christmas future

Ironically, as a child who loved to write, I never wrote letters to Santa.  I did believe in him at one point, but at an early age, I figured out that he was not real, and figured, why would I leave perfectly good cookies and milk out for someone that wasn't real?

My kids somewhat believe in Santa. Well, at least my younger one does.  I think they believe in the idea that somehow a gift is left near their "Cookies for Santa" plate, tagged “from Santa”.

I made these plates at a local "Paint Your Own Pottery" store.
One for each child...a boy and girl, of course!

However, the kids didn’t do the full deal this year…lining up to see Santa to get their picture taken with him (he scares my daughter), and then write a letter to him (“if Santa knows if we’ve been good or not, then why do we need to write to him?”…this is my son’s logic).  I even missed booking the Santa train ride where you get hot chocolate and cookies when he stops by to visit you during the ride.

{Recipe for this Chocolate Chip Cookie found here}

As my children get older, we don’t participate as much with all the Santa activities that come around this time of the year.  Yes, I know it’s not the “reason for the season”, but for young children, part of the magic of Christmas is the magic part.  The “Santa twinkles his nose, comes down a chimney and leaves you a gift if you’ve been good” magic.

I don’t think doing all that stuff takes away from the “reason for the season” but in fact, enhances it.  As long as they understand what they’re celebrating, how they celebrate really is all about the spirit of why you do things.

While the children are still young and innocent, my hope for Christmas future (at least for the next few innocent years), we can continue to attend church service, listening to miracle of Jesus' birth and embrace the celebration of our savior, and then come home, where the kids will leave their cookies and milk for Santa, leave out carrots for the reindeer, and say thank you, for celebrating Jesus with us by bringing joy and love to children everywhere.

the age of innocence and the chocolate chip cookie

When I listen to a child tell a story, it always seems like their view of the world is so pure. I often wonder...at what age do children lose that innocence? Their naivety?

Is it after they begin going to school, and learning to navigate around their territorial world and learn to share? Is it when they have (and lose) their first crush?  Or is it when they begin to listen to the news about the real world outside, and start to realize that sometimes people...even countries, don't get along. Sometimes I wonder, if we as adults have lost our own sense of innocence with the way the world is now.  That sometimes stick and stones aren't the only thing that hurt...

One thing for sure, nothing evokes that feeling of childhood innocence better than biting into a good old fashioned chocolate chip cookie.  It’s simplicity…just a little cookie with little chocolate chips, is a staple in most childhoods…whether ice cream is squished between two cookies, additional ingredients like smarties or nuts are thrown in, or large versions like a “cookie” pizza are made for classroom birthdays.

The world may no longer be innocent, but while eating a simple cookie, maybe we can regain some of that childhood feeling back...even if it's for just for a few moments.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie
(approx. 2 dozen cookies)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)

2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.

3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the chocolate chips.

4. Drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet at least one inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.