We Read 1,400+ Entries… Here’s What Ireland Would Do With €230

Blue Monday is often called the most depressing day of the year. January can feel long, dark, and expensive after the festive season — and this year's relentless rain didn't help.

So we decided to bring a little brightness to the month with our Blue Monday Giveaway, giving five people across Ireland the chance to win €230 — the average amount Chill customers save each year on their car insurance when they compare quotes with us.

To enter, people simply told us how they'd spend it, and our inbox quickly filled up. With 1,400+ entries, the responses ranged from heartfelt to hilarious. Choosing just five winners wasn't easy, but the prizes are officially on their way.

Congratulations to our winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to enter.

Meet Our Blue Monday Winners

Our five winners came from different parts of Ireland and had very different reasons for entering.

Some entries focused on easing financial pressure, others on small moments of joy, and some simply wanted to do something thoughtful for the people around them.

It was a reminder that even a relatively small amount of money can mean a lot at the right moment.

What 1,400+ Entries Told Us

January is often a reset month. After Christmas spending, people are looking ahead to the year while managing shorter days, colder weather, and tighter budgets.

As we read through the entries, certain ideas kept popping up, so we grouped them together to get a clearer picture of what Ireland was really needing this January.

Top 7 Ways Ireland Would Spend €230

Travel & Escape – 35.1%

The most common response was using the prize toward a trip or short getaway. After weeks of cold winter rain and grey skies, it's easy to see why a change of scenery was top of mind.

Insurance – 20.0%

Many people said they would put the money toward insurance costs, including car, home, or travel insurance — a practical choice during a month when many policies renew.

Generosity – 13.0%

A surprising number of entries focused on spending the prize on someone else, from partners and parents to children and friends.

Bills & Essentials – 9.5%

Others said the €230 would help with everyday costs like utilities, groceries, or household costs during an expensive time of year.

Car Costs – 6.2%

Fuel, servicing, repairs, and general maintenance appeared regularly, showing how important cars are for everyday life across Ireland.

Meals & Social – 5.3%

Some entrants simply wanted to enjoy a nice meal or day out with friends or family after a quiet winter stretch.

Other Plans – 10.9%

This category included everything from home upgrades and spa days to concerts, celebrations, learning opportunities, and plenty of unique ideas.

Themes That Stood Out

While the categories showed how people planned to spend the money, a few broader themes emerged from the entries themselves.

Desperate for Sun

One of the clearest themes was a longing for sunshine. Entries mentioned Spain, Portugal, the Canaries, Australia, and pretty much anywhere with warm weather. After weeks of winter rain and grey skies, people made it clear that they weren't looking for luxury. They just wanted sun.

Winter Reality

At the same time, plenty of responses reflected the reality of January in Ireland. Heating oil. ESB bills. Gas. Warm clothes. The vibe was very much "keep the house warm and get through the month."

Family First

Another theme that stood out was how many people wanted to use the prize to treat their loved ones. Even when money is tight, the instinct to share it with family was incredibly strong.

Coping with Craic

And of course, Irish humour was alive and well. From inventing a "revolutionary localised anti-rain machine" to planning to "shop in Penneys like I own it," and buying a paint brush to "paint the town red" — your answers proved that even in peak bleak January, the sense of humour coming through the entries was unmistakably Irish.

Too Good Not To Share

Not every great entry could win, but we couldn't keep these gems to ourselves. Here are a few that made us laugh out loud, smile, or read them twice.

Thanks Again for Taking Part

A huge thank you to everyone who entered the Chill Blue Monday Giveaway. Reading through more than 1,400 responses was one of the highlights of our January.

Congratulations again to our five winners, and keep an eye on our blog, newsletter, and social channels for future competitions and giveaways. And if saving on your car insurance sounds appealing, see what you could save with car insurance quotes from Chill.