December always sneaks up on me like we didn’t just have Thanksgiving, and I don’t know what’s around the corner, but as I drive around seeing all of the festive holiday lights and decorations, it hit me in the face that I am 100% NOT READY! I am halfway decorated, half my outside lights up, the tree has been procured and strung with lights, and stockings are hung, but that’s it. The rest of my decorations (and maybe my usual holiday cheer) are strewn all over my dining room table, waiting patiently, for me to carve out some time to finish decking the halls!
To get myself in the spirit, I have been thinking back to some of my favorite holiday traditions over the years. As life has changed so have our family traditions, I embrace these changes, but as the Cancer in me takes over and reminisces, here’s a little trip down my memory lane past and present:
Christmas Eve: Just maybe my favorite day of the year. I love the electricity in the air on this day and the simmering excitement about what’s to come. Like a lot of you, the Christmas Eve present is pajamas, and even now that my kids are older, basically adults, I still get everyone pjs every year.
Christmas Eve Dinner: Has always been seafood. As a child, this was more of a grazing dinner, with a platter of smoked salmon, cream cheese, crackers, and crudité to snack on while we prepped for the main dinner the next night. This evolved into a full Feast of the Seven Fishes over the years and this year brings another adaptation, seven fishes in the form of Aperitivo. Look for a full post on this soon.
Christmas Morning: My second favorite moment…I remember the excitement I felt as a child waking up early and sneaking downstairs to see what Santa may have left. I would turn on the lights and sit staring at the magic under the tree. I still do this as an adult. I’m usually the first one awake these days, not since my kids were very little has anyone been up before me, and I still love those quiet moments sitting and looking at the magic I created under the tree. I love seeing the excitement and joy on everyone's faces as they start to make their way into the living room and check out which presents are for them. For me, the gift of giving has always been what makes me the happiest this time of year.
I’ve been loving seeing all the fun, creative, and unique traditions others have been creating with their families. It is such a gift to make people feel excited special and cared for. My final favorite thing this time of year is a good old-fashioned Cookie Exchange. I have not participated in this in several years, for many reasons, one of which is not having a full-sized oven makes cookie big batches of cookies a challenge, not impossible, I like a good challenge. But, I think it’s time to bring it back. Also, why do cookie exchanges only happen during the Christmas season? Wouldn’t that be a fun thing to look forward to in the depths of Winter when nothing is exciting on the horizon? Comment, if you want to participate in a cookie exchange in February or March, let’s make it happen!
The best part of having loads of cookies around, you always have a last-minute gift, it brightens people’s day to find a tin of cookies on their porch, and obviously, dessert is ready every night of the week! I also love getting to enjoy cookie recipes I hadn’t tried before. It’s also a really nice gesture to give a copy of one of your beloved cookie recipes along with your box of cookies. Family recipes shared with others are the best gift of all.
With that being said, we have a beloved family recipe that no matter what, if I only have time for one cookie, it’s my Grandma’s Biscotti. Now, I know most of you think of biscotti as this hard, twice-baked cookie that needs to be dunked in coffee or tea to make it palatable. But, my friends that is not always so. Biscotti in Italian translates to cookie, and every Italian family has a different family cookie recipe. Ours is a soft and tender cookie laden with orange and lemon zest and coated in a sweet and delicious glaze. They continue to be all the kid’s favorites, and I love that all of us are continuing to share this family tradition and recipe.
Now, my oldest, was almost appalled that I was considering sharing the recipe, and I have to say, I feel a little hesitant, as it is so beloved, but again, I think sharing recipes is the greatest gift to the world we can give, and food brings people together. Recipes are also meant to be made one’s own, so you absolutely do not need to keep these true to our family. And, while I am not ready for this recipe to be out in the wild for all, I am giving this to my generous paid subscribers for now. Maybe, one day it will be published in a cookbook?
I hope you make, share, and receive an abundance of cookies this holiday season, and who knows, February and March are around the corner. Let’s start a new Winter tradition…Who’s in?
Grandma Frasca’s Biscotti Recipe Below:
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