Spin Cycle: Holiday Baking

When the kids were little I wanted to pass on the tradition of making Christmas cookies. They loved mixing the ingredients and decorating with colored sprinkles.

Neighbors gifted us with their holiday treats and we'd pack up some of our cookies to return the favor.

Over the years I tried new recipes. If they were a success we added them to the list of regulars. I gave cookies to neighbors and friends, people at work, the UPS man and the guy at the post office. I boxed them up and sent them to relatives.

Somewhere along the line I became a machine. A possessed, compulsive, cookie-making machine.

There are at least 10 types of cookies that must be baked to avoid loud squeals of dismay from the three adult-sized children in my life. Not including the buttermilk brownies, ginger muffins, cream cheese brownie bites, and chocolate cream pie.

I enjoy all this baking. Really. I do. And my kids are aware that, if they want to partake of their favorites, they need to pitch in with the process. Daughter #2 is a champion whipping up dough. Daughter #1 is a decorating queen. First-Born Son, these days, is mainly a taste-tester. Sexist, I know.

This year I am trying to restrain myself. A little. Maybe I don't need to populate the entire world with cookies. Maybe a few close friends and family are enough.

It's so easy to take a good thing and turn it into a weapon of self-torture. But with age has come wisdom.

If my cookie making starts to drive me a little crazy, that's kind of defeating the whole purpose, right?

My family and friends deserve to enjoy not just my baking this holiday season, but a merry, more relaxed me. Wouldn't you agree?

For more Spins on Holiday Baking that may actually include some recipes go visit Sprite's Keeper.

 

Comments

[SuziCate]

You're making me hungry! Love baking those cookies. I see I need to make my family participate in ways other than taste testing!

[Jen on the Edge]

Do what makes you happy, but don't do anything that causes you stress.

[Lynn]

There was a point where I stressed myself and everyone else in the house out by feeling like I had to make tons of stuff, baking, decorating, giving, making Christmas jellies, decking the halls. Hubby finally expressed his displeasure gently, but in no uncertain terms. It's so easy to make the things that would otherwise make the holiday joyful and happy and warm into something unpleasant. Seems like everything good can be easily turned into something quite the opposite by tossing moderation out the window.

[Sprite's Keeper]

This is the first year I've let Sprite "sprinkle" the cookies and she loved doing it so we'll most likely do it again next week to bring to John's workplace on Christmas Eve. So much fun! (And so much cleanup!) You're linked!

[Joanie M]

Little by little all the holiday stuff has left my house. I'm lucky I get the tree up! OK, call me Scrooge. :)

[Menopausal New Mom]

Isn't it so true how so many things we do in the spirit of Christmas start to feel like a chore and Tradition whether we like it or not. Count your blessings that you at least have help if you do decide to get the oven heated up and start baking!

[Mama Badger]

I'm sure the kids will pass the tradition down (which was the original intent, right?) It's really easy to get lost in the process and forget the purpose at this time of the year, though.

I'm noticing a distinct lack of recipe for those buttermilk brownies, and cheesecake brownie bites. That's just cruel. And at a time of year when you're supposed to be giving!

[Jan]

There was a time I also drove myself mad with the baking and candy making, mostly in the days when I could not afford to buy "real" gifts. These days, the baking and candy making is mostly limited to our company Christmas party, which we host in our home - what isn't eaten is sent home with the employees along with the Christmas gifts from the company. I just can't bring myself to do it all season long like I did when the kids (to say nothing of myself) were younger.

However, having said that, if you're so inclined, the recipe for those cheesecake brownie bites would be greatly appreciated...

[Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt]

My favorite memories of the holiday's are of making cookies with my mom and dad. The King and I and the hubby made and decorated gingerbread boys this past weekend and are planning on doing other cut outs this weekend. But my all time favorite cookie is the peanut butter one with the kiss in the middle. That would taste really good with my coffee...

