A COMPETITION to win a gift voucher worth a thousand pounds is entering its last few days. 

The competition gives people the chance to win a £1,000 St Ives Gift Card to spend with over 60 local businesses

People have been sharing their perfect yuletide vision in a Win Your Dream Christmas competition with a £1,000 St Ives Gift Card as a possible prize.

Topping the Christmas wish list so far is time spent with family and loved ones, with 63 per cent saying that’s their dream. Another 27 per cent are dreaming of a festive lunch with everyone sitting around the table.

A vision of being cosy and warm at home with a crackling fireplace is a dream Christmas for 23 per cent. Then 22 per cent say it’s the chance to treat those they love with presents, gifts, and local shopping.

Time spent with family, good food, and walks on the beach is a popular theme in St Ives entries so far. One entrant from St Ives said their dream Christmas is: “Champagne with present opening, followed by a walk on the beach and big family lunch. Afternoon dozing/playing with presents, evening of TV, wine cheese and nibbles.”

Another St Ives entry said: “Got to be gathering with loved ones, a little walk on the beach watching the waves, getting stuffed on traditional Christmas food and that warm fuzzy feeling in front of a cosy log fire, after a beautiful day.”

Some 12 per cent  are wishing for a White Christmas, including in St Ives, with one St Ives entry saying: “My dream Christmas would be waking up to snow, opening presents in front of a warm open fire, watching Christmas films then celebrating with Christmas dinner and drinks.” A final entry is hoping for: “Warmth, food, a roof, and happiness.”

The St Ives Gift Card, part of the Town & City Gift Card concept, can be spent with over 60 businesses including shops, restaurants and attractions, giving people an easy way to support local. St Ives BID launched the card in 2023 to drive footfall and spend to local businesses.

Sarah Hooper, BID Manager at St Ives BID said the Win Your Dream Christmas competition gives people the chance to have the Christmas of their dreams. She said: "We’ve been enjoying reading the Win Your Dream Christmas entries so far, and hearing about what makes the festive season special for many.

"The competition is a chance for someone to win a fantastic £1,000 St Ives Gift Card to spend with our fantastic local businesses, and it’s also a reminder of the need to shop local and keep on supporting our shops, cafés, venues and more year-round."

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex, founders of the Town & City Gift Card concept and said: "Over 98% of people in our 2023 survey said they’re keen to support local businesses this Christmas and 87% said they support local businesses to help keep them open.  89% plan to buy at least one gift card this Christmas, and the St Ives Gift Card not only offers support for local, it offers the widest choice too. The winner really will have a Dream Christmas to look forward to."

The Win Your Dream Christmas closes on the 8th December. Enter the competition free at: www.winyourxmas.co.uk