Holiday Contest!

We are really starting to get into my favorite time of year. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving, but even more than that, I love the wintertime! Christmas, New Year's, Jack Frost nipping at your nose (well, not here, of course), chestnuts roasting on an open fire and all that jazz. It's the perfect time for family, friends, and... you guessed it... baking!

But now, my faithful readers, I need your help. I am looking for a new specialty cupcake for the winter holidays and you get to choose what kind! I want you to invent a flavor that embodies the holidays for you. If your flavor wins, you'll be featured on Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop and this blog with your flavor. You'll also win six cupcakes in your winning flavor.* Ready? Here's how it works:

1. Send me an email (Put HOLIDAY CONTEST in the subject line) at jennifer@redvelvetarmadillobakeshop.com with the name of your holiday flavor (example: Holly Jolly Cupcake) and the key ingredients that make it special (example: mint leaves and crushed peppermints) by midnight EST on Friday, October 31, 2008. That gives you 31 days to come up with some really creative ideas!

2. We at Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop will narrow the choices down to 5. I will create and decorate the 5 choices and post pictures and descriptions here and on Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop no later than Sunday, November 16.

3. Readers, it's up to you again. Come back and vote for your favorite! Voting will be open from Monday, November 17 through midnight EST on Saturday, November 29, 2008. The winner will be announced on Sunday, November 30, 2008.

4. The winner will receive 6 cupcakes in the selected flavor (For local pickup only. Delivery and shipping is not available). The winner will have his/her picture posted on Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop and on this blog, as well as the story of their inspiration. In addition, the winning flavor will be added to the holiday rotation of specialty cupcakes at Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop.

* Contest open to everyone, but prize of 6 cupcakes can only be collected in the Greater Jacksonville (Florida) area at a mutually convenient location. Shipping and delivery is not available. By participating in this contest, entrants agree to have their likeness, concept and name creation used by Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop and the Red Velvet Armadillo blog without further compensation than detailed here. Winner must redeem their prize cupcakes no later than Saturday, December 20, 2008. Arrangements to redeem prize must be made 5 days in advance of desired pickup date.

So get cracking! I can't wait to see some of your ideas!!!