky enough to have children in school, the flu seems to be an inevitability more than a possibility. So far this flu season I have seen friends cancel Christmas dinner with their families, watched a child get sick in the middle of his hockey game and seen my workplace decimated by people suffering from the flu.

I’m knocking on wood as I write this because to date my family has managed to escape any prolonged bouts of the flu and I’m hoping we manage to keep it that way. One of the ways I am protecting myself was by getting this year’s flu vaccine. It takes almost no time at all and if it offers any extra protection than I don’t see any reason to hesitate in getting it. In fact, you can walk into any Shoppers Drug Mart and get your flu immunization administered by an injection-certified pharmacist, no appointment necessary.

Think about all of the things you miss out on while dealing with the flu. Children’s activities, sick days from work, your own hobbies, good food! A recent Shoppers Drug Mart survey found that 54% of people admit that they are unlikely to get the flu shot this year, while 81% of people believe that washing their hands was the best way to protect against the flu. I covered some of the common myths about flu shots last month, which leaves only a fear of needles as a reason not to get the shot.

I’ll leave you with one last bit of information. Getting the flu shot doesn’t just protect you but it also helps protect those who are more susceptible to complications from getting the flu, such as young children and those aged 65 and over. Think about this, a single sneeze can travel at about 100 miles per hour and send 100,000 germs into the air! Wouldn’t you feel better knowing you have protected yourself as much as possible?

Don’t miss out on the things that are the most important to you this winter. If you’re nervous, you can always stop in to Shoppers Drug Mart for a consultation with a pharmacist before committing to the shot. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2016!

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in this program.

40,000 More Reasons Why 2015 Was A Great Year!

January 1, 2016/2 Comments/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

First things first. Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a chance to reflect on 2015 and spend some time with friends and family as we rang in 2016 last night. I didn’t have to look far into my reflection to find a happy memory, as I was told late yesterday afternoon that the Treats For Toys campaign I had been working on helped raise $40,000 for children in need this holiday season!

My family and I had a blast working with Kellogg’s Rice Krispies and the Salvation Army, creating and sharing our toy shaped treats, and I am so glad that we were able to have a small part in raising so much money for such a great cause. It is also possibly that I ate a few too many of the leftover chunks of Rice Krispies treats…

This campaign leads nicely into 2016 where my goal is going to be attempting to make the world a better place than I found it in. As much fun as I had in 2015, I still feel like it got away from me a little bit and I strayed from the original goals I had set when I started this blog. I am hoping this year to focus more on telling your inspiring stories in between sharing my own thoughts and experiences.

None of us truly know what will come with a new year but I always found having a game plan is better than having no plan at all! I wish you all the very best this year and thank you for continuing to join me on this ride!

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in this program.

Put A Limited Edition Disney Infinity 3.0 : Star Wars™ 500GB PlayStation 4 Bundle Under The Tree This Year! {Giveaway}

December 21, 2015/650 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

I’m sure you had to check that title a couple of times to ensure that you read it correctly. Well, it’s true! One lucky Canadian Dad reader is going to take home a Limited Edition Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars™ 500GB PlayStation®4 Bundle and I couldn’t be happier to be able to provide this gift!

I have been a gamer for as long as I can remember, spending many, many hours finishing levels, winning fictional sports championships and playing online against people from all around the world. You can imagine my excitement now that my 7 year old son wants to play video games with me. I thought it was going to be tough holding back while he learned the controls but when it comes to video games, kids seem to have a 6th sense. In no time at all he was crushing me in our favourite racing games and keeping me in check while we played our hockey games on PlayStation.

The amount of bonding we’ve done while playing PlayStation4 together is precisely the reason why I am so excited to be able to give the gift of gaming to one of your families! PlayStation Canada has a stacked lineup of great titles this holiday season at a selection of price points, from new releases, amazing franchise collections and more, so the lucky winner and their family will likely never be bored ever again!

GIVEAWAY RULES AND INFORMATION

Alright, let’s get down to it! Before you enter using the Rafflecopter form below, please carefully look over the giveaway rules and regulations document. This giveaway will run for 3 days and is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec. The Winner will be chosen at random via the Rafflecopter application. Winner will be contacted via email, will have 48 hours to respond and must answer a skill testing question to claim their prize. The prize is as follows:

Limited Edition Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars™ 500GB PlayStation®4 Bundle Bundle contains:

• Darth Vader inspired PlayStation®4 and DualShock®4 Wireless Controller
• Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars Edition Bundle Kit
• Rise Against the Empire Play Set Pack including Luke and Leia figures
• Rise Against the Empire Play Set Piece, Boba Fett
• A voucher containing four Star Wars Classics: Super Star Wars™, Star Wars™: Racer Revenge, Star Wars™: Jedi Starfighter, and Star Wars™ Bounty Hunter

MSRP: $469.96.
Fore more information on PlayStation, visit any of the following:

PlayStation Canada Website
PlayStation Canada’s Twitter
PlayStation Canada’s Facebook Page
PlayStation Canada’s Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in this program.

