Photo Credit: D Sharon Pruitt.

One might think that fall is the worst time to try to get kids to take on tasks, what with school, sports and homework all beginning again after a nice, lazy summer.

“On the contrary,” say the cleaning experts at Merry Maids. Their research shows that since kids are about to get back into a “work mode” and begin routines again, this may be the best time to begin to assign family chores.

With that in mind, the experts at Merry Maids have developed the following fall cleaning tips — ones that incorporate the whole family (and don’t forget to enter the Merry Maids giveaway below!):

1.  Mats Matter: You’d be amazed how much dirt a sturdy nylon mat will catch. Put one at each doorway. They are reasonably priced and can be found at any of the major discount superstores in the housewares department. Spend a little extra on a larger one to cover the area where kids enter the most. Teach them immediately that the first step in the house after school is where the dirt comes off! Or, make a rule that that’s where all shoes are removed.

2.  Delegating Will Hurt You More Than It Hurts Them: One of the main reasons Mom doesn’t get enough help around the house, is because it is painful to delegate chores. We all want things done “our way.” However, letting go and allowing kids to have responsibilities is important all throughout life, and gives them a feeling of accomplishment. Assign chores around age group. Let each child know that two or three jobs around the house belong to them. They will take pride in these jobs if their efforts are met with praise.

3.  Ages 8 – 12: These kids are ready for some real chores. The last person in the shower in the morning should be handed a spray–on bath cleaner with a little abrasive in it. Steam helps loosen dirt, so once they’re finished, show them how to spray tile in the shower. After they’ve brushed their teeth, they can quickly go over the tile with a sponge kept under the sink.

4.  Ages 3 – 8: Even at this tender age, it’s not too early to develop routine and habits that could last a lifetime. When a child is through playing in a certain area, part of his or her routine should be to put his or her toys away. If Dad is handy, have him build some benches in the rec room that opens to hold toys. Otherwise, large rubber bins are available at discount superstores in a variety of colors and models. Label them with stickers that are lively and that can show a child what goes where.

5.  Does Clutter Make You Shudder? Clutter is inevitable when kids are back to school. They come home with some of the most amazing items. Rather than have feelings hurt by tossing out their precious schoolwork, go to your same discount superstore and buy under the bed storage boxes. Let the kids decide what schoolwork they’d like to save and have them save them in these boxes.

6.  My Child, The Artist: When kids bring home artwork, display the really good pieces on the refrigerator with colorful magnets. Decide what the lifespan will be for each picture — then if it should be saved in a box or not. And when the little darlings use your walls for a canvas, use concentrated dishwashing soap to clean the crayon marks.

7.  Make Family Time Chore Time: Designate a time each week where the family can sit together in the kitchen or den and visit about what’s happening at school, work, etc. Each person can be handling a task during the discussion such as polishing silver, folding laundry or organizing a drawer.

8.  Don’t get Shocked: A portable hairdryer really comes in handy for quick dust jobs like cobwebs. Teach the older kids these shortcuts, but remember to also teach them about safety with electric devices. This is a good time for them to learn these facts.

9.  Hello, Mr. Dustbuster: Another great appliance that older kids can handle. With “after school” comes major crumbs from snacks. Let the kids know right away that you do not want to find any evidence of their snacks around when you come home from work. Have large garbage cans lined with bags accessible in the kitchen.

10.  But Mom . . . But nothing. Let the kids know that their areas, bedrooms and bathrooms are their responsibility. Buy each one their own set of cleaning tools, and let them know they are to use them before any play time after school. Go to an office supply store and purchase desk trays and pencil holders to reduce clutter in their rooms. The trays can be marked “homework to be done” and “completed homework” to avoid morning panic over lost papers. By third grade, kids should be held responsible for these items.

11.  Chore Charts: One of the best ways to start off younger kids. There are commercial ones available or, you can easily make one with a poster board. Have them on a bulletin board with each child’s name and chores listed. Have them check off their chores when they’ve finished. You can also use the “gold star” system for a super job.

12.  Heavy Duty Day: Set aside one time slot a week for a heavy duty chore. Older kids can tackle one of their own, like window cleaning. Use a spray bottle of commercial cleaner, or fill one with vinegar and water. Give them soft cloths or old diapers and teach them the proper way to wash windows streak–free. (Use cotton cloth to dry for this.) Younger kids can help Mom and Dad turn mattresses, clean blinds or wash walls. Getting them involved early is the key.

