Christmas Cookies

One of my favourite traditions at this time of the year is baking and delivering Christmas cookies to our friends, neighbours, coaches, teachers, family, and those who might not get cookies.  We begin our baking in late November and try to make at least 120 cookies of each recipe.   I try to make sure the kids have a hand in as many cookies as possible, either rolling the balls, adding M&M's, decorating with icing, and so on.   This year with me working more I wasn't able to make as many different cookies as I typically do... but we did manage to fill 30 plates.

The day of delivery is most special!  I keep the kids home from school and we sing to Christmas music, dancing around the kitchen table and island placing cookies on trays.   Preparing and wrapping the trays takes us until lunchtime.   Just before we pack the van we sit together and read aloud Amy Krouse Rosenthal's book Christmas Cookies: Bit Sized Holiday Lessons.   For any Christmas bakers, this book is a must have.  Rosenthal captures the spirit of the season using key words to describe each page... baking the same cookies each year (tradition), adding sprinkles (celebration), giving cookies to neighbours (thoughtful), not worrying about anyone else's cookies (peace).  

Wednesday Morning!

Our cookies for 2012!

First delivery of the day!

My little elves!

Finally we begin our deliveries.   I just love the way the kids beam with pride as they take their trays to their coaches and teachers and learn how good it makes them feel to be generous, giving to others.   Is is a magical day for my kids and I and this year it was extra special because of the snow!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Today I finished my last paper for this term and am feeling pretty happy!  Really I should have finished it this time last week, but my class was given an extension and I took the opportunity to begin enjoying all the wonderful festivities that this time of the year begins.   So far my kids and I have baked 12 dozen of seven of our favourite holiday treats!

Some of the many things that fill my heart at this time of the year:

1. TRADITIONS ~ Annual breakfasts with Santa, the Neilson Grove Christmas Concert (we are so lucky the staff generously puts this on EVERY year!), baking and taking cookies to others, and so many others...

Matthew and his  buddies!

The Neilson Grove Annual Santa Breakfast

 2. MAGIC ~ The excitement my children have each morning looking for our Elf "Rachoo."

3. SPECIAL ORNAMENTS ~ So many of our ornaments were handmade by the kids or family members and remind us of special memories.   As well, each year I buy the kids an ornament to represent something special in their life from that year.

Sparkly Bauble made by Matthew is Mrs. Morgan's class and  a snowman made
by Megan in Sparks

Aunty Audrey made this for Matthew's first Christmas!

The sandcastle was our way of telling the kids we were going to Mexico last year
and the little dog was for Matthew the year he was three.

Figure skates for Megan and a train back when Matthew loved Thomas the Train
and a cupcake for me!

 4. BEING HOME ~ The coziness of the house with the soft twinkling white lights and smell of baking.  I love the time I get with my family, especially cuddling all together and watching our favourite Christmas movies.

5. TIME WITH FRIENDS ~ Open houses, parties, shopping dates, etc...  Last Friday evening Megan has some special friends over to do some Christmas crafts, have dinner and watch a movie.   It was such FUN!   Matty has opted to take some close buddies to a movie with me over the holiday instead. 

I hope all of you are getting to enjoy some of the many wonderful things this time of the year brings!