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Inside the SEARS Wishbook — A $500 Grant a Wish Giveaway!

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This post is a sponsored post on behalf of SEARS via Izea.
The opinions, memories, and words are mine.

Every year when I was a kid, my mom would sit us down with the Wishbook from Sears. She’d have us make list of what we wanted for Christmas…. The tradition came with a solid promise that at least one item on each list would end up under our tree. My list kept me busy for hours — busy dreaming, and wishing, and learning the life skill of filling out order forms.

When I got with this special assignment, Would I be part of the SEARS “Don’t Just Give a Gift, Grant a Wish” program? You can bet that Wishbook was the first thing I thought of — the miles of lists and the piles of wishes all through my childhood.

The request was simple: I would get a $500 gift card to buy whatever I wished. Then I would go to Sears.com to put together three $500 gift packages — so a lucky reader will get to choose the one they wish. Two cool complicated, positive problems to solve. Who wouldn’t go for chance like that?

More about my wishtory in a minute.

Towels, Socks, and Underwear

Ah walking into the the Sears Flagship store at State and Madison in Chicago — It was like walking inside the Wishbook for real. I met @AmyDerby, who brought her camera, at the coffee shop in back. Amy and I fueled up on coffee. (I had a caramel latte.) Then we got a cart, looked around … wandered aimlessly … stopped to look at the “Chipmunks Movies,” and talked about passing lyrics to Chipmunks songs with @Starbucker via Twitter. Not many folks know the words anymore.

Shopping is more fun with someone you like.

We walked on overwhelmed by the clothes, jewelry, and beauty products. They’re nice, but not what I’m after. We didn’t really know where to look first. How do you wish when you’re surrounded by so many things and your holdiay shopping is already done?

Don’t you just love the towel all lined up that way? I never buy any because it makes me want all of the colors. Where would I put them?

Luckily I had asked Grandma whether she had one more holiday wish I might grant. She said, “Do something for yourself, but remember — get socks and underwear.” So we over to the socks. We played a bit with the multi-toed muppet socks. Then I picked out three pairs of dress socks for meetings … 3 pairs of socks for $10 …

Time for a new plan, this rate we’d be there until 2020. Underwear was out.

Wishing for a Good Night’s Sleep — Pillows and More!

My wish was a good night’s sleep. Nights are short in my life. Sleep is precious.

Down the elevator, past the luggage, through the rug aisle, straight for the pillows we went. Big, beautiful, fluffy pillows. The best white down pillows were what I was after. My husband and I hadn’t bought new pillows this century. Now we were talking wishes happening — four of them.

For better sleeping, my husband wished for an electrostatic air filter — fresh air in a high rise building is a wish worth having. On the way to the that filter, we stopped and got him a hair trimmer he’d been looking at the night before. It took two seconds. When we said we wanted, Iza, the woman who helped us with the pillows, knew exactly where to find it.

We’d got those wishes, but one wish was still whispering in my head. We were off to electronics.

That’s When We Met Dick Tracy

We saw iPod accessories, brand name computers, and a display of Flip Video cameras (already have one and love it). I was in blogger heaven.

I was headed to a real camera to replace the grainy iPhone photographs on my blog. Problem is, I didn’t know what I wanted. I called @BeckyMcCray who advised in a flash — pun intended. Now I could talk to the man — and he was the man — Richard Tracy. He answered every question I asked — and a few that I didn’t — about my new Olympus FE-360 camera. Amy took our picture while we talked. That’s it up there.

Boom! I had a camera I knew would make my pictures look good.

That afternoon Amy and I had a meeting planned. So we took a few more pictures and I talked to the guy who would be holding my stuff until the next day. Amy took care to see that details were looked after in fear that I’d get back and my packages wouldn’t be there.

We took light stuff with us. Well, we got the camera at merchandise pickup in 1 minute and 40 seconds. Gosh, they were nice. One person brought the camera to us, but three people found reasons to smile.

The whole shopping adventure cost $558.81 — and $57.32 of that was taxes.

One Hitch, But a Happy Ending

The next day, I returned with my husband to pick up the huge pillows and air filter. A manager on the elevator recognized me and said “Hi!” My husband was impressed. Unfortunately, the guy who said he’d be working when I returned wasn’t there and my stuff wasn’t either. No one seemed to know where to find what I’d bought and I had a meeting in an hour.

Special Thanks to Jessica, the third floor manager, who came to the rescue. She problem solved by thinking through who might have moved it and where. She realized that my stuff was placed in layaway overnight. Jessica turned around an almost unhappy ending to what might have been a perfect experience. Her thinking got me to my afternoon meeting just in time with everything. No harm, no foul.

Granting a Wish for You!!

The second part of this cool assignment was to put together three Grant Wish Packages that I thought a reader here might enjoy. That was pressure …

ENTER TO WIN!! A $500 WISH PACKAGE Giveaway!

