I remember when I was a kid that it was perfectly okay for parents to make cookies and such for school parties. There was a time when Bake Sales really were items baked by whomever was raising money. Of course, back then it wasn't at all unusual to get gifts of cookies, pies, cakes and breads from Christmas from friends, family and neighbors.
Somewhere along the way we've given all of that up. In most schools today, class parties are full of prepackaged commercialized foods. Bakes Sales have been replaced by cookie dough drives through commercial business and candy bar sales. Christmas seems to be reserved for overpriced items bought at retail establishments. Sad really.
Last year we brought back the baked goods tradition.
You see, my husband is a manager at a large manufacturing company. Each of the managers buy their employees a little Christmas thank you - usually a $10-$20 gift card. We weren't keen on this idea, as neither one of us likes gift cards (can a gift be more impersonal?), and the prepackaged gift packs of junk didn't suit us either.
So after another frustrating trip to the store, I said "Why don't we just buy some tins or buckets and I'll make cookies?" My husband laughed. Then we thought about it. Why not?
Those employees that got our small Christmas buckets of cookies last year couldn't have been more pleased. I made all the traditionals - Molasses, Gingerbread, Sugar cookies, Shortbread, Chocolate chip, etc. They were so well received that they actually REQUESTED the same this year!
That means a couple of days busily baking away in my kitchen, but it's well worth it. I'm also making some homemade bread for a couple of friends and a sweet little neighbor lady who buys eggs from me from time to time.
Simple traditions really are the best ones!
No comments:
Post a Comment