I came across an amazing blog post today that
It goes to show what amazing things can be done on the internet. After giving away the diamond necklace on Friday, I was so happy for the winner but so frustrated that I didn’t have more to give. After reading the post by “The Blogess” I immediatley wanted to jump in. I plan on offering 10 people $30.00 gift cards to Amazon. The following is a quote from Blogess so you understand what is going on.
“If you’re struggling for money right now and don’t know how you’ll give your kids presents then leave me a comment. You don’t have to use your real name or leave a url or prove anything. Just leave me a comment and your email address (always hidden and never used) and I’ll email a $30 Amazon gift card to the first twenty people who leave a comment explaining why it would make a difference in their lives right now.”
If you took the time to read her blog post you would have seen that after her gift cards were gone, there were hundreds of other people that started offering to give $30 to the people that entered after number 20. It is crazy what has transpired and even though we are almost out of time, I wanted to take a small part in her cause.
So go ahead and enter a comment if you really need the help to give your kids a present and if you don’t need the money you could offer to help someone else or go to sub for santa and sponsor a family. It has been a rough year for everyone in this economy.
*which I believe is starting to turn around*
Merry Christmas!
{It is high time I started Christmas shopping…}
I was *just* at the original blog and saw your comment. I feel odd, posting here, having read your blog b4 but not often and there not being any other posts, but my kids deserve more than a puzzle on Christmas morning. Last year, we were the family helping out, giving to anyone we could, making candy, cookies, and cakes and leaving them on doorsteps of local families that we knew wouldn't have much… and now that we have hit hard times, those that I thought I could turn to are to busy to even give me a ride to the store. I was ready to just give up… I even told my hubby to sale my wedding ring to get the kids something… but he refuses and says he will make it happen somehow. I just don't see it happening.
so I'll do what I can to make it happen, even if that means spilling my woes to a complete stranger.
This would be an amazing opportunity to give my husband a little gift that he REALLY deserves after working SOOOOO SOOO hard to give my kids gifts this Christmas, after a very tough year financially.
I don't know if this is just for people who needs gifts for their kids or not, but I'm being honest in saying that my children are taken care of, but I'd really like to do something for my husband! 🙂 And if it's just for kids, that's okay too! 🙂 I'm sure there are a ton of your readers who need them for their children!
I think what you are doing is amazing. You truly are such a wonderful person! 🙂
Playful Pandora..we havea all been there and I will gladly mark you down as winner number one 🙂 Don't worry!! I am sure you will help others when you can.
xoxo
my dear m&m! you deserve it just for being such a loyal reader for so long!! Yea!! Give something to the hubby! *winner #2*
xoxo
I have been reading your blog for awhile, but haven't commented. I am not the begging type, but my son deserves anything I can get him this year. I am a single mom, my ex is 16,000 behind in child support, and I work full time, and go to school 16 hours a week at night to try and better our lives. I had money earmarked for his Christmas shopping (yeah, I'm a slacker like that..) but after he failed his vision exam, it was found he needed glasses, which ran me $269. So, although he will have an amazing Christmas regardless because even if I have to go to coinstar, I will make it happen for him, what an amazing gift it would be to have some help. Either way, I think what you are doing is awesome, and Merry Christmas!
"mom" you are happy number 3 🙂 Things like that ALWAYS come up at the worst times!! Thanks for reading and hang in there…
xoxo
This year we have moved states, and had a baby. I have quit working to take care of said baby, and baby has lots of medical issues that require lots of meds that we can seriously not afford. They are working though, and she is finally growing! But, my 2 and 6 year olds are definately not getting the Christmas they are dreaming of ths year. We are so blessed by this baby, but it does make me a little sad to think they might be sad on Christmas morning.
Jill…I'm assuming that is your name 🙂 You are luky number 4..Merry Christmas! Medical bills are nothing less than, well…Christmas like!
xoxo
I just wanted to say thank you for offering this. I have visited many blogs and have come across yours from another blog. Normally I would not ask to be put in this giveaway but times have been tough this year. My hubby works but only enough to pay the bills…sometimes we go skimpy on food due to having to pay the electric but my kids always eat. I have 4 wonderful kids and they understand that "Santa is broke this year" and he wont be bringing them gifts. Any small amount would help me get my kids each a small gift(I have 4 kiddos from 3 years to 9 years). Help locally here is nonexistant. I appluade you for trying to help anyone and next year, I will be on the donation end also! I promise and if I have to save $5 a month to do it, I will!
email: amberangel0717[at]gmail.com if you need it!
i do not need this, as my family is taken care of this year. I do however know of a mom that could use it. I don't know Gretchen's email address, but i KNOW her family could really use it this year.
I am working on finding it out though!
thebabycorner.com/boards/ask-question-492/what-would-you-do-how-handle-399950
here is a post on her struggle this year. she does NOT know me, but she's been on my mind since reading that post on the board i frequent.
