This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered.
How is it December 10th?! How? I ask you. I have never been this far behind in my Christmas game before. For days, I was writing December 4th on my checks, hoping it was stopping time. I was shocked to see it was the eighth when I took the time to look. And now it is the tenth. And I am panicking as to what to gift my mother-in-law. But that is not what we are here to talk about today.
Blogging in the midst of this season is kind of difficult. I will still try to post daily, but if a day is skipped or if it is an influx of daily outfit posts, I apologize. I never meant for this blog to be so focused on clothing. Outfit posts are simply the easiest. And easy is my favorite right now. However, tomorrow I have a recipe post going up and Friday I have a post I find humorous. Saturday will be a littlest accessory I have been loving right now…
Wasn’t there supposed to be a giveaway?
Oh, yes. Sorry about my rambling. And I am so excited about this giveaway.
This month I am giving away one $50 e-gift card to Anthropologie or Free People or Amazon or Target. The winner can choose which of those stores they would like their $50 e-gift card from.
It is a warm time of year. Not in weather but in the bundling up of one’s self and the unfurling of gifts and emotions. I wanted to give away something someone could truly use at the end of this year.
To enter the giveaway for a chance to win the $50 e-gift card:
Please leave a comment on this post stating something you have seen, witnessed or heard about recently that warmed your heart towards humanity. I think I have been paying closer attention to people’s random acts of kindness as I go through my own this month. So because I am looking for it, every day I have seen people being kind to each other when they did not have to be. At the grocery store, I saw a woman give another woman her ticket for a free Red Box movie because it was expiring that day and she would not be using it. This morning, I saw a man pull over and help a stranded teenager with their car. I truly believe there is good in this world even when sometimes it is so hard to see. If that is too personal, you may enter with any comment you wish as long as it is pleasant.
You may earn a second entry by becoming a registered subscriber of this blog. You can do so numerous ways on the right hand side of this page. Please leave a second comment stating you are a registered subscriber. The second comment is your second entry.
Limit two entries per person in the forms specified. Must be eighteen years old to enter.
The giveaway runs from December 10, 2014 12:00 a.m. PST to December 16, 2014 9:00 p.m. PST. I will be choosing one winner from the comments entered on this post for the e-gift card using random.org. I will contact the winner on December 17, 2014 and display the winner’s name on this blog on December 18, 2014.
By commenting on this post, you are entering this giveaway for a chance to win one $50 e-gift card and agreeing to the rules outlined in this giveaway.
I will attempt to contact the winner three times with the email address provided. If I have not heard from the winner within fourteen days from the first attempt at contact, the prize will be forfeit and a new winner will be drawn.
Past winners are welcome to enter.
* Negative comments (chosen at the discretion of the owner of this blog) will be deleted and that entry will be forfeit.
*this giveaway and post is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the stores mentioned in this giveaway.
Yesterday I received a random act of kindness. I was at Staples getting some work supplies and at the check-out I realized I had lost/forgotten a coupon I had been saving. The cashier smiled, said “no “problem,” and gave me the discount anyway. So kind!
Jenni, I did see a sweet act of kindness at Sam’s club the other day. A little old guy was needing a table to sit down at lunchtime (on Sunday) to eat his hotdog. Of course there were no tables available. A couple offered to let him sit with them since they had 4 seats but were only using 2. The old man chatted with them the whole time! I bet the had a good conversation!
I helped out a lady in a rascal later during that same trip. She was probably at least in her 70s. Trying to get a big tub of cookie dough out of the refrigerator. Those tub are heavy & they were on the upper shelves. She just laughed & thanked me, asking if I’d ever tried that brand of dough? I do not buy pre-made dough because I would just eat it & never get the cookies made. It would not be pretty. Anyway, I do see & do these random acts all year long. I’m glad its not just a seasonal thing!
I just wanted to reply, if I get picked for the giveaway please give it to someone else! Happly Holidays!
I discovered this giveaway and got really excited. This time of year, its all about other people and their presents. What fun to think I might get something for myself….a personal splurge. Thanks for all you do!
