There are so many things to do during the holiday season… Correction: There are so many things I have to do, a few things I want to do, and a single thing I love to do.

Have to do thing #1: Decorations

I drag out the giant bins of Christmas decorations from the back of the closet and sort through the mess. Each year, I think I’ll finally get rid of the worn ones, the handprint reindeer with a missing eye, or the faded paper Santa with the cotton ball beard, but I can’t. Instead, I re-tape the damaged artifacts, sort the ornaments, and decorate the tree. I turn on Christmas music and sing along (off-tune). As the house is transformed into my version of a Hallmark movie, my initial annoyance at the task fades like jingle bells in the distance.

Want to do things: Holiday cards

I know they are old school, maybe even out of fashion, but I love sending and receiving holiday cards. It’s fun to sort through photos of the year and share my favorites, and I love getting caught up with family and friends. Each day when I get the mail, I’m excited to see how much kids have grown, where people have vacationed, and whose pets made the card this year. Granted, sometimes the notes are a little over the top, but I forgive a little self-promotion in the spirit of the season.

Things I love to do: Baking Cookies

Christmas cookies are my favorite holiday treat. I love baking with my boys, and we make armies of over-frosted, over-sprinkled sugar cookie masterpieces. I remember my grandmother sending boxes of cookies, and my mom always made a gorgeous variety of treats: Peanut butter blossoms, spritz trees with almond extract, date pinwheels, and, best of all, gingersnaps.

There’s something so perfect about gingersnaps during the holidays. Not too sweet or flashy, gingersnaps are the cookies I most look forward to making and sharing. They go with coffee, tea, eggnog, or even an old-fashioned, especially with a fire in the fireplace, in the glow of your holiday decorations, with cards from friends and family to remind you what’s most important. Those you love and those who love you back.

Here's my family’s Gingersnaps recipe. I hope you love them as much as we have through the years. Enjoy!

Gingersnaps

¾ c unsalted butter
1 c granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
¼ c molasses
1 egg
2 c sifted white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
Optional: Colored sugar for rolling cookies

Cream butter and sugar until light in color and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Mix in molasses and egg until fully combined. Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Add to the first mixture and still until just combined. Chill for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight).

When you’re ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop into 1” balls and roll in 1/3 c granulated sugar. For an extra festive touch, add seasonally colored sugar sprinkles to the sugar (red, green, blue, or a combination) before rolling the dough. Use parchment or Silpat on the baking sheet and space cookies 2” apart.

Bake for 6-7 minutes, until centers are just set and edges are firm. Cool on the baking sheet for 5-6 minutes; cool completely on a wire rack. Best within 3 days; freezes well.

Makes 3 dozen.

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This article originally appeared in the December 2023 Issue of Fete Lifestyle Magazine.