6th Annual Christmas Card Challenge Winners

Let's be honest, this contest is the only reason many of you send me cards every year! And, you know what, I don't really care. I still like it! One of the winners is going to be pleasantly surprised they stuck with sending me a card all these years. Another one has won in another category before...so welcome back to the winners circle ;) As a reminder, the winning categories are as follows

1. first card to arrive
2. best handwritten note
3. best photo(s)
4. best update
5. best overall

A few things I would like to point out. Card number two was completely hand made. It was beautiful. And talk about impressive artistic skills I don't have! Number three may just be the best picture I have ever seen. Like literally the best. It makes me want to drag my kids to do the same. Number 5 was a beautiful card, with foil overlay and a fancy envelope to boot. I am all about the whole package! Also worth noting is this is the third year I have gotten New Years cards. I almost made an honorable mention category just for that. It's fun that the holiday card season is being stretched out, with me generally always getting my first one before Thanksgiving and my last one around New Years. Now for the winner of the bag of Bean Counter Coffee Roasters Coffee...

Let's be honest, with a family photo like that, a bag of coffee is well deserved!!!

Next I set aside every locally sent card I received for the month of bread from Alchemy Bread. If you're local and have never tried her bread before, I HIGHLY recommend looking her up. Your life will be changed. Her bread is THAT GOOD. The irony in the winner of this is I am pretty sure they gave me a card just for the bread. Well didn't they luck out!!! Everyone else who sent me a card just to win the bread is crying, alas there can only be one winner. 

Also ironically, card 21 was also the card that won category two above. They should consider themselves having a really good day today!!! I mean, winning the bread AND a category. Pat yourself on the back! 

And can we discuss that the random number generator picked both odd numbers? Or am I the only person that noticed that? I just thought it was funny. Alright, if you won a prize, I'll be contacting you. If you won a category, well done!!! I'm so proud of you :) Thanks to everyone who sent a card this year. I loved all the happy mail. 

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The 6th Annual Christmas Card Challenge

Having already received our first Christmas card in the mail, I thought now was a good time to announce the 6th annual Christmas card challenge. Thanksgiving snuck up on a lot of us last year and is early again this year, so I thought the early reminder to get a card made (and capitalize on those Black Friday card deals!) would be good for all. 

This contest was born out of my love of Christmas cards. Well, not just Christmas cards, but any holiday card. We've even gotten some New Year's cards, which I think is fun because it makes the card season last even longer! I get so excited in this season to check my mail every day. I love seeing smiling faces of those I love on cards, I love the handwritten notes, I love the updates, I love the lush beautiful cards, I love the funny ones. I just love it all. 

The categories for cards will remain the same again this year, but I also have a fun little prize for anyone that is local, so be sure to keep reading! As a refresher, here are the categories:

     * first card to arrive

     * best handwritten note

     * best photo(s)

     * best update

     * best overall

The first card to arrive spot has already been snagged by someone who was obviously on top of their game. And being on top of their game helped me, as it reminded me to get to work on my own card. 

In the spirit of supporting my hubby, and supporting a local small business, I will be giving a bag of Bean Counter Coffee Roasters coffee to the winner. How it works is, after the New Year, I will choose a winner from each categories, then use a random number generator to pick the winner of the coffee. Now, for you locals, I have a separate prize. Also in the spirit of supporting a local small business, I will be giving away a month subscription (February) to Alchemy Bread. If you've never heard of her, go check her out. Her bread is AMAZING. If you win, you have to agree to pick up your bread once a week (either on Tuesday or Thursday) in downtown Modesto on 12th Street. You also have to be willing to provide your phone number for the subscription. You really want to be willing to do this because, guys, it's soup season and this bread is like no other. Your mind WILL BE BLOWN. And if you're not willing, I know plenty of people that would be, so...

If you want to join in the fun, but don't have my address, feel free to email me at jgrimbleby(at)gmail.com and I will provide an address to send it. And you need not be shy, I have had many people participate in the card challenge that aren't my close pals. And, guess what? Some have won categories! And, each one of their cards put a smile on my face because I LOVE CARDS.

If you are looking for some inspiration, here are the winners in years past - 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Just a little tip, funny cards are totally my jam, as are anything that makes your card stick out from the crowd. That could be a different shape, a different colored envelope, or perhaps forgetting to change your last name on your card, so it says the wrong name! 

Now get to work on your cards! Remember, Black Friday and cyber Monday are always great times to score great deals on cards and is normally the time I order them every year. And, what's nice is you can have them all designed and ready to go ahead of time and just purchase them when the good deal comes around. 

I'm excited for my mailbox to start filling with cards! 