My heart was warmed when I was at my hairdressers and she was telling me how every year they support a family in our neighbourhood with a huge hamper of food and then gifts. She says she likes to choose a single parent family and she knows how many kids are in the family and what their ages are.
We currently do something like this in our crescent, but it is anonymous and we don’t have details on the family. I like the idea of being able to know more details so you can better choose the gifts to give.
bisous
Suzanne
I saw the sweetest little act yesterday when I was aiding in the Kindergarten class at Colin’s private school. A new student, K, came to the school a few days ago and is dramatically behind the group. Writing and understanding of sounds and letters is below preK level and there seems to be some physical impairment, as she trips often and doesn’t seem to have good depth perception. She is very sweet, but needing specials needs type care. On the way to recess, she somehow hit the metal doorframe and fell hard. A 5 yr old little guy, J, was very concerned, helped her up and kept asking her if she was o.k. Little K was crying and hurt her knee. J offered to hold her hand and walk her down the long hallway, up the stairs to go outside and than down again, making sure that she was o.k and had help walking. It brought tears to my eyes. They realize she is at a different level than they are, but are still kind. He was so very sweet, holding her little hand as she walked. It helped her stop crying and than ran off to play once outside. He could have ran off with the boys to play, but stayed to help out K. Children can be so considerate. It was very moving to watch.
Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas!
Hi there, happy Dec 10th! I too am behind on some things, ahead on others. Just do the stuff that you really feel is important and leave the rest. I decided to downplay the decorations and spent time making cookies with the kids instead. They loved it and we had a blast.
Im so happy you are doing this collection of RAKs. I am so inspired by humanity today from the response of total strangers ( including myself) who gave $ to the fund for the family in MD who was literally hit by unimaginable tragedy when a plane randomly hit their house, killing Mom and her two small sons, leaving behind a husband and five year old daughter who were not at home. Some acquaintance of theirs who waits on them at a restaurant started a fund, raising 320K in one day from Facebook ! WHAT? I get the sense from looking at the comments that most of those donors are complete strangers and many are anonymous. Absolutely awe inspiring — amazing people out there.
Well, i hope that inspires you today. Have a great one and keep looking out for those RAKs. They are out there!
I also follow via e-mail 🙂
The sweetest thing I’ve seen recently is my kids picking out gifts for each other. My 3 yr old boy picked out some shark slippers for his oldest sister and is so excited to give them to her! I love this time of year, too! Thanks for the giveaway! Merry Christmas!
My husband told me yesterday that instead of a gift for himself, he would like us to use the money to buy a gift card for the janitor that cleans the offices where he works. He’s never spoken to this person, he doesn’t speak English as far as my husband can tell, but he just feels led to do this for him. It absolutely warmed my heart. Money is tight for us and there is a lot my husband could use/needs for Christmas, but he wants to give it away instead. Love him!
Thank you for this opportunity! {{hug}}
And, I’m an email subscriber! 🙂
I have been noticing more smiles between people, more door openings, and just more friendly interactions which is so great to see. Wish this happened all year long 🙂 I’m going to make a point myself and be more conscientious to do this beyond the holidays.
I am also a subscriber 🙂
I saw something just yesterday that made my heart melt.
After getting off the bus each morning, I walk about two blocks to my office building. Often there is a man along my route who is homeless. He has obviously had a difficult life and it is not easy to tell how old he is – but I would say late 40s, early 50s. He stands on the street corner each day with a cup, but unlike most other homeless people on the street, he does not ask for handouts. Instead, he simply says “good morning” and wishes everyone a nice day as they go by. He is always cheerful and friendly. I look forward to seeing him every day.
Yesterday he was on his corner as usual. He was obviously having some trouble with his joints – he was bent over and not standing very well – but he was as cheerful as ever. However, on top of his normal greetings, he said to everyone as they passed, “Have a wonderful Christmas! I hope you and your family are happy and healthy this season.” And he said it with such warmth and sincerity. It melted my heart to see how generous he was with his good wishes, despite the hard hand life has dealt him. I hope I can be as generous myself – with everything I have in life, I have much to be thankful for, but feel I have a lot to learn from his attitude.
