I know you’re probably thinking, girl, a new tradition!? As though anyone needs ONE more thing to add to their already burdened calendar in December. But before you click away, tell me if the below sounds familiar:
It’s the morning of Christmas Eve. You have to leave for a family party in 2 hours. You’re frantically wrapping gifts. You can’t find two gifts. You’re going to attempt to finish the present you’re knitting on the drive. The stocking stuffers you’ve been stashing away all year are still buried in the back of the closet, guess you’ll get to those later. And amidst the chaos, you’re questioning why you even bothered decorating the house because it’s not like you had time to invite anyone over anyway. Your parent’s generation won’t give up hosting Christmas, so no family is coming. Next year, you think, maybe I just won’t bother setting up the Christmas village with all its glittery snow.
That was me, guys! No matter how hard I tried, the scene repeated every year. I was sick of rushing around. I wanted to make fun memories with my children and those closest to us, but there was never time. Then Cookie Day was born, and it changed everything.
What & When: The idea is simple. Every year on December 23rd, we start Christmas a day early! We invite people to stop in during certain hours to visit, decorate cookies, and sip hot cocoa. It’s open house style, so they can come when it works for them and stay for a few minutes or all day.
Who: We invite friends, and post an open invite on our families’ group Facebook pages. We always make a point to invite a few new people that we’d like to get to know better. I reach out to old friends, too. Let your kids each pass out a few invites. Sometimes the mail lady or UPS guy gets a cup of cocoa handed to them at the door. I wave down my husband’s farmer friends and persuade them to at least step in the entryway for cookies! If there is anyone you want to feel valued, an invitation to your home so near the holiday is sure to convey that.
How: Bake cookies ahead of time {seriously, like now!} and freeze them in Ziplocs bags with waxed paper between them. Make or buy lots of frosting and split it up into those clear decorating bags. If little kids are coming, only put a couple of tablespoons in each bag and close them with rubber bands. Then you can toss them when the kids squirt frosting in their mouths. Buy a dozen boxes of mac and cheese and keep a pot warm on the stove. Get the big box of cocoa packets, or make your own mix. Buy styrofoam cups and set out a marker for labeling. Provide large Ziplocs bags for people to take home their cookies.
Why: This is the best part. You’ll probably still be scrambling to get ready for Christmas by the 23rd, but you’ll already be done on the 24th. Cookie Day is the new deadline, and if you’re a last-minute girl like me that’s a game-changer. You can chill with your cocoa, chat with your friends, and look forward to the coming days. Your friends will be encouraged to get their stuff done early, too, so they can come. And they will leave with cookies to share at their own parties. Our home feels so much cozier when it’s been filled with those we love. And I have a reason now to take down the turkey decorations and put up some jingle bells. We’re finally making those special memories!
I hope this tradition will be a blessing to your family like it has been for mine. If you try if I’d love to hear about it! You can share in the comments or find me or the blog on Facebook.
