Contest: Join These Tyee Readers and Show Local Biz Some Holiday Love

We're 10 days into our three-week contest with partners Vancity and LOCO BC to celebrate the locally-owned businesses in our communities, and reader submissions are flowing in!

The contest culminates in Buy Local Week (Dec. 2 to 8). All you have to do to enter is head to this page and write a few kind words to a business that makes your holiday season, or even your whole year, bright.

We've selected just a small handful of Tyee reader "greetings," but you can go to the results page to read more than 400 of them, if you like.

But before we get to highlighting those posts, you'd probably like to know about the $5,000 worth of prizes, wouldn't you?

This $500 Vancity Visa gift card can be used anywhere that accepts Visa electronically. But of course, being the enlightened person that you are, you'll surely use it at locally-owned businesses, right?

Like the sound of that? Enter now.

Thanks to the Tofino Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach Lodge, and Modo the car co-op, one lucky winner from the Greater Vancouver area will enjoy two nights accommodation in Tofino, surf rentals and lessons for two, a complimentary Modo membership and $200 in car credits to get there.

Excited? Enter now.

Thanks to the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, Riverside Resort, Canadian Wilderness Adventures, and Creekbread Restaurant, one lucky winner from anywhere in Canada will enjoy two nights accommodation in a cozy log cabin, a guided snowmobile tour for two, and a $100 gift certificate for a delicious, locally sourced meal out. Travel not included.

Putting your snow boots on already? Better enter now.

Thanks to the Burnaby Heights BIA's efforts rallying its members, one lucky Greater Vancouver reader will get to live large this season with a $2,000 shopping spree in this colourful 100-year old neighbourhood. Thirty-four different businesses have contributed gift certificates and prizes: restaurants, specialty foods, florists, yoga, kids art classes and much more await.

Sound like a great day out? Enter now.

- Lunch and a wine tour for two at Clos Du Soleil Winery in Keremeos, B.C.

- A Local Gourmand gift basket from Vancouver-based Saul Good Gift Co., filled with locally-sourced gourmet foods and artisan chocolates. Yum.

- A $100 gift certificate to Dayton Boots for a pair of your choice. Handcrafted, comfortable, durable, and classic, Dayton Boots are made in East Vancouver to the same exacting standards and attention to detail that have gone into every pair since 1946.

- Delight the special kids in your life with a $200 prize package from locally-owned Toy Jungle, with locations in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood, South Surrey, and West Vancouver.

- For the tidy and environmentally conscious folks that read us, a five-month supply of 'Dish the Dirt' products -- environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable. (By triple-bottom-line Vancouver-based Live For Tomorrow.)

- A $100 gift certificate for Hazel & Jools, a long-time fixture on Main St. With their own locally made stylish collection and a curated selection of other brands, you'll find lots to choose from.

- Vancouver's Bird on a Wire Creations -- an eclectic boutique full of handmade and independent design from around B.C. -- is offering one lucky readers their choice of a $75 gift certificate or a $150 abstract painting by local artist Catherine Fields.

A sampling of posts from our local-business-adoring readers:

Dear AMSSA of Vancouver: AMSSA (Affiliation of Multicultural Societies of BC) publishes a MultiFaith calendar each year. It is a locally produced, beautiful calendar with global themes. Each year I buy 10 calendars to send as Christmas gifts to friends and family. The calendar raises funds for the work of AMSSA. - Linda H.

Dear Robert's Restaurant of Gabriola Island: Robert's is a model business in the Gabriola Island community. It has good food at fair prices, employs local people and works with the elementary school on the island to prepare healthy and satisfying food. A kind and caring place like Robert's needs to be celebrated. - Robert H.

Dear Mommy's Milk of Vancouver: Thank you so much for being there in our time of need. You are truly an angel. Our baby is breastfeeding now and is gaining weight. Your support in helping my wife breastfeed has been invaluable. Have a great holiday season. - Steve J.

Dear English Tarts of Mission: In a small town littered with enough junk food chains to cause a community coronary, I've found a reason to stay for lunch. Two ladies from the other side of the pond -- but who met in Mission -- combined their talents for creating wholesome, tasty homemade fare, added a dash of atmosphere and mixed in their welcoming smiles and created English Tarts. - Joan C.

Dear The Soap Dispensary of Vancouver: This year I'm planning on making most of my Christmas presents. It's a little intimidating as I'm not the craftiest of them all. The owner (and her staff) at the Soap dispensary was WONDERFUL and incredibly encouraging. They took the time to answer questions (I'm making soap and candles!) and made sure I knew what I was doing. - Miranda P.

Dear Saffron of Oak Bay Village: You'll know you're getting close when you smell the tantalizing scent of curries and exotic spices wafting out the door. On the main street across from the pub and formerly a bakery, the new incarnation is now a busy bistro/bakery serving the most delicious hot lunches of lamb, chicken or vegetarian stews and rices. Still lots of homemade pies and delicacies, as well as gluten free dishes. A blend of Indian and Iranian dishes, we wish this lovely hard-working entrepreneur much success and a very happy holiday season! - marilyn e.

Dear Gelderman Farms of Abbotsford: I first met one of the Geldermans when they came to my local Farmers' Market in Burnaby in 2011. I wanted to make a difference and support our local farmers. I was WOWed by how much better their pork tastes. I am thrilled that many restaurants featuring local food are proudly stating which farms their source from (and often it's Gelderman pork). They are always happy to interact with their customers and answer my questions. I wish them well in their ongoing business and family endeavours. - Lori L.

Dear Farmer's market of Courtenay: Our local farmers' market is a cozy place to visit. Great food items and lovely entertainment. Fortunately it seems to get busier every year. Wishing them well in the new year. - Joe V.

