Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Traditions

Every year, my husband and I spend a day in December baking and decorating my grandmother's sugar cookies with our 7 nieces and nephews. The kids (ages 17, 17, 15, 15, 13, 13 and 10) have been building this tradition with us since the oldest was only 4 years old and it really defines the holidays for me. There is Christmas music playing, "chocolate tea" (hot cocoa) on the break between baking and decorating and a general sense of ease. Rolling, cutting, baking and frosting is a long process, so the kids just relax and take their time.

This photo shows a few of the over 250 cookie cutters in my collection! A sweater (Caroline always makes one Fair Isle with rows of sprinkles, an ice skate (Emily laces it up with brown jimmies) and a sewing machine (This year William covered it with orange dots.) There are cookies everywhere.

The kids eat a few, keep a few and place the remaining on a tray "for dessert" on Christmas Eve, when we will all be together again (with their parents, and mine) to celebrate the holiday. I love this time of year!

3 comments:

kerrie said...

Anne,
I have heard of this tradition with your nieces and nephews for years - I cannot believe the ages now! If there are any "graduations" let me know. I'll loan my two to keep the tradition going.

Merry Christmas,
Kerrie

MmeBenaut said...

What a fabulous activity for all of your nieces and nephews! I can't wait to see a photo of all the iced products.

Anne Reeves said...

Merry Christmas, Kerrie! Yes, all but 2 are taller than me now. How can it be? Gone are the days of rolling pin noises and using a "gentle hand" to lift cookies. They hop to it like they are professional bakers. It is the best.