My child is part of a dance team, and during the holidays, the team visits various senior centers and assisted living facilities in the area and does a little holiday performance for the residents there to spread some holiday cheer. The first one was this past weekend. When we arrived, and I saw the group of elderly folks waiting to see our kids perform, I suddenly felt a wave of sadness as I thought of my own grandma who had lived in a similar place until she passed away nearly 3 years ago at age 99. It made me miss her so much. (Fortunately, both of my children had the chance to know their great grandma for several years before she passed.)
In addition to performing their little holiday show, the children brought homemade cards and other handmade artwork to share with the residents. As they walked around passing these out, I saw the big smiles on the faces of the men and women, many of whom were probably grandparents or great grandparents themselves. They truly seemed delighted to see the kids and receive these little presents. I could picture my own grandma and how happy she would have been to have seen her great grandchild sing and dance and to have received one of those cards that day. Even though she wasn’t there, just imagining her big smile made me feel better. Plus it was so heartwarming to see how happy the residents were as they watched the kids’ little performance. It was very sweet and touching and a good reminder that even the simplest gestures can mean so much to some, at the holidays and every day.
Forgot to add that I follow you on bloglovin’ 🙂
My small town’s food bank put out an alert that there was a need for warm winter coats, hats, gloves and snowpants. Within a week, every need was filled.
Thanks very much for the giveaway and all the work you do for your blog. I really get a true sense of what a lovely person you are.
I am a subscriber. 🙂
Last week at work was dedicated to highlighting worthy charities to which colleagues had offered to match any donations made that week, in addition to the company’s usual gift match policy (so a 3x multiplier in total). I was a bit overwhelmed by the number of amazing organizations I learned about, but I also felt proud to be working at a large company that I believe really does try to do social good.
Also, as usual I follow via RSS (feedly, which is an awesome blog reader).
Big animal lover here, our local shelter just took dog food and medicine donations to a homeless camp. Also provided spay/neuter vouchers
I became quite teary eyed the other day while talking to another mother just after Thanksgiving. Her and her husband have 6 younger children at home and have a very tight budget. She said she was quite humbled on Thanksgiving when she answered a knock at their door to find a handful of co-workers of her husbands! She said they had grocery bags upon grocery bags of Thanksgiving fixings, gifts for each one of her children, and some beautiful new throw blankets for her!! Apparently, they just wanted to be a blessing to their family!!
She said that she was humbled?!… I was even more humbled by this story. I plan to secretly gift a family this year as well 🙂
I’m also a subscriber! 🙂 thank you for this fun post! Reading all these replies has made my day better!
A random act of kindness I witnessed just yesterday from my own beautiful daughter (who is 6) and told me that she wanted to make a card for a classmate….when I asked why she told me that the student was just kind of shy and she thought it would be a nice thing to do.
I also am a follower of the blog
Thanks for the giveaway Jenni, that is so kind of you during the holidays =)
I’ve really appreciated seeing so much kindness here…It has been a tough year for a lot of people in our little town and watching people help each other get through it all year has been amazing!
Have a wonderful week :0) ♥
I am a follower of your blog too!
A lady let me go ahead of her at Walmart because I only had a couple of items and her cart was full! Made my day! Totally enjoy reading your blog…you crack my up! Thanks for the giveaway!
you’re so sweet with all of your giveaways!
our students are preparing Shoeboxes for Soldiers…we are also writing letters…it has been so nice to hear from kids’ whose family members are service men/women…they really let the other kids know what a kind gesture this is!
I also follow you on bloglovin!
My cellphone died on Saturday. I also was sick and out to run errands as fast as possible. I was at the bank being sneezy and a mess, and my phone hit the floor. Dead.
I ran as fast as a sick woman could, to Verizon. A couple saw the mess that was me, held the door open for me, and let me get ahead of them on line to get a new phone. I am forever grateful to them.it turned my day around.
