The Second Annual Pig Christmas Tree “Oink-a-Ment” contest is a fun way to get in the Christmas spirit in a creative way.

Jennifer Carney Garrett and her husband, Steve, own and operate the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 231 in Troy. Last Christmas season, Garrett said she wanted to decorate the store’s Christmas tree with pig ornaments.

“But there aren’t many Christmas pig ornaments to be found,” she said, laughing. “A friend, Jessica Helms, suggested a contest, an oink-a-ment contest, and offer prizes for the winning entries as a way to get ornaments for our Piggly Wiggly tree.”

The rules for the Annual Pig Christmas Tree Oink-a-Ment contest are simple.

“An ornament can be made from any material but it must be the size and weight that it can be hung on a typical Christmas tree,” Garrett said. “It should include a hook or ribbon so it can easily be attached to the tree.”

Entries may be turned in at the 231 Piggly Wiggly office and should include the creator’s name, age, telephone number and a brief description of the ornament. The ornament and information should be placed in a bag or container.

“We will number the entries so we ask that names not be put on the ornaments,” Garrett said. “The contest is limited to one ornament per person.”

All entries should be turned in by 8 p.m. on Nov. 30.

The top four ornaments in each age category will receive prizes and will become the property of the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 231.

The categories are ages four to nine, and 10-15 and 16 and over.

“The grand prize winners in the younger ages will receive a Piggly Wiggly T-shirt and the runners up will receive a gift bag. The grand prize winner in the age 16 and over division will receive at $25 gift certificate and a Piggly Wiggly T-shirt. The runners up will receive a gift basket.

The winners will be determined by public vote.

“Those who would like to vote on an ornament may do so from Dec. 4 to Dec 16,” Garrett said. “Votes may be cast by writing the voter’s name, phone number and the number of the ornament they would like to win on a ‘ballot’ and dropping it in the box. Each person may vote only once each day.”

Ornaments that do not place in the contest may be picked up the week of Dec. 26-30. After those dates, the oink-a-ments will become the property of the 231 Piggly Wiggly.