Say it with food...

The thing about an approaching year end is the number of people you realise you’d like to acknowledge. Here in the UK there’s a fading tradition to tip various service providers, but it’s a difficult thing to do, (if only logistically) and if you start that with tips for a few great service providers, where do you stop? My list would be huge.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m a feeder. Food is a treat for me and I like it when other people feel the same. So, during December and because I’m ostensibly at home to do these things, I bake. Only mince pies and occasionally, biscuits. The advantage of this is two fold, frequently I am able to offer a couple of fresh mince pies to a delivery guy or the postie. And I get to have the oven on, which in my tiny kitchen, is as good as any heating at a time of day when I’m really too mean to actually use the central heating!

Last month (late!), I made these individual Christmas cakes. I’ve finally made time to ice and package them; they are for the staff at my lovely Mama’s care home - you know, the people I’ve never met who do her laundry and cook her meals and clean her bedroom. It’s not a huge gift, but I want them to know that ‘backstage’ or not, we notice their work and appreciate it, they are essential to Mama’s well being.

Back in the day when I was a sales rep, we used to trot around to customers with bottles and diaries. Mr Dunnit would come home laden with bottles and erm, girly calendars and occasionally something really nice! But that was always just lip service really, to a ‘good’ customer or an excellent supplier.

These days, I hope a small home made edible is enough. If you’re in my neighbourhood, call in....you do the vacuuming and I’ll warm you a mince pie.