Here at The Recessionista the staff (me, myself and I) are violently opposed to the mere suggestion of Scroogenomics. Like Dicken’s transformed Ebenezer Scrooge, The Recessionista“will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ” To prove our commitment to the spirit of giving and the holidays, The Recessionista, in cooperation with American Express, has a special holiday surprise. We are giving away 10 American Express gift cards each week, over a 2 week period in the amount of $25.00 each. That means 20 of readers of The Recessionista Blog, 10 readers each week, will have the opportunity to win a gift card for holiday shopping. This is very generous on the part of American Express. Thank you American Express!
Check out the American Express Holidays Sweepstakes site for a chance to win a $100,000 Gift Card prize.
Pictured: My favorite movie Scrooge, Alistair Sim in the 1951 movie version of “A Christmas Carol.” If only he had given Bob Crachit a $50.00 gift card, he could’ve avoided the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future!
As all good recessionistas and frugalistas know, the possibilities for giving and spending with an American Express gift card are virtually limitless. These gift cards are good for dining out, theatre, concerts, events and shopping. Unlike some other universal gift cards, American Express gift cards have no fees after purchase, so they are 100% gift, 0% fee for the recipient. That means you get $25.00 on the card, not $23.50 after the fee. It’s a wonderful life when you have an American Express gift card in your pocket or handbag. Please note, these cards are only good in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Here’s what do you need to do to win one of these American Express gift cardscards. Write me a little comment by Dec. 20th at midnight PST/3 am EST and tell me what you would do with the prize of a $25.00 USD gift card. A few thoughts:
- Would you run out to the mall?
- Get a a new frock or piece of jewelry
- Enjoy a wonderful dinner.
- Run screaming from your home on Christmas morning trying to buy the biggest Christmas goose ever.
Let me know by posting a comment here. To enter to win simply leave me a comment with e-contact information leave your email like this: xxx at yahoo dot com so the spammers can’t pick it up). Remember, there will be 20 lucky winners, so don’t be shy with the comments. Your efforts may just be rewarded. I’ve heard from many of you throughout the year about tough times you are having and challenges that you are facing. I’m so happy that we have some wonderful companies offering nice giveaways for all of you this week. Please take advantage of them. Eschew that lump of coal! There are no bad readers of The Recessionista Blog!
Since 2008, Mary Hall has been the author of 
63 Comments
I would give it to my teen to go to the mall with
mellanhead74 at hotmail.com
I would run to get my husband a new watch or perfume. Our anniversary is coming up on Dec 20th actually!!! So it would be perfect timing….
yay for AmEx! Let me see… $20 that close to Christmas? No doubt it will arrive just as I am waking up realizing I forgot someone! OH! And I'll use it to ease the panic without addind to what will have been an already overspent budget!
OR- says the voice ont hte other shoulder-
I could carefully tuck it away and go shopping after Christmas on my birthday and buy something for me… hmmm… I really want a wristlet and the Coach Outlet had a pretty one in silver that I could get with $20.00 oh dear, that second voice is getting stronger!!!
cailinmarie at hotmail dotcom
I would buy groceries. Times are tough!
LOVE gift cards – they are so handy for holiday shopping in a pinch!
I'd probably use it to get more kitchen stuff. I've been baking up a storm lately and would love to expand my collection of tools.
I would use the card to buy some sweet treats for my family and friends. the holidays are all about food and fun.
suzannabunny@gmaildotcom
I would use the gift card to buy baking supplies for my annual holiday cookies. I make all different types, put them in pretty bags and give them away to friends.
I am still doing Xmas shopping so I would definitely get some toys for nieces and nephews
ann.altima at gmail dot com
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
I would buy some cute jewelry from Etsy!
jeannineyep at gmail dot com
I would either use this towards the purchase of something I have been saving up for or use it to purchase a last minute gift (if I was in a bind)
Thanks so much for this!!
meredithjohns1 at gmail dot com
I would go to ModCloth's website and buy one of the many things I've been drooling over lately!
tamerastake@gmail.com
I would use it to get some make-up to make me sparkle for the holidays!
marci2 dot miller at gmail dot com
I would use it to have a lunch date with my husband.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I would use it to help pay for my boyfriend's Christmas gift!
Denise
FrugalLuxe at gmail dot com
I would use this to get a new wallet for my dad, it's literally falling apart
nnabeela10 at gmail dot com
I would treat my husband and mom to some gifts. Nice expensive watch for my husband and a iPad for my mom. They both take such good care of me.
allisonlichtenberg@gmail.com
I would go out and get my niece something.
karenar22 at yahoo dot com
I would buy stocking stuffers for my girlfriend! dlcwins55@yahoo.com
I would buy christmas dinner! tracietrump@yahoo.com
Happy Holidays!
I would love to use it for a nice meal on a date with the bf. We've been so busy and a 'date night' has been LONG overdue. Thanks!!!
ciiindyyy at gmail dot com
i would get a massage or facial..
[lyndagp at gmail dot com]
I would take my husband out for a sweet treat. He deserves it working hard to arrange his 90 year old father's care from a distance. Thanks for the chance.
raphaelrosemary@gmail.com
would love to buy a dvd, so we can enjoy on family movie nights.
ewy111(at)yahoo(dot)com
You know what? I probably would run out to the mall to get me something nice at sephora. I spent way too much money there
shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
I'd treat my mom to a nice lunch. She deserves it!
chelem01 at hotmail dot com
(It's a zero between the m and the 1)
My brother & his girlfriend spend money on each other like crazy! Even though I'd RATHER forfeit giving him anything for his immaturity. I need to show my love by giving him something he NEEDS…a cash card, Yay!
panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would use this towards Christmas Eve Dinner.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Hmmmm…I kind of like the “Run screaming from your home on Christmas morning trying to buy the biggest Christmas goose ever.”, but my neighbors would definitely call me in! Sooooo, I'd gather my family together (8 of us) and we'd jointly decide what to do with it. Much more of a sane decision!
iamhis1(at)yahoo.com
Honestly? I save every dime I can get my hands on so I can move out of this town. It's too violent here.So,I would save it.
