Homemade gifts (2) - thank goodness it isn't a trilogy!

The end is in sight - a manic fortnight of candying, preserving, baking and wrapping has almost reached its conclusion (and in time for the second class post, too!) I thought it would be illuminating to write a post about handmade gifts whilst this period of frenzied activity is fresh in my mind, as, too often, in the hazy post-Christmas glow I find myself downplaying the sheer amount of time and effort that goes into creating what is, in the end, only a handful of edible festive boxes. In the last two weeks I've alternately felt:

• smug (that I'm giving friends and family something completely unique);
• worried (that everything wasn't going to come together in time;
• resentful (lets not go there...);
• angry (with myself, for choosing NOW as a time to experiment with a new, completely untried recipe that resulted in a completely wasted afternoon with masses of sticky washing up and no 'gift element');
• panicky (that no one will like what I've sent them/that some of the foods won't have kept well/that there isn't enough in each box);
• satisfaction (as each box is packed up, with ribbon and trimmings);
• boredom (trying to use the Post Office in central Reading on the second Saturday before Christmas results in a lot of standing around in a queue);
• utter relief that it's all over for another year

Maybe next year I'll just do a bit of chifting (charity shop gifting to the uninitiated)....!http://www.govtoday.co.uk/local-government/19-economic-growth/14189-christmas-trading-could-be-a-slow-burner-for-charity-shops