Christmas is less than two weeks away, and we’re almost ready for Quinn’s first yuletide celebration. The shopping is finally done, mostly from the comfort of my couch, in my slippers, on my laptop. I love me some Amazon Prime.
The final fruits of my online shopping frenzy will arrive today. Then I can ship my family’s gifts to Michigan and Chicago. Just in time without having to pay up the wahzoo for expedited shipping. Whew!
Last night, I got everything else wrapped up in sparkly paper. I know I already told you how much I love wrapping presents, but I seriously love wrapping presents.
Last year, when Quinn was still our LBK, he had all kinds of presents under the tree. I thought he was spoiled then. This year… yowza. He’s made an even bigger place for himself. His gifts take up at least ninety-percent of our under-the-tree real estate. I wish I could blame his grandparents – and I totally can because they spoil him rotten – but I may have had a little something to do with it, too. What can I say? I love the little guy.
Now I know what you’re thinking. Melissa, Christmas is still over a week away? With all the shopping and wrapping done, what will you do with yourself? Much to the Hubs’ relief, I will resist the urge to keep buying and wrapping more presents. Instead, I will bake Christmas cookies.
Last year, I went a little overboard with the cookie baking. I busted out my mom’s recipes and went bananas. I spent several evenings and weekends sifting, mixing and burning myself and baking. I annihilated the kitchen with flour and sugar, dirtying every bowl I could find. Hubs would come home to find me covered in flour and eating cookie dough carefully arranging cookies on festive plates to give to our friends and neighbors. Our house smelled good.
The funny thing is I didn’t even know I liked baking until I started making cookies. I might have been nesting. A little bit.
To be honest, I don’t actually like baking. You’ll never see me make a cake that doesn’t come from a mix in a pretty red box. But there’s something about Christmastime. Festive cookies – made from scratch and love – are part of what makes the holiday special.
Maybe that’s because my mom and I always baked cookies at Christmastime when I was growing up. Today, I bake the same cookie recipes, and I want Quinn to have the same happy memories. I want him to know that when I dig the electric mixer and the flour sifter out of the back of the cupboard, Christmas is here. I can’t wait until he’s old enough to help me. Of course, then I’ll have to let him lick the bowl, which is always my favorite part. But that’s okay. Like I said, I love the little guy.