Bless you and your family for being able to help others at this time of year!
Amber! You are Merry Christmas number 5. Hang in there and remember to smile :))
Queen of PInk 🙂 love the name…!
I will and track her down. If you come across her email let me know. I will consider this winner number 6! Thanks for looking out for others you have seen that need the help.
xoxo
i wanted to say i love your blog!! i love reading it and get so happy when you add something new. i am a mother of 6 little ones, with just one income i struggle to make ends meet, this year is tough and i had to reach out to our blue santa program to try and get gifts for the kids, i was turned down saying i made to much money……i dont see how but i cant dwell on it and try and figure something else off, xmas just maybe a little late this year…i think what your doing is wonderful and i wish i was in a better place to be able to help someone like you are..
Michelle 🙂 I am sure we could sit down and laugh for hours about all the things the kiddos do! You deserve every penny, only wish I could give more! I am sure you will pay it forward when it is the right time.
xoxo
oh and you are number 7!! It is going so fast… 🙁
thank you soooo much your gift means sooo much more then i could even say.
yes talk for hours these wacky kids of mine keep me on my toes all day and night, i wouldnt change it for a million dollars!!!
my email… michelle_8388[at]yahoo.com
thank you again
Just read your post and I'm totally tearing up. What an AMAZING way to help people and give this time of year! Good Job and God Bless you!
The activity mom…
I have been there. I get it, the not having anything to give at Christmas. It stinks..luckily I had amazing people around me that helped. Thanks for commenting and Merry Christmas!
I love your blog, and think you are an amazing person. Although I'm only 18 and don't have kids, i would definitely use this towards my parents. It has been a rough year, as my dad had heart problems, and was called a "dead man walking" and they had no idea how he survived, then him having to take off time from work, and paying for my sister's college, and mine next year…it's been a tougher year than most. I know there are MANY more deserving than me, so if others show they need this more than me, i want it to go to them, as this is just a "thank you" to my parents. but i know that whatever is done with those gift cards, you're doing the right thing!
Hannah, I'm not here to judge who needs it more…
congrats number 8 🙂
Thank you so much! And sorry my name shows up as 'mom'…for the record, I am in no way related to you! I don't know how to change it, as on my blog I want it to show up as 'mom'. Anyhow, my name is Jessica and my email is jessicalynnshea[at]yahoo.com, and if you feel so inclined, you can check out my blog to see what happy little boy you are helping momtooneanddone.blogspot.com Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I have a friend in jail who has asked us to help provide a Christmas for her (almost) 2 year old son. She and I would both appreciate the help 🙂
My neighbors have been through the struggles when husband lost his job. Tonight she was talking about going to get her teenagers underwear and socks as it is all they can afford. I would love to be able to offer them a gift card to Amazon to maybe help to purchase an item for one of their 6 kiddos. They are a wonderful LDS family and I try to help when I can with meals and prayer!
Thank you SO much! I am so overwhelmed by the offer of support and I know my kids will be happy seeing 1 gift under the tree! Thank you again and may God Bless you in all that you do!
I actually saw her blog post and thought WOW, my husband and I were just talking about how many people need help that we know of this year. And how it truelly hurts to think that we can not help more people. This was a amazing give away
We have had a really rough December. In fact, since we've been married the past 3 years there have been no Christmas presents. This year looked different until the husband's car broke down and then we both missed work from catching the flu. Granted it could be worse and we don't have children, but I would really love to surprise him this year.
This is such a kind thing of you to do. Especially with a new little guy at home, I'm sure you'd love to spend $300 on your own kids. So this is really great.
I was just talking to my mom the other day about how I feel guilty when my husband's parents help us financially because we really don't need $100 for gas when we visit them an hour away, not to mention all the other things they do for us. Even when we're stretched, we're still OK. But because they help us, we can occasionally take my sister and brother-in-law and their kids out to dinner, which is huge and really special for them because they never go out to eat. She's just finished nursing school and has no job offers yet, and he works two jobs — one full-time — to support their family. They became parents at 17 and 18 years old, and they are amazing. So while I would love to hand out Amazon gift cards or empty my wallet into the Salvation Army volunteer's kettle, we just can't. But we can slip a little cash into my sister's scarf and get my niece her first baby doll. We probably couldn't without my in-laws' help.
I do have a point… By helping these 10 people, you might be able to help even more if your recipients pass it on, even if it's just a free babysitter or something like that. Not to mention that you're inspiring people like me who could take the easy way out and say, "Oh, we can't afford that," to do what we can for people with less than we have — because there's always someone with less who would appreciate the smallest gift. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example of how giving we all should be throughout the year.
Thank you SO much! I mean that from the bottom of my heart heart 🙂 It will be nice to give my hubby something after all he's done for us to make this year special for my children!
