My Uncle’s Christmas Gift

When my husband and I were dating, I can still remember bringing him to our Christmas gathering, hosted by my dad’s side of the family. After dinner, we gathered in my grandparents’ paneled basement and open gifts together.

That first year, my husband unwrapped a box that had been made to package a Bible. He was thrilled, having wanted a new one for some time. He went on and on about how excited he was to receive a new Bible. When he actually opened the box, there was a tie inside. Ha! He liked the tie too, but was slightly embarrassed. For years, it became a family joke and we wrapped all kinds of gifts in that Bible box - especially when new people were joining the family. 

That Christmas, my husband also discovered my Uncle Chuck’s homemade hot chocolate mix.  Each year afterwards, it became Uncle Chuck’s delight to bring my husband a cleaned out plastic gallon ice cream container filled with his homemade hot cocoa mix. To this day, my husband still looks forward to enjoying it every Christmas. A few years ago, I texted my uncle to ask him for the recipe, and have enjoyed making it for neighbors and friends since! Seeing my uncle’s handwriting on the recipe card makes me smile. He’s always been so full of joy!

Isn’t that the beauty of food gifts, especially one you receive year after year? They’re good at marking the season, while also connecting us to the people we love.

Warmly,
Adina

P.S. And if you’re looking for a way to take dinner off someone’s plate this holiday season, our holiday meals are back. These meals will be available in our online store starting at the end of October.

Holly Jolly Ham

The holiday gathering

Pineapple-glazed ham, roasted potatoes, broccoli, and your choice of dessert

Serves 3-4 people or fewer with leftovers

Everything arrives in oven-safe trays and just requires reheating

Turkey Tidings

The Thanksgiving/Christmas family meal

Slice turkey, cornbread, cranberry relish, broccoli, and your choice of dessert

Serves 3-4 people or fewer with leftovers

Everything arrives in oven-safe trays and just requires reheating

Christmas Comfort & Joy Soup Meal

The "I'm thinking of you" meal

Tender chunks of turkey, savory sweet potatoes, cranberries and warm holiday flavors

Serves 1-6 people or fewer with leftovers

The soup arrives in quart containers and only requires reheating

That’s what we love about taking and sending meals. It’s a way of saying, “I’m thinking about you. I wish I could be there and I hope this makes things a little easier.”

Our holiday meals will be available in the Take Them A Meal store beginning in mid-October. We’ll share more details when they’re ready.