GIVEAWAY! ONE (1) LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

A Complete Merry Maids Housecleaning for the Day – worth $250!

HOW TO ENTER
Merry Maids will give you more time to enjoy all the sports and other activities that come up when school resumes in the fall. With service every week or two, you won’t have to spend your evenings and weekends keeping up with housework and begging your family to help. We’re excited to partner with Merry Maids on this giveaway. Just let us know in the comments…

What’s your best back-to-school tip?

The giveaway will end this Sunday, August 29 at 11:59 pm. We look forward to hearing from you!

RULES
Winners of the giveaway will be awarded a Merry Maids Gift Card valued at $250. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Sunday, August 29 at 11:59 pm. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winner by email on or before Tuesday, August 31.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

When it comes to skin care and personal care items, I like simple.  Here are my everyday favorites, and keep reading because we’re giving you the chance to win a plethora of personal care products below!

Lotion – I’m a big fan of Suave Advanced Therapy because it’s cheap, the smell doesn’t over-power your nose and it’s not greasy. Suave is a terrific every day lotion to put on before any perfumes or clothes and since I do use lotion every day, it’s a good thing it’s a good value.

Deodorant -  Before Alice.com, I remember Secret Shower Fresh always being sold out and experiencing a great deal of panic at the thought I might have to go without. Particularly because this anti-persiperant has one of the best scents and actually works.

Face Wash – I’ve gone through a multitude of face washes trying to find one that doesn’t dry out my skin or leave it too oily or isn’t abrasive or too soft. Finally, I read somewhere out there that Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash was a good one, and boy were they right. My skin has calmed down and is always clear nowadays.

Face Lotion – Light, non-greasy and an SPF of 15 makes Neutrogena Healthy Skin Lotion the perfect thing to use once you get out of the shower. I apply it before any makeup to make sure I’m protected throughout the day. And it won’t contribute to breakouts!

Makeup Remover – Another Neutrogena product, these Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes smell so great, and are the perfect thing to wipe your face with before going to bed. I make sure to pay special attention to the eye area so no makeup sits on my skin overnight.

Now, surely some of you love these products as well, but some of you have your own favorites, and still others have yet to find the right fit. That’s why we’re excited to be giving away a Personal Care Variety Pack!

GIVEAWAY! THREE (3) LUCKY WINNERS WILL RECEIVE:

A personal care variety pack of twenty-five  products such as: body wash, shampoo, hair products,  moisturizer, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons, hand wash, gum, conditioner and more!

Your prize pack may vary from those in this list.

HOW TO ENTER
Just let us know in the comments…

What’s the one personal care item you can’t live without?

The giveaway will end this Sunday, July 25 at 11:59 pm. We look forward to hearing from you!

RULES
Winners of the giveaway will be awarded a Personal Care Variety Pack. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Sunday, July 25 at 11:59 pm. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winner by email on or before Tuesday, July 27.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

Dropps is the kind of product that once you use it, you don’t know how you lived without it. Perhaps non-laundry aficionados will think I’m over-stating the benefits, but those of us who would love clean clothes to  just appear magically in our closet know that Dropps is well, the tops. Here’s why:

- No dripping down the container, onto your hand, down the washer and onto the floor. No dripping anywhere.

- No measuring, no over-measuring and no second guessing. Just pop a “toss-and-go” dissovable Dropps pac into your washer, pile your clothes on top, and you’re done.

- No clumsiness or bulk. By removing the harsh chemicals and water, Dropps also removed the need for bulky plastic bottles and the energy that comes in making and shipping them.

This means that not only is Dropps fabulous for your weekly (or daily) wash loads, but if you’re planning a summer trip, there’s no need to lug the jug to the summer house, just toss a bag of Dropps in the car. People often leave half-used detergent jugs after their trip. Dropps are lightweight and space efficient, so they’re easy to transport home after a family trip. Or think about the new college student who will need to go down the hall to do laundry. Or maybe you just have a small laundry closet like me.

Dropps makes laundry easier, no matter who you are. Which is why we’re excited to announce we have a great giveaway from Dropps for Alice blog readers!

Giveaway! Three lucky winners will receive:

(1) Two-month Supply of Dropps in Your Choice of Fresh Scent, Baby or Scent + Dye Free!

HOW TO ENTER
Just let us know in the comments…

How many wash loads do you do per week?

