**surprise surprise**
![p1310797_edited.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUHcp3tekT3hmueRJyA3vYKr6KbLGmRmkxyQGraDTA6J3/p1310797_edited.jpg)

the shadow was a christmas tree and many people were able to guess it. unfortunately most didn't bother to reply

![2008_08_03_006_swiss_volksfest.jpg](https://images.ecency.com/DQmdVMR2mnCW7jjJGJmjYPqiYe7sg2aZkGkzeDrvbkYjnUS/2008_08_03_006_swiss_volksfest.jpg)
photo courtesy of @melinda010100
it's too cold outside for a parade  but if we did have one it would probably have looked very similar to something like this


now the rules for this special christmas contest were different. the people who guessed it was a christmas tree were expected to give a gift to somebody they thought deserved it. and sure enough there were two who did exactly that:
@sp3ktraline generously gave to yours truly and 
@femcy-willcy gave  generously to @annephilbrick 

i mentioned that "*there are some other gifts under the tree as well but you don't get to know what they are until christmas is here."*
so 5 Hive and a merry christmas greeting each to
@sp3ktraline and @femcy-willcy.

 now sadly there were only 2 other guesses
@sousinato replied: *It looks like a shadow of christmas tree .I want to give 100 points to @mirooo92*.
now @sousinato is new to Hive so perhaps she didn't understand how to give points or perhaps she misunderstood the rules but we can't completely dismiss the possibility that she is in fact a real live grinch. at any rate there is no cause for @mirooo92 to go needy so 
100 points to @mirooo92 

@amyx is also new. she replied: 
*It looks like a tree…which means I’m wrong. Can’t be that obvious*.

now those are not the words of a true grinch.  it's quite obvious she was just confused.   
30 points to @amyx for "any reply other than christmas tree" as stated in the intro post

nominations to @pixresteemer to the newcomers 
@amyx and @sousinato. i wish you both a happy new year and i wish you could read the rules next time

there's a new contest coming soon with the normal rules and far  more challenging shadow images. hope to see you there.

meanwhile don't miss the smash 200 celebration
https://ecency.com/hive-179017/@melinda010100/shadow-hunters-smash-contest-round-e8d982e362cac

and the reflection hunters contest
https://ecency.com/hive-179017/@annephilbrick/reflection-hunters-contest--round-45