Our next Christmas in July advent calendar review covers the Plus-Plus Advent Calendar. Plus-Plus makes building blocks that are all the same shape (two sizes, though – one for 5+ and a larger piece for 1+), essentially, tessellation tiles, but LDPE plastic, not ceramic. There are millions of ways the Plus-Plus pieces can be combined, and they come in tubes and tubs of different color combinations, single colors, kits, and even puzzle books.

The Plus-Plus Advent Calendar includes 25 separate winter/Christmas-themed builds. Each day’s window includes the required pieces and the instruction pamphlet. The number of pieces per build depends on the build itself, but each build is 2-4 inches tall. The box itself includes backdrops so you can create vignettes, a great way to inspire imaginative play.

TOP TIP: If you want to save the advent calendar for future Christmases, store the individual build pieces in zipper lock bags, so you don’t lose any of the pieces.

We love advent calendars that are activity-driven and the Plus-Plus Advent Calendar has play options beyond the advent calendar. Your littles will be able to express their creativity and imagination without limit. Because the daily sets are so small, you can open them at any time of day. They’re a great way to get little brains working in the morning and a good way to relax together at the end of the day. The age range is 5+ and, because the pieces are about 1 inch, be sure to supervise, just in case.

TOP TIP: The pieces can be used for the daily builds but can also be combined in hundreds of other ways, as well.

Click here for the Plus Plus site, and soon the 2026 Advent Calendar will be available for purchase!

Come back next week for our next advent calendar review. We’ll have one every week in July.

The post Plus-Plus Advent Calendar Review by Guest Writer George Gensler! @plusplususa @TheToyAssoc #ToyFairNY #jigsawpuzzle #puzzle #ChristmasinJuly #adventcalendar #gifted appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

Wow, what an epic movie. I previewed it Monday eve and was blown away. Mythology brought to life with great effects and excellent acting. Three hours never went by so fast.

Certainly a lot of violence, which while not my favorite thing to watch, is part of the Odyssey story. The special effects were wonderful, the cyclops, sea monster, and all the rest. Circe the witch was terrific, an actress we know form the Walking Dead universe, Samantha Morton, who is terrific! Everyone else was excellent as well, Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway are standouts and possible future award winners, as well as John Leguizamo! And I have to ask, is it possible for Lupita Nyong’o to get more beautiful? And I will never miss a movie with Tom Holland and Zendaya. I cannot recommend this movie highly enough!

The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, on his long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War, chronicling his encounters with mythical beings such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and the nymph Calypso, while attempting to reunite with his wife, Penelope.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX®film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX® film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.

The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o, with Zendaya and Charlize Theron.

Buy tickets here!

Here I am always trying to squeeze in one celeb photo:

The post The Odyssey Opens July 17th! Do Not Miss It! @odysseymovie #TheOdysseyMovie @UniversalPics appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

Lauire N. won the $25 IHOP Gift Card Giveaway!

NOTE! All prize fulfillments may be delayed; we are not responsible for any USPS related delays or missing items. We mostly use the Gleam app to determine winners.

NOTE: Only Current Subscribers are eligible to win, all accounts are checked.

July 19, 2026

$15 Target Gift Card Giveaway!

July 26, 2026

$15 Lululemon Gift Card Giveaway!

August 2, 2026

$15 Subway Gift Card Giveaway!

The post Winners Announced and New #Giveaways Posted For July 15, 2026! #contests appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

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GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader of the GayNYCDad award winning blog, will receive a $15 Subway Gift Card!

You must be a current subscriber to be eligible to win any contest. 

Contest ends 11:59 p.m. EST, August 2, 2026. Prizes must be claimed within 48 hours. Maximum winnings of 2 giveaways per every 90 days. See official rules for more information.

$15 Subway Gift Card Giveaway!

Thanks, and good luck.

The post $15 Subway Gift Card Giveaway! @Subway #Subway #giveaways #contests appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

My new sonic toothbrush:

Most people clean their teeth, but never their toothbrush. The UMMA Diamond’s sonic brush and patented base work together to clean your teeth while keeping the brush itself sanitized and fully dry. Because a wet brush breeds bacteria, TAO Clean paired their system with UV-C sanitization with active drying so it stays clean over time with no extra steps. Using state-of-the-art sonic technology and 40,000 tiny brush strokes per minute, this electric toothbrush safely and hygienically cleans your mouth by dislodging debris from your teeth and gums, and efficiently polishing your teeth. The Sonic electric toothbrush offers two cleaning modes: the recommended Super Clean, and Sensitive Clean, for those with sensitive gums and teeth. To ensure you have the most thorough cleaning experience, they’ve created a map of your mouth (found in the instruction manual) that splits it into quadrants. Every 30 seconds, the toothbrush briefly pauses so that you know it’s time to move onto the next quadrant of your mouth. A timed cleaning where the brush actually does the work for you, tells you when to move on, and shuts off when you’re done. But what really sets the TAO Clean Sonic Toothbrush apart from its competitors? It’s the TAO Clean Base Station – a unique charging base for your brush handle that won’t take up a lot of space on your vanity, it also cleans and dries your brush head! Once you dock your damp toothbrush after brushing your teeth, the 360 degree TAO Clean Halo uses powerful UV-C rays to kill 99.9% of bacteria, and then the built-in dryer wicks away any moisture from the brush to ensure that no germs or bacteria stand a chance. After all, what’s the point of using a toothbrush to brush your teeth if you’re not going to keep the brush itself clean?

