Blog Wishes

Blog Wishes Giveaway

When people ask me what my favorite holiday is, the answer is always Christmas. Being from Texas, we don't often have that postcard, white Christmas, but there's something about Christmastime; something changes in the air. Maybe it's the familiar chiming of the Salvation Army bells and red kettle, or the excitement of gift shopping and wrapping. I never grow tired of seeing the twinkling lights, feeling the chill outside and the warmth of a fire, and hearing bells and carolers.

A few months ago, I posted some Silver Toms that I really wanted on my blog post. I never imagined I would get them 2 months later on my birthday! Caitlin saw my post, and decided to get that for my birthday. My very thoughtful friends (Caitlin, Ari, Joanna, Heather, and Kristen) all chipped in and got me my very comfortable, sparkly flats! The funny thing is, my sister saw the post and thought the exact same thing and got me the same TOMS! :) I need to return those, and get some new TOMS!

Anyway, I was so surprised and happy. It was definitely one of the best birthdays ever.
It got me thinking about my first giveaway. What if I made a giveaway about blog wishes? Where you post something you really want and actually get it? And it's just in time for Christmas!

Here are the basic guidelines:

1. You need to enter through Rafflecopter below. You can receive up to 6 entries for the giveaway.

• 1 entry for commenting on this post with your name, link to your item, email, and blog site (this is mandatory).
• 1 entry for blogging about my giveaway. Please email me at madebyfirenze@gmail.com with your blog      entry about my blog giveaway including a link to my blog.
• 1 entry for liking  my blog page on Facebook (MadeByFirenze)
• 2 entries if you follow me on GFC! If you already do, I will make sure you get 2 entries. :)
• 1 entry for Tweeting about the giveaway. I wanted to do Pinterest, but that wasn't available for me. If you  don't have Twitter (which I don't either) you can follow me on pinterest (minjoo) and pin my blog giveaway photo above and receive 1 entry.

Now for your item:

• Choose one item on your Christmas list you would like. It cannot be a gift card, or 2 items. Only one.
• The item must be less than $55. No exceptions.
• It must also be something that can easily be bought online. No rare items or ebay items.
• It should be from legitimate sites like amazon, Anthropologie, J.Crew, or Target etc. If I have any concerns with your item, I will let you know.
• If your item requires a size or color, please specify in your comment.

Please follow the Rafflecopter entry rules. Any false entries will be taken out.

I will contact the winner through email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.

Good luck and have fun choosing your item!

Looking back...

Christmas is very special to me. When I was 5 years old, my father passed away from stomach cancer at home. Even though I was little, I knew my life would never be the same.
And I also knew I would not have a Christmas that following year. That was just an accepted fact. I saw my mom struggling to make ends meet raising my sister and I and I just knew I couldn't count on opening or giving presents. That is why my 6th Christmas was the most memorable, special time in my childhood. On Christmas Eve, the doorbell rang. As my sister and I opened the door, we heard ringing of bells and a distant  "Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas!" And there, on our front porch were piles of beautifully wrapped Christmas presents with our names on them. I just remember my sister and I jumping up and down shouting to my mom that Santa had come and brought us presents!
I was so so happy and just remember thinking, he actually came to our house. He didn't forget about us. We had a Christmas. We could celebrate.

Of course, years later, I found out it was actually the wonderful officers at Garland PD who came that night and left those gifts for my sister and I. They were there the night my father passed away.
I don't remember what the presents were; they were probably dolls, toys, stuffed animals; My Little Ponies, or an Etch A Sketch. I don't have these things anymore.
But I still have the memory of that night. The joy I felt not from those items, but that someone actually remembered and thought of us. That's what I think of when I think about Christmas. It's about family, hope, giving of yourself, and love. And of course, the greatest gift of all. Jesus.

It is in that spirit, I am doing this giveaway. I hope it brings a little joy to your Christmas. Also, all the entries I receive, I am going to double that number and donate that dollar amount, half to the charity of the winner's choice, and half to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which is important to me.




a Rafflecopter giveaway