A very nice act of kindness i have witnessed recently is I wasnt going to be able to do much for my kids for Christmas this year and the church we have started going to has went and bought Christmas for my kids and clothes for them. They even got me and my husband clothes. That was a big blessing. Also my husband is having surgery tomorrow and he was telling his friends he has to have 250$ before he can have the surgery done. He has kidney stones and is hurting bad. This guy he works with just gives him 80$ and says merry Christmas. That was soo sweet.
I work as a paramedic. Shortly after a family filled Thanksgiving I received word that one of my fellow medics lost a parent in a horrible car accident. He immediately left to be with his family, out of state. Throughout the last week and a half we have stepped up and cared for his 9 week old lab pup and 2 year old German shepherd. A few days ago our dispatcher was able to drive the dogs to be with their owner in a time of great need. To the brothers and sisters of EMS who have stepped up for one of their own when not responding on the job.
I can’t top these stories but I am very blessed to have some really kind students. Not only are they kind to me and the other students in my classes, they give back to the community in ways that never cease to amaze me. One paid for a child to go to summer camp, another handmade dolls and wrote prayers for children at a women’s shelter, and another cooks healthy meals for student athletes before games since some of the kids don’t get substantial meals.
Last week while I dropped off some donation to local food bank, a family of four was there, I overheard the young daughter told her mom they must make another trip here next week because everyone should have a happy holiday.
I subscribed to your blog.
So many nice people out there! I really enjoyed reading all the comments. And, I know it’s not a one-time incident, but my nice person story of the month definitely goes to the doorman at my office building and the woman who drives the 4pm bus. I recently moved to a big city and in general strangers don’t talk to you at all. Ever. It’s so wonderful to have these people I barely know greet me with a big smile and a “hi, how are you doing,” every day. It always makes my day. I have a lot of cookie baking to do this weekend so I can hand out holiday cookies before vacation!
And, Jenni, don’t worry about doing too many outfit posts, they’re one of my favorites! I hope you have a wonderful holiday. : )
I love witnessing kind acts, and it’s really all around. I have a silly observation from last weekend. I was in the small business section of my town and people were out and a out shopping. I was walking to my car when I heard a little girl say,”Hi Santa!!” I turned around and saw a mom with a girlnina stroller looking at a man with a full beard and a Santa hat, (but totally just a dude running errands, he was in jeans and a plaid shirt and I don’t think he was between Santa gigs.) Anyway, he didn’t miss a beat, he instantly turned it on, did the whole “Ho Ho Ho! Have you been good this year little girl,” bit. It was great. It totally warmed my heart to see that little moment of innocence and wonder.
Thank you for your generous giveaway and your kindness in your writing everyday.
I’m also a subscriber via email and you always make me smile! Please excuse all my tablet typos from the previous comment. 🙂
I volunteer for the Salvation Army Angel Tree. It always amazes me how generous people are during this time of year. There was a family that came to drop-off presents for the family they had adopted. The kids were on their cell phones texting and not paying attention. The mother and father asked the kids to pay attention but the kids kept texting. So the mother repeated the request, this time a little sterner. The parents said something to the effect that the kids needed to be grateful for what they had. Some families would not have anything at Christmas and you should always be thankful for whatever it is you have-even if it’s not much. One of the kids then turned to the mom and said “So we are making sure this family has gifts this Christmas?” and the mom said ” yes”. The kids then smiled and the family walked off. I loved that those parents were teaching their children at a young age that it is better to give than to receive.
I am also a subscriber via email-your blog is the first thing I read while I have my coffee in the morning.
I saw on Facebook where a 12 year old used the Christmas money he received from family to buy presents for the less fortunate and donated them. This was his Christmas money and he used it in this manner AND on top of that he is only 12! What a great young man who has a huge heart!
I am already registered as a follower!
Entry #2, email subscriber.