When I first got their email, I became very, very nervous! Shaking my current sonic toothbrush was not enough? I make a lame attempt to clean/dry my toothbrush head, and then put it in the bathroom cabinet, and never thought about setting myself up for trouble with whatever may grow overnight on the wet surface! Scary! And yes, I have been using a sonic toothbrush for over a decade (doesn’t everyone?), my dentist had insisted!

Thankfully, this is all changing as the folks at TAO were kind enough to send me a sample so my sonic toothbrush will be much safer for my mouth each day then how I currently operate! Phew!

What a perfect gift for everyone you know!

BUY IT HERE NOW! 

The Germ Shield + Technology Makes All The Difference:

Increasing the UV-C intensity and exposure, their Germ Shield+ technology delivers the maximum level of sanitization. Germ Shield+ is incorporated into the charging station for their plug powered collection of electronic personal devices. A stronger power source allows for longer UV-C light cycles, intensified light rays, and a 360-degree halo of light to cover more surface area of your brush head allowing for maximum sterilization.

With intensified UV-C light rays and coverage for their plug powered electronic devices, the Germ Shield+ technology, in addition to standard Germ Shield technology, eliminates 99.9% of the following microorganisms (specific pathogens will vary by product):

• HUMAN CORONAVIRUS, STRAIN 229E
• RHINOVIRUS 37
• INFLUENZA A (H1N1)
• STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES
• STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE

BUY IT HERE NOW! 

The post TAO Clean UMMA Diamond Sonic Toothbrush System – The Perfect Gift! @TAOclean #gifted #AFF appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

This fan is a great addition to our bedroom. For some reason, we have limited circulation of air in here, which is odd as this is a corner room with windows that should be providing cross ventilation, and it doesn’t!

The Antarctic Star T36/T42 Tower Fan has an “Ambient Intelligence” temperature sensor automatically that optimizes airflow, delivering powerful wind speeds of over 8 m/s while maintaining a whisper-quiet 22 dB operation that is perfect for undisturbed sleep in nurseries or bedrooms. In our case, the bedroom!

I very generously let my husband have the fan, and by have, I mean he has it facing him while he sleeps. He prefers less noise, and more wind, so this is perfect!

Here are the features as listed on Amazon for simplicity’s sake, and also because I want you to buy this with my Affiliate Link!

Features:

• Powerful 42-Inch Airflow, Quiet as a Whisper: With wind speed exceeding 8m/s and airflow over 30m³/min, this tower fan delivers powerful, wide-angle cooling for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. Yet at low speed, it runs as quietly as 22dB — softer than a library whisper.
• 6 Speeds × 4 Modes — Your Perfect Breeze, Precisely Tuned: Choose from Normal, Nature, Sleep, or Smart mode, each with 6 adjustable speed levels. Whether you need steady airflow, natural breezes, overnight comfort, or intelligent adaptation, this fan responds instantly.
• Hidden Carry Handle & Remote Storage — Designed to Delight: A built-in top handle makes it easy to move from room to room. The back-mounted remote slot keeps the remote always within reach, never lost.
• Removable Rear Grille — Easy to Clean, Effortless to Maintain: The rear grille snaps off in seconds for deep cleaning. No tools needed. Keep your fan dust-free and running efficiently all season long.
• Touch Controls, Child Lock & Auto Screen Off — Safety Meets Simplicity: Sensitive touch buttons respond instantly. Enable child lock to prevent little hands from changing settings. The LED display dims automatically 30 seconds after use — no light disturbance at night.

Buy the Antarctic Star T42 Tower Fan here, and the Antarctic Star T36 Tower Fan here. You will be glad you did, just as Summer is getting hot again!

The post Antarctic Star Tower Fan for Cooler Summers! #antarcticstarofficial #summer #fans #gifted #AFF appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

$25 IHOP Gift Card Giveaway!

July 19, 2026

$15 Target Gift Card Giveaway!

July 26, 2026

$15 Lululemon Gift Card Giveaway!

