Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

Acts of Kindness & Topsy’s Popcorn Giveaway

I remember the moments well… our family squashed in among the crowds of people anxiously awaiting the Kansas City Country Club Plaza Lighting Ceremony. I was young, so could usually be found either hiding behind the backs of strangers, desperately trying to peek my head around them for a view or precariously sitting atop my dad’s shoulders, shivering as the cold, Kansas wind would hit my face.

It never failed. As the countdown to the lighting began, my heart would flutter with excitement. The moment… 5-4-3-2….and 1… was always so magical. No matter where you were standing, who you were nestled between, the sudden brightness of the beautiful light display would take your breath away.

After the ceremony we’d walk through the plaza, deciding where our dessert stop would be. The ice cream shop under the brightly lit star (with bubblegum ice cream) always won out, but after eating ice cream I longed to stop at the cute little popcorn shop with the long line of people wrapped all the away around the corner. “We aren’t waiting in a line that long for popcorn, Kristen.” Begrudgingly, I’d move on, but I was always so envious of the folks walking out of Topsy’s with the giant tins of popcorn in their hands.

Fast forward many years later and I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced Topsy’s popcorn many, many times. When my mom became a school teacher, Topsy’s popcorn tins were a common gift from her students. As I grew up and moved into a professional, office role, clients were often adorning my office space with tins of popcorn. I never tired of Topsy’s popcorn.

My friends at Topsy’s gifted our family with a big tin of popcorn this week. As my 5 year old was eating it she exclaimed “When I grow up, I’m going to buy twenty-five hundred of these every year.” Needless to say, we are all fans.

Topsy’s wants to share a 6.5 gallon tin with someone this year, and I thought we would do an “Acts of Kindness” type giveaway. Receiving a tin of popcorn is such a fun treat. This time around the giveaway is not going to you…but to someone YOU want to surprise! It’s your chance to pass on some holiday kindness on behalf of Topsy’s and Dine & Dish. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling me whose day you would want to brighten by sending a tin of Topsy’s popcorn. For additional entries:

  • Tweet the following: ” I want to brighten someone’s day by sharing a tin of Topsy’s popcorn from Topsy’s & @dineanddish http://su.pr/2gwwHv ” Leave a separate comment on this post letting me know you did this.
  • Visit Topsy’s website and leave a comment here letting me know which flavor or flavor combination of Topsy’s you would choose.

All entries must be received by midnight CST on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be notified via email (must have a valid email address).

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Topsy’s. All opinions expressed are my own.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Mary M says

    I’d give it to my sister, who has been letting me stay in her house while I look for a new place. She deserves it, and she really appreciates good popcorn.

  6. Amy says

    I would brighten the day of the lady that volunteers for almost EVERYTHING at my kid’s charter school. Reading clubs, appreciation crew, 4H clubs, Spanish classes, service projects – she probably spends more time at the school than the teachers!

  7. Amy says

    Caramel/Cheese/Buttered or Caramel/Cheese/Cinnamon – I don’t think I’ve ever tried cinnamon popcorn before

  8. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says

    I love popcorn and eat it every day!

    I would love the brighten the day of my daughter’s teachers…they work SO HARD and I am sure are not making much money…but they are so dedicated and they truly love the kids and my daughter loves them back.

  10. kayleigh says

    i would give the popcorn to my brother & sister-in-law who just had a baby and love popcorn tins!!

  17. Kristen M. says

    I’d send this to a friend who has had a tough season. After a difficult first pregnancy, her baby had unexpected emergency surgery soon after being delivered. He spent several weeks in the hospital and is doing well now (at almost 9 months) but will have to have surgeries as he gets older. Her husband has been out of work, and just this week her grandmother was killed in a car accident. My friend could use some “I’m thinking of you” action to brighten her day.

  26. Sally says

    I would brighten up my best friend’s day as she’s making some difficult life decisions and could use a smile!

  29. Andi T. says

    I’d send some to my mother-in-law. They’re having us all over for Christmas and I’m sure she’d like one less snack to plan 🙂

  33. Jen Kim says

    I would love to brighten up my Dad’s day~ He recently stepped on a nail that punctured through his shoes and when through his foot, and he had to have surgery since he ended up getting infected… Now even after having surgery it’s hard for him to walk around for a long time. I would love to send this to him to help brighten up his day, even if it’s only until all the popcorn is gone~

  37. Sarah R says

    I would give it to my best friend who is pregnant! Surely she’s craving a little cheese popcorn, right? She’s a 5th grade teacher and dedicates so much time to her work. She deserves a nice pick-me-up.

