It's hard to describe how big a deal Christmas cookies were in our house. Beyond a REALLY BIG DEAL, they were a production.
First: They were always homemade from scratch in multiple batches.
Second: They were always made, at least in part, with our neighbor, Joan.
Third: They were always decorated not just by quickly swooshing some homemade icing over the top, but meticulously. Make that m-e-t-i-c-u-l-o-u-s-l-y. Decorating required frosting in glorious colors. It required icing details applied by toothpicks. It required the equally careful application of dragees or raisins or cinnamon candies or sprinkles. It required patience that would have taught Job something new.
Fourth: Once the decorations were sufficiently set, every cookie was cradled individually in its own plastic-wrap envelope and received a hanger made of ribbon.
Only then were they ready to display, oh so carefully, on the little cookie tree. Kids from the preschool that Mom taught, neighbor kids, friends' kids, and parents - everyone took their time selecting just the right cookie every time they visited.
TRAEA's Grandma remembers growing up with sugar cookies, gingerbread families and pecan sandies on our cookie trees. When our children were young their little cookie trees also featured a few additional recipes. The 21st century version of the cookie tree was an equally huge hit with grandkids and their parents when Christmas was last at our house two years ago.
The grandkids may not remember that visit, but what do you want to make a bet that they, and their parents, will have as much fun choosing cookies from the tree this year as TRAEA's Grandma had those many years ago.
I hope you'll post a picture of the cookie tree. It sounds like absolutely the most enchanting idea.
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