Friday, December 12, 2008

"A few of my favorite things" GIVEAWAY!

In the winter, I relish putting on my cozy socks, drinking some hot chocolate, lighting some candles and listening to some Christmas music! Hey - that sounds like the making for a good Christmas Giveaway!!

I have put some of those snuggly slipper socks in the box (men - you can give them to your wife if you win), Gourmet hot chocolate with some peppermint sticks, Christmas floating candles, A Transiberian Orchestra CD that I burned and a couple other surprises tucked into this cute snowman gift box!

Rules to enter: Please post here the worst holiday gift you've ever received. My hubby has a secret criteria for picking the winner! Please put a link back to your blog. If you list my giveaway on your blog - I will give you 2 extra entries to increase your chances of winning. Just let me know that you did so. You must have a blog and be a U.S. resident to enter. Deadline to enter is midnight on Sunday, Dec. 14th. Winner will be announced on Dec. 15th.

Merry Christmas! Thank you for your visits and comments! I love them!


41 comments:

Carol said...

Another giveaway? You are amazing Shelley! What a generous collection of goodies.

Well, I really don't remember getting a horrible Christmas gift, but I'll share about one gift I received.

One year an older friend gave us a decorative blanket throw that looked very familiar. It was the exact one we had given her a few years before! I guess she totally forgot who gave it to her. Of course we never told her.

I'm looking forward to reading all the entries! This should be fun!
Hugs,
Carol

Judy said...

What a wonderful giveaway. You are so kind. I really can't remember a gift that was horrible. I love Carol's gift. That is so funny.

I remember gifts that I really didn't like or I thought was more of a convenience for them, like a box of icky cheese/sausage thing and/or a candle that smelled like old garbage.

I can hardly wait to read some of your comments.

Pam B said...

One year I was expecting something sparkly for Christmas and Hubby got me a new shower head instead. He's never done that again! LOL

NCmountainwoman said...

I love those cozy socks. Especially great when it's too cold to go barefoot.

My worst Christmas present came from my cheap sister-in-law (my husband's sister, of course). You know those little packets of coffee that come in large gift packages of cheese and stuff? Well, she sent us the three small "gourmet" coffees that were in her Hickory Farms package (I think from the year before). And that was for our whole family...me, my husband, and our two kids who were 10 and 13 at the time. I thought she could have at least included a few of the strawberry candies.

I could provide an extensive list of awful presents she gave us over the years. One thing we could always count on...we always had a great laugh wondering what she would come up with. It became the present we always opened last, and took turns every year, giving each of us a chance to have the honor of opening her gift.

I can't wait to read all the worst gifts. The post is great even if I don't win.

Unknown said...

Hi Shelley! I've posted your giveaway on my Rants blog: Rightmyer Rants.

I think my worst Christmas gift was from my ex-sister-in-law almost 30 years ago. She gave me several bars of soap - and not the homemade kind or the fancy kind. This was a 6-pack of Ivory soap! Do you think she was trying to tell me something??!!

Michelle said...

What a great collection of stuff.

I'd have to say the worst gift I ever got was from my ex mother-in-law. She gave me men's socks in a coffee can. My hubby got them instead and we always dreaded presents from her.

reliv4life said...

WOW!! How exciting!!

OK - worst gift - One year, I was about twelve I suppose, there was the most beautiful wrapped gift under the tree, with my name on it. OH it was lovely, and I was certain whatever was in that box must be the most wonderful thing in the world!! Mom kept telling me, I don't think that is what you must think it is! But you know parents at Christmas time, I was certain she was just playing down my wonderful gift!! Well, Christmas came and that was the first one I chose to open - It was Water Pik!!! Because I had gotten braces!! I dont' know if it was the worst gift necesarily, but very disappointing!!

my blog is reliv4life@blogspot.com

thanks!

George said...

I must be very fortunate, because I can't think of a really horrible Christmas gift that I received. I will admit, however, that I didn't receive some of the presents described above.