Dear Victory Gardens of Vancouver: Sam, Lisa and Sandra teach you how to grow food! The lovely Sam has helped us convert our muddy back yard into a food growing oasis. She is lovely and patient and has helped me learn to feed my family as well as my community. - Lou P.

Dear Staccato Studios of Burnaby: My daughter loves music, we were lucky enough to win a semester of music together with at Staccato and it really changed our lives. Thanks so much for sharing music together in our community, there is nothing better than hearing your daughter singing all day and learning to play instruments at 2 years old. You're so appreciated! - Tara J.

Dear The Good Planet Company of Victoria: This is one of our favourite stores. We're not a big consuming family, we buy only what we can't buy second hand or make ourselves, but our first stop when we need something is always The Good Planet Company. Their friendly, helpful and most of all knowledgeable staff have helped us get our family sleeping in non-toxic beds, using non-toxic personal and household cleaning products and even facilitated a great date night, a class on soap making. It's our go to store not just for products but for information. We're always impressed with their ethical business philosophy, ensuring they bring in the most ethical and healthy products available for their customers. - Michelle M.

Dear Chez Meme Baguette Bistro of Burnaby: Chez Memes is my favourite place to grab a bite to eat in Burnaby! It's a really nice, cozy place where you feel like you're really supporting an honest and pleasant business. Thanks for the great food and service! - Kyle E.

Dear Moksha Yoga Burnaby of Burnaby: I have been enjoying "hot yoga" classes at Moksha Yoga Burnaby for over a year now, and have become a huge fan! Not only do I feel fantastic, but I love the fact that Moksha is solidly committed to supporting social & environmental justice and human rights. They donate 100% of their "Karma Yoga funds" to a different cause each month, such as Amnesty International, or BROKE-Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion. They're awesome! - Ruth W.

Dear Abbotsford Community Kitchen: Thanks for providing the support to families in need and teaching families how to eat a healthy on a low budget. Teaching youth skills so they can live independently. All this makes a big impact in the community. I would like to thank you for doing everything to help people in need. Thank you :) - Anonymous

Dear Krause Berry Farms of Langley: Krause Berry Farm is one of the best local farms to go for berry picking in the summer. In addition to growing delicious berries, they also improve the farm every year by adding on other attractions and services. It's a super fun place to go with kids who can play on the playground, see animals in the petting zoo, get a horse ride and feast on ice cream and milkshakes made from the berries grown on the farm. Our family has been going there for 20 years and we will continue to support them! Merry Christmas Krause Farm! - Anonymous

Dear Moonstruck Organic Cheese Inc. of Saltspring Island: All their cheeses are made from raw milk in small batches.from their own herd of about 25 beautiful Jersey cows. They have won many prizes for their cheeses which may be the best you have ever tried. This is REAL cheese, made the old fashioned way. - myna lee j.

Dear Hopcotts Meats of Maple Ridge: Hopcotts is a farm to table butcher (that also has produce, breads and accoutrements) that we get almost all our meat from. I love shopping there because I'm supporting the farm I see every day I go to work, the food is always excellent (best sausages I have tasted!) and staff are always great. Thanks Hopcotts! - Tracey M.

Dear My Sister's Closet (BWSS) of Vancouver: Located in Yaletown, My Sister's Closet is a jewel of a thrift store whose profits go to support programs and services for battered women and their families. Employment training, opportunities for local artisans, and lots of participation in local fundraisers and fashion events, like ECO Fashion Week, are only a few of a wide range of contributions to our community. Friendly, enthusiastic staff and a fabulous environment for all! Christmas all year long! - Colleen T.

Dear Your Water Matters of Vancouver: Your Watter Matters is a little store on the corner of Laurel and Broadway that has big personality. Mary, the owner knows just about everything there is to know about water and how it relates to health. You can find all sorts of great little gifts and unique finds such as water bottles, earthing kits and water purification systems at the store. You can also find Mary at local events supplying water and making sure everyone is hydrated! - April C.

Dear Brassneck of Vancouver: Love this place. Nigel and Conrad are incredibly humble and have been massively influential and strong advocates for our local craft beer industry. Go visit them on Main Street, if you get a chance. Love the fact that they also support our local street food vendor industry -- welcoming them, helping advertise their food, and encouraging their patrons to bring the food they purchase inside their establishment. Gotta love mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationships! - Ray Y.

How does this contest work again?

Easy: all you have to do to enter is head to this page and write a few kind words to a business that makes your holiday season, or even your whole year, bright.

You don't have to know the business' mailing address; it's not an actual card. It's more like an online shout-out that everyone else can read, and you can get it done fast. Every few days, we'll pull some great ones and alert those businesses through social media. And we'll pull some gems into occasional contest updates for everyone's enjoyment.

We aren't picking winners based on the writing quality in your card. So don't be intimidated that your submission will go online for all to see. You can make it anonymous if you wish, and even if it's just two sincere sentences, your chances are as good as those who compose a sonnet to their local butcher.

Why are we doing this?

Our contest partners Vancity and LOCO BC share our conviction that locally-owned enterprises, from the smallest mom-and-pop to larger players, are the engines of a resilient, robust economy and the building blocks of interesting, unique neighbourhoods.

But being an independent business in a big-box, race-to-the-bottom-dollar world is a serious challenge. We need to celebrate the great ones.

Are some favourite businesses starting to come to mind? If so, get going on your "cards" here.

Contest ends midnight Monday Dec. 9.

Have fun! And in advance, have a happy Buy Local Week, and a great holiday season, from The Tyee.