It’s an exciting time in the TEC office — we have our new working space set up, our new website is launched, and our new editor is joining our team. And to top it off, we are welcoming back our Week of Indulgences to celebrate the holidays, December 17 to 21!

We first celebrated the TEC Week of Indulgences in 2016. We each brought in baked treats, opened up a few bottles of wine, and enjoyed hot tea with Bailey’s Cream. This year’s menu promises to be as festive and as tasty.

Beth’s Menu

Amaretto and Irish Mist Liqueurs

Purdy’s Chocolates

Lindt’s Extra Dark Chocolate

Harbord Bakery Rum Cake

What Is an Indulgence?

In our 2016 Week of Indulgence blog, we noted that the fourteenth-century definition of “an indulgence” was a document issued to an individual by the Roman Catholic Church that would reduce the amount of punishment one had to undergo for sins they may have committed. An indulgence could also help reduce the time a deceased loved one had to spend in purgatory. This definition is quite different from our modern-day usage.

The meaning we know today is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “the attitude of allowing yourself or someone else to have something enjoyable, or the act of having something enjoyable.”

Lesley-Anne’s Menu

Hot Apple Cider

Whisky

Fresh-from-the-Oven Shortbread

Far from being linked to religious penance, today’s definition is more closely linked to “self-indulgence,” which Merriam-Webster defines as “excessive or unrestrained gratification of one’s own appetites, desires, or whims” (a definition that first appeared in 1636).

Jonathan’s Menu

Panettone

White Sparkling Wine

Homemade Christmas Cinnamon Snickerdoodles

If we trace back the word “indulge,” it turns out it’s based on the Latin word indulgere, “to give free rein to.” This meaning is more closely matched to how we use the word today.

Jean’s Menu

Fixins for Hot Chocolate Vegan Style

Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur

Ginger Dudes

Assortment of Vegan Cookies

New Editor Molly’s Menu

Red Wine

Mince Tarts

After Eight Mint Chocolates

TEC’s tradition during our Week of Indulgences is to nibble and sip responsibly but as we wish during each day of the week.

Bookkeeper Denise’s Menu

White Sparking Wine

Savoury Delights

Enjoying Today’s Meaning of Indulgence

If you want to share in some of our indulgences, check out the recipes in this month’s holiday newsletter.

In addition to enjoying our menus of delectable treats and drinks, we will be playing a week-long game of Scrabble, creating words at random and tracking word scores as we build the board (not that we’re competitive, or anything).

TEC’s Week of Indulgences is how we celebrate the holiday season with our officemates. Tweet us @EditingCo and let us know how you plan to indulge this holiday season, whether at work or at home!

Happy Holidays from all of us at TEC and may 2019 be filled with random indulgences!