Yes, we love that mom has been there always to take care of us when we are sick, to help us learn as we grow, to support us in our dreams, and so much more. I think one of the best things my mom has done is to inspire me to go for what I want by watching her do the same. Growing up watching her balance her role as mom and finding time to get her degree, make time for being creative, tackling any new project, and just trying to enjoy life inspires me to try to do the same. My mom also happens to really enjoy using computer and other tech tools to help her do all of these things too. That automatically bumps Mom up a few points in my book since I’m such a geek!
Microsoft stores are having some fun in-store workshops right now, but not all of us live close to a Microsoft store (I’m hoping for one in St. Louis soon). They do have an online Microsoft Store also. At the workshops in-store they are showing some fun ways to create something for Mom this Mother’s Day using your computer – I love this. But I suggest you take it a step further. Make one of the projects below for Mom, but then show Mom how to do it herself or if that isn’t the kind of project your mom likes, show her how to use her tech tools in a way that fits her life. If your mom loves to organize, show her how to make spreadsheets or create labels with her computer. Is your mom a social butterfly? Show her how to sync her Windows Phone with her computer and stay on schedule with the calendar features. Has your mom always wanted to compile all of her fabulous recipes plus those passed down to her into one great family cookbook? Get her started by showing her how to use Office or Live Office to start gathering things together. Just pick one of your mom’s passions and find a way to help her use tech to enjoy it even more!
#1 Create your own card or image with Photo Gallery
A lot of people don’t realize that your Windows PCs come equipped with a handful of free tools to help you create something special for mom this Mother’s Day. One of the tools, called Photo Gallery allows you to make light edits to your photos and turn those photo memories into great-looking images to share with mom on the Internet, CDs, DVDs, your TV, Windows Phone or portable video device, using most popular camera types and file formats in the market today. With features like Photo Fuse and ReTouch, you can create a nice gift in minutes!
#2 Make a Card using Microsoft Paint
Why spend $5 on a mother’s day card at the store when you can create a personalized card for mom in minutes—for FREE! Moms love hand-made cards. With Microsoft Paint, you can create a card in minutes! Microsoft Paint is a simple-to-use graphics program that is included on your Windows PCs. Use it to create digital paintings, cards and more for mom!
#3 Create Mother’s Day Movies in Minutes!
Movie Maker is a simple way to compile and create special memories that will make mom melt. Since most of us are not Steven Spielberg, when it comes to making movies we’re looking for something fun and easy to use. Windows Live has a great solution for that. With Windows Live Movie Maker you can easily turn photos and video memories with mom into great-looking movies to share with her on her special day. Using most popular camera types and file formats in the market today.
The Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a $150 Microsoft Store Gift Card, a Windows HTC Radar Phone, and a Microsoft Mobile Mouse 3500! A value of $678.95
Required Entry: Tell me what you could teach your mom to do on the computer to help her enjoy life more! (or for yourself if you don’t have a mom in your life)
Winners notified by mail only, so make sure I have a way of accessing your email address when you comment.
Extra Entries: The following are all extra things you can do for more entries. Leave an additional comment for each thing you do to earn extra entries.
- Subscribe my feed via email or reader and then leave a comment letting me know you have done so. If you are already a subscriber, let me know that in the comment instead. Subscribe to Robyn’s Online World
- Follow @RobynsWorld on Twitter and send a tweet about the giveaway. You can do this one time per day. Leave a direct link to your tweet (instructions here) in your comment for an extra entry for each tweet. Just click the Tweet button (or make your own)
Tweet
- Share my giveaway on your own blog. Leave a comment with a direct link to the post on your blog.
- Please note that while I would appreciate it if you liked, shared, stumbled, +1, pinned or otherwise shared this giveaway, those do not gain extra entries.
Rules: Only one of each entry method listed per person/family/household. No entering on behalf of others, using extra identities or others identities, no automated program entries, etc. If I catch you cheating you will be banned from this and all of my future giveaways! This giveaway is only open to those in the USA, ages 18+. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm Central Time on Friday, May 18, 2012. I will pick a winner and email them and they have 48 hours to claim the prize. If no response, I will pick a new winner. Good luck!
DISCLOSURE: I am currently a member of the Windows Champions program and receive various benefits from Microsoft as a part of that. Opinions about the products and services are always my own. I am truly a long-time fan of Microsoft and their products. Microsoft is providing the prize package for this giveaway.
© 2012, Robyn Wright. All rights reserved.
