Christmas Ideas #5: Groupon.com -Unique...Different...(Review and Giveaway)

CLOSED

Groupon.com is a pretty sweet site from what I've seen so far. Never heard of Groupon before? Well, now's the time to find out! This is what they have to say about themselves:

Each day, Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, we get discounts you won't find anywhere else. We call it "collective buying power!"

Well, what do you think? That's pretty cool, isn't it? So, basically, they find us offers at various stores and get us deals. Most the ones I've seen have been at 50% or more. Who wouldn't want to make purchases for at least 50% off all the time? Some of the sales they have had in the past for example include $15 for $30 worth of gifts at Red Envelope, $99 for 3 Laser hair-removal sessions at Lumimnesse Laser (up to $360 value), $55 for a massage package at Okeanos Club Spa normally worth $120, and many more. Sure, these deals I've listed were the recent New York ones, however, there are Groupon sites for most US and Canadian cities, which makes it pretty cool because that means you can always get local experiences for great prices! Get this, there was even a basic private dance party class available for $125 instead of the regular $300 at DivaDance Company, one of the 2009 Best of New York Dance Class. Even if I'm not a dancer, I think that's a crazy deal! 10 friends, 60 minutes at a top notch dance studio for lessons sounds like amazing fun!

But especially for the Christmas season, Groupon features Grouponicus as well as their regular site. Grouponicus is the holiday where "Groupo", the bargain bird as well as mascot, brings special experiences and savings at 50% off. Again, there are different Grouponicus offers for each city and a new offer is presented each day. The great thing is, these experiences can be for anyone of any age. For example, for Atlanta, Grouponicus currently has one deal where its $29 for $61 worth of meat, apparel and other manly products at the Man Cave. This deal is perfect for guys.  I am positive 

that if that deal was here in New York, my SO would definitely love me for it...he's a meat lover and bbq just happens to be one of his favorite foods!  In Boston, there is a Two-Hour Private Sailing Lesson or Two-Hour Leisure Cruise for Three People at Courageous Sailing for $95 instead of $190 Value, perfect for the adventurers. In LA, $250 for a Two-Hour Private Cooking Class for up to Six People in a Professional Kitchen with Simple Gourmet ($540 Value). This are only some of the deals Grouponicus has, there are so many more experiences and they can range from $15 for $30 drink or restaurant certificates to deluxe experiences like the private sailing above. This is a bad idea for me to look through all of these different cities so I'm going to stop now because I'm going to end up wanting to do every single thing in every city! I'll leave it up to you to explore the rest of the Groupon and Grouponicus site.   

 

The awesome thing about Groupon is that you can purchase for yourself or make it a gift. And if you're not sure exactly what experience you want to purchase for your friends, family, or SO, you can get them Groupon credit so that they can pick the experience of their choice! The other thing I love about Groupon is that even though I am in New York now, I can still purchase experiences or credit for my friends and family that are in different cities. For example, most my readers know I am originally Canadian, so I could purchase an experience for my family and friends back home through Groupon and it would be so easy! Groupon has deals in so many Canadian cities like Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Winnipeg, Toronto, Oshawa and so many more...


Now, I am very excited to get to experience Groupon but I've seen so much that I want to do that I can't decide on one! But I will and after I have my experience, I'll let you know how it goes. However, Groupon has been very generous and offered 2 of my lucky readers $25 Groupon credits as well. How exciting is that!?

Bottomline, Groupon allows you to buy experiences either for yourself or as gifts for others for 50-90% off. You really can't go wrong with that, you're buying awesome gifts half the price or less! There are endless options...I love how you can either pick an experience for someone or just get them credits and let them decide. This would be "the" gift for those people that are hard to buy for or are more into adventure than material gifts! Or, in my case, my tummy might win over and I just might go for restaurant groupons! And its so easy, whether its for yourself or someone else, either you can print the voucher yourself or email it to them so its quick, no need to wait for shipping times with this gift! Groupon = very cool! My take? Love it!


Buy It: Visit Groupon or Grouponicus and pick your city of choice to view all the crazy deals they have!


Win It: Two very lucky readers are going to win a $25 Groupon Credit from Groupon.com!

To Enter (MANDATORY): This must be entered before the bonus entries count! I will check. PLEASE Leave a contact email in your entries if it is not found in your profile, if I can't contact you, you can't win. :) 
1) Comment on your favorite holiday tradition or shopping trip. 
2) Tell me what your favorite Grouponicus experience is OR what experience that you would like to see on Grouponicus. 


Bonus Entries -Please make sure you put 1 comment for each entry. e.g. If it says 2 entries, put 2 comments.

• Follow Whirlwind of Surprises on Google Friends Connect -1 entry
• Like Whirlwind of Surprises on facebook. Please leave your first name and last initial-1 entry
• Like Groupon on facebook. 
• Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post. Please leave your link. -2 entries.
• Grab my button and tell me where its at -2 entries
• Enter any of my other giveaways -1 entry
• Follow Whirlwind of Surprises on Networked Blogs -1 entry
• Follow Groupon on Twitter
• Follow Whirlwind of Surprises on Twitter and ReTweet this: RT @cinnybbs @Groupon #Win a $25 Groupon Credit towards an experience #Giveaway (2 Winners!!) http://bit.ly/fw4UTq US/CAN. Ends 12/31. #WOS 
• (can be Tweeted up to 3x daily for extra 2 entries each time. Each tweet must be 2 hours apart. Leave your tweet link)
• Subscribe to Whirlwind of Surprises via email. -2 entries

Giveaway ends 11:59 pm EST on December 31, 2010. Open to US and Canada. Winner will be drawn by a random number generator, posted on this blog and emailed. Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn.

Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been provided free of charge from the manufacturer or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure.

Until next time,

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