Christmas has arrived! No, really, there may still be some time to go before the big day itself, but many of us will already be turning out thoughts to December 25th at the moment.
In our city centres, there are Christmas lights up, ready to illuminate the shoppers. And if you're a comper, at this as at any other time of year you may be thinking about how to use your hobby to the best advantage during the season!
Christmas can see you spending longer in the shops, a great way to make sure there are no product package comps you've missed, for example.
As you stroll through the supermarket, looking to stock up on Christmas cake ingredients or other festive items, be sure to keep an eye out for that wonderful word 'Win!' - you could happen across something wonderful.
There are a variety of ways that comping can play a part in Christmas. For example, if you've got comping friends, it could be a great idea to give them a comping-themed gift. This will seem extra-special to them, as it is themed around a passion you both share.
From a special comping pen, to a gift subscription to Compers News, there are many forms that a comping present could take!
Meanwhle, if they've had a successful year comping, compers might find that they can giveaway some of the prizes they have been lucky enough to win as presents - and this could save them some cash!
Once you've got some idea of what you want to present people with come Christmas, it's a simple task to track down competitions that are offering-up something similar during the year.
You could ask loved ones about the sorts of things they want and you may well already have an idea of the sorts of presents they might like, too.
Maybe they're a fan of make-up (a particular brand or type, for example), they love books or have a passion for great food.
You might want to increase your chances of seeing the right competitions come up by liking relevant brands on Facebook. This could be a publisher your loved one likes, a brand of make-up they're fond of, or a retailer they often shop at, for example.
Use other online resources to try and seek out relevant competitions from organisations like these. For example, you could follow them on Twitter or follow their blog.
It goes without saying that organisations' websites might also give word of their competitions, and may let you become part of their mailing list.
Google can of course also come in handy when it comes to trying to find comps that might lead to the perfect Christmas gifts. Using this, you could simply run a search for current competitions that give you the chance to win a prize you know a loved one would like.
Compers News itself is also a valuable resource. When you're in the listings section of the mag, keep an eye out for headings that relate to the person you're wanting a gift for.
For example, if you spot a kids' magazine title you know one of your brood reads, take note.
These publications base the prizes they offer in their competitions very much on what the boys and girls who read them like - so the chances are the prizes would make good presents for this audience.
Remember to find out whether adults can enter the competition you're interested in, as sometimes children's competitions are exclusively for children.
And on that note, also remember that it's best to read all the terms and conditions prior to entering any competition you want to try your luck on!
Yes, these aren't exactly works of poetry or gripping drama, but they are a vital way to ensure you're ticking all the right boxes before making that entry.
