Planning for Christmas. I know I mentioned several posts ago that I was hoping to make a list of people who I wanted to give Christmas gifts to, and what the gifts might be. So I did. I made a list of people like my husband, son, and brother in law since I pulled his name for our family Christmas. A couple close friends, and that was the end of my list. I will be very honest and tell you that instead of coming up for gift ideas for them, I started writing down things that I want for Christmas! A little selfish, I know. I’m usually more ahead of the game. When someone points out something that they’d like someday, I write it down. By Christmas, I could by for any member of my family. Not this year. Stumped.
And then yesterday, I was looking around our church and realized how many people have come out of the woodwork to really show us love this year. Lots! As in, probably fifteen couples! So now, we bake. Or make jam. Or something. Because I want to be able to give gifts to everyone! So I made my mondo list of people (I didn’t even count them, I thought it might be overwhelming) and then made a mondo list of homemade gift ideas. You know how other’s people Christmas sweets or “dainties” always taste a little different than you wish they did? They’re just not exactly what you’re used to? Well thats fine, but I want the ones from us to be really good!!! I asked Brady what he thinks would be yummy as gifts, and he said things like jamjams, or ginger snaps. I can honestly say, I’m not sure I’ve ever made either of those! I usually hang out in the land of sugar cookies and fudge. But I can expand my horizon, I just may be making a lot of trial and error desserts leading up to Christmas! Hopefully saying that clarifies that no, I’m not going to start baking and freezing in September and gifting it out two months later. I said I wanted everything to taste good, remember?
So. My list of things to bake is kind of huge. But the ones I for sure want to try are these special swirly sugar cookies, shortbread, some kind of white chocolate (maybe candy cane?) fudge, jamjams for the hubs, and gingersnaps. There should be no shortage of desserts the next few months!
It’s about time, right? I mean, I probably ate the equivalent of two entire birthday cakes in August by myself! I haven’t had cake in about two weeks now! Better get back on that.