A-Z Challenge:G

G is for Gift of the Month 2013.

If you follow this blog then you'll know since January I have been on a mission to bring a smile to someone in need every month. Here are my links for January and February. March was a personal one therefore I did not blog it. 

Usually the title of these posts would be 'A Year in Gifts 2013'  but the challenge mucked that up for me a bit so I had a mini brainstorm and here we are! So, who was my choice for April?

I have a 'Twitter friend,' Hannah, who is a very lovely lady. She was my February gift receiver. This month her beautiful little girl, Bea, is going in for a small operation to make life a lot easier for Hannah and her partner and a lot less painful for Little Bea.

I messaged Hannah to make sure sending another gift would be OK, making it quite clear this was Bea's gift and if she was at all uncomfortable with this I would think of another person for my April gift. I'm so glad she was okay with me sending Bea something because it means a lot to me to be able to send the gift I have in mind to the person I feel called to help.

I set out to find some comfy pajamas for Bea either during her operation (sleep suits with metal poppers cannot be worn in hospital operating theaters so finding a couple of these were high on my list of priorities) I was obviously being guided incredibly well on the day I was thinking about my gift because I came across a very sweet pajama set which I suspect will be quite comfortable for Bea maybe a few days after her operation and a really pretty onesie that I couldn't resist. I noticed it had buttons, hurrah! I bought them straight away and wrapped them up at home.

I also popped in a little note of luck for Hannah and a £5 M&S voucher which isn't a lot when it comes to these stores but I'm sure there will be something for Bea. Maybe a little teddy bear or something for being brave!

I wish Bea all the best for her operation. Since I've been doing this I've had Tweets, a couple of texts and last month an e-mail that brought me to tears. I don't ever expect anything back from doing this but when someone messages me to say 'this came at the right time,' 'thank-you for making me smile,' and so on,I really feel I am making a difference. 

This is the cutest thank-you I've had though!

Make Do And Push 

Do come back next month to see who I want to try and cheer up with a special gift. Why not send one of your own? If you do send care packages, I'd love to know all about it!

CupcakeMumma

A Year in Gifts: November

I struggled to send a gift in the actual month of November, a combination of time and what felt to me so many people I felt could do with cheering up made my decision even harder. I opted to leave it and wait for the beginning of December. I felt I'd just know who I was meant to cheer up. I was right!

The lovely Bex from Busy Bee Mummy Bex has had a tough year with little Hugo and his Talipes. Equally she's had a lot of highs because of his condition (her fantastic book for example) just as December came about, both Hugo and his big sister E came down with the dreaded virus that has been going around. With Hugo in particular getting quite poorly, I really felt for my sleep deprived blogging friend and decided a box of goodies for her and the children might just help in lifting her spirits.

I packed up a sleeping mask, cosy socks and chocolates for Bex herself and included some new socks, a book each and some Christmas chocolates for Hugo and Emilyn to enjoy when they're feeling better.

I hope everyone in the Busy Bee household is better for Christmas!

My Year in Gifts has come to an end and I'm so pleased to have done this. For December, I'll be contributing to my local food bank. Thank you for all your comments on my posts and page in the past year. 

Merry Christmas!

Cupcake Mumma

A Year in Gifts October

It came to me pretty early on in October who my recipient would be for my year in gifts project that month. After reading a few tweets and settling down to read to some very moving blog posts, I really wanted to extend a loving thought (okay perhaps a bit more than just a thought) to DragonflyPoppy who blogs here.

If you read Elizabeth's blog, you will know that recently her Mum was diagnosed with cancer and that even more recently she underwent an operation . It's not my story to tell so I won't. Instead, I'd love for you see her blog and read for yourselves.

This month, I wanted to send a gift to not only Elizabeth but also to her Mum. My Aunt has been through Breast Cancer and come out the other side a healthier and stronger woman. Armed with my limited knowledge and some research, I carefully picked out items I thought Elizabeth's Mum would appreciate if not now, then in the near future.

I then selected items for Elizabeth herself which was slightly easier given the blog reading and online conversations we've had. I stumbled upon this card (thanks to Elizabeth for the photos!) and knew it would complete my gift perfectly.

There is just two months left now of my Year in Gifts Project. I've noticed good things come to me and have felt I have made many people feel happy, cared for, real, possibly all three. Even if that only lasted a few moments it was worth it to me.

