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Merry Christmas from American Express – GIVEAWAY

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This will sound silly but one of my favorite things at Christmas is when you think all the gifts have been opened and then you find one more tucked behind the Christmas tree! It’s like finding $10 in your winter coat the first time you pull it out of storage! Those extra little surprises are so much fun!

So, although our Christmas Giveaway ended last week, we have a few more gifts tucked away behind the tree! We just can’t help it! We love spoiling our readers! However, instead of that $10 you find in your winter coat….how about $50!!!

We are giving away FIVE $50 Gift Cards from American Express! AND we have FIVE more being donated to our Under The Tree Program!!!

blank_card

If you are thinking of giving your loved ones a gift card this year, consider the American Express gift card. Unlike some others, American Express gift cards have no fees after purchase. That means that your loved ones won’t be surprised with those pesky extra fees for activation, checking the balance, monthly servicing, or card replacement. The only surprise is the fabulous gift card itself! Oh, and the funds on the card never expire!!!

You can also customize your American Express gift card with a personal message to the recipient or choose to give the new limited edition gift cards designed by pop-artist Peter Max.

Peter Max card

Now, for your chance to win one of these fabulous gift cards simply leave us a comment telling us:

What would you buy for yourself this holiday season with a $50 American Express gift card?

As always, you can earn even more entries: subscribe to our Feed, sign up for our 5M4M Newsletter, add our 5M4Giveaways button in your sidebar, write a post and link back to this contest on your blog, and spread the word via Twitter or email! Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

This giveaway is open to US shipping addresses and ends Friday, December 18. Our five winners will be announced Saturday, December 19.

Thank you so much to American Express for donating all of these wonderful gift cards for this giveaway and to our Under The Tree program!

We did not receive any incentives from American Express for writing this post. We just want to spread a little more Christmas cheer to our readers and our Under The Tree families!

Written by 5 Minutes for Mom Contributing Editor: Stacey Lynn

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735 Comments

  1. I would give it to my mother to put towards a first payment of pet insurance for her new puppy. She was so thrilled to get him- gave her new meaning to her life, but only to find out that he has lots of medical problems! She can’t afford to pay all the vet bills, but needs money to put towards insurance for the pup!

    Reply

  22. So wonderful to read that there are no fees. I’m always a bit suspicious of these kind of cards, but now I know which one I’ll choose when I buy gifts in the future.

    If I won, I’d buy a pair of El Naturalista clogs. They are the BEST. My favorite shoes, for sure. BUT they are very pricey so this card would give me a little under 1/2 of what I need. I’m sure that I could scrounge up the other half somewhere. 😉

    [email protected]

    Reply

  31. I subscribe to your feed. I’ll have you know that going to my reader to do so distracted me for about half an hour, and I forgot I was entering this!

    Reply

  38. being fresh out of college & finally landing the “real job” – every newbie to the professional world needs some good dress clothes, right? because let’s face it – these black dress pants from 10th grade that i’ve been sporting aren’t exactly cutting it anymore 🙂

    xoxo
    thanks for hosting this!

    Reply

  41. What would you buy for yourself this holiday season with a $50 American Express gift card?

    I would buy me a new shirt and spend the rest on my kids 🙂

    thanks

    Reply

  42. I would buy new clothes. I just had a baby so nothing fits right now. I am wearing short sleeves to work in the winter, brrr!

    Reply

  45. I would buy myself some BareMinerals makeup. I am almost out, and during this time of year, I don’t usually buy things for myself, so this would be great!
    ~Tanya
    the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com

    Reply

  48. For myself? That’s tough! There is a gorgeous mother’s necklace that I’ve been eying, I might buy that. Or use it toward the purchase of an Ergo. Or new jeans… Or shoes… Or work clothes that are easy to nurse in… Most likely, I’d be overcome with indecision and then end up giving it as a gift to someone else!

    Reply

  51. I would use the gift card toward the purchase of an SLR camera I’ve been wanting for SO long- and I hope to purchase for my bday in January!

    Reply

  60. I don’t think I would buy something for myself but instead something for my hubby. He really needs a new bike helmet and the $50 would help that out a lot.

