Thursday, 13 December 2012

The Gift of Giving and Appreciation

This post is brought to you by School of Mum, Keep Left PR and Bakers Delight
Some of you may know that my family celebrates Christmas twice. We celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December, and again on the 7th of January. I never used to celebrate Christmas on the 25th before marrying my husband. But now, being a part of a Catholic and Coptic Orthodox faith allows us to delve into two cultures, two languages, two Christmases, but one meaning - The Birth of Christ and the Spirit of Giving.

Unfortunately, sometimes the 7th of January lands on a weekday and can often be the day people are due to go back to work so sometimes that can cause a dilemma, as it has for us this year. My brother goes back to work on the 7th, and my sister-in law is pregnant and will be too close to her due date to travel.

Now, while I have adopted the Anglo-Saxon Christmas, my sister-in-law has adopted Orthodox Christmas and has gone so far as to invite us all to celebrate it at her house on the 5th of January to fit in with such a busy schedule. I'm amazed that this heavily pregnant mama of two is going to such a huge effort to invite my side of the family over to her house for lunch. For me, it's a great show of respect and love towards our family by ensuring that our Christmas is just as treasured and valued. More often than not, it can be tossed aside due to work commitments, post-new year busy times, or anything else really...

Not long after I received the invitation, another thing happened. A couple of weeks ago my brother's farm caught fire. The result was absolutely devastating...


What can you do in a situation like this? It's heart-breaking for everyone, but mostly for my father, brother and sister-in-law who have been tending to those trees and picking cherries for the last few years. 

Spirit of Giving

Dressed up Bakers Delight Cake. So easy and pretty!
Now Bakers Delight gave me some scrumptious bread, fruit mince tarts and Christmas cakes. In the spirit of giving they also offered me some to gift to a friend or neighbour. I have been racking my brain trying to come up with someone who I can attach a good story to, so that I could give them the gifts and write this post.
But by Sunday, following the above events taking place, it was a no-brainer. I'm hoping it will be one less thing my sister-in-law will have to provide at Christmas and hopefully if we all chip in and help she will get to put her feet up as host. Having two Christmases is busy enough, without the addition of being pregnant and natural disasters! 

WHY BAKE WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY WORKING HARD BAKING A BUN IN YOUR PERSONAL OVEN? LET BAKERS DELIGHT DO IT FOR YOU! 

My Sister-in-law checking out her new treats!
Bakers Delight Christmas Cakes and Mince tarts are delicious! I honestly never liked either mince tarts or fruit cake until I tried theirs! Head to their website to find the store near you.

 Do you know someone in your life that would enjoy a bit of extra sharing at Christmas time? What are you planning on giving them?
Posted by School of Mum at
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12 comments:

  1. zanni@heartmama13 December 2012 at 11:41

    Lovely post Angela! Sorry to hear about the farm though!

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    1. School of Mum14 December 2012 at 00:45

      Thanks Zanni. It was a shame. Such yummy cherries! At least nobody was hurt though

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  2. Unknown13 December 2012 at 12:49

    So devastating about the cherries.

    I am like you, never liked mince pies.. I am not sure if I can even bring myself to try one from Baker's delight.

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    1. School of Mum14 December 2012 at 00:46

      My husband wasn't keen on them either. He said he's never liked them but even he liked the Bakers Delight ones. They are really rich. You only need one per person! But they are really quite yummy.

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  3. Mandie13 December 2012 at 12:58

    Terrible news about the farm :(
    I'm a big mince pie fan (have had my homemade mince stewing away in brandy for nearly 2 months now, nearly ready to finally make some pies!). I must say, the Bakers Delight ones are also some of my favourites. I get a little sad when they stop selling them after Christmas (but my waistline rejoices!!)

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    1. School of Mum14 December 2012 at 00:47

      Wow two months of stewing! That is committed Mandie! I've never liked them, not one bit. But the Bakers Delight ones have me converted.

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  4. Bachelormum13 December 2012 at 14:13

    Sounds like you made the right choice with whom to give the tarts too. I'm sorry to hear of yr brother's farm. It seems we are all constantly being challenged with really tough issues. Have a beautiful 2 Christmases.

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    1. School of Mum14 December 2012 at 00:48

      I guess life would be pretty bland if there wasn't always a challenge to overcome! Hope you have a great Christmas too xoxo

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  5. Prue13 December 2012 at 22:24

    I used to work in a bakery & hated the smell of fruit mince pies. But ever since having children I love them! They sure do remind me of Christmas. My great-grandmother could do with a little extra love this Christmas, I'm making her some shortbread as we speak.

    Prue x

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    1. School of Mum14 December 2012 at 00:49

      Awww my mum makes these special biscuits at Christmas every year :-)

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  6. Unknown14 December 2012 at 11:30

    Sorry to hear about the farm but enjoy and have a merry christmas

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  7. One Mother Hen14 December 2012 at 17:25

    I am not a fan of mince pies, but I'd be willing to give the bakers delight ones a go! Your SIL looks very happy with them. So sorry for your brother, I hope they can recover and have a happy christmas :)

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