This Christmas my presents have come from local stores, book fairs or I have made them and while this has been necessary because we do not have a lot of money, it was also a lot of fun. When you make a gift for someone you can take the time to really think on what they like then create your vision. The mall won't offer you that.
I began to wonder, what if every month I made something, whether it was a few jars of jam, a casserole or even a favourite plate of cookies and gave it to someone in my life. Spontaneously pass on just a piece of kindness to anyone at all, even the couple next door who are tremendously quiet against my raucous family. Perhaps, especially that couple. As a whole, society is very concerned with giving at this time of year, definitely to family and maybe to a charity; come January life settles back into normal and that giving seems to end. I'm not asking for altruism here but there have been a number of "pay it forward" hashtags on Twitter recently but most are consumer based: "I bought Starbucks for the person in line behind me!" was common. That's kind but what if you made a jar of hot chocolate with homemade peppermint marshmallows and gave it to the shivering postal worker on your doorstep one morning?
What I am proposing is that each month I (or another terrific blogger) will choose a theme and make something for someone in my (and your) life then blog about the experience of being the nut who gives loved or peripheral people in her life food gifts. I'm thinking that I will announce (that makes me sound so official) the theme at the beginning of the month and then about two weeks later blog the recipe and what happened. Feel free to join me in doing this random act of foodie kindness and I will link to your post on a designated date. I think this could work.
I think this is a great idea! I have tried to do things like this in the past but my follow through is awful. Can't promise I'll change, but I will think about doing this too.
ReplyDeleteMelly: You don't have to do it every month, but I'll always link to you when you do! I'm terrible on follow through to but I'm hoping this will seriously push me to do something I've always wanted to.
ReplyDeleteI don't blog, but I'd love to participate. Could I guest-blog about my experience on your site? I promise to keep it G-rated.
ReplyDeleteTrudi: You? G-rated? Bahahahah!
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I would absolutely love it if you would guest blog your experience.
I love it. Please count me in!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I am constantly making things for friends, family, and others in my life, and this would push me to get more creative and consistent. Please keep me posted about when you start! :)
ReplyDeleteRJ: I will! I'll be tweeting the theme at the beginning of the month and establish the date when posts should be up and the next day do a link round up. Thank you so much for joining!
ReplyDeleteThe Cilantropist: I'm even hoping to give something to people I wouldn't normally, like maybe a quiet neighbour or another mom at my daughter's school. I'll definitely let you know, I'm so happy you're joining in!
nice idea... especially because it would give us bloggers good motivation not to eat everything we make/bake and give it away more consistently to people we like/love!
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ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Last weekend I gave my husband's cousin's family a jar of my homemade pumpkin butter. We don't normally exchange gifts. It was a great surprise and they were happy to have it since they like apple butter and had never heard of or tried pumpkin butter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a noble idea. I just watched 'The bucket List'.... and in the film it said 'Do something for a complete stranger'.....I plan to give more this year!!!!!!!1 Have a blessed season
ReplyDeleteSounds fun!!
ReplyDeleteLove the first shot! That chubby little hand is just too adorable! Thank you for visiting and commenting my site.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I cook regularly for my site, and most of the time I cook too much and the leftovers are then forgotten. Giving them away is the best way to go.
Have a great great New Year!
I love the idea. would I be asking too much to send me an email (gringarl@yahoo.com) or let me know via my blog if you decide to go ahead with this? I'd much appreciate.
ReplyDeleteNew Year begins, let us pray,
that it will be a year with new Peace,
New Happiness, and abundance of new friends,
God bless you through out the new Year.
This sounds like a wonderful idea! I'm definitely on board!
ReplyDeleteLB Chef: It is a lot of fun spontaneously giving someone something, especially when you made it yourself! One of the teachers at Bubs' daycare really bonded with him and while we gave a whole box of baked goods to the group I gave her a jar of marmalade I'd made over the weekend, just to let her know how much we appreciate what she's done for him.
ReplyDeleteKitchen Butterfly: I haven't seen the Bucket List but I can see how it's inspiring. I always mean to give more and but never seem to, hence the very public announcement!
Jun: Nothing like chubby baby hands! It really is the best way, plus just a few less calories for us, right?
Green Girl: I definitely will let you know! Thanks for joining!
Aurora: Wonderful! I'll tweet more info, probably around January 5 to mark the first announcement of the theme.
Count me in! I love this idea :)
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