So, I'm really trying to lose weight...my jeans that I "outgrew" last winter fit me again (okay, so they're still snug - but I can get them zipped and buttoned now!), and I am really pumped to keep going.
Great timing, I know, since the holidays are upon us. And I have about 40-50 families whose kids adore me. What's the best way to tell the children's pastor how much you love them?
Food, of course. Baked goods. Candy. The list goes on! I've already gotten cookies, candy, and chocolate chip muffins from people in the last month. And it's not even Christmas yet - these were "just because" gifts!!!
To add to that, the Missionettes bake sale is this weekend. Our women's ministries department is doing a Christmas tea at the beginning of December, complete with a cookie exchange (How they are going to do a cookie exchange with 100+ women is beyond me, but I guess they do it every year!).
I'm sure all of you can empathize. What do you all do in these situations? The thing is, I love food! And let's face it, turning down a gift is in extremely poor form. I want to be prepared and have a plan, or I am telling you ladies honestly: I will eat like a dog!! And I am really loving being able to fit into those jeans, lol!!
Yes, I do re-gift food items but you have to do it with people who have NO CONNECTION that would not find out! And I only re-gift in good taste, for instance, I don't give things away when I don't like them or think they would actually taste good. If if get a fruitcake that looks disgusting I throw it away. If I get something that is store bought, it's completely safe to give away of course so I re-gift it quickly. (if it's someone in the church, then someone in my neighborhood would get it and vice versa). This way you are not throwing away the gift and someone who can use it is using it. I just can't allow people's "love" to make me fat again!
Someone just gave me a box of truffles for pastor appreciation. I did keep them because in that case I just eat one a day or a week, and savor them over a long period of time. But cookies or muffins you can't do that with.
I already came up with a strategy for the bake sale this Sunday:
I just found out that they're selling really great smelling candles - I can buy a couple of those, support the Missionettes, and and NOT get fat!
Hmm...regifting...that's a great idea, too...I have enough friends and family members NOT in my church (and I was going to give a little gift to our dog sitter, too!) that this is a definite possibility...
