Giving and Receiving

Giving and Receiving

This plateful of Crayola-coloured cookies, arrived unannounced in a holiday-green tin with a handmade tag.

My 16-year-old, non-baking niece made them. Not only were the sugar cookies her idea, she helped shop for the ingredients (hunting down every sprinkle option in the store) baked them, iced them and dropped them off.

Part of me wants to gobble the whole plate. Part of me wants to keep them forever. All of me is touched.

Forget the reindeer-speckled cardigans or Santa Claus ties. Forget the lights, the non-stop carols and endless TV specials. This is what the holidays are really about. And I don’t mean butter and sugar.

Need a sugar cookie recipe? Here’s a classic Kids’ Chanukah Cookie recipe from Marcy Goldman. Feeling lucky? You can still enter to win a BetterBaking.com subscription. I announce the winners tomorrow at noon.

In the meantime, I’m making a cup of tea and biting the wings off an angel. Feel free to share a touching tale of giving. I’ve added a nifty feature to the comments section (thanks to Stephanie at Wasabimon for the idea) that will provide a link to your latest blog post. No blog to flog? You can still leave a comment.

No Comments
  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 12:45h, 23 December

    Aw, Charmian, what a lovely, happy surprise! I couldn’t agree more with your words … and on wanting to keep them forever. 🙂

    A few years ago, my beloved nephew (who was probably 11 at the time) decided he wanted to give his own gifts that year. He secretly wrote each of us a letter telling us all of the ways we’ve made his life special and wonderful and what he loves about us. I cried buckets of tears and I am keeping the letter forever. It was probably the best gift I’ve ever received.

    I’m off to my parents for the holidays tomorrow – back next week. Wishing you, Andrew, and your families a wonderful, festive, delicious, Merry Christmas! And your readers too!
    .-= The Diva on a Diet´s last blog ..Green White Elephant Exchange! =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 14:40h, 23 December

    Oh, Diva, you win the Best Present Ever prize. No. Wait. Your nephew does for thinking of such a touching and heart-felt gift. Wow. What a special person he must be. (And you for inspiring such a gift.)

    Have a delicious and disaster-free Christmas. Safe travels and see you in the New Year!

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 17:15h, 23 December

    I baked sugar cookies with the girls today! We’ll decorate them after they wake up from naptime. If we still had builder men in the house over the holidays they would all disappear too. My Monster is a generous creature and loves to treat people.
    .-= Cheryl Arkison´s last blog ..Potluck Recipes =-.

  • Cari Snell
    Posted at 20:27h, 23 December

    What a sweet niece you have! And yummy looking cookies too!

  • Robin Smart
    Posted at 10:23h, 24 December

    As the mother of that niece, I am very proud of her, and her baking.
    It was a pleasure to be the chauffeur elf for such an errand.
    Love the blog and picture.
    See you at supper.
    Love,
    Robin

  • cheryl
    Posted at 11:47h, 24 December

    Seriously, Charmian, that story from Diva gave me chills. CHILLS, I say!

    I love being with my in-laws on Christmas and partaking in all their traditions. Sending you and Andrew, and all your readers in this lovely space you’ve created, warm wishes for a very happy holiday!
    .-= cheryl´s last blog ..Winners (’09) =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:36h, 24 December

    Thanks for not eating the cookies en route to my house.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:38h, 24 December

    Diva’s story made me teary. Best. Christmas present. Ever!!

    Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with your in-laws! Thanks for gracing my comments section with your funny and insightful remarks.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:39h, 24 December

    Thanks, Cari. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas! Wish I could share these cookies with you.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:41h, 24 December

    I bet you had a blast decorating those cookies. And an even better time eating them.

    Sounds like Monster takes after her mother.

    Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. “See” you in 2010.

  • Angelique
    Posted at 12:44h, 29 December

    Hope you guys had a great Christmas! Enjoy the break from staring at the computer! Eat lots of yummy food and we’ll all reconvene in 2010…it’s gonna be a great year 🙂
    xoxo Ange from Bitchin’ Lifestyle