    Reply

  62. I wish I could just spend it all on myself. There are so many fun things I would like… call me crazy, but there are a few new cloth diapers I would like to try. I could use some new shoes. But in reality, I would use it to pay bills. We have had a few really hard months financially, and some bills have been pushed aside. I really want to get those taken care of, so… that’s my Christmas present to myself! 🙂

    Reply

  63. I need some professional clothes because I am a single mom and student and am starting an internship at a CPA firm in January!

    Reply

  64. I seriously need professional clothes for work. I’m a high school teacher, but in the winter I dress like one of the students because I have no money to buy nice outfits. I would totally buy myself a couple nice looking long sleeved shirts (rather than sweatshirts!) and dresses for work. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply

  67. I’d give it to my daughter as a gift for Christmas since I haven’t been able to buy her much this year. Thanks for the offer!

    Reply

  69. Wow, 50 bucks to spend on myself…That rarely happens!LOL! I think I would go for a new Crock Pot since mine has kicked the bucket!
    sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com

    Reply

  83. What a great giveaway! Thanks so much for offering! I would give this to my niece or my brother, it’s been a rough year for them!

    Reply

  88. It’s a toss up – I’d either take myself and my husband out on a date night or I’d take the family to the Hibachi grill – my daughter LOVES the Hibachi grill but it’s expensive so we don’t get to go very often!

    Reply

  96. Wow…for myself, it says for yourself??? With 4 beautiful children and stealing from Peter to pay Paul, I haven’t been able to spend $50 on myself in years. Since the loss of my job I have learned to dismiss my own wants so quickly, I can’t think of anything for “me”. I would have to say I could really use some new interview clothes. (It may help give me a topping impression in this horrific economy and my dental scrubs really aren’t what a employer is looking to see you in at an interview) However, there are a zillion things I need spend it on for my kiddos like coats, hats, gloves, shoes and and and!

    Reply

  110. I’d buy some flannel sheets — you can never have too many flannel sheets in the wintertime!
    Megret
    musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  111. I would buy something for my kids…I havent even started and its the 13th of December however I did graduate from college on Friday night!!

    Reply

  112. I would buy something for the kids…. I havent even started and its the 13th of Dec. However I did graduate from college on Friday night…..

    Reply

  122. I would definately use it to buy something nice for myself….seems like mom always give and gives. I am thinking a day at the spa with wine and of course no kids alowed (although i love her dearly).

    Gina
    [email protected]

    Reply

  123. I’d really like to buy my son some stuff so he sees something under the tree. But i had to buy myself something i think i would get a pair of pants and maybe a pretty shirt. thank you

    Reply

  134. Oh Wow, I would get new boots.
    Geez, I think I will need them with the weather we have been getting.
    Thank you

    Reply

  136. I would use it on gas and groceries, it’s not a matter of what I want, but what we need. I would splurge on some ice cream for sure! Great giveaway, thanks!

    Reply

  143. I subscribed to your newsletter. I would either give the card to my daughter who is trying to put herself through college to become a doctor and Mom isn’t able to help out much. Disability check doesn’t go that far. I am so proud of her. Maybe I will have good luck since the giveaway is on my 52nd birthday!!!

    Reply

  162. I would use this to get my husband or kids something for christmas and if I spent on myself I would treat myself to a mani/pedi I haven’t had someone else give me one in years.

    Reply

  163. For myself? Oh boy. I would buy a Cuisinart Slow Cooker. My current slow cooker is really, really old, and on it’s last legs (it is really ugly too LOL)

    Reply

  165. My first thought was to buy a much needed pair of boots for myself. Then I remember going by our local homeless shelter. There is a sign out front that posts needs. Usually it lists food items or paper products. It now says “needs” adopt a family for Christmas. If I win one of the $50 gift cards I will use it for this purpose, And maybe I could find some others to match the $50 and make it go further.
    Thanks for the opportunity.
    God Bless and Merry Christmas, Pam

    Reply

  174. what would i buy myself we i have been saving for a serger that i have wanted forever and if i won this i would buy me a new serger, i love to sew and have been saving for my serger for awhile now.

    Reply

  186. I would buy myself some clothes. Seriously in need of something new. I have not been shopping for myself in 6 years. Seriously that’s been long enough.