The second part of this sponsored assignment is where I hope your own wish comes true. I’ve put together three Grant a Wish packages. (Well, @Tojosan and my husband helped me with them.) The winner will receive the package he or she selects. You’ll find the official rules here.

The Three Wishes I Designed To Choose From Include

Chicago DVDs Wish

Toshiba 10.2″ WIDESCREEN PORTABLE DVD PLAYER
Sears item# 05799414000 Mfr. model# SDP101S $349
And 11 DVD Movies all Made in Chicago

  • The Dark Knight DVD
    (Widescreen, Special Edition, 2PC) $22.99
  • Wanted
    (Widescreen) $20.99
  • I Robot DVD
    (Widescreen, Special Edition, 2PC) $14.99
  • The Blues Brothers
    (Widescreen, Anniversary Edition, 2PC) $14.99
  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
    (Widescreen, Special Edition, 2PC) $9.99
  • Road to Perdition
    (Widescreen) $7.99
  • Risky Business
    (Widescreen, Anniversary Edition, Deluxe Edition) $14.99
  • The Untouchables
    (Widescreen, Special Edition, Collector’s Edition) $9.99
  • Proof
    (Widescreen) $14.99
  • Chicago
    (Widescreen) $9.99
  • Wayne’s World
    (Widescreen) $7.99

Cool Tools Wish

Images, Music, and Words

How to Enter to Win a Wish!!

You can enter via blog comment, tweet, or blog post.

To Enter by Comment: Leave a comment here with the name of the wish package you would like to win.

To Enter by Twitter: Tweet out the following message: “RT @lizstrauss please grant my wish to win the #Sears (package name) – tweet to win your own wish http://urlbrief.com/1aba4d”

To Enter by Blog Post: Write a post about the contest and linking back to your post. Be sure to leave a trackback or a comment linking to your post.

Good luck with the contest, and I want you to win a wish too. I got a chance to meet some wonderful people, to remember what wishes are about, and how fun they can be.

Don’t Just Give a Gift, Grant a Wish — and if you get a chance, tell a wishtory of how someone made a wish come true for you.

And remember there’s only one rule: BE NICE!

My Wishtory

Some cool kids — real celebrities — are telling their wishtories over at Sears.com
Mine is simple. You’re looking at it — my blog.

My Dad didn’t give me a chance to visit his saloon … he showed me the meaning of community.

Every holiday card I write brings back thought of those wishbooks, and I sign most with hope that all of our wishes come true. This year SEARS didn’t just give me a gift, SEARS granted me a wish of my childhood … one that I’d never, ever that would come true. That’s me, sitting with the lighted reindeer, thinking I’m probably not the right age for next year’s Wishbook cover, but knowing I have the feeling they’re going for.

Thank you, Amy, for coming with and getting these pictures for me.

If you want to know more about Sears Gift Cards, that’s here.

The preceding was a sponsored post. For more information about the sponsor SEARS or the contest see Izea.
It’s the spirit of the season!! Thank you.

Comments

  1. Hi Liz! How cool is this? Sounds like you had a fabulous time! I tweeted for the Images, Music, and Words wish gift… what a dream!

    I keep seeing these $500 gift card giveaways popping up all over, but this is the first time I’ve seen one blogger (you) be setting up packages and giving away, not one, but three!

    You go, Liz. 🙂

  6. Thanks for doing this post, Liz! I know you had some great fun with it and the good folks at Izea and at Sears I’m sure have had fun too! I twittered about the images, words and music package. I’d so love to win this! It would go a long way in providing some measure of help for my favorite charity (Alzheimer’s Association) through a local nursing home. Its my wish that we find a cure for this awful disease and I’m working hard this year to see that we do! I hope your Christmas is Merry and full of the spirit that you show every day!

  7. What a great giveaway…I’m wishing for the Images, music and more package! I will retweet as well…

    A very Merry Christmas to you!!!

  8. My wish is for the Images, Music and More package … I love the mix of Apple tech and Moleskin tradition 🙂 You did a great job creating the packages!

  9. Hey Liz,
    How wonderful to have a contest giving away wish packages! I would love to have the Images, Music and More package! It includes two gifts on my shopping list AND something for me!
    Merry Christmas!
    Teresa

  18. Thanks Liz …. Although I would enjoy the TOOLS – I would have to go with the Images, Music, and Words as the whole family could enjoy.

    In HIM, Barry

  19. Wow. I have never seen anything like this before. How absolutely awesome. I’ve been very Scroogie about the Holiday Season this year but reading your post and seeing those “wintery” pics definitley snapped me back to where my mind should be this time of year. I wish for me to win the Images, Music and Words package so that to share with family. Great blog and thanks again! Now I just have to figure out how to post this on my blog. I’m very new to blogging but trying to learn!