[Diane]

I'm unable to bake at all (broken oven) and am having anxiety attacks! I've also been thinking about your blog post from yesterday and wrote a little something on a related note. I included a link to your site. Thank you for the continued inspiration!

[class factotum]

If it's not fun for you, then don't do it. But I do like the idea of giving small gifts to the UPS guy and the postman. These are people who make your life easier when they do their jobs right. Perhaps a twenty instead? Maybe they are watching their weight. Everyone likes cash. I'm giving beer to my trash guys. Yeah, I know that's not cash and it's fattening, but there are three of them and now we're talking real money. They can split a 24-pack.

Some cookies, however, are appropriate. I still remember baking with my mom and my grandmother when I was a little girl. Indeed, I feel sorry for my husband that his mom gave him store-bought cookies. She is not much of a cook. He thinks Oreos are good, bless his heart. So yes -- bake some cookies -- just not enough to create stress. Enough for fun and to sustain the tradition.

[Erin]

I am a cookie and treat making machine this week. I can very much relate to this post... maybe I will jump in on Spin Cycle again. :-)

And I'm with Jan... cheese cake brownie bites? Yum.

[Heather]

Your going to have to share the recipe for those cheese cake brownies!

For the last two days hubby has asked if I made cookies yet. I guess I better get on that.

Don't over do it and get stressed out!

[BumbleVee]

they absolutely do! when it becomes a chore... I usually change things. Maybe next year you'll feel differently and want to bake again.. maybe you just need a rest from it..or do less as you say..or...like me, I wish my Mom or sister could come bake with me... that's always more fun at the festive season...I have no friends that like baking... well, I have no friends but that's another story....however, my sweetie and I usually do one batch together. His fav... cherry chocolate cookies..with little stems and all...hahahha.... the most time consuming and he loves helping so I don't mind doing them. They are winners ..

came over from Penny's... what a fun time I had scrolling through several of your posts..... lol....

[Picture Imperfect]

I couldn't agree more! My mom used to bake for WEEKS before Christmas and she would get burnt right out. I thought I would JUST DIE if she didn't make EVERYTHING on that list but you know what? Hasn't happened yet. ;o)

Wishing you a restful and joyous holiday season!

[LPC]

Just you make you feel better, even if you cut back? I bake nada. Nothing. Never have baked a single Christmas cookie. Nuttin'. So I am a way badder mother than you and you should enjoy every bit of your baking.

[PLRH]

If I email you my home address, will you send me a box of goodies, please? just reading the words buttermilk brownies and ginger muffins make my mouth water!

[lisleman]

cookies and complaints should never go together. A good cookie maker is a happy cookie maker. Also good cookies make for a happy cookie eater. So leave the cookie monster on Sesame Street and just be cookie happy.

Merry Christmas

[Dreamfarmgirl]

Um, yes I agree. Hello? Making cookies is only for fun! If it's not fun, time to cut back. Your kids will be fine with this, I promise! (Though another solution that might do the trick is a little eggnog for the cook with each batch?)

[Braja]

Cookies? Yes...for fun and sharing...not for stress :)

[Kimberly]

As long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters.
I'm jealous that you probably get to put dragees on your cookies as they aren't illegal anywhere else but in CA!. :)

[kathryn]

I completely agree, Maureen. And I believe that the same shud hold true for all of the Christmas Madness! When it starts to be painful, maybe we need to re-think how we're doing it.

Great post!

[Jane]

This year I took the pressure of holiday baking off our list. And do you know what we did last weekend? Baked cookies! My son just up and said, "Mom? Let's bake some cookies." So we did. Christmas cookies and we had a blast. We gave some to the neighbors, to friends -- like we have in years past. But this time it was without pressure to get it done.

[Casey]

Oh man, a cookie baking machine? I think I love you.

[Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)]

I'm loving that Princess Nagger is old enough to help bake the Christmas cookies - she especially likes being in charge of making the special ones just for Santa. :) Love that your kids are still involved in the process! :)

[kys]

Yes, I def. agree! That's why I have let many things go through the years.