I closed comments at 6:00pm yesterday after I finished approving the last minute entries. I then ate my supper while adding those last minute entries to the spreadsheet. I then hit random.org for the winner. While there are 1276 singular comments on the post, some were linkbacks from myself and other HP Magic Giveaway contest sites which didn’t count but, more than that, some held multiple entries (which made more work for me, but I was feeling generous). As such, we had nearly 1350 entries for the contest (give or take as I don’t care to open it back up for the final number). I entered the info. Pressed the button. And our winner is: entry #122!
The way that fell on the spreadsheet, our winner is KC! (She as asked not to share her legal name, which she properly shared for tax purposes, on the blog as she doesn’t share it online.) She and her husband have had a rough year with the economy and are excited as to how winning this prize package changes their holiday ability to give. We discussed quite a few things over email and I can tell you, like any of you who would have won, this family is truly grateful. I feel a peace in their winning, a feeling that our family has been able to give something special to another family this year. Not that I wouldn’t have felt that with almost any other entry but, it made me feel good that the family receiving the gift is truly grateful! I’m sure you understand.
I want to share something with all of you who entered. It is simply this: thank you. Thank each and every one of you. I have truly enjoyed reading your stories, interacting with you and meeting so many new people. While I am not best new buds with anyone yet, I have made some new friends, contacts and followers in this process. Through that I have been continuously reminded that everything really happens for a reason. I have hosted a giveaway of this magnitude not just to gift another family with an awesome prize package but to branch out and meet new people. And spread some more holiday cheer!
I know some of you are likely disappointed. To be brutally honest, I was quite sad to pack everything up for the FedEx man today. It all looked rather happy sitting in my house. All the same, I encourage you not to look at this as losing. You’ve all been a part of something amazing. Why don’t you click through some of the blogs and meet new people as well? Or, even, get in the spirit of giving and Elf someone? Or, if you’re particularly bummed, do something nice for yourself today. My guess is that you deserve it.
Also, thanks for largely keeping the entries whine free. It was very nice! That said, keep post-giveaway whining to a minimum, please. Any harassing comments as other sites have received will be forwarded to your ISP. We’re a family friendly site here. Keep that in mind.
Thanks again for making our HP Magic Giveaway a success!