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Family Christmas Giveaway: The Donkey In the Living Room

Christmas Toy Giveaway

Holy smokes. You guys. I am SO grateful for the support swelling around Donkey In the Living Room this last couple months.

It’s hard to describe the wonder I feel when I think about what’s happened so far with this project.

The short recap: This children’s Christmas book, which I first self-published in 2012, helps families begin a tradition that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. (Each night leading up to Christ’s birth, parents and kids use the book to follow the story of a new manger scene figure.) In 2013, many of you know, the project got a serious, full-color, beautifully illustrated facelift via a new hard cover book and matching nativity play set. [Read the whole story here.]

So far this season, the boxed toy set is finding an especially perfect fit with parents (and grandparents) across the country who are looking to extend Christmas beyond an 18-second wrapping paper removal exercise.;) While first reports are bright (it’s sold out of several conferences and Amazon), what really strikes close to my heart is listening to parents and grandparents talk about why they are purchasing them. They truly want to break away from a retailer-dominated celebration and infuse a little more faith and family time into Christmas this year. But, many of them say, they haven’t always known how or where to start.

When I spend even five seconds imagining their kids and grandkids–and other kids across the country–sitting on their relatives’ laps and reading together about Jesus for 10 days this year, my heart lights up like I am five-years-old again. The Donkey In the Living Room has outgrown my initial aims. It’s become a gift–not just to my readers or their kids–but TO ME as the author. I couldn’t be more grateful for this chance to watch and hear stories and share a small part of helping people across the country spend quality time with their kids.

And here’s the bonus.

To celebrate the remake and launch of this book, my publisher (B&H Kids) has graciously agreed to give away 3 Nativity Toy Sets and 10 books to blog readers and online supporters like you.

There are two ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post and tell me which little loved ones–in your family, in your circle of friends, in your church etc.–you are entering in the giveaway. (You may enter once per child so feel free to leave several comments.)

2. You can post a link to this contest on social media using the hashtag #ChristmasDonkey. You may enter via social media twice per day on each social media outlet (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

We’ll draw all the names at random this Friday and announce them on the blog Saturday morning (also known as 33 days ’til Christmas).

In the meantime (or later on), if you’d like to pick up your own Donkey toy set for your kids, nieces and nephews, or grandkids, even though Amazon is currently sold out, you can also purchase them at your local Christian bookstore and most major online retailers such as Lifeway, Barnes and Noble, and ChristianBook.Com. You can also pick up the book by itself–minus the toy–at Target.Com or Walmart.com. [UPDATE: Amazon has re-ordered and should have more in stock soon.]

I wish you and your family the merriest of Christmases both this year and for many Christmases to come.

Sarah

Comments Disabled

Joan November 18, 2014 (7:35 pm)

I would love to win this for my niece Kenzie. Thanks Sarah!
Lori Biddle November 18, 2014 (7:43 pm)

Ever since I met you at the event with Ben Arment – I knew you had a contribution even outside that amazing circle of leaders to make! You treated me as if I were someone important to you that day – it meant a lot after lots of ministry years!

God blessed me with my first grandson last year – Oliver! He was 1 in August! I would be proud to give him a gift-set!

Have a blessed Christmas Sarah!
Rick November 18, 2014 (7:52 pm)

I am digging that these are wooden. Count me in to enter for my nephew Ty.
- Susan fox November 19, 2014 (11:44 am)
  
  I would love this ;)
Staci November 18, 2014 (7:54 pm)

LOVE THESE!! I haven’t seen a better gift idea since I don’t know when! I am totally buying these for my kids & their cousins whether I win or not. :):):) Great idea!! So glad you did this.
Anne Vyn November 18, 2014 (7:57 pm)

I would love to win this for my 4 little grandchildren: Sierra, Easton, Ezra, and Paige.
Sheila Ritchie November 18, 2014 (10:01 pm)