  20. great article!!! OH The cool tools package would be great for my dad and brother! The both work in trades, and they would love extra gadgets, I’m in law school and don’t have any funds to get anyone nice things- this would really show them how much i appreciate them!

  21. Liz,

    Great post! And what a fun experience. Glad to hear your stuff was found and you made it to your meeting.

    With everyone in my family being sick – one after the other – for the past almost 3 weeks, Christmas shopping hasn’t happened yet!

    My wish from your list would be –
    Images, Music, and Words.

    Hope you have a great week!

    ~ Annie

  22. Heya Liz,

    That Images, Music and Words pack is sweet sweet! You shoulda grabbed all those towels. The colors are fab.

    Nice job on this.

    Your favorite mosquito.

  23. Fabulous contest! It’s going to be a very tight Christmas around here and hubby and I are focusing only on the kids. I would love to win the Cool Tools pack as a surprise for him. He deserves it!

  24. What a nifty idea! And, I’d wish for the Images and Music gift package, too, but really? I’d wish for the money to buy my Dad a new computer because he needs one so badly! Homebaked Stollen can only go so far for making this a satisfying Christmas! (Especially this year.)

  25. Wicked cool Liz! Happy to see that you’re one of the bloggers doing this!

    I’m all about the Sears “Images, Music, and Words” package… I need a new camera (sat on my old one!)
    🙂

  27. Santa Liz,

    I’d very much like the images words and music package …

    I’ve been a very good girl.

    When the sears catalog was old, meaning when it was past christmas we used to tear it apart and collage all the images – I had forgotten about that

  28. Liz,

    Talking about the holiday catalogues brings back such wonderful memories. As kids, my sister and I would dig through the Sears catalog circling things we wished for. It was like a fantasy.

    I’m all grown up now, but still a big catalog browser. Browsing the choices above, I’d love to win the Images, Music, and Words collection.

    Thanks for taking part in this Sears effort to share a little joy during the holidays.

    Cheers.

  31. This is such a nice thing you’re doing, Liz!

    Every year, I participate in a Malaysian “Share-A-Gift” campaign by a local bookstore called MPH. I would pick a few cards (containing the children’s names and ages) from the Christmas tree and buy them a book gift 😀

  32. Great concept and great contest. I always loved my Grandmother’s Wish Book, great memories. I’d also love the Images, Music & Words package. 🙂

  34. Congrats on being selected to give away one of the packages – very cool! If selected, I’d choose the Images Music & Words package. My husband could really use an iPod while he’s working.

  36. Ohh, I remember the Wishbook! For me it was the fabulous trunkfuls of pseudo-Barbie clothes–like, dozens of gorgeous gowns and accessories. They were perfect for my pseudo-Barbie doll.

    I don’t see that on the list, though. 😉 So, I choose the “Chicago DVDs” wish, to bring back memories of Christmases in Chicago!

    I’ll tweet it out, too. Thank you for sharing the fun, Liz!

  37. What a great program! Particularly since it inspires good memories for you.

    Images, Music, and Words –> yes, please!

  38. Images, Music, and Words package would be amazing. I know someone who could really use a pick me up for Christmas.

  40. I have fond memories of shopping at Sears with my grandmother every Christmas. The one close to my grandmother’s house had a little snack counter where they popped the best popcorn ever! It came in these little bags. Of course, my grandfather was a die-hard Craftsman fan.

    I’d love the Images, Music and Words prize package. There’s something for everyone in my family to enjoy in that package.

  42. I would be absolutely thrilled to be considered to win your Images, Music and words package. Three things I love most in life, pictures, music and writing. Sounds like you had a grand time on your shopping adventure. Have a great day, and happy holidays. :]

  44. Oh, Liz. How I loved the Wishbook! Thanks for reviving my fond memory of the countless hours I spent “studying” the Wishbook–imagining all of the possibilities it presented and deciding which ones to campaign for. I was a privileged child in every way, but one of the greatest privileges was the creative opportunity the Wishbook permitted for me to choose the toys and other delights that would most suit me.

    You have done a great job of putting together three enticing gift packages. In the unlikely event my name is selected, your third package is my favorite.

    Thanks again for providing me with a mental excursion to a very happy childhood experience.

  45. I would love the cool tools package for my husband,he has had a bad year,with his plant closing an him finding a job at less than half his old pay an us having to move 1200 miles,thanks for the chance

  48. How fun that you put together packages! Sounds like you had a great time with the whole experience. I’d like to enter to win the Images, Music and Words package.

    Happy holidays!

    Janine (@janinea on Twitter)

  50. This is a great giveaway. I remember my brother and I used to wear the Sears Wish Book out dreaming about what we might get from Santa. My choice would be the Images, Music, and Words package. Thanks for sharing!

  52. Generous giveaway! I’d love the Sears package, “Images, Symbols, and Words.”

    Thank you so much!