  38. Elaine Mundy Pry says

    I would like to brighten Zachary and Shelley Mundy’s day. They are great and have been through several stressful months this year.

  39. Jen Frias says

    I would brighten up the day for my Huband who is a US Marine and all of his fellow Marines who work with him everyday to make our country safe!!

  42. Elaine Mundy Pry says

    I would give it to my friend who lost her legs on Christmas Eve and her feet on Christmas day.

  43. Johnna says

    I have many fond memories of bubblegum ice cream at Swensen’s on the Plaza! It was the only place I had ever seen bubblegum ice cream, always such a treat to wait in the brass rail-lined queue for that pink goodness! I would send the pretzels/cheese/buttered popcorn tin to my sister, who at 64 is spending Christmas as a newly-single gal.

  48. Tamara B. says

    I will have to go with all cheese tin because that is is his favorite flavor.
    tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

  49. Sam H says

    I’d brighten my husbands day–his inner child is almost insatiable, and he always adores small touches that bring him back to his childhood.

  54. Emilie says

    I would sent it to my good friend in North Carolina who has to be away from family and friends for the holiday.

  56. Dana says

    I would give it to my neighbor’s daughters. They have three little girls who pop a bowl of popcorn nearly every night as a treat. They can’t get enough popcorn!

  57. nicole says

    I’d love to send popcorn to my Dad. He lives in FL and I won’t see him for Thanksgiving or Christmas so it would be nice to send and extra surprise down there to him in FL.

  60. Laura says

    What a fun idea! I’d send it to my BFF, who lives a billion miles away in another state and is away from any good friends & family. 🙂

  61. betty says

    I would choose the cheese, cinnamon, and caramel combo. The colors are beautiful and it’s the perfect blend of savory and sweet. I would share it with my extended family @ our Thanksgiving gathering!

  62. Audrey's Mom says

    It would be a nice little treat for my parents to receive since I will be spending the xmas days with in-laws. And who does not love popcorn tins? I like to mix the flavors.

  63. Tami Moody says

    I would send one to my husbands work. They are a small group of guys and money is very tight. The guys would love to have a special treat. We used to get them every year, but have not been able to with the price of them. Topsy’s is the best popcorn around! Cheese, cinnamon & caramel!

  64. Lisa says

    I would give it to my Mom, she is going through chemo treatments right now for Breast Cancer and it might be a great treat for her to munch on.

  66. Amanda Thompson says

    I want to brighten my friend Dana’s day by sharing a tin of Topsy’s popcorn with her because she’s been going through a rough time lately.

  67. Valerie says

    Hi….ummm….the plain ol *buttered* variety would be just PERFECT….Thanks so much for letting us enter! Cheers, Valerie.

  69. SMITH BITES says

    i would send a tin to my son & daughter-in-law, the parents of Alice; i found out last Christmas that they LOVE this popcorn and wish for it every year . . . so odd because i had forgotten about it until i saw your post . . .

    but i also have to say Kristen, that i think this is the BEST giveaway because it’s not for ppl who leave comments, it’s to make another person’s day brighter which, for me, is the best gift ever!!!

  70. Dawn says

    I would like to brighten the day of a co-worker/friend who is going through a hard time right now. She has to have hip surgery and will be off work for 6 to 12 weeks. It will be hard on them financially. She always has such a wonderful attitude but I hope she can keep up her spirits. This would help brighten her day!

  71. Laurel says

    Awe! My daughter gets her braces off on December 6th and I have forbidden her from her favorite snack for 18 months (though I am sure she has snuck some). It would be grand to offer her a load of popcorn in celebration!~

  74. Julie says

    Topsy’s is such a great memory from my childhood…cheese, cinnamon and caramel. YUM! Also, the Plaza lights there’s nothing better. One of things I miss most about not living in KC anymore. Thanks for the reminder of fun times.

  75. Amy says

    You make me miss KCMO. Although I moved to Fl I think of the lighting as one of the great things in KC. It also happens to be where my daughter is and I miss her a great deal. She is the person I would cook with and plan with. I miss her and would love to send her this gift to let her know she is loved and missed and to make her smile.

  76. Dana says

    I would give it to my dear friend Diana, that has done so much for me in the past two months of hard times. Love her!

  77. Cindy B. says

    My daughter, she away at college and won’t be home , because of finals. Popcorn are are favorite snack food.

  84. April Kofler says

    I would love to brighten my son’s day if he was allowed to get a care package. He just joined the Air force and is in boot camp. He will be away from us for the first time so the holidays and we are a very close family so I know he will be missing us as much as we will be missing him…well he better be. LOL

  91. Billie says

    I would give the tin to my daughter to share with her 1st grade classroom at Stony Point South. She is always buying treats for her students, so I know she would appreciate a tin of Topsy’s pop corn.

