Last year when I took a plate of Christmas cookies to my daughter's preschool teacher I was surprised by her comment."Thank you. Not many people give homemade Christmas cookies anymore. It seems to be a lost art around."
That made me sad to hear that so many people forego this holiday tradition. Growing up my mom always filled shoeboxes of cookies for neighbors, relatives and friends. It was her gift to them. And they'd come to expect it every year and cherish their favorite cookie recipes.
I have to admit I don't bake nearly as much as she still does. One of the reasons is that it's too stressful cooking with four kids underfoot and trying to do everything else for Christmas. But if you still want to bake and give those holiday cookies without the stress, here are some great ideas that have helped me.
Start baking now!!! Pies, cookies, sweet breads are all freeze great!! So don't be afraid to freeze them. I usually freeze holiday cookies (and cookies throughout the year) for those unexpected guests! Then I just pull them out and let them defrost!
Organize a cookie exchange!!!This is the BEST way to do the least amount of work and get the most variety of cookies. Invite your friends over to a cookie exchange party. Then have everyone bake a couple of dozen of one or two varieties of their favorite cookies. On the day of the party, break out the Christmas eggnog and coffee, scented candles and music and arrange all the cookies on the dining room table. You can even have everyone bring their favorite snack to share at the party.
Make sure everyone brings and empty container to take home cookies. Then after you visit for a while, start revolving around the table grabbing 3-4 cookies of each variety. If you brought 3 dozen cookies, you take home 3 dozen. If you brought 2 dozen, then you leave with two dozen.
Then take them home and enjoy. I usually share my goodies with teachers and friend. They don't have to know you didn't bake them all!
Cookies in a Jar!!! This has been my standard teacher's gift for the last couple of years. It is so easy to do, and everyone loves to make their own cookies without all the measuring and the mess. You can make them months ahead of time, so start saving those applesauce, mayo and tomato sauce jars now!
Here's some recipes to get you started. You may have to cut the recipes in half for smaller jars! Don't be afraid to change up the ingredients and get creative!
Next week I'm starting a new tradition! Thanksgiving cookies! I'm going to bake and deliver my cookies and breads early. Why? For one thing, the teachers won't be expecting goodies at Thanksgiving time. Plus it'll lesson the stress for me when it comes time for Christmas!
For more ideas on “Holidays made Easier," visit Eileen aka Cybercelt at CoolAdzine.
For more great Christmas idea visit Rocks in My Dryer!
11 comments:
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Great ideas!!This makes a lot of sense..meanwhile u can peep into my Holiday Blog for some innovative ideas...
You know, that's a great idea to give them out at Thanksgiving. They do get lots of junk and goodies at Christmas, but not this month.
I have thought of gathering some people for a cookie exchange for the last couple of years. I just might actually do it this year!
I finally got the link to work. It worked the other times I posted it, too. I think there was too many a hrefs or it needed a space between words or something.
I am sorry that your first experience with BC Carnival was a problem.
That is such a great idea. I love the cookie in a jar idea. Great cost effective, easy gifts. I could even scrapbook a tag to personalize it since I always love finding ways to make things unique. Thanks for the tips!
I love the idea of delivering them early...this gives people a chance to use their gifts at holiday gatherings and really enjoy them during the season!!
You are very thoughtful! :)
Blessings!
Tracy
As a teacher I can second that emotion! I loved homemade food gifts! For one thing, my students know me well but their parents don't and I often get things I simply can not use and that is a waste of money. For another thing, any working woman has little time for baking at the holidays and having some extra baked goods around is really nice!
I love this idea. Thanks for sharing! =)
I'm still a homemade cookie baker too! It is truly surprising how happy people are to get them. Thanks for sharing.
I'd love a good recipe for sugar cookies. I have tried many but none have made it to a second year. Feel free to send me your recipe. :) Thanks!!
I must confess, I'm not a good sugar cookie maker (those cookies in the photo are NOT mine)
Infact, growing up in an Italian family we made simple traditional butter cookie or old fashioned Italian cookies that weren't very sweet. Nowadays I experiment with different recipes and one that I love is the cake cookies. It's so easy and so yummy. But I'll save that recipe for another time!
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