  54. Liz – Charlene passed it along; great idea! I’d love the “Images, Symbols and Words.”

    So nice of you!

  55. I really want the images,music and words wish list but being that I’m “starting over” in 2009, I’ll be needing the “cool tools” instead.

    I think this is a brilliant marketing idea. The Sears Wish Book was always the basis for our Christmas lists when we were kids – so many warm and wonderful memories!

  59. The Chicago DVDs wish sounds like an incredible package! It would be so amazing to be able to give my brother the portable DVD player for my niece and nephew! They hate riding in the car!

  63. I love all three! If you are forcing me to pick one, I’ll say the Chicago DVDs Wish package. Many thanks for a spectacular giveaway!!!!!!!!!

  64. Liz- What a great idea from Sears and Izea! Thanks for sharing. I, along with many others, like the
    Images, Music, and Words package.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Lisa

  66. If I were the winner I would love to choose the Images, Music, and Words package, this is such a fantastic giveaway,and thank you for allowing me the chance to enter it, Merry Christmas and GLTA

  68. Love the Images, Music and Words. My grown son would love these prizes, as he always spends his Christmas money on his 3 boys. He would be very surprised.

  70. The Images, Music & Words package is very nice. I love that you included notebooks. One can never have too many notebooks…

    JLHalsted(at)hotmail(dot)com

  79. I’d love to win any of these great prize packages, but my first preference is the Chicago DVDs wish. I live in Illinois, so it’d be great to have DVDs that were filmed in my great state. Thanks.

  82. Enjoyed your post – thanks for sharing your experience. I’d like to enter for the Images, Music, and Words giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity to win some really awesome products.

  84. Nice packages you put together. At first I thought the Chicago package was for the band…hehehe.

    Anyway, my favorite is Images, Music, and Words. Thanks for the opportunity.

  94. I’d like to win the Images, Music, and Words package. I’ve been looking out for a new camera, but haven’t had the money to buy one. And the Ipod is pretty cool too. This would make my family happy 🙂

    Thank you

  97. If I won, I would really love the images, music and words package. Thank you so much for offering this chance and Happy Holidays!

  98. This is a wonderful contest!!!! I would love to win the Images, Music, and Words package. I would give the camera to my husband and I would keep the iPod for myself.

  99. Chicago DVD’s wish is my pick. I would love to have all those movies and the player is a huge bonus. Thanks for the chance.

  101. What a fantastic contest! I sure would love to surprise my husband Cool Tools Wish. Sears to him is like a candy store to me..lol.
    Happy Holidays!

  104. My 16 year old daughter “borrowed” her older brothers camera to take to camp, it came home with a dent and now only works occasionally, she would love it if her babysitting money from now to eternity didn’t have to go to replacing his camera! So, I’m going for the Images, Music, and Words package.

  106. I would choose the image, words & music package. It would have something for everyone in my family.

  107. I would choose package Images, Music, and Words. I need a new camera since I just dropped my old one.

  109. That sounds like so much fun! Those had to be some hard decisions though. I love how you put the gift packages into themes too. I would love the Images, Music, and Words package. My kids some how keep ending up with all of my stuff.

  115. Such a great idea. this is a wonderful program. I personally like the Images, Music, and Words package. thanks so much.

  117. I would wish for the Cool Tools. We live in a fixer-upper. My husband has been teaching me to work with tools and I would love to have these for us to use. Thank you.

  118. Family time around the ps3 is my holiday wish for this season.

    Sony PLAYSTATION 3 160GB Uncharted Drakes Fortune Bundle
    Sears item# 05896009000 Mfr. model# 9803

  137. Images, Music, and Words would be my choice. One of my children has an ipod touch, and they ALL want to use it, so another one would help alleviate that pain, especially after she moves out this summer. And I could really use a new camera!
    I love your post,I used to go through the Wish book, too.

  142. I would like to win the Images, Music, and Words package. I would gift the iPod touch to my hubster. He’s a runner and would love it. Oh yah, I’d give him one of the notebooks too and give the other to myself. Then, I’d gift the camera and case to a friend who has 3 kids and lost her camera. She NEEDS it.
    Thanks for the chance! You’re a gem.

  144. I’d love to win Images, Music and Words……I smiled thinking about the Sears Wish Book and the endless lists we made and revised over and over. What fun this must have been for you! Thanks for the chance and Happy Holidays!

  146. The Chicago DVD’s wish would be great! I could make a lot of people on my Christmas list happy with this wish package!!

  147. Living near Chicago (NW Indiana) I have no choice but the choose the Chicago DVDs package….although I know I shouldn’t forget socks and undies…;-) Thanks for the opportunity!

  149. I would LOVE to win the Images Music and Words package. You picked some amazing gifts, thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity! I have been wanting an iPod Touch for sooo long.

