I can’t remember a Holiday where we had 100% attendance. Between work schedules, in-laws, boyfriends/girlfriends, travel, volunteering, etc., we always have one or two people who do not attend. However, there is an event each year, where my family will travel far and wide and clear their schedule for this one day. From my 84-year-old parents, to my one-year-old twin nephews, perfect attendance is achieved. It’s a day known as “Black Friday” for many, but in our family, we call it “Cookie Day.”
Busia & Grandpa – How It All Started
Cookie Day has been a tradition in my family since as long as I can remember. It is a day set aside to crank out 40 batches of cookies from morning until evening. 1,300 cookies are made by a team of 25+. The number of people varies depending upon how many friends join us that day!
Best Friends Join In!
Our cookie-baking system has developed into a well-oiled machine that was passed down from one generation to the next. Armed with Gladware, Tupperware and Ziploc baggies, each family member arrives the morning after Thanksgiving with sleeves rolled up and ready to help. Everyone has an assignment. We have mixers, measurers, dishwashers, bakers and decorators. It is complete organized chaos.
1st Generation & 2nd Generation Cookie Bakers – Busia & Daughters
2nd & 3rd Generation Cookie Bakers!
The day is filled with laughter and ribbing: Stories of years past when nuts were measured incorrectly; or the time when an ingredient was left out when “someone” wasn’t paying attention and excuses how it wasn’t their fault. That “someone” varies year to year. And there is ALWAYS at least one tray that gets burned because a timer was forgotten (and this year was no exception). That batch is constantly offered (very sweetly) to another family member to bring home.
The best part of this day is that EVERYONE can participate. The older grandkids help their baby cousins. It’s so much fun to see the little ones piling on the sprinkles! Siblings help each other. And Busia and Grandpa just enjoy this special day with this family they created together.
The Baby Cousins
Everyone loves to make press cookies!
Everyone helps on Cookie Day from the youngest… (Cutest Helper Ever!)
…to Teens & Tweens…
…to Even Grandpa!
In fact, everyone is a baker on Cookie Day!
Everyone leaves that evening with bellies stuffed from Thanksgiving leftovers and cookie dough – and containers filled with their favorite cookies under their arms!
It is definitely my family’s favorite day of the year!
Who doesn’t love cookie dough?
This Year’s 2013 Cookie Crew!
I wish you and your family a lovely Holiday Season. Making memories is an AMAzing gift you can give your family.
I am very grateful to my parents for not only making memories for my siblings and me, but allowing us to pass down this fun (and delicious!) tradition to our own children!
Throwback Cookie Day 40 Years Ago, 1973!
Me, My Sister (Chris) & My Brother (Dan)!
Warmly,
A passion for creating great memories at home and at work! Learn more about AMA’s Director Ann Marie Frank here in this bio.
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