A lot of people don't understand why I chose this project. I get asked, "why do you spend money on strangers?" "What do you get out of it?"

 These people have come through hard times, are going through hard times or simply need reminding that there are people out there rooting for them-so please don't give up. I can remember each and every person I sent a gift to and the reason why I sent a gift to them.

I do this project because I care. Because I care about friends, family. I care about total strangers (although to me, these bloggers are friends not strangers) I don't want anything back but on several occasions I have and it's brightened my day. That's paying it forward, keeping the circle of kindness going. Bringing light to a sometimes dark world.

That's why I've done this project and is why I'm looking forward to my new project in 2014

Cupcake Mumma

A year in Gifts: August and September

Time just seems to fly away at the moment so once again I'm posting two gifts in one post. Unfortunately both items were posted this month as well but you know, can't leave a month out!

First up is my August gift (or what we'll label August's gift to make me feel better) a surprise gift to a pen pal who's a little down at the moment and having a difficult time. I hope she can have a few minutes to herself to relax, write and sneak a few chocolates without her little ones noticing. My gift won't take away the hurt but I hope to fill at least 5 minutes with some comfort.

Septembers gift is to fellow blogger Amy (well actually it was to her little boy who has just undergone an operation.) I have a little boy the same age so I went with play doh, a cuddly toy (brave as a lion came to mind!) some little robot themed extras and some lovely comfy socks. I've since heard that the operation went really well but he's still a little poorly so I keep my fingers crossed he gets better real soon and they all get back their lost sleep!

There's only 3 months left now of my project which seems crazy. I am looking forward to moving on next year with my Project Kindness because it's going to be very different.

CupcakeMumma

A Year in Gifts July

I realise we're in September now but I've been a little slow in keeping up with my gift giving promise to myself. I still have an August gift sat in my house, I guess moving home got in the way! Now we're all straight I can catch up on my July gift and send off my August one! For July I packaged up some 'back to work' goodies for my lovely Dad.

After goodness knows how many years as a Groundsman at the local Navy base, he now works as a carer in a local home for people with learning difficulties. I'm so proud of him for making this huge move. To celebrate, I put together a small box of bits including: some decent coffee to keep him awake as he gets used to long shifts, chocolate (just because he's a chocoholic) a new mug for his workplace (because everyone has their own mug right?) And lastly some pens and a handy note book to keep his shift dates and notes safe.

Dad really appreciated his gift, my sister pinched some chocolate (I wasn't supposed to tell you that) and most importantly I'm pleased to say he's doing really well in his new job. 40-60 hour weeks and all, go Dad!

CupcakeMumma

My New Project.

If you follow my blog you'll know I often like to do things to cheer people up. You'll know that every month I send gifts out to those I know, family and friends, who are going through a hard time or have done something really quite wonderful and deserved a little treat. It's by doing these things that I have decided to start my own project: Project Kindness.

I have a page here on my blog listing all the random acts of kindness that I would like to achieve. There is no set time, there is no limit to how many times I can do an act of kindness. The ones I've listed are acts that aren't so everyday. Everyday I like to smile at a stranger, look for someone who needs a hand, hold a door open or offer a place in front of me in the Que.
The acts on my page are just that little bit more from me.

I'll be continuing to send out monthly gifts and performing all sorts of acts of kindness that most of us do (sometimes without realising, sometimes just automatically because it's the 'right' thing to do) but this project will help me to give something back. To be less selfish. To grow as a human being. My children will also accompany me on many of these acts, so I believe I am paving the way for a future generation of kind, loving and giving people.

As always, feel free to mail me if there is someone you think needs a little cheering up.

My Random Acts of Kindness

• Leave a thank you gift for our postman
• Buy all the items on my local food bank list
• Make a box before Christmas for a child or a solider.
• Write a long letter to someone to express how much they mean to me/why are they are a wonderful person
• Leave some money for a toy in a local store
• Leave money on a coffee/food machine
• Place bubbles around a kids park
• Stick pound coins on trolleys
• Take colouring pens and pencils to a local hospital for children in the waiting area
• Do husbands chores by surprise
• Adopt an animal
• Sponsor something/someone
• Leave a tip
• Get a stranger a free spa/beauty treatment
• Host a giveaway on my blog
• Leave nappies and wipes in a baby room
• Send a gift to a post pals child
• Buy food for the local animal shelter
• Send flowers to someone.
• Bring doughnuts to the local fire station to thank them for their hard work
• Become an organ donor (I recently had a tattoo so unfortunately cannot give blood for quite a while :(
• Buy some local art work: it's tough being an artist and there is some fantastic local artwork so I just need to pick one!)
• Leave a book I really enjoyed behind in a local place with a note
• Cook my Husband a 3 course meal. All 3 courses will be his favourite foods.
• Have a 'Yes' day with the children. This leaves me at their every whim (almost) but in a good way! If its reasonable its a yes!