  153. I think I would have to go with the Images,Music and Words package. I have become a real shutter bug since I started blogging and could really use a new camera.

  154. The Images, Music, and Words package is amazing! That’s what I would choose. And yes, I definitely remember my Sears Wish Book times growing up!

  155. Awesome gifts, I’d love to win the Images, Music and Words package. I’d love to win any of them!
    Happy holidays and I’m giving Sears gift cards to my family. I’ve forgotten what a great store Sears really is!

  156. Images, Music, and Words!! All I can say is that I would be in heaven. 🙂

    Such an awesome project and it’s wonderful that you get to choose your own packages! 🙂

  158. Cool idea, thanks. I think the Images, Music, and Words package would be awesome. That would cover my gifts for a couple people…

  163. I would LOVE the Images, Music, and Words package. As my family will have our first Christmas together and moving into our first house in January, I would LOVE to have the camera to document these experiences. WOW and an Ipod…as a new mommy I NEVER get to listen to ANYTHING but Elmo and Barney so having an Ipod would be AMAZING!

    Thanks,
    Jen Hinton
    jen@poshpointofview.com

  165. Awesome packages that most have taken all afternoon to put those together. Since I have to pick, I think I would go with the Images, Words, and Music package.

  167. The Images, Music, and Words package is my choice.

    I bet you had fun shopping, but I bet it was also very tiring.

  173. Ok,I love the ‘Cool Tools’ wish package, but since I’m from Chicago (home of Eli’s cheesecake and Gino’s East deep-dish pizza), I think I’m going to go with the ‘Chicago Dvds’ wish package (Ironically, I served as an ‘extra’ on the John Hughes’s Ferris Bueller movie). Anyway, thanks for the great giveaway and Happy Holidays!

  175. Your blog brought back a lot of fond memories. Thanks for sharing it and the contest. I’d like to win the Images, Music, and Words package.
    Happy Holidays to you and yours.

  178. While my husband would want me to win the Cool tools wish, I would be able to give great Christmas gifts to friends and fanily if I won the Images, Music, and Words wish.

  182. Hi, Liz. I’m a South-Bender and shop in Chicago. This is a fabulous side of Sears.

    Although I love Chi Town, Music, Image, and Words would be my choice.

    Thanks for the opp, and have a lovely holiday.

  190. I live in Phoenix now but I am originally from Milwaukee, WI. I’d love the Chicago package to surprise my husband with. We could reminisce about how he proposed to me at the Navy Pier. It was wonderful, except for the frigid cold temps in mid-September. I had a hard time concentrating and I don’t remember most of what he said because the wind was whipping so hard! All I could think about is “let’s go inside!”. Anyway, we’ve had so many good times there it would be fun to watch the Chicago DVD’s!

    Thanks and Happy Holidays!

  191. Images, Music, and Words would be my pick. Such a wonderful contest. Thank you for including me. happy Holidays!

  196. Hi, Liz!

    This certainly is an exciting giveaway! I’d like to try for the Images, Music, and Words wish package. Winning that would certainly brighten my Christmas!

    Thanks so much for the opportunity–and for choosing such fabulous gifts!

    Have a wonderful holiday!
    Jeanne

  197. Images music and words for me 🙂
    thanks so much!
    I think it is wonderful what sears is doing, and you put together some great gift packages! Looks like you had fun!
    generally I am not a receiver, and even though Santa is economically challanged (seriously)… i always do a little to help others as often as possible. I figure in the end, it is all karma right? one day the good shall flow back in my direction!

    thanks again… and have a Merry Christmas

  198. HEY LIZ,
    THIS IS REALLY THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AND I AM SURE YOU WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO THE SAME. I WILL LOVE TO BE THE WINNER OF THE IMAGES,MUSIC, AND WORDS PACKAGE. IT IS IS A GREAT PACKAGE THAT CAN BE DIVIDED AMONGST MY KIDS DURING THIS TOUGH ECONMIC TIMES. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!!!
    KATRINA

  199. HEY LIZ,
    THIS IS REALLY THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AND I AM SURE YOU WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. I WILL LOVE TO BE THE WINNER OF THE IMAGES,MUSIC, AND WORDS PACKAGE. IT IS IS A GREAT PACKAGE THAT CAN BE DIVIDED AMONGST MY KIDS DURING THIS TOUGH ECONMIC TIMES. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!!!
    KATRINA

  204. They are all great but I would like to enter for the Chicago DVDs Wish. Thanks!

    braaisjo at gmail dot com

  211. Wow, the picture on that old Sears catalog brought back memories! My mom did the same with me, I poured over the toy section page by page dreaming of all those things I could have and trying hard to pick just the right one! I miss those days!
    If I won, I would pick the Images, Music, and Words Wish. Thank you for the chance! May the magic of the holidays be with you!

