THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE VISIT THE MAIN BLOG PAGE FOR THE CURRENT CONTEST.
Every day from now to December 12th, I’ll be posting a new contest on my blog to win that day’s prize. Your entry is only good for that day. To win the prize for any other day, you’ll need to come back and enter again.
The grand prize at the end of the 12 days of Holiday Hell Contest is two Kindles, to be awarded to two lucky winners who have entered the Kindle drawings (which are seperate from the daily drawings. Entry into the daily drawings does not enter you into the Kindle drawings).
The fine print: You can win one of the daily Holiday Hell prizes and still be eligible to win the Kindle. You must complete the entry form for each daily contest entirely, double checking that your name and mailing address are correct because this is what I’ll use to mail your prize. If your prize comes back to me due to an incorrect mailing address, you forfeit your prize. Prize winners will be drawn before the end of each day following the contest (ie Day 1’s prize winner will be drawn before the end of Day 2) and will be announced on my blog. Kindle winners will be drawn and announced here on December 13th. All prizes will be mailed by December 20th.
Only one entry into each drawing per household/IP address. Duplicate entries will be deleted and entrants will be disqualified.
International entries are welcome and I will mail overseas, but will not guarantee receipt by Christmas as it will go by dolphin due to the obscene cost of shipping overseas.
I reserve the right to modify the rules at any time.
The Day 10 prize pack is:
Black Currant Liquorice (from Australia)
Acheron button and lanyard
Australia cell phone charm
Signed by Jaci Burton Exclusive Anthology
Signed Reinvention of Chastity by Eve Vaughn
Melting Iron by Ann Cory
Trophy Girl by Melani Blazer
Sweet Moon Dreams by Rose Marie Wolf
Signed Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
Tanner’s Scheme by Lora Leigh
Satin & A Scandalous Affair by Jan Colley
Signed His Style of Seduction by Roxanne St. Claire
I can’t stress enough how important it is to read the rules and give exactly the information I ask for, as I will disqualify your entry if it’s not correctly–and completely–filled out and I would guess maybe a fifth of them come in incomplete.
We’re going to use the comments again today. This one is going to be a little different. I’ve been pretty stressed and cranky this past week, and feeling a little let down by recent things. I read a post yesterday by an author who seemed to be feeling the same way, and she signed off by encouraging everyone to say something nice to someone in their life. I liked that because, well, I know the world doesn’t revolve around me no matter how much I want it to! So for today’s entry, your assignment is to go say (email, text, smoke signals, IM, Twitter, post on Facebook/MySpace/your blog, hire a banner airplane, etc) something nice to someone you know, something that might pick up their day (and yours!). Then come back here and tell me whose day you brightened and how you let them know/told them. You don’t have to tell me what you said, just who you said it to and how you did it. Obviously, I have no way of checking that you actually did this (unless you painted your nude body with the message and ran through town, thus making sure you appear in the news–don’t do that), so I’ll just rely on your good faith that you’ll do this–something that’s fairly easy and will make someone smile. Let’s spread a little holiday cheer!
Since we’re using the comments and not the form, don’t forget to come back and check if you’ve won so you can send me your address.
Good Luck!
My husband is such a great man. I never seem to tell him enough. As we speak, he’s putting all our food back in the pantry (the bug guy came yesterday so we had to take everything out of our kitchen). I told him in person–the best way!
I texted my hubby saying “I love you” and he text back asking me what I did wrong
Then I text my sis-in-law letting her know that I appreciate having her in my life and she said “Aww…are you ok?” I guess that tells me something!
I am off work due to back surgery so i just emailed them to say that i miss being there and seeing all there smiling faces,and how much i have apprieciate all there support.
One of my co-workers (a very sedate and professional woman), from a different branch, came by the office this morning. She had been struggling to lose weight and has done a phenomenal job, I would guess close to 60 pounds. I made a point to tell her that her hard work and cookie sacrifices, not to mention the pumpkin pie she skipped at Thanksgiving, was really showing. I realized, with Christmas almost here, she may not have much by way of clothing that fits and funds may be too tight for her to purchase new clothes. I told her that I had some pieces of new and like new clothes that no longer fit me (I lost weight, too!)and asked if she would mind if I brought them to her to try. She was delighted and very excited saying that she is never given clothes like that because she was always so much larger (and taller) than everyone she knows. She literally skipped away from my desk and I could hear her bubbly greetings to others in the hall.
I sent a text message to one of my closest friends telling them exactly how much they mean to me and exactly how important they are to my life.@};-
I volunteered to go shopping for my best friend and run some errands for her because she’s feeling overwhelemed right now.
I called my friend at work who absolutely hates her job and told her of a job opening in my dept. But before I did that I pulled her resume from my email and submitted it to my director and chatted her up. She was uber excited to hear it! She was at the point where she was going to quit even without a job offer b/c it’s been so bad.
