Do I need to start being tight and stop being generous ?

patchwork_cat

I think the idea about teaching the kids to do it and using the school ovens is great. Could you post details on how to make them, please.

moanymoany

Frogga, you have really managed to pile stuff up on yourself here. You would not be tight to stop all the stuff you do. What you do is over the top as far as the expectation of the school goes. You have got yourself into a bit of a sticky situation now because everyone expects these things of you.

One way to deal with it is to tell people that this year you simply haven't got the time to do everything - then decide what you really can afford to do - and do that. This gives time to scale down operations and will reduce the expectations for next year.

daisyroots_2

Poet wrote: »

Maybe you could hold a class and show the kids how to make their own hedgehog shaped buns? Bet they'd get more out of that than just being given a bread roll, as lovely a gesture as that was.

xxx

This is such a brilliant idea, I'm sure the school could find a way to stomp up for the ingredients.

Don't worry too much about reducing the amount you give. Some people feel a bit overwhelmed by great generosity, you know, and feel that they must reciprocate in some way, which maybe they cannot afford. I think this might be how - with the very best intentions - we end up giving more and more elaborate and expensive birthday parties for our children. They can become quite competitive, and a worry to many. I understand your need to be thanked, but you will receive just as many thanks for the time and care you give:A

Buffy_the_Vampire_Bat

Awww frogga, I wish you were my friend, you sound lovely

I really love the idea of you going into school to make the rolls with the children, I should imagine that would be really special for both you, the children, and the teachers.

cdg1111

I hear you frogga, I really do. I have somehow got myself into making mulled wine for everone at Christmas. I'm new to cutting back and this year I will be making 3 bottles and not the usual 10+!!!

I make it for the last working day before Christmas for DH and I - everyone loves it and yes, I like getting compliments. As I have become a little more mature and broader in the beam the compliments about nice clothes, hair, make up etc have ceased to happen and now I elicit compliments from people by doing stuff like this - cakes and twinks hob nobs too.

They way I am looking at it is that I would sooner spend what what I have on those who are the closest to me - making happy memories.

So, I have stopped the baking and when anyone at work mentions the absence of goodies I just say that I don't bake anymore because I ended up eating them or it's unfair to bake because DS can't eat them because of his braces - basically any number of excuses. No one else needs to know my predicament.

However, I have passed on my recipies and now a couple of other people have begun baking from time to time. They realised it was an expensive thing to do so they take turns.

I think teaching the children (or even the teachers) is a lovely idea - that way the tradition could be passed on. How about holding a baking class for the other mums. You have a wonderful talent that I am sure some other people in your area would love to be able to do it too. Share the love.......

Good luck and I'll be thinking of you.

lex

Awww what a lovely idea...

I would love to see the crocodile bread pictures when they are done!

lex

winkle1

i cant wait to see the pics either, SUCh a lovely idea and what a great talent. I have smiled through this whole thread

patchwork_cat

oh mulled wine too - can I have your recipe for that as well cdg1111 I will be busy mulled wine and hedgehogs!

recovering_spendaholic

What a lovely idea to make all those things for people! It would be nice to make the hedgehogs for this last year but I would certainly ask the head if you could use the school oven. I can't wait to see the crocodile picture too - I might have a go at making that for DD2 - she would love it!

A really nice and incredibly cheap gift to make for someone is home made aromatherapy bath salts. You just need some epsom salts which are really cheap to buy. You divide them into two separate bowls and then colour one pink and one lilac using food colouring and add a few drops of rose oil to the pink and lavender oil to the lilac and then layer them up in old washed jam jars (I use things like Dolmio jars as they are bigger). Paint the lid with some poster paints in pink or purple and then put a bit of pretty material around the top and secure with an elastic band. I make little tags on the computer and give instructions to use about a tablespoon in the bath. The biggest outlay for these is about £5 for the oils and the colouring and I get about 20 jars out of that £5, not including the cost of the epsom salts which varies enormously but I can get a big 5kg sack for about £7 and that does about 20 jars.

I don't think you are showing off at all - its lovely to think of someone who is willing to give their time and effort and I hope everyone appreciates what you do for them!

merlinormartin

WOW! .... "bread crocodile eating a gingerbread man" that sounds amazing!....you must make something this year, ALL of mse wanna see your photo's!!