Growing up, Christmas was the most anticipated holiday of the year. Much of this was due to my Mom, who really went all out on Christmas, from decorations to baking – always with celebrating the true meaning of the season in mind. She was an original DIY-er before it was cool to be one! We’d bake everything under the sun, make homemade ornaments from dough and glitter, nativity scenes from cardboard and paint, and we’d stage Christmas plays.
So, when I had my own children, there were so many traditions that I wanted to pass on to them. But the season is a busy one, and there are only so many things you can fit in, right? As a result, our family has lots of traditions but we don’t incorporate all of them every year. I realized I didn’t really know what food traditions were the most important to my kids, so I decided to ask them.
Me: I’m writing a post about favorite holiday foods that we make every year. What’s yours?
My daughter: Hot chocolate.
Me: Hot chocolate?
My daughter: Yeah, cause I want to make homemade peppermint marshmallows this year to go with the hot chocolate. And, Christmas cookies, of course.
Me: Oh, marshmallows would be fun to make. By Christmas cookies, do you mean sugar cookies?
My daughter: Yeah, sugar cookies. I LOVE decorating them with all the sparkles and those little balls that look like jewels.
I’m not sure why I didn’t ask her what her favorite holiday foods were before this post. I could have saved myself a lot of time by reducing my baking list to just two items. But, to be fair, I needed to ask my son the same question.
Me: So, what’s your favorite holiday food that we make each year?
My son: Cinnamon rolls.
Me: The ones we have on Christmas morning?
My son: Yeah.
Me: Any others?
My son: As long as we have those, I’m good.
And, because he was studying for finals, that was pretty much the extent of our conversation! Yes, I definitely should have written this post a long time ago. I can now cross off fudge, ginger cookies, cashew caramel bars, toffee, date bars and snowballs. But, I can add a new food to add to our traditional lineup. Here’s the recipe forhomemade peppermint marshmallowsthat we’ll be enjoying.
What’s your favorite holiday food and why?
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