  212. Well, since we just got a house, the responsible choice would be the Tools, but I really want the Images, Music, and Words! It’s more fun to be less responsible!

  223. Wow this is awesome! My choice would be the Images, Music and Words Wish list. Thanks for entering me!

  231. I wish for the Images, Music, and Words package.

    You don’t know what kind of nice memories this brought back.
    Never did get that radio controlled plane, but did get one for myself eventually…

    Thank you!

  243. I’m voting for the ‘Images, Music & Words’ package. I have one son who wants a camera for taking pics, and another who loves music.

  244. I would like to enter the Images, Music, and Words contest. Why? Because I need, not just want, to get my daughter a digital camera for Christmas. I have so missed seeing her beautiful pictures (her camera broke). I have entered every contest imaginable to win her a camera, but alas it is almost Christmas, and I haven’t been able to get one. sad face:( It would make me exceedingly happy to be able to get one for her for Christmas.

  251. A lot of really great packages to choose from. I would like to try for the Images, Music, and Words. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to win such a great prize.

  257. What a fantastic giveaway! I too remember sitting down with the Wish Book and picking stuff out. It was great! My choice would be the Images, Music, and Words pack. Thanks for the chance!

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

  272. Oh the image, music and words packages sounds awesome. My daughter wants a digital camera for Christmas and my friends son really wants an ipod. So that would grant a wish for both of them.

  277. We love to watch movies so I think the chicago dvd package would ne great. Thanks for the chance.

  279. I’m glad you were able to find your stuff! Your heart must have dropped!

    I would love to win the Images, Music, and Words package. Thanks for the chance!

  281. I would love to win the Images, Music, & Words package!!!! With 3 kidlets (a teen, a tween, and a tot) I could use the camera to be kept in my purse to catch all those unexpected moments no matter where we are. My husband works long hours (12+ every day) and never complains about what he doesn’t have. I know that he could really use the iPod for when he goes running or on the long drives from one job to another! And I would love the notebooks to write down my thoughts and unload my brain before bedtime! Thanks so much for the chance!

  290. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

    I’d love the Images, Music, and Words package, sounds great.

  298. Seeing the Sears wish book brought back lots of childhood Christmas memories. I’d love the Images, Music, and Words package. Thanks for considering me!

  305. Wow! What fantastic prize packages you have put together! Clearly you put so much thought into gathering the items for each one and made each one amazing! There is a package that suits just about anyone’s lifestyle and family needs! Thank you so much for all your thought and efforts! If I were to win I would choose Prize Package 3: Images, Music, and Words. I have 3 young children and music is something I think it so healthy to have in a child’s life. This package would truly bring so much fun and entertainment for my family! Thank you for the fantastic opportunity to enter. Happy Holidays to all!

  308. Images, Music, and Words. I could certainly use all of these since they were on my list to Santa.

    Thanks for hosting a great giveaway.

  309. since we are embarking on a whole house update the Cool Tools Wish
    would come in real handy
    happy holidays

  315. Thanks for the chance!
    I really like the Images, Music, and Words package that you put together.

  318. Hello,
    How wonderful to have a contest giving away wish packages! I would love to have the Images, Music and More package!
    Merry Christmas!

  319. Aw, don’t be silly. You’re never too old or young to have fun, or take pictures with lit-up reindeer! 😉
    Glad you had fun, because sometimes, with all the work that surrounds us, people do forget to enjoy themselves a bit.

    If I were to choose one of these, I would choose the Images, Music, and Words package. My younger brother has been longing for a few items recently, one being a digital camera, but I haven’t gotten around to getting that for him since I just bought him an iPod. And I certainly wouldn’t mind having an iPod of my own!

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I’m sure whoever ultimately wins will be extremely grateful!

  321. Hi I would pick the Images, Music, and Words if I was lucky enough to win. Thanks so much for the chance.

  324. Great packages, hard to choose but I would pick the Images, Music, and Words package. Thanks for the great giveaway!

  326. I would be over the moon if I won the Images, Music, and Words giveaway! I have been a Moleskin fan since I was a teenager! (The other prizes aren’t too shabby either!) Thanks so much for your generous giveaway!

  331. I would love this pkg. – Images, Music, and Words! They are all great pkgs though hun. You did great. TY for giving your readers this wonderful opportunity also! Happy Holidays

  332. So hard to choose…do I select one for me or someone else…if I win? I suppose Id have to go with the Tool package for my hubby. He would love having all those tools for work.

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

  333. My Wishstory:

    A wish for me was to be able to have weightloss surgery. And after 16 months of paperwork struggles, I finally got to have in done this past March. I have gained a life back, and learning a whole me that was hiding. I am down 86 lbs and my diabetes, acid reflux, fatty liver etc GONE!