Thank you again! 🙂 That seems inadequate, but just know that you have made me SO happy!!! 🙂
Love and prayers,
Christina
you seriously made my entire day! and I don't think there are enough words for a proper thank you. (I'm so glad my kids can't see me sitting here crying! they would NOT understand) I can't wait to surprise them, especially after last night. My lil guy, (who is four), and doesn't really grasp how hard things are, knows something is going on and that we are a bit tense. So he asks me what I want for Christmas. I told him that all I want is to have them happy on Christmas day, and he says "no, mommy, what gifts do you want?" so I told him all I wanted was a big hug and some kisses… and he replied with, "that sounds nice, thats what I want too. Oh, and a panda… yeah a hug, some kisses and a panda." well, how many kids are that easy to please? Let's hope his sister asks me the same thing! and again, many, many thank yous!
Hi, I am not in need but I wanted to say I think this is awesome!
What a wonderful idea! Whilst I dont have kids and dont need anythign – I know someone in great need. Money is lacking everywhere and Kim is such a humorous patient and enduring young mother. I truly, truly would appreicate her Munchkin would get a little gift.
Thank you for your generousity and kind heart.
Paula
my friends email:
levalor[at]yahoo.com
You really are awesome Shmonae. Reading everyone elses stories made me realize that we don't really need it. Yes my husband is in school full time and I'm a SAHM to our 4 little ones but they all have presents under our tree. I just want to say Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays you wonderful woman 🙂
Nevermind! She called today to let me know that she just found out the baby's social worker signed him up for Angel Tree. This is the first time she's ever called to say she didn't need help. Please take us off the list 🙂
You are amazing….
As a single mom to a 5 year old, who gets 0% help/child support, this makes me very happy. I have done well this year, and Brody will have a great Christmas, but just a few years ago I was in a position where I wasn't.
Bless your heart.
Ok..I have to cut it off 🙁 I am so sad…if anyone else offers to help someone on this list than I can pass the info to the other person. I have reached 11.
I have down:
playful pandora
m&m
mom
jill
amber
queen
michelle
hannah
wendy
deanna
temp
mel
Merry Christmas! I'll send them out today!
oh and I am NOT amazing…I have struggled and now I can help, that's all. I am sure anyone else will do the same. Thanks for your kind words I just feel bad being acknowleged. I was given to when I was eating only deer meat, and now I give when I eat out too much 😉
I am missing emails…and I can't send out money…I will send them to the ones I have. If you didn't leave me your email I can't send it until you do so hurry 🙂
Thanks Rebekah 🙂 I agree..people helped me when I needed help and it changes you for when you can help. Thanks for the sweet note. You are always so nice. Merry Christmas!
do you need mine? I think it links through blogger, but I'm not sure.
not sure if you got mine, but if not it's carlsonhahs[at]gmail.com
I am so sad I missed this. I normally check into the blogs I follow before my son get up in the morning. After dealing with him getting sick 3 times already and me having a health issue today along with being in the middle of switching health insurances so I can't get into see the doctor I didn't get on at the normal time. My husband and I have been struggling ever since having my son. There are days I sometimes wonder why such a blessing has been so hard on us. It was hard enough not able to have anything for him last year in the thoughts that this year would be different. I guess it just wasn't meant to be for me to get on here on time. I sure hope my time will come soon. Congrats to all that were blessed.
Thank you so very much. I have been so blessed by this, and I can promise you I will be passing it on. Merry Christmas! Grace and love, Jill and family
I'm sad I missed this. I would love to help my mom out with Christmas this year, since my parents are both laid off, but I can't, as I'm a college student with no job 🙁
I do know that God is amazing and that things will work out. I also know that this was an amazing thing to do. I know you've said that you have had people help you, so you can help others now, but so many people don't return the favor. Thank you for being one of the ones who do.
Bennett's Mommy – please contact me… hello_5[at]hotmail.com…put your name in the subject line.
Thanks 🙂
Dani
Wow, thank you so very much! I am humbled by (but so grateful for) your generosity and in some form or another I will pay it forward. I am so excited, thank you for making my month!
mel.coggan[at]gmail.com
Thank you so MUCH for your generosity. I will be picking out something for my kids tonight or tomorrow and hopefully getting it shipped here by Thursday with the free amazon prime trial…they give you free 2 day shipping, just don't forget to cancel before you get charged the monthly fee after the trail ends.
I changed my google name, but I was 'Mom'.
Thank you so much! I got the gift card last night, and ordered my son a spongebob playset (awesome that the total with shipping came to $29.64! Talk about spending every penny!). They even say it will arrive on Christmas Eve, so he may even get it in time for Christmas! Thank you again, so much! This was such an awesome thing to do, and I will pay it forward as soon as I can. Merry Christmas!
Shmonae, could you email me at rosalind9298[at]hotmail.com
thanks!
I mailed out every card but I am missing
tcmp
Thanks Dani for helping bennets mom :0)
This is awesome. Really awesome. I hope you and your family had a great Christmas.
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