Hmmmmmm…..sadly I haven’t been out and about paying attention apparently! I have been busy getting ready for the holidays, birthday at our house, & working! I think I’ve just been trying to be more patient in general, trying to be in the Christmas spirit with patience. In lines at stores, not pulling into a closer parking space, but letting someone else have it…..things like that. Probably things I should do all year long!
:)rebecca
We have a neighbor that lost her husband about a month ago while they were on vacation in Europe. He did everything for their house, etc so she’s at a complete loss on how to shovel snow, etc. Every time it’s snowed or had ice, one of our neighbors (or my husband) has quickly gone over and taken care of her driveway as well. Today she brought over a poinsettia plant just to say thank you. It’s sweet.
Thanks for the giveaway! My random act of kindness is from my daughter. At preschool the other day she decided to make an ornament for her brother. When I picked her up and we were driving back home in the car, she pulled it our of her backpack and gave it to him. It warmed my heart that she thought of him at school!
Fun giveaway! We took our kids (2 and 4) to see Santa. I knew the 2 year old would be scared and cry (previous attempt) and I wasn’t going to force her to sit on her lap for a photo. The plan was just for the 4 year old to visit. When Santa saw little sister, without being asked he got out of his seat and sat on the floor so the family could sit on the bench and all get a photo with him, without scaring the little one. It was so kind and sweet of him. Totally Santa’s idea, and now we have a lovely family photo, didn’t traumatize any of the kids, and my son was able to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas. (Surprises! Which is super helpful for us.) Best Santa ever.
I also subscribe via email (and Feedly).
Love the entry requirements, Jenni! I just love reading what everyone wrote. Soooo heartwarming!
I have a friend who recently moved to East Los Angeles and has been rescuing the stray dogs in her neighborhood. And stray children too. She can’t help herself. Every day she has a new story of a dog she is trying to get off the streets. The child saving is a bit scarier, of course. I find her amazing and wonderful and am in awe of her.
xo
A newlywed couple in my town got burglarized and among the items stolen was the wife’s wedding ring. A friend of theirs posted about it on a “town talk” Facebook page in hopes that the community could keep an eye out for the more easily identifiable items to turn up on craigslist or at pawn shops. After a couple of days, there was a post from a local mom & pop jeweler inviting the couple to come down and select a setting and a 1/2 ct. diamond courtesy of the store. It’s heartwarming to know that I live in a small town with the kind of people that would do this!
I subscribe via email 🙂
My son recently gave away several of his prized toys to a boy whose parents own a little stand that sells kebabs. I was stunned. He said he felt sorry for the kids, that he always had to stay in that little stand, with nothing to do while his parents worked all day.
I get all teary-eyed whenever I read about people going into stores during the holiday season and paying off everything that people have on layaway. There was a good one this week with a woman in Massachusetts and Toys R Us. It’s something I would love to be able to do someday!
And I follow you via Bloglovin’! Thanks for this awesome giveaway, Jenni, and I hope you’re enjoying the holidays 🙂
Yesterday someone paid for my star bucks order! So sweet. I then paid for the person behind me. Yeaa! I love the holidays!
I also follow!
I see and hear about a lot of people adopting families and kids for Christmas this time of year and it helps restore my faith in humanity. Also, I’m a social worker and seeing the work of my fellow social workers gives me hope.
Also I subscribe via email. Not sure if that matters. 🙂
There a homeless “settlement” along a freeway we take on the way to my boys’ school. My middle son is so kind and thoughtful, he encourages us every month to take them useful items, like toiletries, food and water. Whenever we have stuff set aside to take to Goodwill he asks us to take it to them to see if they would like it first. It warms my heart that he is so selfless and generous.
I subscribe via email.
turtleemiwee(at)Hotmail(dot)com
A friend has just spent a month in Africa obtaining a VISA for his newly adopted little boy! Through many trials and hoops they are on an airplane home today! Definitely restores your hope to know people willing to make such sacrifices.
