The Windows Live Gallery team is excited to announce a new promotion - submit a “Holiday-themed” Messenger emoticon, display picture, or background, and your item may be featured in Gallery. If you’re feeling really creative, you can submit a pack of all three for some special recognition.  So get with the Holiday spirit - here’s what need to know before you enter:

How to enter

• Entries must be submitted between November 19, 2007 and December 11, 2007. The promotion will close December 11, 2007 at 5:00 PM (PST)
• You may submit the following items: animated or static emoticons, static backgrounds, or static display pictures. To be eligible for special recognition (theme pack winner), you need to submit a pack of all three items. If you can’t submit all three, just submit as many as you can - you’ll still be eligible for awards.
• Already have a Holiday-themed item you want to submit?  Please make sure that you select "English" so that you'll be eligible for this promotion - good luck!

Rules

• Only Messenger emoticons, display pictures, or backgrounds may be submitted.
• All entrants need to have a Windows Live passport account (or sign up for one).
• Note: Microsoft and Gold Partners aren’t eligible for this promotion.

Awards
There are two levels of awards:

• a theme-packed winner will get his/her items prominently featured on Gallery’s Messenger page. He/she will also become featured contributors in the "feature contributors" section with special silver tier badge displayed in his/her profile page.
• We will select 1 item for each of the available item types (Messenger emoticons, display pictures, backgrounds) to be featured on Gallery's Messenger page as well.
• The Gallery team will review the entries and announce the winners by December 14, 2007 via this blog entry
• Winning items will be featured until December 31, 2007

Not sure how to get started?  Check out the developer center for tips on submitting Messenger items.  Just make sure to have a Holiday theme - Christmas, Hanukah, or any other Holiday you like to celebrate.  If you still have questions, you can add a comment to this blog to have your questions/comments answered.