Sarah, I love this book and can’t wait to get my hands on a few. We have a big box of Christmas books that we read every night once December started. Even now as my kids have moved into their teens and twenties, we still occasionally snuggle up on the couch and read ‘Who’s Coming to Our House?” or “Auntie Claus”. I am planning on buying this for my sweet niece (9 months), Juliana and nephew(3), Denver, to add to their family’s Christmas traditions.
Sheila Ritchie November 18, 2014 (10:06 pm)

Sarah, I don’t want to be redundant, but do want to increase my odds and share about some of the special little ones in my life. I also want to give these to my great-nephews and niece, Riley(7), Jax (5), Keagan (3) and Paxleigh(18months). I want to share with them the things I love about these books: reading, faith, Christmas traditions and Jesus. Can’t wait!
SAUNDRA HARRIS November 18, 2014 (11:24 pm)

LOVE THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO SHARE ANOTHER. COPY WITH CHILDREN, PERHAPS FAIRFIELD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY. STACIE SAID THE LIBRARIAN THERE WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
Rebecca November 18, 2014 (11:31 pm)

My son loved the ebook last year and I’d love to give him the real wooden set.
Rebeccda November 18, 2014 (11:32 pm)

I’m also entering for my two nieces and nephew.
Rebeccda November 18, 2014 (11:33 pm)

And my other two nephews!
Sarah November 19, 2014 (3:29 am)

Entering for Madison
Sarah November 19, 2014 (3:30 am)

Entering for Quinn
Sarah November 19, 2014 (3:30 am)

Entering for Olivia
Sarah November 19, 2014 (3:30 am)

Entering for my nephew Nikhil
Sarah November 19, 2014 (3:31 am)

Entering for my nephew Deklan
Sarah November 19, 2014 (3:32 am)

Entering for my nephew Easton
Lauren November 19, 2014 (10:04 am)

Lily would love this! You have done such a great job!
Krissy Lanz November 19, 2014 (10:05 am)

I’m entering my niece mattilyn
Krissy Lanz November 19, 2014 (10:05 am)

I’m entering to win for my niece matti
Jackie M. November 19, 2014 (10:23 am)

I’m entering to win for my kids – Chelsea and Brendan. And one day to be shared with friends who have kids. :) So excited to do this!
Cori Baumann November 19, 2014 (10:28 am)

I would love this for my kids. Entering for Judah and Ben and Abby!
Cori Baumann November 19, 2014 (10:29 am)

I would also like to enter for my nephew Charlie
Angela November 19, 2014 (10:29 am)

Entering for Caden-my 3 year old sweet tender hearted child. He loves to read and loves talking about Jesus!
Cori Baumann November 19, 2014 (10:29 am)

And one more entry for my church nursery at Crosspointe Church
Angela November 19, 2014 (10:30 am)

Entering for Callia-my precious 14 month old girl. We desire for her to have a heart after Jesus!
Amy Jones November 19, 2014 (10:55 am)

I would give them to my nieces and nephews or surrogate grandchildren!
Merry November 19, 2014 (10:59 am)

I would love to bless my nephew Brayden with this wonderful gift
Merry November 19, 2014 (10:59 am)

I would love to bless my nephew Braxton with this wonderful gift
Merry November 19, 2014 (11:00 am)

I would love to bless my niece Carrie with this wonderful gift
Merry November 19, 2014 (11:02 am)

I would love to bless Miss Kim’s nursery school class with this gift
Cindy H November 19, 2014 (11:08 am)

Entering for my sweet oldest son Nathan
Cindy H November 19, 2014 (11:09 am)

Entering for my sweet youngest son Ben!!
Emily Baumann November 19, 2014 (11:32 am)

I would love to give this to my 2 year old son, to help him better understand what Christmas is all about!
Rebecca Trotter November 19, 2014 (11:32 am)

A couple of years ago my 7 year old picked up the baby from our nativity set and asked, “I forget – who is this supposed to be?” So . . . Yeah. Our family could use the help! ;)
rosemary November 19, 2014 (12:09 pm)

This will be my families second year with the donkey in the livingroom and I’m glad to say my 18 year was just asking if we are gonna do it again so awesome great job Sarah
Amanda November 19, 2014 (12:54 pm)

I would love to win this for my kiddos!!!
Justina November 19, 2014 (1:39 pm)