Lolosblog said...

I try not to consider any of the gifts I receive as bad, but my dad's wife never can get it quite right. She always asks what I would like for Christmas. One year I told her I loved grtting kitchen "gadgets", thinking about things that are not neccessarily everday items. I got a box full of wooden spoons, pot holders, towels and the like. At least I could use them if it wasn't what I was expecting.

Thanks for the give away.

Merry Christmas!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

You are sweet Shelley to offer another giveaway. I'd love those cozy socks!!!!

I have a friend who loves to give away her family 'stuff.' I accept it gratefully ---but wonder what I'm going to do with it!!!! I know that it means/meant alot to her---and I need to develop an appreciation for it!!! ha (I'm BAD!)
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Stacey, my girlfriend, loves giveaway's and contests. I'll be sure to send her this link. Enjoy...the winter and all it has to offer.

RamonaGrigg said...

Oh, my gosh--I LOVE your new banner! How beautiful (she says with such envy)!

Sharon/primthyme said...

Hi Shelley,,First of all I love your blog & Christmas.
I don't really remember actual bad gifts,but when I was married before ,he would buy things for hiself & tell me he bought them for me,for instance,a snowmobile,a motorcycle,coat for himself,tires for his racer ( gocart),model cars,guns, anything like that but always for him ,never really got a gift for me!! oh ,well,that is over !!!

I will add to my site.

Merry Christmas,
Prim hugs & blessings,
Sharon

Leedra said...

Without a doubt, a coffee maker. I HATE coffee....

I have linked to you from my blog, which is http://photographybyleedra.blogspot.com/

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

Shelley,
I just want to say THANK YOU for your Prayers and kind words today!
I means so mcuh to me...
The ultra sound this afternoon showed NO abnormal markers that would indicate DS--everything is normal!!
I just wanted to let ya know...I appreciate you and your thoughts and prayers!
ALways Believe!! :)


Hugs to ya-girl

Kath

Oh...we found out the baby's sex too! I'll post about it later-just wanted you to know about the ultra sound!

Jen said...

Shelley!
Fabulous! OK I need this prize cause I have a fireplace that needs me in front of it with all these goodies.

My worst gift started when I got married in 1980. Underwear. Not so bad you say? Well it was from my mother-in-law! Panties are a private thing in my opinion and I sure didn't need my mother-in law telling me what to wear down there. The worst part is this went on for 20+ years.
The good part is, Goodwill could always look forward to my donation of granny panties every year.

****I advertised your Giveaway in my blog; go check it out. :)

Unknown said...

Oh Shelly, what an exciting giveaway! There isn't anything in there that I wouldn't love to have, even the box. And I love reading all these Christmas stories. They are so funny. I'll keep coming back to read the rest.
My worst Christmas present was from my hubby (he is the worst shopper). He got me the ugliest turtleneck sweater. I hate having things around my neck and it was the ugliest army green with purple stripes. I wore it to the family gathering that evening, but never again. It's funny though that it is the present that I will always remember.
I will post your giveaway on my blog also.
And thanks for visiting my blog. I appreciate your comments.
Happy Holidays!
Judy

Ginger said...

Hi Shelley:
I guess I am pretty lucky not to have gotten any real crummy gifts. But I remember getting an ugly bathrobe from my hubby when we were first married. I was expecting jewelry!!!!
Now he doesn't buy me anything, so I guess I should of kept my mouth shut about the ugly robe. lol
Ginger http://thegingerbreadshed.blogspot.com

Rosemarie said...

Hi Shelley - Jen from "unglazed" sent me over this way and I'm glad she did.

My worst holiday gift was from a mom of one of my old boyfriends. She gave me a set of 5 bottles of nailpolish that claimed you could mix them as wanted to get a never ending array of colors. Except the directions said to allow one color to dry before applying the next color. So in actuality you weren't really mixing - just "layering." She was a doll, so I don't hold it against her - but lame!

