I like cookies. I enjoy making cookies, I love eating cookies. I delight in sharing cookies, as long as it's not the last one, of course. So over the years we have developed a couple of cookie traditions: delivering cookies to neighbors and hosting a small sugar cookie decorating party.
Delivering Cookies
As you can see from the photo, we have an arsenal of cookies that we like to make this time of year. Naturally, part of the motivation is my desire to eat them! But the other is to love our neighbors with some baked treats. For the last several years the kids and I have assembled little bags, boxes, or plates of cookies and gone door to door delivering them. We have lived a couple of different places and I have found this to be a great way meet neighbors. Wouldn't you know, other people like cookies just like I do!
Yesterday we dropped off a plate to a neighbor up our hill who we don't often see because she's had a difficult year with her health. As we were leaving she said,
Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven!
I thought that quote was so sweet, and I was touched to know that she got the spirit behind us sharing a plate of cookies.
Cookie Decorating Party
The other tradition we've had going for many years is inviting friends to decorate sugar cookies with us. Cookie decorating time was always an event at our house when I was young and I still love it. It is even more fun with friends! We bake up some cookies, whip up some frosting, set out the sprinkles and the kids take care of the rest. What a sticky, sprinkley, happy time it is! Afterward, everyone has a plate of cookies to take home and share with their families.
Have you been enjoying traditions with your family this year? Do any involve inviting and gathering or meeting and greeting to strengthen or initiate relationships? I think the reason these cookie traditions are some of my favorites is because they involve people beyond our immediate family. (And, yes, also because I love cookies!) Baking might not be your thing, but maybe you have a gift with crafting or music that you could share, or some other ability or resources you can use to start a new loving-others tradition this year. After all, Christmas is all about God inviting us into relationship with Him through His Son, loving us beyond measure! With minimal effort, using gifts He gave us, we can share that love with others.
they all look so yummy. with everything going on here my family may not be doing cookies til school break. better late than never I guess
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