My son Christopher
Justina November 19, 2014 (1:40 pm)

My son, Anthony
Kathy McGregor November 19, 2014 (1:40 pm)

I’ve already purchased the book for our schools “Jingle Bell Christmas” which gives a Christmas party for children who do not have much….such a well done book for children. I would love to be able to give it, as well, to my niece’s 3 year old son, who has had a very tough year. Thanks.
Karen November 19, 2014 (1:42 pm)

Would love to bless my “grand” nephew Gunner with this.
Brett spencer November 19, 2014 (2:22 pm)

Entering my nephew Sam! God bless cousin Sarah ;)
Katy Chowning November 19, 2014 (2:54 pm)

I am entering for my 4-year-old twins Hunter & Stella! I’ve been looking for a *meaningful* tradition to start with them that doesn’t center solely around presents, and this just sounds perfect.
Melissa Lee November 19, 2014 (5:08 pm)

I would love one for my son Micah.
Melissa Lee November 19, 2014 (5:09 pm)

My son Isaac would love to win this!
Melissa Lee November 19, 2014 (5:09 pm)

My son Caleb would love to win.
Melissa Lee November 19, 2014 (5:09 pm)

This entry is for my daughter Bethany.
mongupp November 19, 2014 (5:56 pm)

Entering for my son, Noah.
anne November 19, 2014 (6:11 pm)

I am entering for my granddaughter Elaina.
anne November 19, 2014 (6:11 pm)

For my grandson Max.
anne November 19, 2014 (6:11 pm)

For my grandson Jordan.
anne November 19, 2014 (6:13 pm)

For my granddaughter April.
Kristin A. November 19, 2014 (7:18 pm)

I would love to win one for my daughter Addison!
Kristin A. November 19, 2014 (7:18 pm)

My son Austin needs this to help him remember why we celebrate Christmas.
Kristin A. November 19, 2014 (7:19 pm)

I would like to introduce my one year old Ainsley to the true meaning of Christmas.
Kristin A. November 19, 2014 (7:20 pm)

I think my nephew Drew would enjoy this!
Kristin A. November 19, 2014 (7:20 pm)

My nephew Connor would love getting to open a new figure everyday.
Jodi November 19, 2014 (10:30 pm)

I would like to enter Jenna. We have been talking about the True meaning of Christmas!
Jodi November 19, 2014 (10:31 pm)

I would also like to enter Adam. We learned about this book through Melissa!
Priscilla Ramsey November 19, 2014 (10:37 pm)

would love to win for a friends little
boy Caleb
Anna November 20, 2014 (12:02 am)

Entering for my daughter Bailey!
Anna November 20, 2014 (12:03 am)

Entering for my daughter Sophie!
Anna November 20, 2014 (12:03 am)

Entering for my son Max!
RJ November 20, 2014 (9:44 am)

For my little one and my two sets of nephew and niece :)
Jennifer November 20, 2014 (4:01 pm)

Our sweet 3 year old, Autumn Elizabeth.
Nance November 21, 2014 (11:07 am)

I’d like to enter my god-son, Hudson.
Nance November 21, 2014 (11:08 am)

And I want to enter his little brother Harrison – I’d love to get a chance to offer their family this delightful sounding Advent teaching tool! (And if we don’t win, I’ll probably just buy them one :)
Marie November 21, 2014 (12:34 pm)

This is sooooooo amazing!! I love the book to give information to the nativity. What a great way to extend it for advent. We would love to be blessed by this wonderful gift. Thank you for filling the need. Merry Christmas :)
Rebecca November 22, 2014 (11:23 am)

i would love this for my precious granddaughter Annabelle. Her Grandpa and I are raising her and want to make sure she knows the true meaning of Christmas.
Sarah November 22, 2014 (4:27 pm)

Thank you to everyone who entered! Please check your email if you won (and even if you didn’t) as there will be second chance drawings if prizes go unclaimed. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Karen November 30, 2014 (8:25 pm)

I would love to win a copy of this set Bc I am wanting to start an scavenger hunt at my church to show the true meaning of Christmas to the community around us.