Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~Edith Sitwell
I always usher in December by holding a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Myself and close to twenty other friends gather round my Christmas tree, holding a glass of egg nog or wine or whatever libation we desire. We talk like women do about shopping, upcoming parties, the calories going to our hips. I enjoy the laughter of all the voices, the soft sounds of festive music mingling in the background and the sweet smell of butter and sugar that fills my dining room table from the cookies everyone has brought.
It reminds me of those who are important to me and I can’t imagine not hosting such a wonderful exchange of friendship and sweet treats.
After the last couple months I have to say it was the first time that I’ve thought about not having the exchange and today solidified how important my friends are to me. As I looked around the room I saw friends who have been here for the past eight years, I had new neighbours and old neighbours too. We laughed, we joked about prunes and we were graced by the beginnings of snow just shortly before the exchange came to an end.
So now begins the holiday rush, the parties, the gifts the shopping and the snow. For me, I truly believe that the holiday season would not be the same if I didn’t welcome my friends who came to my door arms full of cookies and hearts full of friendship. Thank you!
