A few years ago, when we were unemployed and I was pregnant and sending out so many cover letters and resumes and CV's that I lost count, I had time. Not money. But time. And I found online giveaways.
Most are found in what I (tongue-in-cheek) call the "seedy underbelly of Mom Blogs." So, there is no seedy underbelly of Mom Blogs. But there is a world of Mom Blogs, where they review products and host giveaways from corporate sponsors on their websites. I say Mom Blogs. There are a few Dad Blogs out there, too.
A few things I won? an XBox360 gaming console, a gourmet rum cake, a toy vacuum cleaner, a gift credit to Zutano, a Fierce Mamas maternity clothing package, a gift credit to a gift giving website, and an alphabet print to hang in kiddo's room. I think there were a couple other things. Ah. A shower curtain. You can see there's a huge range represented here - baby items, clothing, food, tech gadgets, art, household items, toys, etc.
In my search, I discovered prizey.net, a hub that listed giveaways and links to the giveaway sites. It was awesome.
It's closing.
Lots of folks in our country are hurting right now - layoffs, multiple generations under one roof, hurricane damage, underemployment, the list goes on. Some of you don't have money, but you do have time.
So here are a few places you can enter giveaways.
A word:
1.) Most blog giveaways work like this: you get a basic entry, like for visiting a manufacturer's website and commenting on the blog about a favorite product. Then you get "extra" entries. They may be "follow me on Twitter," or "enter another of my giveaways," or "follow me on Facebook." Obviously, the more entries you gain, the better your odds of winning. I usually chose the extra entries that didn't involve me being annoying to my Facebook friends or Twitter followers. Also, most "Mom Blogs" have a list on a sidebar of ongoing giveaways, so visiting a Mom Blog for one giveaway will often lead you to more.
2.) Depending on your preference, you may want to set up a different email address or Twitter account to use for entering. Many sites offer extra entries for subscribing to their daily email updates. That can clutter your inbox quickly. On the other hand, it can keep you updated on new giveaways to enter.
So here are just a few links to giveaways that would ship in time for the holidays...please feel free to link to additional giveaways in the comment section!
Direct-from-Company Daily Giveaways:
(I suggest the entry option that does not require you to subscribe to Martha Stewart Living)
Mom Blog Giveaways:
November giveaways include Fossil handbag, Green Earth Bamboo $50 Gift Card, and Melissa & Doug Doorbell Dollhouse...
November giveaways include Baby Authority crib bedding set, Zonderkids Christian Childrens Book Set,
and $75 credit to Zutano...
Big November/December giveaway: iPad loaded with kids' stuff!
November giveaways include Melissa & Doug Trunki Suitcase, several Cloth Diaper giveaways, and La Bella Donna Artful Lips Colour Compact...
November giveaways include a new Graco carseat...
November giveaways include $50 Minted Holiday Card credit and City 'n Move Stroller...
November giveaways include World Vision Artisan Beaded Necklace and
Sibu Beauty Men's Shaving Kit Gift Set...
November giveaways include CrockPot and La-Z-Boy Furniture...
November giveaways include Ava's Flowers Fresh Bouquet and Stompeez Kids' Slippers...
Finally: I must include in my round-up that Mega Blogger Herself, Pioneer Woman. Back in the good old days, my friends and I would enter her tantalizing giveaways with not-too-bad odds. She's so popular now that she'll have 15,000 comment entries for a knife set. Her giveaways are occasional, set up without warning, and last only a couple of days. But they are always awesome.And I love P-Dub, and I live in hope.
These are just a very few of the giveaways whirling around Ye Olde Internet these days.
So patch your threadbare places with an online win or two...you never know when a serendipitous "you won!" email will show up in your inbox. And these days, we all could use a win.