    Reply

  207. I’d use the $50 towards a Kindle… then, when begging and pleading with my husband about buying the Kindle proves unsuccessful, I’d probably buy a new crock pot or a pressure cooker, which my dad convinced me I need.

    Reply

  210. I would buy myself new underwear! You know how it is…mom’s leave themselves last when it comes to buying things when on a budget. Mama could use some new britches! ha!

    Reply

  215. I would buy myself some warmer maternity clothes. It’s gotten awfully darn cold around here lately and none of sweaters fit.

    Reply

  221. I would LOVE to use this to buy MYSELF a GUARANTEED gift I like this year! (It would still be from someone else! AMERICAN EXPRESS!)

    Reply

  228. OK, it would be so difficult for me to buy something for myself but if I HAD to spend the money on me, I would buy some new jeans and some clothes that actually fit. I have lost a good deal of weight since my divorce and this would be such a treat.

    Reply

  229. I really want a pedicure. I hardly ever have one (maybe five in my lifetime and I am over 50). Would love to splurge! Thanks!

    Alyzabeth’s Mommy for 14 Months!

    Reply

  234. I would use the card to buy a pair of winter boots. I realized this week I don’t have anything like that to keep my toes warm in this cold season!

    Reply

  239. I allways put others before myself and never have the money to get myself the things i need but im desperately in need of a winter coat and that gift card would certainly help me out cause right now i cant afford a coat but i surely need one.Thanks for the chance to win and GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!

    Reply

  240. “Dominion: Intrigue” – the expansion for the base Dominion game. I found it a lot more fun than I thought I would. 🙂

    Reply

  254. I would buy some new clothes. I’ve lost a lot of weight in the past little while and nothing I have fits quite right, or even sorta right at that.

    Reply

  259. With $50 I would buy myself a massage, I am trying to pull together Christmas for my family as well as my parents who are currently living on unemployment and I am seriously stressed out. A few minutes massage would certainly help relieve some of the stress that I’m about to explode from right about now!

    Reply

  267. I would buy myself a nice NEW vacuum. My current vacuum is a hand me down from and it has seen its use and needs to be replaced.

    Reply

  276. If I had to buy something for myself? Not the house or the kids or my husband? I think the Wicked Soundtrack and a mani or pedi. Something completely frivolous that I wouldn’t do normally!

    Reply

  281. I can’t decide between buying more sweaters or a new camera bag for my early christmas present from my dad!(NikonD60).

    Reply

  288. I think I would (& will whether I win or not) go to the pet store or animal shelter and buy a kitten to replace the one we just lost. And a whole new set of “cat” items, bowls, litter boxes etc. That will make my childrens Christmas alittle brighter, and not so sad.

    Reply

  290. i would spend it on my step sister. we have only grown close latly due to my step father being ill. we have come to love each other thru this time together. she is a wonderful person and im glad i got to know her better.

    Reply

  291. I would shop for my hubby. We don’t have a lot of money for Christmas this year…so he won’t even buy diet cokes when he’s at work…how’s that for discipline! He deserves something nice.

    Kelly

    Reply

  313. Oh that’s hard because I don’t usually buy things for myself very often. I do need some new underthings, and there is a fleece bucket hat I have wanted for 2 years now.

    Reply

  315. I think i would use them to help get new tires for my car…. the ones that came with it just weren’t cutting it in the snow yesterday! lol

    Reply

  321. Since you asked what I’d buy myself . . . I’d have to say Slippers, or an electric blanket. But, I honestly would probably end up spending it on the kids . . . isn’t that always the way?

    Reply

  330. This holiday season I would spend an American Express gift card on a Christmas present,present(s)for my son or some things for me!

    Reply

  343. I would purchase food for our food pantry – they need it desperately right now! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  345. If I won, I would put this gift card towards a new sewing machine for my mom! She is always hemming and sewing for us and needs a new machine.

    Reply

  349. I really am in need of a new purse, as my old one broke at a blogging event and I haven’t been able to afford to replace it. 🙂

    Reply

  352. Honestly….I would treat myself to an order stuffed with scrapbooking goodies from Two Peas in a Bucket. I’ve been so focused on holiday gifts that i haven’t bought ANYTHING in a few months! It would be fun to splurge a little!

