Wanted: 7th Annual Ultimate Gift Guide 2014 Submissions Now Being Accepted

The 7th annual “Gotta Go Ultimate Gift Guide” is quickly coming upon us, with a shorter
turnaround time available, due to requests. I realize this is tight on time, however, viewers are requesting an earlier feature of the gifts to stay in line with their shopping habits.

The popular event ~ sharing the best holiday and Christmas gift ideas ~ will be televised again this year. I have switched from Fine-living Adviser on Indy Style to be the Travel & Leisure Adviser for Fox 59 Morning News Show. I will showcase winners on the program Thanksgiving morning, November 27 at 9:10 a.m.

Entries must include two of each entry, one for judging purposes and one for presentation on television (if selected).

November 24, 2014 is this year's deadline for entries. The list of winners (with image and website) will be published online at GottaGo.us during the week of November 27, 2014.

Entries will, once again, be selected by a three-judge panel.

Those submitting winning entries will be notified by the email address sent with the entry.

Purchasing and contact information should be included with entry, along with bio of product and company. Images should also be submitted via email. A hi-res image (or two) of each entry must be included via email with information in case needed for the television show.

All questions can be answered by emailing elizabethjmusgrave@gmail.com or elizabeth@gottago.us, or call her at 317-457-3221.

NEW THIS YEAR ~

All gifts will be in a general category as each year has seen a wide variety of items.

However, also new this year: ALL items will be accepted, including toys, children, stocking stuffers, books, food, wine/spirits, jewelry, clothing, et al. Whatever you can think of  ~ with the following exceptions:
No pornographic, fundraiser, political, religious, sexual, illegal, or hate items will be accepted.

Rules and tips: 

• Entries must be EXACTLY as the consumer would purchase ~ size, package everything. Ex. gift packs, gift baskets, monthly club, size, etc.

• Submissions must include 2 (two) of each item: 1 (one) for judging and 1 (one) for presentation on television (if selected).

• PR firms may submit for as many clients as they wish.

• Only three different items may be submitted per product company.

• Food items are allowed again.

• Alcohol and alcohol gift sets will be accepted again this year.

• Perishables are accepted, but please send to arrive the day before judging for best presentation.

• Children and pet items are being accepted again this year.

• Information for purchasing must be included (website, retail locations, etc.).

• MSRP must be included.

• Include social media information (Twittter, Facebook) in email for inclusion on website post.

• No pornographic, fundraiser, political, religious, sexual, illegal, or hate items will be accepted.

• Entries must be received by 6 p.m. Monday, November, 24, 2014.

• Send all questions to elizabeth@gottago.us or elizabethjmusgrave@gmail.com.

• Due to the quantity of items received annually, all items cannot be featured and will be chosen by judges.

• Items cannot be returned.

• No monies, by way of donation, fee or otherwise, will be required or accepted by any judge. This is not a media buy or advertising project. It is strictly editorial.

• All decisions by judges are final. Judging will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2014.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to a variety of gift ideas again this year.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Jim Irsay, Marilyn Monroe ~ How do we decide who to ridicule and who to support?

We are all aware (now) of the Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay's arrest Sunday. If not, the head
of the football team faces four preliminary counts of Class D felony possession of controlled substances and one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

He was pulled over in Carmel, Ind., by police and failed several roadside tests for sobriety. Preliminary does not mean he will be officially charged, of course. That remains to be seen.

Many people are rallying around Irsay, wishing him to get help for his addiction(s) and citing his numerous good deeds. I also wish him to beat his demons and can think of nothing worse than not being able to break away from something controlling your every moment. Popular Indianapolis Star sports writer Bob Kravitz says it very well (read by clicking here) in his column.

So... here's my question. Why do we poke fun, roll our eyes and laugh at comedians using Lohan as the butt of too many jokes? Why is it funny about some, yet horrific with others?

Robert Downey, Jr., has become Hollywood's darling, after being in and out of confinement for various drug-related situations. A superior actor, we can only be awed by his strength to also kick his own personal demons.

Lindsay Lohan, also good (at one time) in the acting occupation, has been fighting her alcohol addiction and other demons to an unsuccessful note, unfortunately.

We forgive America's Sweetheart, Reese Witherspoon, in an instant for her and her husband driving intoxicated and becoming belligerent with police, but condemn Mel Gibson for his alcohol addiction and ranting.

Why?

Why can't we find sympathy in our hearts for the Gibsons and Lohans of the world? Why must we ridicule them instead of root for them and support them in their attempts to fight a demon most could not beat?

Is it that we like them prior to their so-called antics to forgive and support? We adored little Lindsay in the remake of The Parent Trap, and now shrug and laugh at her issues. We weep for the damage to the wonderful songstress and actress Judy Garland, who died due to alcoholism, but make fun of Anna Nicole Smith, who passed away from drug use.

So many have lost their lives to alcohol and drugs: Whitney Houston, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Marilyn Monroe... too many to list.

Shouldn't we support all of them in their attempts to kick the addiction? What is the differentiating factor? Is it because some give to charities while others squander their wealth? I have no idea and reach out to you for your ideas on the subject.

Bottom Line: What determines whether we, as a society, support or ridicule the famous person battling addictions? I would enjoy hearing your thoughts in the comments section, or otherwise.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.