The giveaway will end this Saturday, July 10 at 11:59 pm. We look forward to hearing from you!

RULES
Winners of the giveaway will be awarded a two-month supply of Dropps. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Saturday, July 10 at 11:59 pm. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winner by email on or before Monday, July 12.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

Let’s get this out right up front—I love coffee.  I mean I really love it.  One of my favorite parts of the day is that bleary-eyed walk down to the kitchen in the morning to crank up the coffee grinder and have the smell of freshly brewed coffee fill the house.

That’s why I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to review a new coffee selling on the Alice.com marketplace—Z’s Divine.  Z’s certainly didn’t disappoint.

It’s Organic, Don’t Panic

The first thing I noticed about Z’s coffee is the organic and fair trade label on the packaging.  My family had the opportunity recently to stay in Costa Rica with a family that worked in a banana plantation.  We saw firsthand their struggle to make ends meet and we also saw the really terrible effects that pesticides have on the rivers, coastlines and people who live there.  Honestly, I’ve never looked at a banana the same way.

Buying a coffee that is certified fair trade and organic is one very small thing my family can do to help support sustainable industry practices, a living wage for families, and a cleaner planet.  Point for Z’s Divine.

The Brew—Moon River

For my review, Z’s provided me with their popular house blend called Moon River.  The blend includes three different roasts—light, medium and dark—to give both light and dark roast lovers something to appreciate.

The aroma of the coffee was fantastic in the coffee grinder, and I knew I was in for a treat.

Moon River was a great coffee.  I like a strong coffee, but not to the point that the coffee turns bitter (a French or Italian roast isn’t my favorite).  Moon River had a really bold flavor and nice strong finish, but it didn’t overwhelm me.  The coffee’s flavor was sweet and nutty, but had a little kick of boldness to it that I really liked.

Life is too short to drink cheap coffee

There are lots of places in life where we cut corners to save a buck or two.  But if something is important to you, don’t skimp.  Life is too short for that.  For me, buying a really good coffee is a little luxury in life that doesn’t cost much to make a real difference.

ENTER THE COFFEE GIVEAWAY!

I really enjoyed Moon River, and I’m pretty sure it will be a regular passenger in those Alice.com boxes that show up on our doorstep every couple of weeks.  Go ahead and give Z’s a try and enter the giveaway below in the meantime!

Veronica shared how she reused her Alice.com box in our Earth Day Contest and won!  Veronica used it for transformer costumes for her high school friends (see photo below).  Her creativity got her a $250 Alice.com gift card. Congrats Veronica!

Keep reading to see more of our favorites, and thank you to all the entries!

	A friend asked me if I could build him six Transformer costumes in two weeks. I agreed to help. When I got home I gathered all the cardboard boxes I had… the Alice boxes were awesome for the torsos! - Veronica
	Strong enough to contain wild vines and yard clippings for recycling day!! - Joy
	Elijah’s Toy Box & Baby Gate - Anna
	Griffin’s finely tuned automobile. - Heather
	I initially was going to be a transforming box of wine for Halloween, but the Cardboard Samurai made his appearance in its stead. - Jason
	Sending school supplies to children in Iraq. - Susie
	We reused our box to take pictures of our daughter.  Her name is Alice :) - Mary
	Superbox! Storing, Toting, and Delivering our Recycling since January - Mary

Once again, thank you to all the entries – we appreciate your creativity!

Don’t Forget – Last Chance to Save on Earth Day Deals!

Celebrate Earth Day with deals on your favorite green and organic essentials, and save some green!

Shop now >

How Do You Re-Use Your Alice Box?

Win a $250 Alice.com Gift Card!

Earth Day is next week, and we want to hear from you. Submit your photo, video or story telling us your best way to re-use your Alice.com box. Our favorite entry will receive a $250 Alice.com gift card!

Enter now >

Hurry! Contest ends next Monday, April 19th at 11:59 pm CST. See full rules and details below.

Shop Earth Day Deals

Alice is working hard to make sure that shopping at Alice.com has a minimal impact on the planet.

We strive to incorporate the most environmentally-friendly materials into our boxes and packaging, and provide you with a wide product selection that includes a host of green and organic manufacturers that you won’t find on the traditional store shelf.

Celebrate Earth Day with deals on your favorite green and organic essentials, and save some green. Plus, get a free jute bag with your green purchase, compliments of True Green! Limit one per customer. Order must contain one green or organic product to receive jute bag. Offer expires 4/22/10. Supplies are limited.