Hehe!

Dorothy said...

Shelley,
I have an award for you on my blog!
Happy Holidays!

Natalie said...

I have never had a bad Christmas present. However my husband of 10 days got me a weather radio for my bday last year. After asking the night before my bday if I would be mad if he waited a few days to get me my present. HELLO? My bday is the only day I do not have to worry about anyone else's gifts. YES I mind! Needless to say he has been better with gifts since then. Maybe bc the radio stayed in my trunk for months after moving to KY?

Lisa Brawner said...

good morning :) I saw your blog contest on Bobbi's blog.The only bad gifts i ever got were about 28 or so ago when i was married. His family always made a point of "forgetting " me on xmas time. I always smiled and acted like it was ok. Actually they did me a fav --i got divorced after a couple years :P I will post your giveaway on my blog this morning.

Unknown said...

yes mam i would love to be in this give-a-way!! I received a package of SCISSORS, not for sewing or crafting they were from a SNAP-ON tool truck!! How much stinkin' thought do you think that nameless man put into my gift? He didn't even have to leave work!!! Still have the scissors. I am promoting your giveaway on my blog.

Michele Wassell said...

What a great blog and love the giveaway idea... Your so generous.

Anyway, this is easy for me... Many years ago, the guy I was dating gave me some men cologne for a Christmas gift knowing that I liked perfume. Anyway, its the thought that counts...

I will post your blog site on my blog: www.creativefreedomphotography.blogspot.com.

Happy Holidays!

Liz said...

Well, I love my granny to pieces... most of the time, lol... but she's a horrible gift giver when it came to me. Most of the grandkids got nice new toys or whatever they asked for. The quiet "respectful" kid that I was, I never really asked for anything. My side of the family never had much, so I just didn't ask for much. I liked the simple life :) Well, maybe I should have spoken up, because I always ended up getting the "yard sale gifts" that my granny would collect over the summer. She continued this through my adulthood as well... Last year I was excited to get a new leather coat!!... with a used handkerchief in it... :(

Found your give-a-way from Lisa/shadow of the goddess designs blog. Will post on my blog as well :) www.narcissisms.net

Alilcrunchi (Sara) said...

Well, I don't think I have ever recieved a bad Christmas present. But I do remember One christmas. I can't remember how old I was but we had christmas at my grandma's and that year my thing was Spongebob. I got slippers, clothes, post-it notes that look like him. But there were three presents that were shaped alot the same. I opened one up and it was a Spongebob Blanket. Then I opened the next one. It was the same Spongebob blanket. And you guessed it the 3rd and it was the same. I kept the first one gave the second to my cousin (cierra) who stole my birthday, and I think we took the other one back to the store.

Link to Blog: www.harvestmoonhomestead.blogger.com

I will post a link to your giveaway.

Patty said...

How fun these are to read! I don't have a blog, just wanted to say how much i enjoyed reading. I came from Jen's blog! Ya know Jen, the one with the not-so-victoria-secret panties!! *L* :-)

Joan J said...

Please enter my name -- and I've posted your giveaway on my blog - upper right hand corner.

One year a "friend" gave what we thought were surprisingly generous gifts to every member of our family -- gift cards to various stores. When we went to use them, none of them worked. I assume now they were probably stolen. UGH!

Catherine Holman said...

I don't think I've ever gotten a horrible Christmas gift. Great giveaway though.
Hugs,
Cathie

J. Moses said...

I don't know that I ever got a bad gift...but my now ex-fiancee gave my stepdad bungee cords lol...

I advertised the giveaway on my Personal Thoughts Blog.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Shelley, I featured you and the giveaway on my blog today!
Hugs,
Betsy

Debra said...

Oh My! A great giveaway!
The worst gift I ever received was a few years ago- a bottle of Vanilla flavored liqour- would not have been so bad but I don't drink! Needlees to say it is still in the bottom of my cupboard unopened!

Katy said...