    Reply

  360. I would buy myself some warm pajamas. I just don’t have any and the cold weather is here. I’m so cold! Thank you!

    Reply

  373. I don’t like spending money on myself during the holidays so I would spend it on clothes or toys for my granddaughter.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  375. I would buy myself dinner with a friend.

    I’ve been wanting to take my best friend to a mexican place downtown… this would be so nice!

    Reply

  381. What I would buy for myself with that gift card would be a new pair of sneakers mine are so raggy my kids make fun of me,ha,ha,I spend my money on them so they have good shoes

    vlbelk(at)hotmail.com

    Reply

  389. Let’s see…I think I would buy myself some new good fancy shoes! The kind you never buy yourself but you love to look at. I also have your button on my blog.

    Reply

  396. I’d probably buy me a new pot or two for my kitchen. Thanks for the chance to win.

    crystal_reagan at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  399. With 6 children I would love to use this to finish off Christmas shopping… or maybe give it to my husband so he could take me on a date night!

    Jann

    Reply

  419. The best gift for me would be making family memories together somewhere. So, I would spend it on tickets to Christmastown at Busch Gardens for me and the family.
    thanks!

    Reply

  423. A $50 gift card for Christmas? I’d start knocking off some of the books, etc. on my Amazon wish list. Reading is my guilty pleasure but spending on myself isn’t much of an option this time of year!

    Reply

  425. For myself, I would buy some yarn and, if there was any left over, a new knitting book! Thanks, I’d love to win this! 😀

    Reply

  426. If I received a $50 card I would force myself to by something for me that has nothing to do with my family or house. Maybe some shoes or clothes. 🙂

    Reply

  461. I would use it to treat myself to a hair salon and finally cover the grey hair that seems to be coming in by leaps and bounds. That would be a nice treat 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

  466. I’m now following you ladies on twitter ‘jcaplus2’. Wow, you are twins–I’m ‘jca’ have twin girls –they are my ‘plus2’!

    Reply

  471. I’d either use it toward the H&M Jimmy Choo’s I want or save it to use when we go to Disneyworld in February for Social Media Moms. It’s our first family vacation and I’m sure we’ll end up with tons of souveniers. 😀

    Reply

  474. Wish I could buy something fun and frivolous. 😉 I would actually put it towards a good pair of walking shoes with good support. Plantars Fasciitis really hurts! It’s hard to lose weight when you can’t even walk. 🙁

    Reply

  477. I would probably put it to a pair of winter boots. I actually do not have any and my feet are getting really cold. :0(
    bekki1820cb at gmail

    Reply

  479. I am driving home to be with my mom and other family for Christmas. Since my Dad just passed away in September, I need to be with them this Christmas. I would most likely use the card to pay for gas or possibly a hotel for the 14 hour drive to NC.
    wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

    Reply

  481. With $50, I would purchase some sort of organizational item to keep my master bedroom from being the “catch-all” room. That sounds really boring, huh?

    Reply

  486. I would buy a new pair of shoes. Like Tennis shoes or some comfort shoe. Can’t seem to find a pair under $50 these days and I can’t afford even $20 shoes.

    Reply

  488. I subscribe through Google Reader, have you on my blog sidebar and receive your newsletter. This gift card would be an amazing blessing to receive…

    Reply

  491. I never can spend money on myself, if I did I would get some new books, but I probably would spend it on my friends son for christmas presents, they are having a hard time this year and it would help her out.

    Reply

  494. I would probably fight off my urge to spend it all on audio books, and buy something nice to wear…just to treat myself. 🙂

    Reply

  498. I follow your blog in Bloglines. I have a confession to make. I just started reading from my reader. Now realize I have been missing so much from your blog!

    Reply

  518. I would buy a “Magic Jack” for my husband to take to Iraq with him when he is deployed in a few months so that he could call us from his computer. He would really be excited about a gift like that! Thanks for the chance! Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  521. i would give it to one my kid’s teacher. so they could treat themselves after all the hard work this semester..

    Reply

  528. I have lost 99 pounds since January (thanks to Weight Watchers!). I would definitely purchase myself new clothing. I am in desperate need!

    Reply

  536. With $50? I’d buy myself a few items of clothing. However, I’m pretty sure that I’d buy something for my daughter or husband before I bought myself something. It always seems to work out that way.