  340. I’d love to win the Images, Music, and Words package. If I win, please deliver it early on a weekday so my daughter won’t be home to lay claim to it 🙂

  341. Even though the tool kit sounds great, The Images,Music and Words prize would make great gifts for my kids. Kids first.

  343. Images music and words, even though the toold would be great but my husband had no idea what a phillips head is

  345. Reading your post brings back fond memories of my own. My mom also used to sit my sister and I down with the Sears catalog when we were little to shop for Christmas gifts. Of course, as children, we had no idea of the sacrifices our parents made to make us happy. During the holiday season, I like to take a little time to reflect on how lucky I have been to have been blessed with such a wonderful family all my life.

    I would like to enter for the Images, Music and Words prize package. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Happy holidays to you and your family.

  348. I like the third choice, the Images, Music, and Words. Thanks for this awesome contest and I’d also like to thank Sears and Izea.
    Happy Holidays to you all.

  349. Hi Liz
    When you showed me the camera you got at the bar, you convinced me that blogging is the way to go. I would like to win one of those cameras.
    Bill
    (You know who I am. Say hi to Wayne.)

  351. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win the Chicago giveaway since I grew up in Chicago and now work in Chicago.

  352. What a great giveaway. Thank you for hosting and thanks to Sears for the great prizes. I’d love to enter for the Images, Music, and Words package. Hope to win!

    Happy Holidays.

  357. I would love to win the Cool Tools Wish for my hubby–he would love it. Thanks for the giveaway.
    aghendrickat]AOL[dot]com

  362. I’d love the Images, Music, and Words package. (And if I win, I’m not telling my husband I had a choice and picked that over the Cool Tools. Some Christmas spirit, huh?)

  365. The Images, Music and Words looks fantastic! It looks like you had a great time, even if it was a bit of pressure. I think you did a great job, thanks!

  366. I’ve gotta go with the “Cool Tools” package. My husband would go nuts and think I was the best wife around. Wait a second, he already does think that. Hmm… I’ve changed my mind. I’m going with the “Chicago Dvds” 🙂

  369. What a wonderful Christmas story and maybe a new tradition. If I were to win, I would choose the Images, Music and Words package. Thanks for the opportunity.

  371. Wow! I would be thrilled with any of these great packages but I would love to win the Cool Tools Wish for my father. He’s 81 years old and states that a man can never own too many tools.
    Thanks for the fantastic giveaway.

  374. I think this is so cool, I would select the Images, Music and words package, thanks and good luck to all of you

  375. the chicago dvd’s list would be a great thing to have. it would be fun to plug these movies in when the kids come home to visit—i think we would all enjoy watching them together!

  378. Dear Liz,
    Wow, Images, Music, and Words would make my Christmas *VERY* special!

    Thanks and Happy Holidays!

  381. Liz,
    What a great post and a wonderful gift for 3 lucky readers! You sure seemed to have loads of fun! I would opt for package 2-Cool Tools wish as it would excited my husband, the tool junkie. Thanks to you and to Sears for making holiday wishes come true!

    shelcows AT gmail DOT com

  392. I’m having a very difficult time deciding from the Chicago DVDs Wish and the Images, Music, and Words Wish. Sooooo… I would love to get either one. Since my kids are young and as such, I don’t really get gifts for christmas (it all goes to them which I love!) this would be an awesome surprise! Thanks and Happy Holidays!

  394. The Images, Music, and Words gift wish package really excites me, and I would love to give parts of it to my daughters as well, so they would be sure to have a nice holiday too. Things’ve been hard as of late with my husband having left us.

    Beautiful gifts you created, it’s good to be back here and see your smiling face again! *smile*

    When things slow down again and get to a semblance of normal, I’ll be a regular reader once again. I’m not so much of an SOB at the moment.

  403. I would like the Images, Music, and Words package. So awesome!

    I just signed up for Twitter, but I can’t figure it out yet.

    I don’t have a blog.

    Merry Christmas!!!

  404. Don’t we all need a chance for a Wish Come True in these difficult economic times. I know for me, 5 teenagers, 2 dogs, 1 cat and a hubby, I wouldn’t mind a wish come true, but I also know of so many others who could use the same helping wishful hand!

    Isn’t that part of the child within us all wanting to Believe in the Magic of the Season!?!
    May I never become to old to believe with awe and wonder during the holiday season.

    My Wish, I Wish ~ Chicago DVD Package
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I’ve blogged the contest at:
    http://alwaysknitalways.blogspot.com/2008/12/sears-grant-wish.html

    Happy Holidays!

  410. Chicago DVDs Wish
    we really need a new dvd player so we can have our family movie nights. please grant my wish!

  412. I’m wishing for Images, Music & Words. I’m a visual person who experiences music and books in three dimensions. The whole sensory experience makes this package a dream come true.

  413. I’d like to win the cool tools package. We sure need some new tools. My husband would be thrilled. Thank you for the chance.