My fiancé is going in front of his college professors and a room full of professional engineers on Friday to present his final design project before graduation and he’s extremely nervous to speak in front of so many people. So during lunch I ran out and bought him a new shirt and tie and I wrote a note to go along with it. I know he’ll do great and that’s the gist of the note, but hopefully it will give him a little more confidence and encouragement for Friday.
Lilith Saintcrow is one smart cookie
I dropped off chocolates on the desk of my team at work. I have a great team that i love to work with!
I went next door and said “hello” to my neighbor. I watch her house while she’s away so I gave her something that was dropped off in her driveway. I asked her about her family. I always do.
My 21 year old daughter has been feeling pretty down lately. I sent her an email letting her know how much I love her and that no matter how bad things seem at the moment ,if we are loved it doesn’t get any better then that.
Carol
I called my dad. I love him to death but we have nothing in common now that I’m an adult (or, really, since I hit puberty) and so I don’t call him as often as I should. He wasn’t there, but he should come home to a nice message after work, which I know will make him smile.
I won something from Stella Price and emailed her my address along with the fact that I would love to give out her promotional materials at the library where I work. She was very happy about that. LOL
Deidre
I made eggs for my daughter before she went to work and gave her a kiss and hug before she left.
I wrote to a friend commenting on her extremely cute photos of her son, who turned 2 today
I told a relative that they were loved, even though it doesn’t always seem that way to them.
Angela, I sent my daughter(a mother of 3) a letter today, that I was already working on. It started with:
Sweetie I love you because you are my daughter. But I love and admire you for so much more. You have an integrity and strength of character that is very rare in this day and age.
Then it went to mention other qualities and to describe examples. She’s had some problems in her life and needed this right now. Your timing on this contest was perfect.
Sandie
My son just found out he can’t make it home for Christmas, so I sent him a funny card to make him laugh, and told him I would foot the bill for his next flight home. So a little something to make both of us feel a bit better.
i work in a day spa where people come to feel good, relax and seriously have you be their shrink for a bit (but i lvoe it and have made some good friends). I intentionally try to find something nice to everyone i see there.
We’re in finals hell here, so today I brought us chocolate, oranges, and caramel rice cakes for my study buddy and I.
I sent a religious e-card to my neighbor. She is having personal problems right now just telling her to keep the faith.
I did this three times today. I left messages for two friends on myspace and I also posted a special message to my best friend JC who’s baby is arriving today (after going 6 days overdue!)
I emailed my friend who had a baby about a month ago. I know she’s busy, but I wanted to know how she was doing and wonder what she has planned for Christmas.
I called my mom and told her I love her and miss her, and I also texted my friend telling her that she looked pretty in her new dress!
xoxoxo
What a wonderful idea. I emailed my husband a cheery card because life has been so difficult for him lately. I slipped on one of our 2 year olds toys three weeks ago and tore the Meniscus, the MCL and ACL in my knee as well as fractured the Tibia. Since I am unable to walk my poor husband has to take care of our 2 year old,our 5 year old and me, do the household stuff and all while still working full time. I was thinking how exhausted and overwhelmed he looked this morning. When I read your post it reminded me that I am not the only one suffering in this situation and that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and do something to encourage him. Thank you! I needed to hear what you wrote.
I visited with my mom and told her how much I appreciate her.
I told my husband how much he means to me before he left for work. With three kids, 5 and under, and his busy work schedule (he works about 70 hours a week), we don’t spend much time nourishing our marriage. We went out last night for his company Christmas party and ended up huddled in the corner really talking about things other than kids and work. It made me realize how much I still love him.
I emailed two friends and thanked them just for being in my life and called my mom.
I volunteer my house for my work’s Christmas party.
I put a I love you note in my kids lunches except for my son he is 10 and even though he still hopes out the truck with “Bye mom I love you” you never know when that will change. So for him I write Have a great day and it is code and he knows I mean I love you. My twins don’t give a rat’s butt what anyone thinks they expect their note or surprise everyday they are the “it” girls you know blonde, blue eyed gymnasts. They are as beautiful as they are snotty.. sigh. Thank you for the contest and Merry Christmas!
I wasn’t at work today, but I learned that some of the staff were told today that they’re going to be going on lay-off for the winter. Merry Christmas! So I spoke to our administrative assitant via phone to keep her spirits up.
I called my husband, he’s a truck driver, and when he answered I popped off with one of our kids( only one home right now) a chorus of I love you! First thing out of his mouth was “OMG what do you want that’s that expensive?!?!” Only seeing him for 3 days a month makes it a little more special. We always say it before we hang up but not when the other answers for no reason. It was nice and we laughed. So thank you! Hope you’re in a better mood now, too!
I made a nice comment on My Friend Amy’s blog who just continues to amaze me with all that she accomplishes….now I made my remark before I read your contest rules for today…by chance if she reads this, I don’t want her to think I was “nice” just to enter…if you haven’t checked her out, do so she is one go getter girl!
Thanks
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
I emailed a friend just to say hi and tell her she was a great friend. Of course I’ve had a lot of emails lately that just made me feel so loved!