  93. Janet Segura says

    Hi there,
    I would love to send a tin of popcorn to my Divorce Care leaders. I could not have gotten throught this difficult time without them by my side. I’m sure they would love any flavor combination they received. They are just that kind of folk.

  94. April was in CT now CA says

    I’d choose caramel, cheese and cinnamon!! I’ve never had Topsy’s, but really want some now.

  95. Gigi Cuccaro says

    I would send it the Topsy’s popcorn tin to my friend Annette and her family. She lost her Dad last December. Her mom passed way in October. Her parents loved popcorn. This gift would make her day. What a thoughtful giveaway! Happy Thanksgiving! <3

  97. MaryBeth says

    What an awesome idea! I would love to treat my coworkers. They’ve worked so hard this year and as a team, really supported each other while we dealt with some obstacles. There was never a complaint; always smile and an offer of what do you need me to do” . They are awesome and I’m blessed to work with such superstars. Thanks for a chance to win.

  98. Alina says

    I would love to surprise my best friend, Sean, with a tub of popcorn seeing as it’s the favorite snack 🙂 love this giveaway!

  100. Emily says

    It would be nice to surprise my mom’s aunt who lives alone, away from family. I always think of those who may be lonely, especially at this time of year.

  101. Sean C says

    A wondeful idea!! I’d love to surprise my coworkers. They deserve a little treat for the holidays. Since they are always thinking about food, I think this would cheer them up.

  103. bridget {bake at 350} says

    Oh, this is so fun, Kristen! I’d love to send this to my friend Laura who has been battling cancer for the last 11 years. She’s basically homebound and her parents have given up their retirement to care for her. They would love a special treat!

  109. Julie Reynolds says

    Even though I do not know Bridget, I vote that her friend Laura who is battling cancer and her parents who are taking care of her should receive the tin of Topsy’s.

  111. susan says

    Hi, I’d like to send my sister something to cheer her up. She has been found to have at least 3 life-threatening conditions, and has to make scary decisions about them…I think the caramel, cheese and cinnamon sounds great!

  114. Sue says

    I would surprise my daughter since she just had surgery and could use a pick-me-up. My choice would be caramal/cheese/butter.

  117. Alysa (InspiredRD) says

    Oh how I miss the Plaza lights! Growing up in Kansas City, the lights and Topsy’s were two of my favorite traditions. Topsy’s popcorn tin at Christmas (my favorite was always the cheese popcorn), and Topsy’s limeades in the summer in Prairie Village.

    I would love to brighten my parents’ day with a tin of Topsy’s, I know they miss it too!

  119. Naomi Dice says

    I would love to brighten my parents day. Now, even though all the children have moved out, i still want them to know how much we love them.

  129. Elle says

    I’d send the buttered popcorn to the Raleigh Food Shuttle kitchen so that the people eating there could have an unexpected treat this holiday season.

  131. Leigh Card says

    What wonderful memories you brought back! Our family loves Topsy’s too and we all had our favorites. I would like to gift this to my Dad. He would enjoy the popcorn and would also like sharing it. He lives in an senior community and I bet he would be one popular guy, if he had a tin of Topsy’s popcorn. He would like the buttered, cheddar and caramel kind. That way everyone would be happy!
    Thank you,
    Leigh

  134. Cathy M says

    I want to brighten someone’s day by sending a tin of Topsy’s popcorn to my friend of 10 yrs. She was terminated from her job about 2 wks ago due to new management.

  135. Brooke says

    My Mom’s! She LOVES popcorn and has been going through a lot of health problems lately and hasn’t been able to eat nuts or popcorn but she is starting to feel better and this would make her day!

  138. Elaine Henry says

    I would brighten the day of Tenoche the “computer savvy” four year old son of my friends at Net Plaza Internet Cafe.

  143. Sharon says

    I’d love to give this to our two sons in college. They would love a big tin of yummy popcorn! Thanks so much for the giveaway.

  147. LINDA PAYNE says

    My parents – even though my daughter is almost 17 – they still help me out with her so much!

  148. Donice LaGrange says

    I’d love to send some popcorn to Minnesota to my new father-in-law and his new wife. My husband and I and his father and new wife both got married last year and we don’t see each other near enough being 12 hours apart. We were told he missed snacks from Kansas and to send something to Minnesota for Christmas that reminded him of home, best we could think of was Topsy’s popcorn!

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