If the $1000 shopping related spree is at a grocery store, purchase $500 worth of nonperishable food items and donate to a food bank. Be sure to make most of the goods nutritious basics, but also throw in a few dessert items. The emotional needs of children deserve a small treat during the holidays as much as the body needs nutrition. Be a secret Santa to a perfect stranger this holiday season by sharing your $1000 shopping spree.

If you'd rather not be so anonymous, another wonderful way to share your prize, if the prize is from a grocery store, is to buy $500 worth of groceries, and offer the full shopping cart to a family in the parking lot. Offer to help them load the bags into their car, and just bask in their disbelief. Let them know that you won the shopping spree and just wanted to share the good feeling. These good deeds tend to gain momentum, and chances are that the family will share some of your gift with someone else.

If your prize is at a general retailer, multiply your good fortune by five - purchase $500 worth of goods with your $1000 value and give $100 worth to five different strangers in the parking lot. Seriously, think about the impact of this kind of charity to the lives of five families that you don't even know! Or - if a generalized prize -- go to the dollar store! You could purchase 500 stuffed animals - there are actually $1 stuffed animals at the dollar store - and make 500 children smile on Christmas morning, and still have half of your prize for yourself and your own family.

The current economy is crippling many families this holiday season. There are many people that truly need the entire $1000 to keep from losing their car or home, but the $1000 shopping spree contests are usually geared to purchases from a particular source. Be generous this holiday season and distribute your good fortune by bringing a little holiday cheer to as many people as you can touch with your $1000 shopping spree. Happy Holidays!