I called my mom just to say “I love you” and “thank you”
After I read your post, I had to really think about who I could cheer up. I finally decided to email my aunt in the US and wish them all a happy holiday season. I haven’t received an email back yet but hopefully I cheered them up.
Well, today at the Post Office as I was standing in line (it seemed like forever) I let the little old lady with the cane standing behind me go ahead of me. I figured she was about to fall down. Why is it that in this busy season they only have 2 helpers taking care of the long lines of people mailing packages?
I alway have a smile on my face. Have you noticed how many unhappy people are out there without a smile on their face? I guess I notice since I am generally a happy person
Happy Holidays
I read your post this morning & thought what a great idea. Not only is it important to uplift those around us but also to be thankful for all we have. I decided one message was not enough, but 10 for the day 10 prize was better. So…I sent flowers to great grandmother, card for my daughter, e-mail for my father, sent an e-card to my brother, mailed an unexpected book to my mom, sent IM’s to two nieces, delivered elderly neighbors mail to her door(snowing in Vermont), ordered/paid for take-out for best friend(single mom with two kids) & picked up a new squeaky toy for my beautiful Australian Shepherd, Sierra Sue! How long does it take to say thank you or I love you? Sadly, these should be regular events rather than only being done once in a while. Thank you for reminding me! Happy Holidays & Happy Wednesday to everyone!!!
I really don’t like those “fill in the blanks about yourself” questionnaires that people send over e-mail. However, today one of my friends from high school (way bak when) send me a form abot her. I was supposed to fill in what I remembered about her (what color are her eyes, what is her middle name, etc.). She was really surprised at how much I did remember. We may not see each other more than once every 5 years or so, but it showed her (and me) that we are still close.
Your suggestion is fabulous. Today was the Christmas luncheon where I work and part of that luncheon was that each employee got a special award – the kind that are meant to be both fun and positive. Mine was that I am the ‘Most likely to go on an adventure around the world’. So, after the luncheon was over, I went to one of my coworkers and told her how much I appreciated her and the fact that she was the one that came up with that for me.
Happy Holidays!
What a great suggestion! I just spent the afternoon writing a letter to my hubby. Even though as husband and wife, we live together and spend a lot of time together, some things go unsaid. Like appreciating the small things he does for me on a daily basis, things I’ve taken for granted, but which, now that I think about it, have come to mean a lot to me. Since we have guests over, we don’t always have time to sit and chat, so I wrote him a letter which is sitting on his pillow waiting for him to come home (any moment now) and read
I texted my best friend and told her how much she means to me even though we live in diffrent states she is still my biggest supporter. I have had some mental issues in the last couple months and she checks on me daily. We have the friendship that no matter how far apart we are we will always be there for each other.
I’m going to let my mom know either personally or by phone that she may not need to replace the oven simply because the oven door isn’t working. I managed to get into it a figured out it only needs new springs. Having to replace the car’s power window motor this week is already causing her enough financial stress for one week. And this is one less thing for her to worry about.
I sent my parents a thinking of you e-card to brighten their day! Thanks for the great idea.
I sent an e-mail Happy Santa wish to 6 special friends. Also I sent a special prayer to a close friend (who leaves far away so we communicate by e-mail.) who has a brother and sister battling cancer.
I twittered to my friend that he’s awesome.
He set up a Toys for Tots charity gig at his blog. http://www.toybender.com/a-contest-for-tots-win-prizes-for-helping-kids/
I told one coworker what a woderful voice she has, and made a point to thank another coworker on her way out, for all the extra help she provided to me today. Both seemed pleasantly surprised. Sometimes I even get sneaky and pay an unexpected compliment to a cashier or clerk who is looking especially frazzled. To see them stop and give a genuine smile can really lift my spirits as well.
I chatted on the phone for over an hour with a girl (now grown, of course) I went to high school with. We were on the drill team. She played a bugle and I played a snare drum. We had not talked on the phone for a long time and she kept repeatedly telling me how happy she was to chat with me. She mentioned how nice it was to talk with someone who had attended the same school, for we had so many mutual experiences.
It is so wonderful to read all these special things people are doing today in response to Your blog. We should all do things like this every day of the year not just on one day! I took my pets over to the Elderly Care homes in my area. Many of those patients miss their own pets and the love they shared with them. I also had a webcam session with my sister and kids – they had to move to Texas recently and we all miss each other terrible. I recently read an article in Reader’s Digest that told about how the simple act of greeting a person by saying hello can cheer that person up tremendously. I always say hello and ask how they are feeling when I go to a store and it puts the person serving you in a better mood because you care enough to acknowledge them personally as people not just not just worker bees. Happy Holidays to everyone. Keep up the great spirit!
I told my best friend how proud I am of her for going back to school to become an RN (like me!). She’s a 39yo single mother of 4, so this has been a very scary proposition for her. She’s an awesome mom and she’s doing great in school.