When the postman knocked at my door I was far too excited, I mean I love receiving mail and he only ever knocks for parcels! He handed me a very large and heavy Amazon box and it took all my willpower not to tear it apart then and there. Instead I thanked him and ran upstairs, dived onto the bed and tore it apart.

It was beautifully gift wrapped in cream paper with a green bow and a lovely message from my dear santa wishing myself and my other half a merry Christmas!

I almost didn't want to open it, it looked so perfect and so beautiful, I even debated putting it under the tree and opening it on Christmas day but common sense (and the fact I'm impatient) told me to open it now so I don't have to explain to the in-laws about Secret Santa (and why someone I have never met and don't know the name of is sending me presents!).

I gently peeled back the wrapping paper (well I ripped it off quite quickly after taking a photo) and I got the most AMAZING present ever, I said on my profile that I love the Middle East and I love to bake and my fantastic Santa bought me "The Arab Table" which is a Middle Eastern cookbook so now I have plenty of recipes to try out in the new year and they're from my favourite region.

The book has some beautiful photos of the dishes but also tells you more about the ingredients that are used, stories from the author and tells you more about culture and religion in that part of the world.

Thank you so much Santa I will certainly be using this as often as I can!