Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Holiday exchanges

So when I was newly married (almost 15yrs ago), I had all these fanciful dreams of how domestic I could be. You know the ones - beds made in the morning, supper on the table, freshly washed shirts for the DH and of course never a store-bought cookie or Christmas tree ornament would cross my threshold. I think it only took about a month for all of those idealistic ideas to fade into oblivion. I am, after-all, a messy, disorganized, stay up late, sleep in late, hopelessly optomistic actress . . . lol!

Now I know you are saying - wait a minute - Christmas!? It isn't it even HALLOWEEN yet?? Yes I know - but the thing is, Halloween gets me looking forward to Christmas. Really! As much fun as dress-up is, for me, IMHO, Halloween is just the sugar holiday leading up to the all the fun and good stuff holiday - Christmas!! With its magical, mystical, powerful story of salvation through the tiny babe and the good ol' jolly ho, ho, ho of Santa, its do-gooding and elves and treats and magic . . . well - what can beat that? (especially when it is cold and miserable outside?)

Anyway - on to my point and yes I do have one - Christmas Exchanges. This is something I hosted or participated in every year until I moved to the US. Hand-crafted Ornament exchanges and Hand-baked cookie exchanges. Getting together with other idealistic women who dream of having tree decked out and plates overflowing with their love-in-action handicrafts. I wish I could whip up several dozen different kind of cookies and a few dozen different kinds of ornaments for my tree but bah humbug - who has the time?????

I'll tell you what I have time for - ONE batch of cookies or ONE afternoon of crafting. And then ONE evening in December where I meet a bunch of my best girl-friends to exchange said holiday pleasantries and take them home with (almost) equal pride. 'Those cookies are homemade you know' as you place a heaping platter before guests . . . . 'we just have SO many memories on that tree' as company gazes at your be-decked fir . . . . well you get the idea.

So much fun and so much reward - who's on for a cookie exchange this year???

8 comments:

byumomof4 said...

I'm in!!!

Goofiernu said...

I'm in! I haven't done Christmas cookies/goodies for several years now. I'll have to dig out my recipes.

Mer said...

I've never done one - but I think it would be fun. :) Of course, if us food-allergy folks aren't welcome, I would understand... (I could always just give 'em away and feed them to guests, right?)

snazzykc said...

oh yeah baby-you can count on me and probably Amy too!

Oh and make sure Mer knows that platters of cookies make it easier to entertain during the holidays or she can pass them off as hers when she goes somewhere!

Amy said...

Yes -- definitely in!

annaliese said...

you know I'm in :)

Unknown said...

how fun!!

Unknown said...

I really wanted this to work but I am so overwhelmed with the Christmas show I am going to have to cancel. uggh. Well I will just have to plan it better for next year!!!