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5th Annual Christmas Card Challenge Winners

You guys, this year was off the hook with Christmas cards! Not to mention, we even got a New Year's card, which I thought was pretty dang fun. A bunch of people sent cards just for the challenge, and I thought that was super duper fun. So, thank you to each and every person that participated. Each and every card we got put a smile on my face. I love seeing families and children growing. I love hearing from friends far away. I love seeing seasoned couples, now empty nesters, with lovey dovey pictures on their cards. I love the handmade. I love the foil overlays. I love the scalloped edges. I just love everything about Christmas cards. We got so many cards, our card holder couldn't handle them all. Now that's a good problem to have! I won't stretch this on though, let's get to the winners! 

First to arrive:

In years past, I've gotten cards before Thanksgiving. I think with Thanksgiving being so early in November this year, it threw everyone off. Christmas card season got off to a late start, but I am thankful to the Powell's for kicking it off. 

Best handwritten note:

Not only was there a handwritten note, there was a beautiful handmade card! Trina always makes everything she touches beautiful and this card was definitely no exception. 

Best photo: 

Funny photos always seem to win around here. This year I couldn't choose just one winner, so I chose two! Let's start with the adorable family on the left. That top right photo did it for me. I got such a kick out of it...maybe it's because she's the same age as Callum, so I GET IT!!! Making it even better, that adorable little girl not wanting to cooperate with pictures is named Holiday. Oh the irony! Then we have the adorable and fun loving family on the right. I would totally steal this photo idea if I wasn't convinced Connor and Isla would probably just throw Callum! 

Best update:

You guys, this beautiful lady was my roommate in college. She is one fun loving and awesome lady. And her update had me laughing and crying. There were stamped body party that I had to guess what they were and who they belonged to (hahaha!) and a very honest and open update that anyone that has endured the beginning of motherhood would understand. 

Best overall:

I'm not going to lie, this is always my favorite category to pick. I lay out all my favorite cards and decide from those. And there are always different reasons for my favorite. It may be a quality card, a unique card, beautiful photos. Just something that makes it stand out. Not only is this family beautiful, but the simplicity and gold foil stamp were beautiful. Not to mention, their envelope was brown and not white, which made it really stand out.


Now for the moment everyone (or maybe just a few people) have been waiting for, the winner of the coffee. Drum roll please...

The very deserving Trina Duncan!!! Let's not forget Kevin, I'm sure he'll enjoy the coffee too. Thanks to everyone who humored me and participated. Until next year folks.

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The 5th Annual Christmas Card Challenge

By this point, it should be well known among folks that I LOVE Christmas cards. Well, really just any holiday cards. Because even the new year's card we got at almost the end of January a couple years ago put a smile on my face! I love sending and receiving cards. I love displaying cards and notes from friends and family near and far. I love hearing how people are doing and watching their families grow and expand. This is the reason I started my Christmas card challenge. Well that and to add a little more fun into the season.

The categories still remain the same:

    * first card to arrive
    * best handwritten note
    * best photo(s)
    * best update
    * best overall

The first card to arrive category is still open for the taking folks. The last two years, it actually went to the same person. But as of now, it's an open spot for the taking!

Still in the spirit of supporting my hubby (and supporting a local small business!), I will be giving out a bag of Bean Counter Coffee Roasters coffee to the winner. How it works is, after Christmas, I will choose a winner from each category, then use a random number generator to pick the winner.

If you want to join in the fun, but don't have my address, feel free to email me at jgrimbleby(at)gmail.com and I will tell you where to send it. And if you are looking for some inspiration, here are the winners in years past - 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. I will say, I still love the trend of doing little updates of each kid on the back of the card. Witty updates are also my jam. As are funny pictures and outtakes. So now you have an inside scoop. 

Now get out there and work on your cards! Black friday weekend into cyber Monday is always a great time to score amazing deals on cards and is usually when I order them every year because you can find them so cheap. 

I can't wait to start hanging your cards in my house! 

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4th Annual Christmas Card Challenge Winners

I feel like every year the cards keep getting better and better. And I totally love it. We got so many creative and fun cards this year. We got beautiful, fancy cards. We got funny photos, beautiful photos. We got a lot with handwritten notes this year, which I really enjoyed. In fact, I was inspired to keep the back of our card blank this year, so I could write notes on there. Sure, I didn't do notes to everyone, but it was fun writing little notes to those we don't see very often. We got so many amazing cards this year, I actually thought about adding categories...but I didn't. Now, without further ado, the 2016 winners:

First to arrive:

My friend Heidi is always great about getting her cards out early. She has won in this category a few times now. Her card always arrives before I have even ordered mine! 

Best handwritten note:

To be fair, I don't think anyone could have topped this card. Just seeing the envelope made me giddy with excitement. That Amber is such a dear and special person to me. Her whole family is. But I will say, people really upped their game this year with handwritten notes. It even inspired me to write some notes on some of my cards. 

Besto photo:

It's hard to top a photo that makes you laugh. 

Best update:

Their update included highs and lows for each family member. Not only were the highs and lows witty and funny, but when getting a sister was listed on both categories for one of the kids, I was hooked. 

