Macy's Great American Elf Adventure

A couple of weeks ago I found out about an insanely complicated contest that Macy's is having... and since I'm always up for a contest (and the more challenging and crazy the better) I thought I'd have a crack at it.

First, I had to get one of Macy's daily clues on Facebook...  The clue I found was something about "sparkly ties".  I told you this was a crazy contest!  Next, you had to follow Macy's on Twitter.  So, I did that and found out the password for the day was "Tom Turkey".

Still with me?

Next, I had to go to my local Macy's store... not online... IN PERSON... and this meant braving the 100+ temps we've been having and dragging the kids along... NOT EASY MACY'S... ha ha!  I had to find the "sparkly ties" and ask for "Tom Turkey".  So, I ran to the menswear department looking frazzled from the August heat and screaming "I'm looking for the Christmas elf!"

Needless to say, the very pregnant employee that I nearly knocked down had no idea what I was talking about, but after about 15 minutes of semaphore hand signals, morse code, and sighing... I finally got a manager to ask me for the password "TOM TURKEY" and he handed over this box...  containing a huge vinylmation elf.  Woot!

Once I scored the elf, I had to take it home and decorate it.  Here's my first elf pig concept drawing...

I decided to listen to my daughter and ditch the piggie elf because she said, wisely "there are no pig elves at the North Pole"... duh.  I also thought he looked a lot like an upside down ice cream cone...

But my little one kept screaming PRINCESS and PINK in my ears until I couldn't think of anything else... so that's what we decided on...  Princess Holly the Proudly Pink Elf.  Based on a drawing by Holly (age 6).  She made me promise to include "eyelashes and glitter".

Ta da!  Finished.  I don't think it's a coincidence at all that she kind of looks like me.  Pictures taken, I uploaded her (front and back view) on the Macy's Facebook page... and waited...

Macy's viewed all entries (shockingly other people did these same shenanigans) and they picked the top 85 finalists.  Well, Miss pink princessy elf made it to the finals! Yippee!  We are now "ELF 14".

NOW the tough part starts.  I have to call, text, beg, plead and post everywhere until everyone on the planet votes for me.  It's a simple contest from now on.  THE MOST VOTES WINS.

Oh, I forgot to tell you about the fabulous prize... the winner will have the elf turned into an enormous BALLOON in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  And get a trip to NYC to watch the whole show.  Isn't that crazy awesome?!  I mean, I think I would have added a few more steps to this nutty contest if I was creating it, because the prize is JUST THAT GOOD.

Seriously now, I need all the help I can get to make sure my little elf wins.  I ain't too proud to beg!

To vote for me, please...

1.  LIKE Macy's page (on Facebook):
http://www.facebook.com/Macys

2. Then, click the GREEN "Vote For Me!" button under my entry picture:
http://apps.facebook.com/macyself/?entryId=1516527&type=3

That's it!  I did notice some people tried to vote for me by posting comments on the app.  Comments are appreciated, but don't count in the vote tally.  You must click the GREEN BUTTON under my elf for your vote to count.

Voting is one time only per Facebook profile, so after you vote please share it, tweet it, email it, or otherwise encourage people to VOTE PINK!  Of course, you can also share or tweet this blog post!

My son was born in NYC, but we had to leave when he was too small to remember any of it, so this would be an awesome trip for all of us.  And I've been a huge fan of the Macy's parade forever and I really find it hard to even put into words what it would feel like to see my little artsy elf bouncing down the streets of New York.  Seriously... this contest is just beyond amazing!

So, check my elf out... and please vote.  I'm counting on you and you and you and most of all YOU.

Happy Holidays from ELF 14!  Hope to see you soon ON TV!!!! :D

UPDATE:  Well, we gave it our best shot and out of TEN THOUSAND entries, we were not the winner, but our little elf made it into the TOP TEN.  Of course, I would have loved to win, but being part of this contest really was a fun adventure.  Congratulations to the winning elf, Gazer, who looks like a moon.  I can't wait to see him in the parade!