Holiday cheer

For 2020, it’s a different brand of holiday cheer. We’re dropping off cookies on neighbor’s doorsteps, opening Secret Santa gifts on Zoom, and secretly crying to semi-sad Christmas music while wrapping presents on the attic stairs (just me? maybe just me). I’ve come back to a similar place as I found myself in March — overwhelmed with gratitude for our health and safety, and overwhelmed with grief at the losses (both big and small) of this year. This holiday season is proving to be truly bittersweet.

I tried to make the sweet outweigh the bitter by mixing in cup after cup of brown sugar, a few heaping tablespoons of crushed candy cane, and more than one bag of chocolate chips. For a few hours this morning, I bottled up the frustration, the cynicism, the disappointment– and I baked with a heart full of hope. I don’t know that it will work, but it always feels good to do something. If you need something to keep you busy for a morning (really, any old morning — this brand of cheer is timeless), or some easy treats to leave on loved one’s doorsteps… this one’s for you.

A LITTLE HOMEMADE HOLIDAY CHEER

Recipes I used:

• Half Baked Harvest Christmas Brown Butter M+M Cookie Bars: It’s worth it to bake these for the brown butter aroma alone. I used crushed candy canes instead of m+m’s, and hugs instead of kisses, because everything is kind of make do around here. Nicky especially liked these.

• Potato Chip Cookies from Tastes of Lizzy T: Satisfies the salty/sweet craving perfectly. And the recipe is perfect. I usually muck up baking recipes somehow– but this one has never failed me.
• Peanut Butter Cookie Cups: For these, I make any old peanut butter cookie dough (like, whatever Google shows me first). While the dough is chilling in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, I line mini cupcake tins with liners. Roll dough into small balls and bake for 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile unwrap Reese’s mini peanut butter cups (this seems to take the full 10-12 minutes for me)– all those wrappers atop the trash will look like a personal problem, but hey. As soon as the cookies are out of the oven, gently press a pb cup into each cookie. Let them cool fully (the chocolate will be extra melty and messy if you skip this step, but also, no judgement).
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt: Again, nothing special recipe-wise, but the sea salt is a must.

I finished things off with a handful of candy and a card– a wish for a sweet start to the year, and good health and happiness in 2021.

The 2020 sort of holiday cheer… and hopefully no cavities.

Also On Tap for Today:

• I watched On Being’s Winter Gathering live on Monday — and it was absolutely perfect and moving and comforting. The replay is available if you’re interested — it’s the perfect hourlong gift to self.
• Acting like I’m not stalking three packages somewhere in USPS limbo… but also very much stalking three packages somewhere in USPS limbo
• Here’s my Christmas playlist (yes, the very same that had me sniffling on the stairway…. but it’s good, promise)

How is the season feeling for you? Got a cookie recipe to share? A favorite holiday jam?