Best overall:

I picked all my favorite cards and had Ian help me pick the winner in this category. I had several picked out and all for very different reasons. Alas, I went with this one because I loved all the pictures they included. And the sense of adventure this family has is palpable. 

Now for the moment everyone, or possibly no one except my cousin, has been waiting for...who will take home a bag of coffee...

Best overall!!! Our friends who aren't even on social media...so won't know they've won until they find me creepily staring in their windows with a bag of coffee in my hands. Hopefully they won't shun me forever for putting them on the internet for all the world to see. Either way, they won coffee, so they should be happy ;)

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The Annual Christmas Card Challenge

I can't believe that the FOURTH year of my christmas card challenge is upon us. I love sending and receiving christmas cards. I love displaying cards and notes from friends and family near and far. I love how with a simple card, I can reminisce on fun times I had with those people. I love hearing how people are doing and watching their kids grow from year to year. It is because of all this, that I started the christmas card challenge. It's a fun way for me to bring a little cheer to the "christmas card" season.

Once again, the categories will remain the same:

    * first card to arrive
    * best handwritten note
    * best photo(s)
    * best update
    * best overall

Believe it or not, the first card to arrive category has already been secured. One of my friends is super on her game and it arrived last week. It put a huge smile on my face and reminded me that I need to go search out my christmas card holder and figure out where I am going to hang it in the new house.

Again this year, I will be giving out a bag of Bean Counter Coffee Roasters coffee to the winner. How it works is, after Christmas, I will choose a winner from each category, then use a random number generator to pick the winner.

If you want to join in the fun, but don't have my address, feel free to email me at jgrimbleby(at)gmail.com and I will tell you where to send it. And if you are looking for some inspiration, here are the winners in years past - 2015, 2014 and 2013. I will say, I still love the trend of doing little updates of each kid on the back of the card...hint, hint.

Now I have yet to get on my game and choose a christmas card for us this year. I am thinking it NEEDS to happen this week. I like getting them out early(ish). And this year I don't have a baby to use as an excuse ;)

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Third Annual Christmas Card Challenge Winners

Getting the mail during December is one of the funnest thing for me because of ALL THE CARDS. Every single last one of them that I receive brings a smile to my face. I love hearing from friends and family near and far. I love seeing notes in cards, watching friends (who I don't live by anymore) children grow. I just love it all. So thank you to every single person who sent me a card. I loved them all. Now, lets find out who the five winners are this year…and who won the bag of coffee. 

First to arrive - I love that a card arrived in my mailbox while I was decorating for Christmas. The timing couldn't have been better. So, thank you for that Heidi! 

Best Handwritten Note - I actually received a lot of cards with notes in them this year. I love that people are getting creative with their cards and sending some fancy ones. But this took the cake…the envelope was done so beautifully in calligraphy. I loved it. Thanks for that Brittany.

Best Photo - I had a hard time selecting the best photo. There was a funny one, a cute one (actually a few cute ones) and this one. It looks like it belongs in a magazine. And just look at the adorable boy in the middle! Well done on making cute kids and a great picture Josh and Megan! 

Best Update - I like the new trend of doing little updates of the kids on the back of the card (I am totally stealing this idea for next year). So, way to go Amy for being a trendsetter.

Best Overall - I love a good quality card. Not only was the paper nice and the foil lettering amazing, but look at that family photo! And, to top it off, they did the kids update on the back too. Way to knock it out of the park Kori!

Now for the winner of the bag of coffee…

Brittany!!! You may not love coffee, but I am sure Gavin will be happy ;)

Oh, and I ordered our cards last week…so they should be to everyone by the end of the month. But, I figure it's a trend of sending out cards late, given that we got one in the mail yesterday. So, we are just trying to be trendy…or just had a baby and are trying to keep up with life!

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The Christmas Card Challenge is Back

Usually I am that person that has our Christmas card picked out and designed well before Thanksgiving. Then I take advantage of the cyber Monday sales. But, this year is a little different. With the baby joining us sometime in the first half of December, I thought it would be nice to wait and include the baby in the card, even if that means getting our cards out {gulp} after Christmas.

Even if my Christmas cards are headed out late this year, that doesn't change my enthusiasm for getting Christmas cards in the mail. And my Christmas card challenge is back for a third year in a row. The categories will remain the same:

      * first card to arrive
     * best handwritten note
     * best photo(s)
     * best update
     * best overall

The first card to arrive category has already been taken…by a card that arrived in my mailbox on the day after Thanksgiving, while I was decorating for Christmas. It left a huge smile on my face with it's perfect timing, given that I had literally just hung up my Christmas card holder.

With Ian now having his own coffee roasting company, I can't in good conscience give out a Starbucks gift card to the Christmas card challenge winner this year. So, this year I will be giving a bag of Bean Counter Coffee Roasters coffee to the winner.

If you want to join in the fun, but don't have my address, feel free to email me at jgrimbleby{at}gmail.com and I will provide you with an address to send it to. And if you are looking for some inspiration, here are the winners from last year and from 2013.

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