Christmas cookies tradition is extra special this year
For generations, families have embraced their time and traditions together during the holidays. Our family tradition is making homemade Christmas cookies using cookie cutters with 100 years of history. Family traditions can take many forms; however, the most important aspect of these traditions is that they bind and connect family members to remembered loved ones.
Family traditions create a spirit that nurtures connections, establishing a sense of belonging and unity. Growing up, children learn their family’s unique traditions, and their participation provides them with opportunities to learn about their past relatives.
For a long time, our family has taken part in the tradition of making Christmas cookies, and the cutters we use are quintessential to our cherished tradition. Inside the cutters, there are vast family memories. I have many fond childhood memories of making cookies with my mom and grandmother.
When I was younger, my grandmother explained that the cookie cutters traveled with my great-great grandparents on their journey to America from Germany. The recipe card remains written in my greatgrandmother’s handwriting and has been shared many times. The cookie cutters symbolize the spirit of Christmas: trees, reindeers, Santa Claus and the animals from the Nativity scene.
On a special day near Christmas, my mom and grandmother make the cookie dough following the recipe written in my great-grandmother’s handwriting. My mom then explains glowingly that the secret is to not over-handle the dough while placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
Next, my mom wields the cookie cutters to slice the dough into unique Christmas shapes. My grandmother carefully whips up the icing, while my brother, dad and I get out the various decorations.
After some of the cookies are finished baking, the real fun begins. First, my grandmother applies the icing. We use colorful sprinkles and red hots to add to the Christmas theme. We put green sprinkles on Christmas trees and red hots on reindeers’ noses.
Once we have made all the cookies, we all choose one to eat. Biting into one of these fresh, homemade Christmas cookies has always put a smile on my face and made me remember all the fun times we have had while making them.
Unfortunately, during the pandemic, my grandfather passed at the age of 87. Losing him has taken a big toll on our family. Since his side of the family introduced the tradition of making these homemade Christmas cookies, this year, our family practice of making homemade Christmas cookies will not only be a way to celebrate our family culture, but it will give us a chance to reflect and celebrate my grandpa’s life.
Often, we get caught up in the distractions of Christmas, but the simple act of cooking together allows us to bond. More importantly, we agreed it revives our family history, and it creates memories that we hold onto for a lifetime.
Using these family heirlooms allows us to celebrate and connect with friends and family, and more importantly, this coming Christmas, it will allow us to come together as a family to reflect upon the importance of family members past and present.
Nick Harris is a resident of Dublin who attends the University of Notre Dame.