Lost Fitbits and the Mysteries of the Mind

December 17, 2015/4 Comments/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

The mind is a strange thing, isn’t it? For instance, I know that McDonald’s is extremely unhealthy yet I will still stop in for a Happy Meal whenever the mood strikes. I’ve been finding my battle with exercise to be equally as mystifying even though it should be pretty straight forward. It seems I get bursts of motivation and then slowly watch it fade away.

As an example, earlier this year I partnered with GoodLife Fitness and they even brought a camera crew to my house so I could share the story of my fitness issues. After that I started going to my local GoodLife on a regular basis but in recent months have seen that slip down to about once every couple of weeks. What happened, you ask? The truth is that I have no earthly idea. I loved going to the gym, with my music blasting and sweat pouring down my face. It gave me a new confidence that I had been sorely lacking but now I’ve let that feeling slip away for no good reason.

Then last week I purchased a Fitbit Charge in hopes of giving myself a boost and lo and behold I was exercising more than I ever had before. I joined a bunch of step challenges with my friends and the motivation to out-step everyone had me outside or at the gym walking at every free moment. What is that about? Does my brain really need competition in order to convince me to get off the couch? Is being healthy for my family not enough?

Just when I had finally convinced myself to stop beating myself up over matters of the brain that I could not comprehend, the unthinkable happened. My precious new Fitbit fell right off my wrist while I was out, never to be found again. I was definitely disappointed but wasn’t prepared for what came next. For the next two days I barely lifted a finger and was feeling really depressed about my loss. I’m admitting this to you all because even I found it completely ridiculous that a tiny black band that simply told me how many steps I did that day could cause such an emotional roller coaster in my brain.

I tried to contact support to see if anything could be done but apparently their warranty doesn’t cover stupidity so I did they only thing I could think of to do. I dropped $170 on a brand new Fitbit with a watch band this time instead of the band with the snaps, which, had I researched first, I would have seen a number of people having the same issue with them falling off. Oh yeah, because I was so emotionally distraught, I also got irrationally upset that Fitbit wouldn’t replace the band that “I” lost. Oh brain, you crazy kat!

The lesson here, people, is that the brain is a powerful thing and sometimes you need to give in to its craziness in order to get yourself on the right path. Am I happy to have wasted almost $150? Absolutely not. Am I going to walk, instead of drive, my butt all the way to GoodLife this afternoon to get a workout in? You bet your ass I am!!

Cineplex Wants You To ‘See The Big Picture’

December 16, 2015/1 Comment/in THE BLOG/by Chris Read

Cineplex Entertainment today announced the launch of a new integrated brand platform that asks Canadians to ‘See The Big Picture’ and rediscover the importance of entertainment in their lives. Much more than a new slogan, the strategy was crafted around the insight that Canadians wear their busy schedules like badges of honour and that the need for entertainment and enjoyment is important now more than ever before.

To help launch the new strategy, Cineplex released a new animated short film entitled Lily and the Snowman, which gave me goosebumps not only as a father but also as a son and husband. The story follows Lily and her animated snowman through childhood but also shows what happens as we get older and life tends to get in the way of fun. This is the first of many short films Cineplex is planning on launching but if Lily and the Snowman is any indication, I can’t wait to see what’s next! I’ll let you be the judge of Lily and the Snowman but I will warn you that you may want to get a tissue handy…

Lily & the Snowman
Lily & the Snowman features Genesis’ “Follow You Follow Me” performed by Canadian singer Adaline. Watch the Making Of video: http://cinplx.co/1YaC39H Every winter, a magical snowman puts on a show for a little girl. But over time, life pulls them apart. Will she remember to take the time for what she loved?

I told you it was powerful so don’t blame me because you didn’t get tissues! Recognize that song? It was a new take on Genesis’ ‘Follow you’, which will be available for purchase in January 2016. Lily and the Snowman will be promoted across Cineplex’s social channels as well as shown to guests as part of the December and January Pre-Shows featured at 162 theatres across Canada.

Canadians are encouraged to engage and share over social media using the hashtag #SeeTheBigPicture, as well on Cineplex’s Facebook, Twitter @CineplexMovies or Instagram @CineplexMovies channels.

Best Holiday Gifts From Best Buy! {Plus Giveaway!}

December 14, 2015/547 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

It should come as no surprise that Best Buy is first place I visit when I start to put together my wish list for Christmas each year. Between the video games, headphones and cameras, I could spend an entire day in one of their stores and never get bored. Knowing how much time I spend there, Best Buy has asked me to share my wish list with all of you and to find out what gifts you are drooling over this holiday season! So, here is my super amazing, ultra fantastical Christmas Wish List!

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

I have been playing and loving the Call of Duty series since the very first edition. In fact, I used to be the guy with the bluetooth earpiece that would be playing against other folks online and trash talking like there is no tomorrow! Unfortunately my skills have been in decline over the last few releases but I still love the campaign portion of the game and always leave it set to super easy!

Here is the link to Call of Duty: Black Ops III!!

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera Kit

We had the opportunity to play around with one of these cameras last summer and my children loved that the pictures came out right after they took them. In the age of digital, this blast from the past has grabbed my children’s attention and made its way onto their lists!

