The Holiday Contest Is Here!

Grab your mug of hot chocolate and settle in for some serious fun!  The week we've all been waiting for is finally here :)

Yes, Hanukah and Christmas of course, but also the world famous Holiday Contest!!!  (Or, if it isn't world famous yet it soon will be!)

The First Annual Holiday Contest is officially open!  Post your own version of Clement C. Moore's traditional poem 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.  Your entry must be at least 12 lines/3 stanzas, not to exceed 40 lines/10 stanzas.  Entries may refer to any winter holiday you celebrate (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.) or to any combination of winter holidays, or no holiday - just a good winter-time story if you're not comfortable with a holiday.  And if the idea of writing in rhyme strikes fear and loathing into your heart, you may write a prose version not to exceed 350 words (and if anyone dares suggest you're wimping out well then you just tell them to talk to me!)

Entries must be posted on your blogs or, if you don't have a blog, copied and pasted into the comments on my blog between now and Thursday December 22 at 11:59 PM EST.  Once your entry is posted, please add the direct link of your post to the link list below.  There will be no Would You Read It, and hence no new Wednesday post this week, so this post with any entries in the comments and the link list will remain up for the duration of the contest, making it easy for everyone to read all the entries!

And the prize, lest you may have forgotten?  My lovely assistant judge and I will choose 3 finalists for you to vote on Monday December 26 (so you'll still have something to look forward to even after you've opened your presents :))  The winner will receive their choice of a $15 Amazon gift card (to buy themselves whatever book they really wanted and didn't get as a holiday gift :)) or the 2012 Children's Writers and Illustrators Market!

We got 21 entries for the Thanksgiving Contest which was SO much fun!  Let's see if we can beat that!

As an aside, before I post my just-for-fun sample entry, I just have to tell you that any mention of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas automatically makes me think of Larry The Cable Guy's "'Twas The Night Before A Non-Denominational Winter Holiday" - the supposedly  PC version of this holiday tale.  If you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself to check it out, but I can't in good conscience link to it here on my child-friendly blog because it is a bit off color :)  (Still, if you've seen it or if you watch it, let me know what you think!  I confess it causes me to ROTFL :))

Okay then, boys and girls, I hope you're ready for some truly epic poetry :)

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

by Susanna

‘Twas the night before Christmas and at the North Pole

The workshop was totally out of control.

And what do you think had come out of the blue

To cause all this riotous hullaballoo?

A phone call delivering notification -

The reindeer had won a Hawaiian vacation!

“Pack up your suitcases!  Do not delay!

Your splendid vacation begins right away!”

“Hawaii!” the reindeer cried out in delight.

“Palm trees and sand, not a snowflake in sight!

It’s the chance of a lifetime, dear Santa,” they said.

“That may be,” replied Santa, “but who’ll pull my sled?

All ‘round the world there are good girls and boys

Who are counting on us to deliver their toys.

We can’t let them down just so you can have fun

Swimming and surfing and soaking up sun.”

“You’re right, “said the reindeer.  “Of course we must stay.

Forget the vacation.  We’ll hitch up the sleigh.”

The reindeer went off to their work looking sad

And Santa was left feeling pretty darn bad.

“Poor Dasher and Dancer and all the reindeer.

They deserve a vacation.  They’re good every year!”

“I know!” said his wife with a smile on her face.

“Perhaps someone else could go out in their place!

But who could we get to come out right away?

Who would be able to pull that huge sleigh?”

“Great Scott!” hollered Santa, “I’ve got just the scheme!

Cousin Ira’s Alaskan Iditarod team!”

Santa knew his last minute request would be iffy

But Ira was ready to help in a jiffy.

When Santa was packed, set to be on his way,

Eight eager huskies were hitched to the sleigh.

“On Putter!  On Pookie!  On Piggy and Pup!

Good heavens!” said Santa, “who thought these names up?

And how in the world do you make these dogs go?”

“You just have to use a command that they know.

Mush, puppies! Mush!” Ira spoke to his crew.

Then up in the air and away they all flew.

And Santa exclaimed ere they drove out of reach,

“Merry Christmas, dear reindeer, have fun at the beach!” 

Now then, if that doesn't cause fear and loathing of rhyme I don't know what will! :)

I literally CANNOT WAIT! to read all your entries!  They will surely be better than that one!

So.  To the entries!  Please post the direct link to your holiday contest post in the list below or paste your entry in the comments!  Let the fun begin!!!

P.S. Although we won't be having Would You Read It this week, we will still be having Perfect Picture Books on Friday so be sure to stop back for that!