Flour coated hands and dough covering the kitchen table, laughter filling the air, and the unmistakable smell of warm cookies fresh out of the oven. To me, this is what the holiday season is all about. It’s the cozy contentment of home, surrounded by your people, doing something you love.
Growing up, my sisters and I would always spend a day this time of year baking with our mom. Cookie plates are an easy and thoughtful gift that we could give to many people in our life! We’d laugh and talk, sneak bites of cookie dough, and plan who we would give the treats to. During the holidays, it can be so easy to get caught up in the hustle and stress of gift-giving but for us, on our day of baking, we were able to slow down and give the greatest gift to those we cared the most for. Fresh-baked cookies made with love to show that we were thinking of them. There’s no gesture too small.
This year, I am far for home, but I’ll continue to keep the tradition. Goodwill, filled with kitchen-ware that had been loved by previous families, helped me to continue my own tradition of baking. I stocked my kitchen with Goodwill finds- new cookie sheets, spatulas and mixing bowl, to name a few. I was also able to find these adorable Christmas themed plates ($4.99/set of four) and cookie-cutters ($1.99) at the 6th Ave store Christmas Shoppe- perfect additions to my Christmas collection!
Surrounded by friends, my kitchen was once again filled with jokes, stories and the beautiful mess of baking. The cookies went fast but the memories will last a lifetime. All with the help of Goodwill. Whether you’re surrounded by family, continuing years-old traditions and recipes that have been handed down; or just starting out on your own and building a new family in an unfamiliar city; I encourage you to take a moment. Slow down. Head to Goodwill for some bargain supplies, throw some flour on the table, fill your kitchen, and see what traditions you can enjoy this season. Share a little love this year. Let Goodwill help!