Shop now >

RULES
Winner will be awarded an Alice.com gift card with an estimated retail value of $250 dollars. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Monday, April 19th at 11:59 pm CT. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winners by email on or before Tuesday, April 2oth.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

photo by Serch

Congrats to our winner of last week’s giveaway, Tisha (winner chosen randomly):

I like to listen to 80’s music and jam and SING, although I can NOT sing. It makes the cleaning better and seems to make the time go faster.

Keep reading to learn how to enter for your last chance to win this week!

No one likes to clean the bathroom, but it’s one of the most important places to scrub away germs.

1. Throw away expired cosmetics, beauty products and medications in doubled-up trash bags. You’ll want to double up to prevent kids and pets from getting into the old meds. Don’t flush anything down the toilet that can be hazardous to water supplies.

2. Wash mirrors and inside of windows with Better Life Glass Cleaner.

3. Wipe down your countertops and cabinets with an all-purpose cleaner like Sun & Earth.

4. Clean the toilet with JR Watkins Toilet Bowl Cleaner and a toilet brush on the bowl interior and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes on the exterior.

5. Scrub the shower and tub with a soap scum and stain remover. Use Tilex Daily Shower Cleaner after.

6. Keep up the sink and shower drains with Drain-Out Clog Remover.

7. Vacuum and then mop floors with Swiffer Wet-Jet multi-surface cleaner.

Is the bathroom the hardest area for you to clean? What are your secrets and bathroom tips for making the job easier?

Share your bathroom cleaning tip in the comments below for your chance to enter to win a $100 Alice.com gift card. Deadline is next week, Sunday, April 11th at 11:59 pm CT.

RULES
Winner will be awarded an Alice.com gift card with an estimated retail value of $100 dollars. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Sunday, April 11th at 11:59 pm CT. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winners by email on or before Friday, April 16th.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

Congrats to our winner of last week’s giveaway, Gabby O (winner chosen randomly):

I LOVE Clorox wipes! They get the grease off of the stove, a quick clean up in the fridge (plus it smells good in the fridge for a while afterward!), wiping down the bathroom sink and back of the toilet. So much more convenient than using a rag and bucket. I have a container in my Jeep and I have one up stairs and down stairs in the house.

You didn’t win? Keep reading for a new chance to win this week!

The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms in the home. I love seeing a clean counter top, and then making a delicious meal. I also have fond memories of my own mother pulling everything out of the cabinets every year to organize. Ah, Spring!

Try lemon-scented cleaners to exude freshness in the kitchen, and throw on some music for fun sing-along tunes in the heart of the home while you work. We like the Beatles, but tell us what you like to listen to while you clean in the comments below for a for a chance to win a $100 Alice.com gift card.

15 Steps to an Enjoyable Kitchen:

1. Quickly do a clean sweep of the kitchen to prepare for cleaning. Wash your dishes with a dishwashing soap and Full Circle Suds Up Cleaning Kit. De-clutter any items, clear your countertops, and get rid of or donate old and unwanted food items.

2. Empty your appliances of their shelves and wipe them down with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for the kitchen.

3. If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, clean the inside of your oven using an oven cleaner like Easy Off, a timer and a scraper. Clean the inside of your dishwasher with Dishwasher Magic.

4. Put a microwave-safe bowl of water with some lemon juice in your microwave and heat the water to boiling for two to three minutes. The steam will loosen any food particles stuck to the interior and the citric acid from the lemon cuts through grease.

5. Use a cleaner like Windex to clean the exterior of your oven and microwave.

6. Clean the interior of your refrigerator with warm water and baking soda.

7. Clean the exterior and drip pan of your refrigerator and freezer with an all-purpose cleaner like Citrus Magic All Purpose Cleaner. This product is specifically good for the kitchen so you don’t have to worry about any toxins or chemicals around your food.

8. Use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol if you want to truly disinfect the fridge door handle.

9. Launder your window treatments in your washing machine or take them to the dry cleaner. Dust any blinds.

10. Wash the inside of your windows with JR Watkins Glass & Window Cleaner.

11. Dust the tops of your cabinets, refrigerator, cookbooks and shelves with Pledge Multi-Surface and a duster.

12. Use a regular scouring pad or sponge on your counter, depending on the surface.

13. Pick up a toothbrush to get edges, corners and the base of your faucet.

14. Polish metal hardware on cabinets, doors and windows and any stainless steel appliances using a specialized cleaner like Method Stainless Steel.

