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Offbeat Homes

The Offbeat Homes December Contest

by Jennifer Chait on December 2nd, 2007

I thought we should have an Offbeat Homes December contest. I know, not a very inventive contest theme, but I just felt like having a contest to show some reader appreciation. I do adore my readers and I did not feel like having weird wacky hoops to jump through for said contest. Like build a crazy offbeat holiday home out of silly putty, take a photo, and send it in. That’s way too much work.

The basics:

Contest duration: From the time this post goes up until the end of December 31st. I know it’s kind of a long contest but that gives you plenty of time to earn points and then I don’t have to deal with sending prizes during the height of the holiday season — last Christmas, Amazon and a few other places shut down for days and I’m so not going there again. I’ll announce the winners during the first week of January.

Who can win: Anyone except me. I officially disqualify myself. We all know I’d win ;)

How to win: Earn the most points. At the end of this Offbeat contest the three people with the most points will all win a prize.

  1. Leave a comment: Each comment = 1 point.
  2. Blog about this contest at your blog for 10 bonus points. Some of us have one blog and some of us have five plus blogs so to make it fair you can only earn these extra 10 points once. To get the 10 bonus points you just need to make sure to link back to this post.
  3. Watch for ways to win surprise bonus points throughout the month. These chances will be easy to spot so no worries. If you really don’t want to miss chances you might want to Subscribe to Offbeat Homes.

The prizes:

There are going to be three prizes to choose from. If you’re a winner you can pick whichever one you like. If all three winners want the same thing that’s fine as well. I went with three offbeat-minded items that I personally like that are also easy to send. Hopefully there’s one prize here you’d enjoy.

1) The Natural House: A Complete Guide to Healthy, Energy-Efficient, Environmental Homes by Daniel D. Chiras

natural-house.jpgI love this book. I re-read it all the time.

Here’s the down low:

“The Natural House is a tour of the construction, costs, and pros and cons of fourteen natural building methods. Straw Bale, Rammed Earth, Cob, Cordwood, Adobe, Earthbags, Papercrete, Earthships…whatever the method, the common goal is to create a house that is economical, energy efficient, nontoxic, soothing to the soul, kind to the environment, and pleasing to behold. This comprehensive sourcebook offers in-depth information that will guide your search for the perfect sustainable dream home. It is a must for home builders, contractors, and architects.

Author Dan Chiras shows how you can gain energy independence and reduce your environmental impact through passive solar heating and cooling techniques, solar electricity, wind power, and micro-hydropower. He also explains safe, economical ways to obtain clean drinking water and treat wastewater, and discusses affordable green products.

While he’s an unabashed advocate of natural building techniques, Chiras takes care not to romanticize and to alert readers to avoidable pitfalls. His detailed, practical, and ecologically sound advice can save tens of thousands of dollars, whether you are buying, building, or renovating a natural home.”

2) A year subscription to Dwell. I’m not the largest fan of magazines because of the eco-issues magazines create. However, I’m not opposed to magazines that you’ll use and re-read or share. Dwell is slick and offers so much house eye candy and tips that it’s a worthwhile subscription. It’s one of those magazines you don’t toss.

dwell.jpg

3) Moxy. I figured it might be cool to include an offbeat kids item as a prize option. Ugly Dolls make the perfect gift for an offbeat little. I like Moxy; but a nice reader / winner may be able to talk me into sending a different Ugly pal.

moxy.jpg

Questions? Ask in the comments. Good luck!

Contest disclaimers:

  • I doubt that this would happen; but if more than three people tie for the lead than I will draw three winners from the top point earners.
  • If you live out of the US and it ends up being tough for me to get you a prize because of shipping rules or excessive shipping costs I reserve the right to send you a nice Amazon Gift certificate instead.

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