  417. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I would love to win the Cool Tools Wish package! I think my hubby would fall in love with it more than anything else lol. Thanks again!

  419. I remember the Wishbook well. When it came in the mail, I got my pen and circled all of the gifts I wanted my parents to get for me. Then I turned down the pages where the items I really wanted were located. Luckily my parents had a good sense of humor because the wishbook had so many wishes pointed out in it.

    I distinctly remember a great Christmas where my wish came true. I asked Santa for the Atari game system because I had seen it on television. I was about 8 and at the age when I wasn’t sure if Santa was real or not. A day or two I found the mailing slip from Sears addressed to my Mom and the Atari system was on it. So there wasn’t a Santa, but Mom made sure that a game I really wanted was MINE! For the next two days, I waited it out quietly knowing that my wish came true.

    I am wishing for the Cool Tools because I want to have a set of tools that are mine. My sweetie hides the tools on me. That screwdriver looks very useful for putting up blinds.

  421. I like the selection you made in the Images, Music, and Words package. I’d love to put the Touch through its paces.

  440. You brought me back to my own childhood. we had to make out our wishlist with the same promise for our dad (parents were divorced)…wow…hard to believe this was the same deal I had going at christmas…
    anyway, I chose Images, Music, and Words — we’ve had to sell so many of our stuff here to keep afloat, that it would be so exciting to replace a few things for hubby for him losing his stuff…awesome giveaway idea!

  443. I’d love to win the Images, Music, and Words package – Oh yes I would! Thanks for the contest!

  444. Images, Music, and words. Tell Sears that because of this contest, I chose them to finish up the remainder of my holiday shopping this year!

  445. Im choosing the Cool Tools Wish for my husband. He works so hard all year, just to provide for his family. Things have been hard this year and I think he deserves a treat now and then. This would be perfect for him.

    Thank you for the great giveaway and the opportunity to give my wonderful husband this treat.

  446. Chicago DVDs Wish
    The first wish package would be for my kids and probably my husband. My kids enjoy movies the most.

  448. Images, Music, and Words
    This wish would be more for me. Thank you for giving my family a chance for these wishes. Happy Holidays!!!!

  449. The Images, Music and Words package is awsome! I’d love to win!
    Thanks for putting together such awesome packages and thanks for the giveaway!

  450. I would love the Images, Music, and Words since I really need a new camera. Thanks for the opportunity.

  455. I’d love to win the Chicago package as a gift for my cousin who is moving to Chi-town next year. This DVD package would be a perfect graduation and going-away gift for him to get him ready for his new life. Thanks!

  460. I used to spend hours pouring over the Sears Christmas catalog each year also! It was so fun dreaming about the gifts 🙂
    I love the Images, Music, and Words set. It has something for everyone in my family.

  466. please enter me for the images pictures and more I would love to win this for my brother and his family who is doing without this year because he lost his job then I lost mine and we simply cant afford anything

  467. I am a woman without tools and so in need of them, I have to fix things so my wish would be to have the Cool Tools Wish!

  469. Images,Music, and Words describes everything I want for my two girls…they are 6 and 4 and the digital camera would be so wonderful for capturing all of the funny things they do!

  471. The Wish Book brings back so many great memories! I wish for Images, Music, and Words. Thanks and Happy Holidays!

  473. I used to sit at my aunt’s place and drool through the wish book, since my mom never got one! The Images, Music, and Words package would suit us fine! Merry Christmas.

  483. I would love to win the Cool tools wish package. Only recently have I been getting basic tools together for projects for the kids and I know that these would surely come in handy. Thanks for putting this on.

  487. Cool tools for sure, thats a handsome list of tools and would like them very much and my thanks. retirenaval(at)yahoo.com

  488. It’s hard to choose, but I love movies, so I would choose the Chicago DVDs gift set. Thanks for having the great contest and Happy Holidays to all!

  492. All of the packages look great…it
    s hard to choose! I will go with the Images, Music, and Words. Love that iPod touch.

  494. Hi. I would really like the Images, Music, and Words package. Thank you for having this giveaway!!!

  495. Images, Music, and Words. My current iPod is dying and I’m in serious need of a new one except my budget won’t allow it.

  496. i’d like to win the Cool Tools wish. My husband can definitely use these!
    Thank you and Happy Holidays!

  502. I remember the Sears Wish Book, too. It was an event when the catalog came! I spent many hours wishing I could have all the Breyer horses (and later the Star Wars toys) that they pictured.

    You’ve put together some great packages, and my favorite is the Images, Music and Words collection. I have an iPod Nano, but I really want something that plays video, and Moleskine journals are wonderful!

  510. I would love to win the Cool Tools Wish for my wonderful husband who always puts everyone else first.
    Thank you so much for the wonderful contest.
    Happy Holidays !