Every year, as Thanksgiving passes and the department stores transition their displays to Christmas decor and their best offerings of the season, the pressure starts to build as we compile the perfect holiday items for each person in our lives. It can be overwhelming, not only to curate thoughtful and meaningful gifts but also, the cost 😅!! We’re keeping it real this year with an intentional, affordable, and memorable gift idea for you to try. It’s simple: cookie baking!! I know it might sound anticlimactic, but stay with me, a simple day of cookie baking with family / friends can be transformed into magic with a few key elements. My family has been doing this tradition for well over a decade and every year it is something we look forward to almost as much as Christmas Day. If you feel a bit strapped on the budget this year, I suggest you try out a cookie-baking day. Try some new recipes or ask your mom if there are any older family ones, it’s fun to experiment as well as reminisce!
1. Start with a special holiday drink. Whether it’s a quick run through Starbucks, some eggnog, or hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, don’t skip the festive bevie! It’s the perfect way to step into the holiday spirit and make your day feel special.
2. Cue the perfect playlist. Nothing says holiday cheer like the perfect mix of Christmas classics and Justin Bieber’s Mistletoe.
3. Eat at least one bite of each cookie dough. Life is for living and having spoonfuls of cheer. Sometimes the dough is the best part, right?
4. While cookies are in the oven, turn on your favorite Christmas movie. Some of our personal favorites are Miracle on 34th Street, The Holiday, White Christmas, Eloise at Christmastime, and Love Actually.
5. Bring some cookies to a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger! It’s such a simple gesture that goes so incredibly far.
Simplifying moments in the holiday season can remind us of the joy that comes from slowing down, pure laughter, and effortless quality time. What is a better gift than that? We hope that by revisiting an uncomplicated task and activity it might free you up from some of the stresses and pressures that can accompany December. Bake the cookies, savor each moment (and crumb!), soak in the time you get to spend with your loved ones – it’s up to you to allow even ordinary holiday traditions to become wildly cherished memories for a lifetime!
We want to wish you a very merry Christmas, holiday season, and a happy New Year from us at FS! Believing it will be one of the best yet!
Ty’s Family Recipe: Candy Cane Cookies –
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
⅔ cup margarine, softened
½ cup egg substitute
2 tsp. good vanilla extract
1 tsp. good almond extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp. red food coloring
Directions:
- Beat sugar and margarine in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until creamy. Beat in egg substitute, vanilla, and almond extracts. In separate smaller bowl, mix flour and baking powder; add into margarine mixture.
- Divide dough in half; tint half with red food coloring. Wrap each dough mixture in parchment paper and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Divide each half into 32 pieces. Roll each piece into a 5-inch rope. Twist 1 red and 1 white rope together; bend one end to form candy cane shape. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or just until set and lightly golden. Remove from sheets; cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container.