15. Sweep, vacuum and mop floors. Make it especially easy with a product like Better Life Simply Floored.

You’ve just finished cleaning the heart of your home!

Now tell us, what’s your favorite music to listen to while you work?

Share your music cleaning tip in the comments below for your chance to enter to win a $100 Alice.com gift card. Deadline is next week, Monday, April 5th at 11:59 pm CT. And don’t forget to check back next week for another chance to win.

RULES
Winners will be awarded an Alice.com gift card with an estimated retail value of $100 dollars. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Monday, April 5th at 11:59 pm CT. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winners by email on or before Friday, April 9th.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

THIS GIVEAWAY’S DEADLINE HAS PASSED. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!

Spring has officially arrived, no excuses! It’s time to shake the house and start afresh. Start by reading some history from Alice, then share your own spring cleaning tips for the chance to win a $100 Alice.com gift card! Check back next week for another chance to win.

Why do your friends spring clean?

The tradition of spring cleaning is rooted in several different cultures. In Iran, the new year or Now Rouz arrives on March 21 and is a time of regeneration in which Iranians engage in the khaneh takani ritual or “shaking of the house.” Every corner of the house is inspected and cleaned from under the bed to the kitchen corner. Fresh flowers are brought in afterword so that Spring can officially arrive.

The Chinese also clean in anticipation of the new year to rid their homes of bad luck and misfortune. Of course, there’s a biological explanation for spring cleaning as well. With more sunlight in the Spring, we come out of hibernation ready for a clean slate.

How should you get started?

1. Take inventory of what you have and what’s missing. And be honest, there are some special spills, smells and spaces that truly deserve their own tool. We’ve created a special checklist for you to make sure you’re not missing anything.

2. Next, walk through your house with a trash bag and throw away any old pretzel crumbs, water bottles, and junk mail.  If anything can be recycled, make sure to separate it from the trash.

3. Find two large boxes and label, “Give” and “Sell.” Walk through each room and decide what’s taking up mental space.

4. If you’ll have a yard sale after you’re finished Spring Cleaning, carry some masking tape and a marker with you during this task to tag items for sale before placing them in the “Sell” box.

This is supposed to be a quick project, so trust your instincts, go with your gut and don’t be afraid to shake down the house.

Enter to win!

Now, it’s time to focus on deep cleaning each room in your home. We have some tips we’ll be sharing over the next couple weeks to help, but we’d love to hear from you:

What is your favorite spring cleaning product, and why?

Share your tip in the comments below for your chance to enter to win a $100 Alice.com gift card. Deadline is next week, Tuesday, March 30th at 11:59 pm CT. And don’t forget to check back next week for another chance to win.

RULES
Winners will be awarded an Alice.com gift card with an estimated retail value of $100 dollars. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Tuesday, March 30th  at 11:59 pm CT. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winners by email on or before Friday, April 2nd.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc.

THIS GIVEAWAY’S DEADLINE HAS PASSED. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!

Submit your story or video for your chance to win a $250 Alice.com gift card!

Whether it’s your resolution to spend more time with the kids, exercise, or learn how to play piano, we want to hear it. Or maybe you’ll spend more time reading a book, going on a date with your husband, or something risky like skydiving!

Tell us how Alice saves you time and how you plan to spend that time this New Year (in under 300 characters) by clicking here. And just for entering, we’ll enter you into a drawing for a $250 Alice.com gift card!

RULES

Participation constitutes acceptance of these rules.  The Alice.com marketing team will select one winner from all valid entries submitted. All entries and all rights thereto become the sole property of Alice.com, Inc.  Potential winning entrant will be required to provide assignment of ownership and rights to submission or alternate winner will be chosen. Winner will be awarded an Alice.com gift card with an estimated retail value of $250 dollars. Giveaway is open to legal U.S. residents 18 or older residing in the 50 United States (includes DC).  Void where prohibited.  Employees (and their immediate families and households) of Alice.com, Inc. are not eligible.  Giveaway entries will be accepted until Wednesday, February 3  at 11:59 pm CT. Winning entry must provide a valid email address (Alice.com will never sell or rent your e-mail to third parties). We will notify the winners by email on or before Friday, February 26th.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to us with their name and valid U.S. mailing address.  If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Sponsor: Alice.com, Inc