Keeping it simple for Christmas
Well, we are as decorated for Christmas as we get. The tree is up, lit and decorated with all sorts of odds-and-ends ornaments – most of which have been made by my kids over the years and none of which match. The stockings are hung by the fireplace, though rather haphazardly, not with care, as the story is supposed to go. There are no Christmas pajamas, no window wreaths, no fancy pencil trees with orbs that all sparkle and glitter.
That is kind of the way we do things here. Simple and real. What you see is what you get. We’re certainly not in danger of being called fancy. (I have a fancy friend, however. Manages to wear a scarf and heels to everything.)
My Christmas cookie baking is simple, as well. I’ll make you dozens and dozens of cookies that get mixed up and dropped onto a tray to be baked. Pan after pan of cookies that get scraped – or even pressed – by one glob into a pan and baked at once. Sheet after sheet of candy or confection that gets poured, cooled and then broken into misshapen pieces.
Just don’t ask me to roll out, cut into shapes, twist, color, decorate or form cookies. Don’t ask me to make confections that require multiple steps or individual wrapping. Please don’t ask me to cool anything and then fill it up with another completely different substance.
It’s just not my thing.
It’s not that I don’t like those items. It’s not that I’m unable to produce them. It’s just that I tend to get bored partway into the process, and then I get irritated at how much cleanup is going to be required. (This, by the way, is the EXACT reason for my minimalist decoration strategy, as well. Who wants to dust all of those winter wonderland houses and snowmen every day anyway?)
I’ve made filled cookies, fondant, pumpkin rolls, mini nutrolls, thumbprint cookies, crème wafers and all the rest. But I tend now to stick to the basics. Molasses crinkles. Snickerdoodles. Drop sugar cookies. Chocolate chip cookies with walnuts. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
My kids decided this year that they wanted to make cut-out cookies. They decided that they needed to decorate them all with several bowls of colored frosting. I let them, of course. I even took pictures. I’m cool like that.
I think it is great because I don’t feel the need to force my simplistic ideas on them. I hope they do create their own traditions surrounding Christmas, including, if they choose, significant decorating and fancy cookie making.
I just also hope that they remember Christmas comes with or without those things.
Christmas is more than how many presents are under the tree or how many lights brighten up the windows. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, who had no tree, lights, cookies, or even adequate housing. Christmas is about giving, loving and sharing yourself with those around you.
It is a transformation of spirit and heart more than a transformation of décor.
If the kids remember that, I’ll be happy regardless of what else they do to celebrate.
Laura Zoeller can be reached at zoeller5@verizon.net.