Guest Blogger: How to ‘Bake’ Holiday Memories with your Family

 

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Guest Blogger: How to ‘Bake’ Holiday Memories with your Family

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 04:18 AM PST

Guest Blogger #281, Entry #809, December 2, 2011

The holidays are quickly approaching, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Like so many others, it is my favorite time of the year. I look forward to all of it, the cleaning, shopping, cooking, singing Christmas Carols, and especially baking with my mom.

Enjoy holiday baking with family this holiday season

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My mom lives next door, so we do a lot together throughout the year. But, nothing beats our holiday baking sessions we have done together for years. I am a believer in starting and maintaining tradition, especially around the holidays.
We have done it for so long, that we have a system and both enjoy every step of it. I am going to share our tradition with you right now with some ideas so you can either start your own, or add to what you and your family already do.

Preparing Ahead of Time is Vital

As early as you can, start preparing for your baking days. My mom and I bake on more than one day, because some of the goodies tend to dry out before we are ready for them. If you spread out the baking days, you will have fresh and tasty morsels throughout the holiday season.
First, choose the days you are going to bake. We have coffee one morning to mark the days of the calendar when we are going to bake, either 2 or 3, depending on our schedules. We also make sure that we have at least 4 hours each time.
Next, we spread out the recipes to choose ahead of time what we are going to bake. By taking this step, we are able to save time on the baking days, as well as money when shopping. We write up a list of ingredients we will need, and then keep our eye open for coupons sales at the market.
Finally, we make sure that all necessary equipment, such as the oven, Cuisinart food processors, spatulas, measuring cups, and mixing bowls are functioning and in good shape. Obviously, some unexpected break downs you won’t be able to catch ahead of time. But, simple things like noticing that the measuring cups are missing ahead of time will save you time and frustration.

Holiday baking ideas

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Baking with Holiday Cheer

We do what we can ahead of time, such as getting ingredients out of the refrigerator that work best at room temperature. I place things such as butter and almond paste in the sink overnight, which allows for easier mixing when we are ready for it.
One year we forgot to get the almond paste out ahead of time, and it not only made the mixing more difficult, but also affected the texture. Unfortunately, we disappointed a few of our guests who were expecting it. However, lesson learned.
Perhaps the best part of these baking days is that it can certainly get you into the holiday spirit.  We like to turn on our favorite Christmas music and break out our Christmas mugs for a cup of coffee or hot cocoa while we bake. Try it. You will be singing along together in no time, filled with holiday cheer.

Holiday baking make for great gifts!

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Sharing the Holiday Spirit…and Goodies

Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ to someone like handing them a plate of homemade goodies. It makes a great gift, especially for the people you don’t actually exchange gifts with such as:
* Neighbors
* Teachers
* Doctors
* Hairstylist
Now, of course I don’t make a special trip to all of these people, like my doctor or hairstylist. However, if I am going into their office, or getting my hair done the week before Christmas, I bring in a small sampling of what we have made.
Wrapping them up on a disposable holiday plate, with plastic wrap and bow for the smaller quantities is an easy presentation. If you have a larger amount to give, there are disposable plastic containers, or boxes, which you can find at the store. I just make sure the wrapping is festive, rather than simply throwing them in a plastic bag.
In Closing
I have enjoyed my time with my mom in our holiday traditions, and this is just one of them. If you are able to create these memories with your mom, I highly recommend it.
I remember holiday preparations with my grandma from years ago, and always will. It is something I hold near and dear to my heart, and so happy that I have these fond memories. We have started to incorporate my young children as well, and now have 3 generations in the kitchen, at least for a few minutes at a time, as they are young.
If your mom isn’t nearby, there is no reason why you can’t start these traditions with someone else, like your mother in law, a sister, children, or even your spouse.
From our home to yours, Happy Holidays!
Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer living in Texas with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys researching the latest information to help the home (like parenting and couponing) and tools (like Cuisinart toasters and mixers). When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family.
For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.