Every year my husband and I make DIY presents for our friends and family. Its become sort of a tradition and we pride ourselves in spending less and making more. This year we remodeled our bathroom and have reused the copper water pipping for the windchimes we’re making. Our walnut counter top leftovers became the top, center, and bottom parts too. DIY and we are exited to gift them to both our loved and strangers.
Last week, one of my coworkers took the time to collect a big bag of baby supplies for one of our patients who is due any day now but has nothing for baby. My coworker really went above and beyond to help out. I was inspired.
A blog I read gets its readers to donate books via Amazon wishlist to teachers classrooms. The books go to kids in need who may not get an opportunity to purchase leisure books on their own. Such a sweet sentiment!
Just today I saw a video of a woman singing hymns to a non-verbal elderly woman with Alzheimers…and you could it got through to her. So many people would not take the time…it was beautiful.
We are looking for a dog sitter when we go home for the holidays. One of our friends is not a dog person. However, his mother-in-law loves dogs. She has had some medical issues as of late. Because she has been feeling down lately, our friend offered to watch our dog for the entire time we’re away, which both serves us and his mother-in-law, even though it is hard for him. He came home and told her that he had gotten a “male companion” for her :P.
Subscribed!
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The recent story of a woman in MA paying off all of the layaway accounts anonymously at toys r us warmed my heart
im a registered subscriber
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
A sweet thing: our old dog died last Sunday, unexpectedly. She was fine in the morning – happy to go for a walk and eat her breakfast, but then she lay down on her bed & could not get up. As my husband was half the world away visiting his dear sick mother, I had to have my parents drive up to help get her in the car. It was a terrible day. Anyway, she had to be put to sleep as she was very ill. I had her cremated & when I picked up her ashes I saw they had made a cast of her paw print & the vet sent a card with a note saying they had donated to an animal fund that helps people afford animal care, in her name. These things were totally unexpected & so very sweet! They made me smile 🙂
(Sorry for the downer/but sweet story!)
I am an email subscriber too!
I had promised my daughter we’d go out shopping for a dress for her Christmas program, but when I woke up the next morning I felt terrible. She saw how bad I felt and went to her room. She came out a few minutes later wearing last years dress, which was way too small. She said “It’s OK Mom. I’ll just wear my dress from last year.” My heart just melted, and I told her to give me a little time to get myself together and we’d go find her a new dress. I was touched because sometimes 10 year olds seem to think the world revolves around them! It’s been so nice to read all the lovely examples posted here. Thank you for the giveaway, Jenni!
My mom and I had some errands to run last week and every car stopped so the Canadian geese could cross the street. I was so happy about that!
I received a sweet, unexpected RAK from a beautiful, blonde, woman with mermaid hair and a sweet grin and an affinity for gnomes. Sadly, I am tardy in sending a thank you card. My momma raised me better.
I am not entering the giveaway. Just wanted to post this RAK. XXOO
My professor extended the deadline for my paper by a few days, so I and other students in my class could submit the paper after the final exam and not before. This was very kind of him, because the finals week was very stressful!
I also subscribe via email.
My act of kindness was creating garage sale signs and helping my father in law hold a garage sale. He recently sold his house after the passing of his wife (my mother in law) earlier this Jan. Their 50th wedding anniversary would have been this month.
The school in which I work organizes a soup van each Friday night for the needy. I just think this is such a special thing that the students/staff do. They organize the food and spend the night feeding the homeless.
I have noticed many acts of kindness in my community. At the school I teach at the school council has organized a kindness drive to help families who need daily living needs such as clothes and food. This is such an important time to remember that giving is more important than receiving.
Jennifer
Happily, I see amazing acts of kindness everyday. I work for a small non-profit organization. We rely on volunteers and have people coming in every day to help with office tasks, serve on committees, and help create and deliver our programs. There’s a lot of people with big hearts in the world! Including YOU!! Thanks for this WONDERFUL giveaway!
And I follow you on Bloglovin!!
I saw my neighbor leave food and toiletries on the porch of another neighbor would recently lost her job.
I saw someone help an old person shove out there can after a bad snow storm.
I subscribe to your email as rounder9834 @yahoo.com