Holiday and Valentine's War Room

Gift guides are still being written.

The holiday lists are online and close in waves through December 18. The Valentine's lists open right behind them. Pick your three categories, build the one-sheet editors ask for, and send the pitch yourself.

One-time. Two gifting seasons. No subscription. Counts toward a Growth plan if you stay.

Seven windows, two occasions

Holiday print closed in August, and this page will not pretend otherwise. The online lists are the bigger window anyway, and Valentine's print is the one long-lead window still open. Dates are planning windows, not outlet deadlines.

HolidayValentine'sOpen now

What is in the War Room

The occasion desk. Gift-guide and commerce editors, tagged Holiday, Valentine's or both, and by category: tech, kids, home, kitchen, beauty, wellness, pets, food and drink, jewelry, fragrance, under $50. Ranked for your product and the window that is open today.
The kit editors ask for. A readiness checklist (affiliate link, two images, price, ship cutoffs, sample offer) and a product one-sheet builder. Pitches stay locked until the kit is done, because a pitch without them loses the slot.
A pitch per slot. Gift guides are assigned by slot, such as "for the home cook" or "under $50". You pick three; Earned drafts a 90-word pitch for each, with a Valentine's version, and you send it from your own inbox.
The calendar and a weekly note. Seven windows from October 12 to February 14, the next close counting down, and a note each week on which lists are still open.
Gift requests. Reporters' gift-guide callouts collected by the Earned desk go to the top of your list within a day.
Credits to use it. 600 Earned credits through February 14: about 35 editor unlocks and 250 drafts.

Three prices, all one time

Sold through January 25, 2027. Good through February 14. Paid once at checkout; no trial and no renewal. Move to Growth annual by February 28 and the pass price comes off.

Before you buy: are you ready to be placed?

Holiday and Valentine's War Room

$349 once

The occasion desk for both seasons
600 credits through February 14
Pitch kit for both occasions, one-sheet builder, calendar, weekly note, outreach board

War Room + Desk Review

$599 once

Everything in the War Room
Former editors review your gift pitch and one-sheet before the first send
A second review of your Valentine's pitch in January
One put-forward to the Earned desk

Already an Earned member

$149 once

The occasion desk added to your Solo, Growth or Launch plan
250 credits through February 14
The same kit, calendar and weekly note

Questions

Who is this for?

Founders of physical or giftable products at any stage: DTC, CPG, gadgets, wellness, kids, pets, food and drink, books, subscriptions, and for Valentine's also beauty, jewelry, fragrance, chocolate, flowers and experiences. Software founders with a gift card or annual plan can use it too. It is not for B2B startups.

Can I still get into a print magazine for Christmas?

No. Print holiday guides were chosen by October. The War Room covers the online lists, deal coverage, last-minute lists, local TV and newsletters, and Valentine's, where print is still open until mid November.

What if I buy after December 18?

You get the Valentine's half: the digital wave from December 15 to January 25 and the last-minute lists to February 10. The price stays the same because the desk and the kit are the value, not the number of days.

Will Earned send the pitches for me?

No. Earned never emails reporters for you. You send every pitch from your own inbox, which is why editors answer. Earned picks the editors, drafts the pitch and tracks the replies.

Is a placement guaranteed?

No, and anyone who promises one should worry you. Editors choose. The War Room raises your odds: the right editor, the right slot, the kit they ask for, at the right time.

Why does the affiliate link matter?

Commerce desks earn on the link, so a product on Amazon or an affiliate network such as Skimlinks, Impact or ShareASale often wins the slot over an equal product that is not. The checklist makes it the first thing you do.

Can I download the editor list?

No. Editors unlock one at a time when you add them to your outreach board, and there is no export. That keeps the list worth having for everyone on it.

What happens after February 14?

The pass ends and its credits expire; nothing renews. If you move to Growth annual by February 28, what you paid for the pass comes off the $999.

Publications and their editors are independent. Earned is not affiliated with any outlet, and no outlet has endorsed Earned or its members.