Want a simple, festive, yummy treat to share?
Here's what we made last night...
We used: mini-preztel twists, M&M's candies, white chocolate chips
I put the chips in a freezer-bag and into some hot water to melt. Then I cut a small hole in one corner of the bag and start squeezing some out into the center of each pretzel (pretzels are laid out on a piece of waxed paper).
An M&M on top and that's it! (Mom moment: There's something about seeing Carrie's hands putting the M&M's on that takes me back to Christmas's past when her hands were smaller. She has always done the M&M part!)
Let them dry, tie in bags, give away. Super easy and oh SO yummy!!!*****
So, Carrie came over last night and we made these pretzel treats. Our conversation as we made these treats had me feeling a bit melancholy. She told me about a conversation she'd had with a co-worker that day about growing up with divorced parents, going back and forth at Christmas time (and other holidays), and how that had made her holiday memories seem disjointed. The sad part for me is that she felt like we didn't really have traditions because of it.
I started thinking of our traditions and she's sort of right -- we don't necessarily have any big traditions -- those things that are constant with EVERY Christmas. But, we do have lots of little ones. I think the little traditions get overlooked because they seem like the norm around Christmas, maybe like the little things during the rest of the year that we take for granted. We become less mindful of them because they are just always there.
So, I've been racking my brain trying to think of Christmas traditions we have. There are a few: like these pretzel treats we've made every year for about 10 years now. And how Santa always fills Carrie's "baby stocking" (the one I made her when she was born) on Christmas morning instead of the decorative one that hangs on the fireplace during December. And chocolate pancakes on Christmas morning. And the celebrating of Carrie's half-birthday on December 6th. And making origami boxes out of Christmas cards. And...well...I'll think of more... Over the next few days I will be mindful of the little traditions we take for granted because they seem like the norm...
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Do you have small traditions that get overlooked and under-appreciated? Do share!
♥
12 comments:
I love those Pretzel treats, thinking I may make them too !
One of our food traditions is making chocolate bark, although we have only been doing it a few years but it still counts.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
they are yummy ;o)
I miss the things my mom used to do with my sister and I when we were little. We stopped doing them all gradually, until we ended up with this year: Not even a Christmas tree! Can you believe that? You better believe that I am going to go NUTS about Christmas when I get my own place!! :)
Those pretzels look yummmmy! And so easy! I bet even *I* could do it!
I'm going to try those treats. Some of our over looked small traditions are around the planning of menues over christmas week to make sure we include a favourite for everyone. For me the list making and conversations are an important tradition
They look like they having a blast...and they all look so pretty!!!
Those pretzel treats look fabulous. I love the way the ribbon goes so well with their look! Thanks for reminding me to think about the little tradions
i love those. my sister always makes those. it's part of her little traditions. i think the little traditions are probably the best ones. i'm sure you will think of plenty more.
My husband makes fudge. I make cookies. We give them out to friends and neighbors. Everyone is all, "AH! It's the fudge! We've been waiting all year for the fudge!" My cookies and I feel very under-appreciated.
You have amazing holiday traditions. Ours are centered more around Hanukkah obviously, but we try to do different things for others (mitzvahs)like donating all of our gently used toys and clothes.
We didn't even get to put up lights on the house this year because of Nick's surgery, maybe if I can get into the attic, I can track down a box of lights to put up.
Ciao deb, reading blogs I found your post: funny coloured and ....yummy!!! :D Ciao Italo.
I love the little traditions that you and Carrie share! I understand where Carrie is coming from though, having parents who are also separated. It is difficult to remember the smaller traditions.
My sisters and I are always adamant on stockings...it doesn't matter what is in them, but every year on Christmas morning we open stockings that we each contribute something to.
The treats look lovely, though we're not big on pretzels in the UK :-)
Thought-provoking post, I'll be taking a special mental note of all our little traditions this year too x
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