Tis the season for giving, sharing, feasting, and making cookies–in fact, whole trays of them in cut-out shapes with glittery sugar, and drizzled frosting decorations galore as my daughter did this past week to give to family and friends. Like a wild storm that rumbles through on its way out of town, she entered the kitchen, and in one late afternoon, managed to whip out dozens and dozens of cookies and frost them too, before retreating to her room (where most teenagers live these days) for homework and long, leisurely conversations on the phone.

True, I had the doughs all ready for her when she came home from school, and I stood by, ready to catch any falling crumbs, but still she managed pretty well on her own and I confess, even after a few silly arguments over how to do things, I was impressed with her determination and joi de vivre in the kitchen. More importantly, that she gets it that it’s that time of year to make the extra effort for those you care about and that giving, not just receiving, is what it’s all about.

Surely you know where I’m headed here.

So it goes without saying, that I’m once again plugging Menu for Hope, the giving campaign in support of the World Food Programme. For just a $10 tax deductible donation you have the chance to win some delicious prizes while at the same time contributing to this important cause.  This is not a bake-off, no, but way easier, and takes not a whole afternoon, but less than 5 minutes, san the clean up session.

On offer, consider  a year’s worth of Bernachon chocolate from this famed French establishment delivered to you in monthly installments, a 2-night stay at an Italian B & B, or a stack of prized books from cookbook author and pastry chef extraordinaire David Liebovitz (In fact, he does a much better post about this called “Shameless Groveling”), and much, much more from Europe (Note: You don’t have to live there to bid on these items, but do read the fine print for each re: shipping.).

Closer to home, there is a 6-pack of homemade artisan marmalade from Chez Pim on my bidding list, or how about dinner for 2 at the famed Manresa in Los Gatos? I’m also putting a ten-spot there. There’s even a 2-day bread baking class at the reputable SF Baking Institute. So if you’ve been hankering to perfect your bread making skills, this would be one to bid on.

Missing the beautiful Big Sur? Have the life delivered to your door by bidding on the My Nepenthe package (UW14)–which includes a signed copy of my book along with a jar of homemade jam, a pound of Kevah granola, and a gift certificate for lunch or dinner (value $100) at Nepenthe restaurant, overlooking the sea. I’ll love you all over again if you bid on my item.

Of course, there is many more items to bid on so please take a look. Pim has put up a newer and better donation form (with a complete list of raffle items) to make choosing your item that much easier. The raffle ends on December 25th, but please don’t wait until then. Last year this campaign raised close to $90,000 for the WFP and we are slowly inching our way in that direction. Help us get there a little faster. Make your pledge today, and give a gift that keeps on giving this season.