Moonshine’s annual coloring contest returned this month to encourage readers to think about the gift they would give if they had magical gift giving powers. Unlike in years past, this year’s contest was open to all ages, and, oh boy — what a turnout! Participants ranged from three to 60 years old. We think this is thanks in part to the recent trend of adult coloring — an activity that helps adults relax, find their inner child, and goof off. As for kids’ participation, coloring has always been popular, but maybe most importantly in today’s world, it doesn’t involve staring at a screen.
There were two winners this month — one adult and one child — chosen at random. Layla Alice Sacks, age 7 and a-half, won a membership to the KidZone Museum. Sandie Howard, age 60, won a $30 gift certificate to Coffeebar and a $20 gift certificate to Trunk Show.
Below are the colorings, original drawings, and responses from participants. ~ Abby Stevens/Moonshine Ink
Note: All answers are published as they were written, complete with misspelled words.
“I would give wings to my mama, so she could fly!”
~ Kaleah, 3
“Clean water and earth for everyone!”
~ Kai, 5
“A stuffed animal to her friend Elanor”
~ Brynn, 5
“I would give a house to homeless people because it is nice to sleep in a bed.”
~ Ellery, 6
“Give christmas to the poor be cause they don’t have homs”
~ Edie, 1st grade
“I wll giv Lacy a cheey mostr.”
~ Hope, 1st grade
“I wod give Edie a grow dome so she cod have food.”
~ Bree, 1st grade
“I will giv Joy. Be cus sum pe pol don’t hav joy. Evrewun is Joyfol.”
~ Kai, 1st grade
“I will giv a homlis kid a has to lif in and a gronup, them not to be cold.”
~ Siri, 1st grade
“I wud givd 10,1000 lifs to my frend Bree becus I wonto and I wot to meck hr liv longr.”
~ Taggart, 1st grade
“I wood giv my snowe to som won hood us not hav one.”
~ Macklin, 1st grade
“I wud giv to the earth joy because it nedes hapenis.”
~ Lucy, 1st grade
“I would give it to my best friend Riley and I would give her a magic rander.”
~ Addie, 7
“I would like my gift giving power to be to give kittens to whom ever wanted them. I would give them to my friends and my family! I believe kittens make people happy, and could fill the world with peace.”
~ Layla, 7.5
“If I had magical gift-giving powers I would give my friend, Jaylyn, some heelies.”
~ Keira, 8
“If I had a magical gift giving power, the present I would give is world peace to everyone.”
~ Beckam, 8
“If I had magical gift giving powers, my present would be peace. And I would give it to the whole world, because there should be more agreements, kindness, and love.”
~ Eden, 8
“To give every kid in the world a toy or present and a big holiday dinner to those who don’t have enough food or a family to eat with.”
~ Drayden, 9
“I would give my mom a kitten”
~ Annabelle, 9
“My gift would be a light up drone and I would give it to my daddy.”
~ Ava, 9
“To whom I would give this present to is a kid in a hospital that would normally not be home to get presents. The present I would give is a stuffed toy and a couple more gifts too.”
~ Kayla, 20
“I would give Tahoe City the gift of an affordable, authentic, always open Taqueria.”
~ Drew Fisher, 27
“I think the best magical gift giving is the smile, and thank god that he gave that to all the people around me.”
~ Georgina, 28
“As a Raiders, 49ers, and Broncos football family we would give the world the gift of acceptance and compassion for all our wonderful differences.”
~ Serenity, 30
“I would give my relatives plane tickets and time off work so we could all spend the holidays together for the first time!!”
~ Erica, 34
“Peace and love for all”
~ Amber, 35
“I would like to bring joy, peace, and warm fuzzies to everyone that I interact with.”
~ Adrian, 45
“Honestly, giving the gift of ‘seeing the best in people.’ A gift to all across the globe.”
~ Sandie, 60
“I would restore nerve damage and mobility to all paralysed persons. I would magically return all limbs and body parts to our veterans. I would provide clean water, food, and shelter to all needy persons (this one doesn’t really need magic).
~ Shirley, senior
