Brown paper packages tied up with string.

This years packaged goods for neighbors and friends were especially fun to put together.

What could possibly be more charming than brown paper & string in place of wrapping paper & ribbon?

Especially because anything old fashioned feels especially Christmassy to me.
And naturally the soundtrack to the sound of music was playing in my head the entire time I was putting them together.  

The contents? My grandmas infamously delicious amadama bread. 

(made with oatmeal, cornmeal, only 2 Tablespoons of butter, and molasses for sweetening - among other things)

It's my all time favorite thing, not just because it induces an incredibly nostalgic flashback to my childhood, but because it's simply scrumptious. 

 *note: isn't it funny how these jars look like a row of shepherds? 

These loaves were accompanied with her equally popular pear butter.

These two flavors combined is the sum of my childhood.

And this is how I transported all these freshly baked goods to our lovelies.

Ikea saved the day, once again.