# @lizelle - ADSactly Food: Gifts from the Heart, Gifts from the Kitchen Edition 2019
The year 2019 is almost at an end and many of us are looking forward to the year-end break as it's been a long hard haul for most!
The pace at the workplace intensifies as projects need to be completed before the year comes to an end.

In the Western World, the malls are decked out with fairy lights, enormous fir trees decorated with shiny baubles, angels and holly; not to talk about the Christmas gifts that are weighing down the store shelves.

Those who celebrate Christmas often end up at the malls on Christmas Eve frantically looking for that special gift for our loved ones.

Many of us enjoy creating in the kitchen, so why not start making treats for those special people in your lives - what a delight to receive a hamper of special homemade treats that are all your favourites!

This series is going to show you how to make delectable treats with everyday pantry ingredients, not only keeps your wallet full, but these homemade gifts from the heart are little indulgences that are sure to give your friends much joy and merriment be it for Christmas, birthdays, for someone who is ill or lonely or simply as a thank you for a special friend.

On the other hand, gifts need not be material things; we can give of ourselves by *adopting* a lonely person in a retirement home; a visit and a chat, taking them shopping or running an errand for them if they're unable to get around would make the world of a difference to their lives. Loneliness is a terrible companion!

We all buy stuff that we rarely if ever use; kitchen and DIY gadgets, way too many tubs of hand cream, books and magazines gathering dust. Blankets, clothing and shoes that lie wasted in our cupboards could keep someone else warm.
Find a charity and donate items you no longer have use for; *One man’s rubbish is another man’s gold,* really is a true saying! Great for clearing clutter in your home; plus it doubles up at clearing your mind so you can organize and focus on the things that really matter. I don't know about you but I find decluttering super energizing!

Should you run out of time, why not buy little indulgences for the coffee or tea fanatic, cheese & wine lover, gardening fundi, baking queen or chocoholic friend and make up your own customized hamper.
[Image courtesy Pretty Nifty](https://www.prettynifty.co.za/product/tea-time/)

A tipple or two of Herbal infused Wine from the kitchen is a great way to wash away the day's stresses plus it is heart healthy. This makes a fabulous gift and it is super easy to design and print your own labels.


This has been an intro to Gifts from the Heart, Gifts from the Kitchen Edition 2019; we do hope you will find inspiration here and will be joining us in making some of the homemade gifts we will be sharing with you in the next few weeks.