There are 96 days until Christmas. Three months. Yikes.
A few years ago, in the middle of yet another flat-broke holiday season, I decided that, as I couldn’t afford to buy gifts, I was going to make some cookies and fudge for family members, put them on a tray, and hand those out on Christmas morning. I made cut-outs, gingerbread men, chocolate chip cookies, Rice Crispie Treats (with M&Ms), and a few different kinds of fudge. They were a hit.
Well, as it turns out, I’m broke around Christmas a lot. So the cookies and candy have sort of become my “thing”. Every year, I try a few new recipes, branch out a bit, make the trays a little bigger… Last year I added peppermint bark, peanut butter balls, mints, and chocolate covered jellies.
My mom was the originator of this idea. I remember one Christmas when the desk in the dining room was covered in plates and bowls of homemade candies (all of which I made last year), cookies, and cinnamon buns. That was the year we had the whole entire family together, at our place, for Christmas.
My mom has worked as a crossing guard since I was in 2nd grade. Almost every year she made cookies for the bus drivers. It was a child’s dream come true. Come downstairs in the middle of the night, and the table was covered in cookies. Hundreds of cookies. Not for us, of course, (although we did end up with quite a few), but for the bus drivers.
So, Christmas has always meant baking. And this year, I’m taking it up a notch. I’m going to cut back a bit on the cut-outs, and add in Linzer (window) cookies, and I’m going to start making more candy. I’m also splurging on a cookie press, which I have wanted for years and am only just now getting.
Mark and I are also investing in a double boiler. Finally. Last year, I stuck foil in the bottom of a steamer insert. It worked, but I ended up with some “streaked” chocolate, thanks to water seeping up around the foil. I’m also getting a real candy thermometer.
It probably sounds like I’m jumping the gun a bit on Christmas. After all, it’s not even Halloween yet. But I know those three months are going to go by quickly, and I don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. A lot of the new treats are going to require a good bit of detail work. I might even give using chocolate molds a try (home made chocolate cherry cordials, anyone?).
Is anyone else planning ahead for Christmas already?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
YUM. i wish i was on YOUR christmas list!
good luck with the baking. i always bake at the holidays too… and make chocolate covered pretzels. i have way too many people to buy gifts for, so the baking is always nice. i like to make the dough ahead then freeze it. i’ll probably be doing that in november. ive already found a GREAT xmas gift for my 3 and 5 year old girls… a cheaper version of the American Girl doll they’ve been clamoring about (which i refuse to pay 100 bucks a pop for)… so it looks like im going to order my first xmas gift in october 
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..We’re Still Rockin’ The Flock Of Seagulls =-.
Correction…there are now 19 days to christmas.