Check out the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera Kit for yourself!
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GoPro HERO4 Waterproof HD Sports & Helmet Camera

A GoPro has been at the top of my list ever since I had the opportunity to see what it could do about a year ago. I can’t stop thinking about how cool it will be to attach it to my daughter’s bike or my son’s hockey helmet to get a glimpse of what life looks like through their eyes.

Here is the link for more information on the GoPro HERO4 and other GoPro products!
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Guitar Hero Live Bundle

Guitar Hero used to be one of my favourite games, so I was sad when they decided to take a little break. It’s more than just smashing on a guitar for a few minutes at a time because we like to involve the whole family with multiple guitars and singing along with all the songs. Furthermore, the song selection is out of this world!

Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself over at Best Buy’s website!
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Disney Frozen Karaoke Machine with Lights

For those days where don’t feel like playing a guitar but also want to sing the entire soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen, there is this awesome Frozen themed karaoke machine that my daughter flipped out about upon entering Best Buy.

Ummm, what are you waiting for?? Go get this Frozen Karaoke Machine right now!
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Power Wheels Disney Frozen Jeep Wrangler

While we are on the subject of both my daughter freaking out and Disney’s Frozen movie, I present to you something I would like to buy for her solely for the fact that I am jealous this wasn’t around when I was a kid. I’m sure if we put this under the tree on Christmas Day she would give me a ride, right??

I’m not going to lie, the Power Wheels Disney Frozen Jeep Wrangler isn’t cheap but think of the smiles and the new level of parental coolness!!
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Star Wars Darth Vader Cool Wall Toaster

Was this on my list before I went to Best Buy? The truth is no, it was not. Does that mean I can’t want to add a little bit more awesome into my life, especially on the heels of one of the biggest movie releases of all time? I think not! I’m not sure what else I can say about this product other than STAR WARS TOAST!!

Don’t pretend you don’t want a Star Wars Darth Vader Toaster in your life!
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Misfit Shine Fitness Tracker

This was the toughest decision on my list because I knew I wanted a fitness tracker but there are so many different brands out there all claiming to do the same thing. After reading reviews, comparing prices and experience one of them for myself, I think the Misfit Shine delivers the most bang for your buck and actually looks pretty stylish!

You can check out the Misfit Shine Fitness Tracker and other fitness trackers over at the Best Buy website or in store.
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Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid

A couple things about the Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid. One, I want this for me and not for my children. I make no apologies for this. Two, I don’t want it just because it is the hottest toy of the year. It is the hottest toy of the year because so many grown men and women want it. So, people who are reading this, if you feel like sending me one of these, I am not going to complain…

Just look at this beautiful Sphero BB-8 Droid and tell me you don’t want it roaming around your home at all times!
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Giveaway!

I could truly run this list for another 50 items but these are the ones at the very top and things I thought you all would enjoy. To get you started on your way to some great gifts from Best Buy Canada, I am giving away a $200 Best Buy gift card! Giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec and will be emailed to the winner once confirmed. Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in the #BestGiftsBestBuy programs and used that money to buy my daughter the Frozen Karaoke Machine!

Celebrate The Minions Blu-ray/DVD Release In Style! {Giveaway}

December 4, 2015/87 Comments/in Giveaways, Reviews/Giveaways, THE BLOG/by Chris Read

As huge fans of the Despicable Me franchise, to say that my family was excited for the solo Minions movie would be a huge understatement. My kids spent weeks speaking in unintelligible Minions voices (think banana, banana) to the point where I thought I was going to have to take a course to learn a new language. Luckily this was just a phase and the kids have since returned to speaking English and the occasional French. As you can see from the pictures above, they were all in on Minions and have been anxiously awaiting their opportunity to see the movie again on Blu-ray/DVD.

Lucky for them, their wait ends on December 8th when the Minions Blu-ray and DVD hits store shelves everywhere in Canada! I want to say that I’ll be able to wait to give it to them in their Christmas stockings but we all know I’ll cave on the 8th and pop it in the first night! The Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD also come with three all-new mini-movies which my kids are going to flip over. Just to get your kids a little more excited, here’s the first of the 3 mini movies included with the Combo Pack!

In case you haven’t seen Minions yet, here is a brief synopsis of the movie:

Since the dawn of time, Minions have served (and accidentally eliminated) history’s most despicable villains. After their latest explosive mistake leaves them without an evil leader, the Minions fall into a deep depression. With the tribe on the brink of collapse, three unlikely heroes–Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—embark on a journey to find a new big boss. When their quest leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), our three heroes must face their biggest challenge yet: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation! The film is packed with many celebrity cameos including: Jon Hamm (Herb Overkill), Michael Keaton (Walter Nelson), Allison Janney (Madge Nelson) and Steve Coogan (Professor Flux) and is a must-see this Christmas season.

Giveaway

In case that wasn’t excitement enough for you, I have 5 Minions Prize Packs to giveaway! Each prize pack includes the Minions Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, Minions beanies, Sticker sheets and Luggage tags. The giveaway is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec. Good Luck and don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Minions Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on December 8th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. For any Minions out there reading this “djhdgsajhdg jhgsajhdg kjdhgsjdgaweiyur jfhgf gjfuyt”.