    Reply

  544. If I won, I would probably buy clothes for the kids! 🙂 We have six and $50 goes a LONG way at the thrift store I shop at!!

    Reply

  554. I would buy some new undergarments — mine are desperately in need of being replaced but since noone sees them I have a hard time spending money on them!

    Reply

  558. I would buy these sunglasses I have been admiring! Can’t seem to spend our money on them, so this would be a sweet giveaway to win!!!

    Reply

  560. I would use it to take my husband out to eat and to the movies. That would be a great Christmas gift for both of us!

    Reply

  570. Mama needs some new boots this season. We just got socked with snow, then rain, and was thundering and lightning just a bit ago.

    Reply

  573. I’d use this towards a good outing with my husband and son. I don’t really “need” anything, so making memories would be the most important.

    Reply

  578. I would take my husband on a shopping spree. And let him select clothes that you can’t actually stick your finger through because they are so thread bare. Clothes that he won’t have to fish out of the garbage in case the wife “accidentally” threw them away. That’s all I’m sayin’.

    Reply

  589. Does it have to be for myself? Because I would probably get some books or craft materials for my daughter – that is my big hobby right now! So I guess it really is for me…

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  594. I’d buy myself some new clothes…I have a one month old baby and I’ve got my body back so I’m ready for some new clothes now!

    Reply

  599. I would love to have this to finish out buying my desk/bookshelf for my scrapbook nook I am putting together in my living room.

    Reply

  601. It’s funny how I’m always buying gifts but never anything for myself. I would love to put the giftcard toward a pair of UGG highkoos that I have my eyes on

    Reply

  633. I’m visiting friends in the Chicago area for a few days over the holidays, so I’d spend the $50 to take us all out for Chicago pizza!!! Yummy!

    Reply

  641. I would buy some WARM socks, and cute scarfs. I really want to win this, Please count me in for a chance. thanks 🙂

    Reply

  644. I desperately need new undergarments and socks but I neglect purchasing them because they are not something that is visibly seen and I’m always putting the babies needs first. It’s probably been 5 years since I’ve purchased new undergarments for myself … BUT I did buy new Spider Man little boy underwear this past weekend!!

    Reply

  648. OOh, for myself huh? I would probably buy myself a couple of shirts…I know, not too exciting but something I totally need!

    Reply

  660. I would buy myself a new winter coat – last year’s shrunk when I washed it in the spring and doesn’t fit at all anymore.

    Reply

  669. I think with $50 I would take my husband out for dinner. For a few months now we’ve been saving up as much as we can for the holidays and so we haven’t had a night out in a while. Hope I win! Thanks for the opportunity.

    Reply

  681. I would spend it on rainboots, which I really need. I never spend much on myself, so I have been delaying this purchase for a long time!

    Reply

  689. Ohhh I love this giveaway! If I won, I’d want to use it to have a date night with my husband. We haven’t been out in forever! Probably a dinner and a movie. 🙂

    Reply

  693. I would have a hard time spending it on myself 🙂 I’d probably plan a fun night out at the movies for the whole family.

    Reply

  699. I would buy a night out with my hubby. He’s about to get a major pay cut, and nights out are not going to be happening for a while.

    Reply

  703. hmmm…maybe a nice, quiet dinner out with my husband? that sounds nice!

    or, there’s always a new pair of jeans… 🙂

    Reply

  709. I would buy a new portable telescope for me and my son(we both love astronomy), so we can take it on vacations with us.

    Reply

  714. I’d buy some “me time”: a movie or trip to the art museum, followed by dinner at a local restaurant I’ve never tried before (and all by myself, of course).

    Reply

  716. I would use it to buy a warm coat…. snow on the ground and I am realizing that I need a new coat.
    Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  717. If I won, I think I would go on a shopping spree. I need some maternity clothes (I’m 5 months pregnant). Thank you for this giveaway. Merry Christmas!!!

    Reply

  726. I would buy half a pair of really sexy jeans. I’d use money from Grandma to buy the other half of the pair. =)

    Reply

  730. I would buy some winter sweaters, just realizing I don’t have too many long-sleeve tops!! Thanks so much for the chance!

    Reply