That should keep me busy! I'll be blogging all of these acts so do keep an eye out on the blog!

CupcakeMumma x

A Year in Gifts May & June

I bet you thought I had forgotten all about my little gift giving journey? Not so my dear readers! For reasons I can't even think of I seem to of just never got around to blogging my gift in May and due to some minor issues, the June gift has only just arrived! As this gift was for family there was a high chance of the gift being seen before the post arrived so I wanted to wait before I blogged about it. Anyway, now I can finally blog about the gifts I sent lets start with May.

If you follow my lovely friend Kat on Twitter or through her blog, you'll know that these past few months just haven't been the easiest for her. I set about making up a small gift for Kat so she could get some 'me time' and have a smile brought to her face (even if only for a few minutes- this is always my aim!)

Kat has been blogging her journey through this difficult time with so much feeling and honesty you just want to reach out and hug her every time you read a post! I'm pleased to say Kat is feeling much better since we spoke and exchanged comments on her blog posts in May. Here's what I sent this lovely blogger and friend:

Keyring and door hanger to make her home a little more 'girly' ( she has 3 boys!) some relaxing bath gel, jelly sweets (her favourite), a fabulous flannel shaped into a slice of cake, some envelopes and a few other decorations for when she gets that bedroom sorted.

The gift I posted at the end of June was for my 3 cousins who I had just spent a few days with when I went away on a family holiday to Cambridge. I realised I had not yet done a gift for any little ones so put one together. 

Lolly pops, crafty bits, water beads, work books and wonderfully colourful pencils! Now it's the summer holidays I think all of these items will come in very handy! I really hope my cousins love their post.

I'm yet to do July's but I really must get my thinking cap on!

CupcakeMumma

A Year in Gifts: February

Last month I started my Year in Gifts by sending a friend who needed cheering up a little surprise in the post. I don't like to just send things without people knowing they are coming but for this giving project of mine it feels so important that these are genuine surprises to my recipient and so any clue of their arrival would some how spoil it.

I knew in the middle of February who my next gift receiver would be as she had just had a beautiful little baby in December. As usual I was pretty late in sending my 'welcome to the world' gifts and then I felt my friend really needed cheering up, so I did a bit of re-jiggling and posted my next parcel off with success!

Who did I send to this month? The lovely and very wonderful fellow blogger Hannah of Make do and Push! Her gorgeous little girl was born right at the end of 2012 and I  just had to send something to mark her arrival. I also wanted to include some gifts for Hannah because she is a lovely lady and a wonderful Mother to her little girl.

What did I send?

A MiaMoo set for Hannah to enjoy a bit of pampering. I have a set of MiaMoo products which I won last year and all the moisturisers are still going. I hope Hannah gets to use all of these products and enjoys them as much as I did (and still do!)

For the Little One, a cute little pink elephant I just couldn't ignore. I know, who needs extra teddies? But it's sweet and very soft! My Little Man and Midge had tiny toys like this and when they started teething they never looked the same again! Poor teddies..
The purple wrapping said teddy is sitting on includes a very warm and lovely cellular yellow blanket for Hannah's daughter. I hope it keeps her warm or maybe becomes a comforter like my Little Mans. It really is the cutest thing I've ever seen!

And of course another gift for Hannah. A nice bar of Galaxy chocolate and some hot chocolate to go with it. Apparently this gave me away (along with my cupcake parcel tape!) because I love drinking my hot chocolate and goodness knows I go on about it enough!

So there you have it. Another gift sent out for 2013.I love the tweets or texts I get when my gifts reach where they're meant to be. Just to let someone know you're thinking about them is such a powerful thing don't you think?

I also sent another gift out this month. I won't detail the recipient of this gift but I hope it reaches its destination in one piece. I think it's fairly obvious who this gift is for and all I will say is this: I cried my heart out from start to finish packing this up.
CupcakeMumma x