You know, it’s Christmas. You’ve been running around decorating, baking, cooking, buying presents for everyone else. You deserve a little something just for you. That’s what I’m thinkin’.

So, to reward you for just being you, I’m giving one of you a $15 Starbucks Gift Card. Starbucks is everywhere – probably right next door to your favorite shop in the mall – and I want you to take a little break on me!

Here’s all you have to do:

Tweet this on Twitter: “I just entered to win a Starbucks Holiday Coffee Break from @RJFlamingo at Flamingo Musings. Join me? http://bit.ly/iaogaB” Then come back here and leave a comment with the URL of your Tweet. (To get the URL of your tweet: Go to your own user stream, find your tweet and click on the bit where it says how long ago you tweeted it. A browser window should open with the information.) -and/or-

“Like” Flamingo Musings on Facebook, either by clicking the icon in the sidebar over there to the right (no, your other right!) or by clicking here then leaving me a comment here. -and/or-

Or, if you’re not on Facebook (Why not? All the cool kids are doing it.), just leave me a comment telling me why you deserve a break today. Wait. Wrong restaurant.

This is a quickie, kids – deadline to enter is 12:01 AM, EST, Friday December 17, 2010. Random.org will choose the winner and I will tweet and post the winner on the Facebook Flamingo Musings page on Friday morning. Make sure there’s a valid e-mail address linked to your comment!

Happy Holidays, from all of us (that would be me) at Flamingo Musings!

Disclosure: I was not paid or otherwise compensated to conduct this giveaway. I don’t even like Starbucks. But I knew you would. This is my own personal gift card that I’m giving away just because I like you. And it shouldn’t go to waste.

I was sitting on one of the bar stools at my counter a few days ago, checking my e-mail, and was surprised to have gotten a note from CSN Stores, asking if I’d like to host a giveaway of one of their products! CSN Stores is one of the largest internet retailers in the world, with over 200 internet stores selling nearly everything from home furnishings, toys and games for kids, outdoor furnishings (including a huge selection of bird feeders!), and my favorite, of course, cookware.com.

So I started thinking about what I might like to give you, and I kept thinking back to Twitter conversations I’ve had recently, in which I was surprised at how many of you are cutting yourselves in the kitchen! I thought: “What should everyone who prepares a meal have as standard equipment in the kitchen?” The answer: a cut glove! I bought one for myself about a year ago, and I can’t tell you how much more confidence wearing it gives me when handling those sharp knives and slicers.

Not just any cut glove – a Microplane Specialty Cut Resistant Glove! After all, who knows more about sharp edges than Microplane? I use my glove all the time – on my right hand when I use my mandoline, other kitchen slicers, and my box grater, and on my left hand, holding the food I’m chopping. While you still have to take care when using any sharp blade, the glove offers extra protection from those accidental contacts, and gives everyone a little extra confidence. Here are some of the specs:

• Specially engineered cut resistant fibers
• Lightweight, breathable, and stretchable
• One size fits most hands
• Fits either hand
• Made in USA

I have one, MJ has one, and now I want you to have one! Here’s how to enter:

Between now and 12:01 A.M., Eastern time, on Friday, February 12th (2010, duh!) just leave a comment on this post, telling me why you need a Microplane Cut Resistant Glove. Um, okay, you can leave out the explicit, gory details. Really.

Want extra chances to win? Tweet (or Re-Tweet) about this giveaway on Twitter, come back and leave another comment with the URL of your tweet. All comment and tweet entries must be on this post. You can do this as many times as you like!

Just make sure that you leave a good e-mail address at which I can contact you. Anyone in the U.S. and Canada can play!

On Friday, February 12th, I’ll count up the entries, use Random.org to choose a winner, and will announce the winner here and on Twitter! So, pay attention – if I can’t reach you to get a street address to send you your glove by 12:01 a.m. Monday, February 15th, I’ll choose another winner. Okay?

You don’t have to be a “foodie” to want to protect yourself from accidents in the kitchen. If you prepare food for yourself or your family, a cut resistant glove should be as standard as a can opener!

Can’t wait to read your stories and tweets – Ready, Get Set, GO!