Cookie Making Day

Every year my mom and I make our family Christmas cookies.  We take them to neighbors, friends, parties and Christmas'.  For me, it isn't as much the actual cookies as it is the experience.  It is a fun day for my mom and I to have some "Girl" time.  We have a series of cookies that you could call "staples" for us to make.  Then, every year we try a different one.  If it makes the cut, we add it in next year.  Alex has taken an interest in baking recently and he helped out a bit on this day also.

Andy helped out...when we were dating :)

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

 

 

Ever since I can remember, my job has always been the tedious work of taking the wrappers off the candies.  So, I would sit for an hour or so taking wrappers off the kisses, caramels, snickers and other candies.  I loved it as a child, I hated it in my teen years, and have grown to love it again because it is time spent with my mom, gabbing.  It is tradition.  I am passing the tradition down to Alex.  He loves being a part of the tradition and I love that he wants to be a part of the tradition.

 

The Teddy Bears

My mom hates to make these ones.  But, I love to see them and make them.  My mom's job on these is to make the dough and the boughs.  I form the bears and the other decorations.  The cookie tins would not be complete without these guys. 

Date Balls

My mom makes them year to year.  They are delicious and a tradition passed down from my Grandma Andersen. 

Bon-Bon Kisses

These were the most fun cookies to make growing up.  My mom makes the dough, I unwrapped the kisses and form the balls.  It never fails that according to my mom, I put too much dough on the cookie.  She tells me to go back to the drawing table and make more cookies.  It happens every year, it is tradition. 

Grandma Andersen's Candy Bar Cookies

My mom is in charge of these cookies.  They are delicious, but they are a lot of work.   

Christmas Wreath Cookies

Oreo Cookies

These are a new addition to our Christmas cookie list.  But, they are high on demand.   

Wax Balls

The recipe was given to me by my sister-in-law, Kristen.  They are delicious and wax is the secret ingredient.  A lot of people are turned off by this, but they are delicious and it is the wax used in candies.  It's okay, people. 

 

So, a tradition I look forward to every year.  Not so much about the event itself, but about the people in the event.  Something I hope my BOYS will want to carry on with me.  Here's to hoping!