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
What a great giveaway. I would spend the $25.00 on something extravagant the I would not normally buy. Perhaps it would go toward a bottle of perfume or a beautiful dress. Whatever it is it will be like a Secret Santa gift for me.
VictoriaN
chian97 at yahoo dot com
I would do something for my brand new grandbaby, cause I am a grandma now and spoiling is part of the oath I took!
Livelaughlovecj at gmail dot com
Merry Christmas to everyone!
I am saving up to buy a new laptop, so I'd put it toward that.
lifeblessons at gmail dot com
I would use it for grocery shopping… more important than clothes shopping right?
www.clothedmuch.com
I would use it to hit the post-Christmas sales on decorations. I lost all of my decorations 2 years ago in a fire and I am very slowly rebuilding my collection.
ape2016(at)aol(dot)com
I would buy an outfit for my first grandson to be born in April.
ellenthum at hotmail dot com
I would put it towards a Kenneth Cole necklace I saw at the mall.
glcs4 at hotmail dotcom
My daughter's birthday is right before Christmas, so I would use it to take her out for a special birthday/holiday brunch… I would really love to win one!
bookgirl.234 at gmail dot com
i would use it to buy new clothes- i am in dire need of clothes.
flyergal82 (at) yahoo DOT com
I would apply it to my SO's Amazon account because he buys everything from Amazon: electronics, groceries, appliances, anything, everything, you name it. Just about the only thing he doesn't buy from Amazon is books!
My husband and I are saving up for a house and have agreed to eschew gifts for one another this year. If I got this card, I would run out and get him a little something (probably a video game) for Christmas. Fingers crossed!
wvumegan at yahoo dot com
If I were to win, I would definitely take my family out to dinner. My parents have always been busy and on Sunday's we all do our things separately. I miss the family bonding time. My siblings are too busy with their friends to care about anything. I hope that we would get more family bonding time. No more stress and work. More relaxation and bonding! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
fairywater at gmail dot com
I think I would likely go to the after Christmas sales and save at least 50% of on something! (I am extremely frugal!)
baypayments@yahoo.com
If I won, I would give it to my parents so they could go out to a nice dinner, on me!
KikiZoe86 at Yahoo dot Com
I've been really stressed lately so I would use it to do something relaxing, maybe go see a movie and get a large popcorn
cholden76 at yahoo dot com
I would take my family out to the movies this Christmas season.
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Those lucky $25 would be spent on a movie date with my boyfriend. He has been paying for whenever we go out as I try to clear my credit card & student loan debt, so it'd be nice to treat him for once!
I would take my son out to dinner.
My husband and I would use it to buy Christmas gifts. We just graduated college, and we are so desperately wanting to give back to our families who have supported us. However, trying to pay the bills and loans makes it a bit tough to give as much as we'd like!
(This is going to sound silly) I've been so careful about my Christmas shopping this year — everything purchased carefully in advance, sale by sale, in cash; I'll use wrapping paper bought last December 27th. But, o!, I want to be able to buy just one something spontaneously. lycidas9 at gmail.com
I purchased Christmas presents for family (and a ruthlessly edited list of friends) all the year round, sale by sale, always in cash. I bought my wrapping paper last December 27th, the cards in January. What I'd give to go into a shop and buy something for someone completely spontaneously … lycidas9 at gmail.com
ACK! I'm so sorry for all the comments from me! I didn't realise you screened, and thought I was doing something wrong — oh dear. — Rita
yay! i would give it to my sister who is applying to grad school and could really use the $ amex $ for study materials, but it's so boring to open those on christmas!
I would use the card to buy my mom a Christmas gift. We lost my Dad this year and it would be great to treat her to something special
aquastainedheart at msn dot com
I would take my Mom out to dinner
what I would do with a 25.00 amex gift card is spend it on two bottles of trader joe’s reserve pinot noirs!
jan miller
tomjanmiller at verizon dot net
Since my family is so blessed I would use the card to purchase more presents for the angel tree
Kathycouchon@att.net
I would spend it on my kids on after Christmas sales
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I think I'd splurge and get a lil bottle of wine and a couple of steaks for the BBQ and have a nice quiet dinner with my husband. Thanks and happy holidays. email is in my profile.
I would give it to my mom. She deserves something special.
charisscharity at yahoo dot com
I would use the gift card for a date night with hubby
triciaco at cox dot net
I just moved to Vancouver for my husband and am missing American shopping more than words can express! I'll be home in CA for Christmas and would be SO excited to be able to go to shopping. The prices here are atrocious!! I haven't been able to afford anything since moving.
melca98 at gmailxcom
I would pay to check a piece of luggage. I'm moving to Alaska from Michigan and shipping is just out of the question. Checking an extra piece of luggage is much more cost effective, but five pieces? Yes, it's starting to get expensive, not to mention the $600 one way plane ticket.
akslevin AT gmail DOT com
I'd probably use it to get more kitchen stuff. I've been baking up a storm lately and would love to expand my collection of tools.