I honestly cannot think of a bad Christmas present that I've received. I know, seems kinda boring huh.
Rosemarie sent me to see you....I'd love to be entered in your contest.

Have a great day........and I LOVE LOG CABINS...that is my dream (and my husbands) to have one someday.

Juanita said...

Shelley,
Thanks so much for the giveaway!The worst present I got was about in our 5th year of marriage. Now you have to understand every year my husband would ask me "what do you want for Christmas?" and every year I would say "Jewelry" well, on my 5th year he gave me a VACCUM CLEANER! He stated that that was more practical!!?? Go figure!What woman in their first few years of marriage wants a practical gift? I cannot say it enough THEY WANT JEWELRY! Needless to say, the following year he got me a negligee well, that didn't go over either, I explained to him that that was something you give for Valentine's day! I wanted jewelry!Besides I think he had alterior motives on that one....(that was really for him and not me)But over the years I have gotten my jewelry,and God bless 'em he tried. But you know what I asked for this year.....LR CURTAINS! LOL LOL isn't it funny how time changes things! Well, thanks for letting me share and have a blessed day!
Juanita

Dawn Marie said...

YIPEEEE!! thank you for offering this!

Okkkk, this is tough because although it was my worst Christmas gift,,it was also one of the best or funniest.

We always, always, gave our 5 kids funny gifts each year. They just never knew what to expect from us.

Well, one year my son decided it was time to "get ma". He wrapped up a box that looked to me like he had gotten me some jewelry. You know kids--they always get that jewelry stuff at school. Well, I opened it up--all 5 of them little ankle biters standing around me, and NO its NOT jewelry...its CAT POOP! YEP, hard old smelly cat poop! They were all laughing and jumping--we got ma! As much as I say it was my worst-it was also a lifetime memory.

Stacey Olson said...

Shell.. so glad I found this link.. I would really love those socks..lol..(wink) it is 18 BELOW zero here this morning.. I really do need some warm cozy socks..

My worst Christmas present...hmm.. I would have to think about this one..Oh year that's right..the gift was from my husband.. How about a "brand new ribon tied around the Same old thing" ...Sorry. I HAD to.

marnie said...

I would love to win this giveaway but I know I won't as I can't recall getting anything I didn't like.

One year I got a boy's bike (not sure why) but I was a tomboy and loved it. Never really gave it any thought but looking back now I wish I had asked my parents!!!

The worse gift I ever received would be from an old boyfriend. We were young and he was thinking that I wanted a ring (which I really didn't...was thinking of ditching him actually) So, I get this little box....with batteries!!! It was suppose to be batteries for the 35mm camera he was going to get me. He thought it was hilarous because I was so uncomfortable wondering how to tell him no, when he thought I was anticipating the ring!!! Never did get that ring as I dumped him soon after!!

Love reading the entries!
marnie

Unknown said...

I love giveaways but I had to read your blog because I also LOVE Log Cabins. I lived in one for 4 years and it was on 10 acres, a dream come true but when my husbands friend stole all of the money from his business the house went to foreclosure. We are on the road to recovery (renting) but we have a goal to buy land and build a log cabin in the next few years!
Anyway, my worst gift ever was given to me by a friend who wrapped an old, used wooden country doll and gave it to me because I told her that I thought it was cute. Very thoughtful but I didn't REALLY like it. It smelled funny too..
I look forward to following your blog..
Thanks

Shelley said...

Thank you everyone for participating! It's great reading everyone's comments - I have laughed out loud many times!! I will be announcing the winner and 2 runnerups tomorrow (Monday) after 10 p.m.
Shelley

sandy said...

Oh wow....I'm in time.

My worst gift...wait, let me think....of course...it was a wrapped fruitcake! Haven't we all gotten one at one time or another.

my link is:

http://dustyd-flyawayhome.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I can't think of a story to add to this list of present mishaps but I must say that I have enjoyed reading all of these comments.This was a great idea for a give away. Elise, aka Pigeon