Getting some Christmas shopping done early proved to be quiterewarding for Rachel Britt of Brookhaven.

Britt won $100 in Hometown Bucks in The DAILY LEADER’s HometownChristmas promotion after she registered at The Posey Place whilebuying some gifts for her parents last week.

She was astonished to know her decision to drop her name in thespecially-marked Hometown Christmas box full of entries had paidoff.

“I am so excited. This is so great,” she said.

The $100 in Hometown Bucks was a first for Britt, who hasentered the local shopping promotion in previous years.

“I never won it before. As a matter of fact, I’ve never wonanything before,” said Britt.

It didn’t take her long to decide how she was going to spend herHometown Bucks. After being presented with her prize, Brittimmediately purchased something she’d had her eye on for aChristmas present.

She plans to spend the rest of the “Bucks” on Christmas presentsfor her friends and family, including her husband Daniel and theirchildren.

Hometown Bucks can be spent at participating businessesincluding Sisters By Design, Shipps Flowers, Brookwood Gifts andAntiques, Millane’s Gifts and Bridal Registry, Rushing Boots, T.H.Perkins Furniture Co., and The Posey Place.

Shoppers can register for the weekly drawings at thosebusinesses as well as State Bank and Trust, Trustmark and Bank ofBrookhaven.

Hometown Bucks are given away each Friday as an incentive toencourage local residents to shop in Brookhaven.

“I do try to shop in Brookhaven already, and this certainly willencourage me even more,” said Britt.

Each Friday one name will be drawn from the participatingmerchants, then the winner will be drawn from those names, with agrand prize drawing for $500 in Hometown Bucks on Dec. 13.

Employees of THE DAILY LEADER and their families are noteligible to win. Employees of participating merchants may notregister at their respective business, but they may register at anyof the other participating business.