The post #Giveaways Ending This Weekend, 7/12/2026! New #Contests Listed! appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

Coffee and Tea Junkie is the brainchild of Patti Snell, a “happy mad scientist with coffee” and entrepreneur. She had to give up caffeine, so she started exploring the world of coffee roasting to find a way to get maximum flavor. She only uses certified organic coffee beans, too, so enhance the experience. The boxes include some nice touches, like a To/From mug image; a discount code for January purchases, and a note from Patti.

The Coffee Junkie Advent Calendar is a 24-day calendar.

It includes 24 numbered foil envelopes, 25 pour-over filters, a cold brew pouch and a mason jar. Each of the numbers is a peel-away sticker that reveals the flavor in that foil envelope. Each of the foil envelopes contains enough coffee grounds for a single 10-ounce serving. There is also a sheet that includes instructions for brewing pour-over coffee.

The Coffee Junkie advent calendar also comes in a pod version, if you’re a pod person. There are 24 single serve pods, each with a different flavor. The pods are compatible with Keurig 2.0 machines.

The Tea Junkie Advent Calendar is a 25-day calendar. It includes 25 numbered plastic envelopes, a cold brew pouch and a mason jar.

Each of the numbers is a peel-away sticker that reveals the flavor in that envelope. Each of the envelopes contains a tea bag that will make a single 10-ounce serving (or two, if you prefer weaker tea). There is also a sheet that includes instructions for brewing the different types of tea. The teas themselves have no added sweeteners or artificial flavors. You’ll find pieces of fruit, flower petals, and real spices in the tea bags, all of which give great depth of flavor to the teas.

The Coffee and Tea Junkie Advent Calendars are a great way to celebrate the holiday season. The holiday flavors will get you in the mood and, since each day’s version is a single serving, each morning or evening (or whenever you open your advent calendar days) you can treat yourself to a bit of holiday cheer.

See all they have to offer here: Coffee Junkie – Organic, Fair Trade, Naturally Flavored Coffee – Coffee & Tea Junkie

٭٭٭٭٭Highly Recommended

The post Coffee and Tea Junkie Advent Calendars Review by Guest Writer George Gensler! @coffeeandteajunkie @Specialty_Food #weFancy #FancyFoodShow #ChristmasInJuly #adventcalendar #christmas #coffee #tea #gifted appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.

Moana will always have a special place in my hear for several reasons. Pre-pandemic I was part of a group of bloggers invited to Disney movie premieres in LA. At one of these junkets, we were surprised on the last day with a top secret interview with the voice of Moana herself, Auliʻi Cravalho! We were absolutely thrilled to be her very first interview!

Second, my talented son, with us on w Walt Disney trip, was asked to sing in order for us to gain entry when the Commissary at Hollywood Studios was about to open. After that, the attendant came back and asked him to sing again. My son got up in from f the restaurant and sang You’re Welcome from the first Moana movie, and his two dads could not have been prouder. And we got free milkshakes for his work (don’t tell the IRS!). The video is at the bottom of the post, don’t miss it!

And, lastly, I loved the second animated Moana movie as much as the first!

This live action Moana was fantastic. I saw online a lot of complaints that there was a lack o originality, and that confused me. It is a remake of an animated movie. By definition, the goal is not originality. The overall theme of Moana is about saving the planet, and Mother Earth. The live action version of this story added an entirely higher level of spirituality to the story that I responded to emotionally for a good part of the movie.

Rena Owen as Moana’s grandmother is a standout!  have been a fan of hers for years and she was perfection. Catherine Laga’aia did a great job as Moana, and it was fun to see Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprise his role as Maui in real life. Of course there was a lot of CGI, and so what! It’s not like there could be a live action Hei Hei (he was hilarious), or a live action lava monster!

Lastly, this entire review is skewed as the nostalgia the movie brough back was more than just a love of the first movie. As a Disney blogger for almost 10 years pre-pandemic, we worked on several parts of the franchise, from participating in Auli’i’s first interview, to working on mini Maui with the animators! And of course I cannot hear the song You’re Welcome without remembering my son’s own live performance in the Commissary restaurant in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

This is the second movie in a row from Disney where I completely disagree with the reviews I have seen online. While it may be a little scary for those under 10 at some parts, overall, I rate this film an A+:

In “Moana,” Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar® nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, p.g.a., Beau Flynn, p.g.a., Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, p.g.a. and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth, Kail and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated films “Moana” and “Moana 2.” “Moana” features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, and an original score composed by Mancina.

Audiences can experience the brilliant cinematic sights, sounds and songs of “Moana” exclusively in theaters July 10, 2026. Buy tickets now!

And here is the Auli’i, the original Moana:

My son sings You’re Welcome at Walt Disney World!

The post Moana Live Action Movie Opens July 10th! @TheRock #Moana @Disney #Disney @DisneyStudios @DisneyMoana @IMAX #IMAX appeared first on Gay NYC Dad.