The holidays are officially launching, but your stress level doesn’t have to because Lifestyle Expert and mom Evette Rios and InTheNews.TV partnered with a handful of favorite brands for Evette’s popular and essential, early-season holiday guide. She’s sharing smart strategies for tackling holiday finances, plus her favorite trending gifts of top playful picks for kids and gamers! So, get a head start on savings and shopping, while spending more time enjoying the best time of the year!
Money often runs extremely tight, especially in current times of historic inflation – forcing many families to juggle bills and put off purchasing things they need for their family. If approved, an Emerald Advance Loan gives them a sense of relief and little extra breathing room to get caught up on bills, make essential purchases, or give their family a good holiday season.

Emerald Advance Loan
Whether you’re planning for the holiday season or have your sights set on a larger purchase, an H&R Block Emerald Advance® Loan could give you a little extra breathing room.
You could get quick, convenient access to funds – up to $1,500 within minutes of approval – with no annual fees and no monthly payments. To apply, schedule an appointment online at hrblock.com.
H&R Block Emerald Advance® Loan originated by Pathward®, N.A. Subject to eligibility and credit approval. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 35.9%. Loan amounts vary from $350-$1500. If approved, loan proceeds will be disbursed as directed to prepaid card or checking account at Pathward. Additional terms and conditions apply, see account agreements for details. Offered for a limited time at participating locations.
- Apply at a participating H&R Block Office by making an appointment online at HRBlock.com or by walking in.
- For more information, visit HRBlock.com.
Mattel has a wide range of products available this holiday season! From Barbie and American Girl offerings to UNO, Fisher-Price, and everything in between, but here is one product that will have kids roaring in delight!

Imaginext® Jurassic World Rebirth Ultimate Action Chomp T. Rex
Mattel has numerous holiday products but one of our favorites is Imaginext® Jurassic World Rebirth Ultimate Action Chomp T. Rex! Young Jurassic World fans will roar along with the Imaginext Ultimate Action Chomp T. rex from Fisher-Price that features light, sound, motion and action! The 18-inch tall and 30-inch-long dinosaur toy rumbles and roars, moves its head, features light-up eyes, has removable launchers and can hold 3-inch figures in its mouth. The human and dinosaur figures encourage kids to reenact scenes from Jurassic World Rebirth or imagine new stories.
- Available for purchase at Target, Amazon, and Walmart.
- For more information, visit shop.mattel.com/products/fisher-price-imaginext-jurassic-world-rebirth-t-rex-dino-toy-jgr40.
SEGA has something for every gamer on your list this holiday season! But here is one game that will be a huge hit for the family this year!

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Get ready to put the pedal to the metal in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the latest entry in the beloved Sonic Racing franchise. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds features land, air and sea courses that Sonic Racing fans know and love, as well as a new, never-before-seen racing mechanic called Travel Rings that transports racers into the all-new CrossWorlds dimension mid-race. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds also features a huge roster of everyone’s favorite characters from the Sonic universe, with familiar faces like Joker, Kasuga Ichiban, and Hatsune Miku from other SEGA franchises and beyond.
- Available for purchase digitally at the Nintendo eShop (Nintendo Switch), PlayStation Store (PS5), Microsoft Store (Xbox Series XjS), Steam (PC), Epic Games Store (PC) and at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, GameStop, etc. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is coming digitally to Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, 2025.
- For more information, visit SEGA.com/sonic-the-hedgehog/sonic-racing-crossworlds.
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