Giving and Receiving

It’s the third week of Advent, and the theme is Joy

©️ Wayne Thiebaud, Gift Box, 1971

Last month, author, career coach and teacher

Leigh Stein

invited readers of her terrific newsletter,

Attention Economy

— a newsletter for professional writers and aspiring writers—to “take one, leave one.” From Leigh:

Leave a comment asking for something that would be helpful at this moment in your writing or publishing process.

Everyone who made a request would offer something in return: a recommendation, an idea, something that would, as Leigh said, “make someone’s day.”

I commented that I was doing this Advent calendar and asked for ideas about food, drink or traditions people thought of at the holidays and offered to share them.

Reading them again last night, I was struck by the generosity, the fun, the poignancy, the enthusiasm — some even included recipes—and the range. And underpinning them all was a sense of sweetness that left me really touched.

Over the course of this week, I’ll be adding more of the comments at the end of each post during this week on the Advent calendar devoted to Joy. ✨

Your Comments

Annabel Monaghan

of

Love Bites

What fun! On Christmas Eve I give each of my kids an ornament that reflects something about their year - a milestone, a trip, whatever. Then our tree is covered in memories.

Getty Images

Katie Knecht

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Katie Knecht's Recs

This is so fun, Jolene! I made these chocolate crinkle cookies with my granny every Christmas since I was 2. She passed last year, so this will be my second Christmas making them with my niece in her honor. Aside from their emotional meaning for me, they are absolutely delicious! Link: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Natasha’s Kitchen

Clare Egan

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Beyond Survival with Clare Egan

There's a tradition here in Ireland (& maybe elsewhere?) to put a candle in each window on Christmas Eve. As a child, I was told that if Mary & Joseph were out looking for somewhere to have baby Jesus, they would see the candle and know that our house was a safe, welcoming one. I'm not religious anymore, but I do love that tradition and the message it conveys. 🕯️

Irish Christmas, 1955, Getty Images

Rebecca Cubells

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Rebecca's Writing

Technically not a Christmas thing, but still very much a holiday thing - latkes! I grew up with both Christmas and Hanukkah and latkes are still one of my favorite holiday dishes! Here's a recipe. Eat with sour cream!

Getty Images

Mackenzie Brady Watson

Decorating the Christmas tree while watching Die Hard - the way my Dad and I used to before he died. It feels like communion.

Kara Kentley

I’m just seeing you asked for food or drinks and mine is so kitschy. My daughter and I love making homemade Chex mix. We use my mom’s recipe from the 1970s which includes cheddar and pretzel goldfish crackers.

Getty Images

RECIPE: Mix together in a 13 x 9 deep pan: 2 cups rice Chex; 2 cups corn Chex;1 cup wheat Chex;1 cup cheddar goldfish crackers; 1 cup pretzel goldfish crackers;1 cup peanuts - mom always used the salted Planter’s Dry Roasted Peanuts. This is the only time I buy them :) Melt 1 stick of butter in a small saucepan. Add:2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce; ¼ tsp garlic salt;1 ¼ tsp of Season All (seasoned salt);Pour the butter mixture on the Chex and stir. Bake at 275 for 40-50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool on paper towels. Enjoy! ✨

Melanie Anagnos

of

Cherchez La Femme

NY at Christmastime. Radio City and the Rockettes and the tree at Rockefeller Center. 🎄

Mark McMahon, Getty images

Amy Halloran

of

Dear Bread

Could I love this more? No! I was just telling my friend that if I don't make Viennese Crescents my sisters get mad, and if I don't make gingersnaps I get mad.

King-size Gingersnaps

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cloves;1 tsp ground ginger;1 tsp cinnamon

3 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup soft shortening

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 cup light molasses; granulated sugar

Start heating oven to 350F. Sift flour with salt, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and baking soda.Cream shortening till light and fluffy, gradually adding 1 cup sugar. Blend in egg and molasses; then stir in flour mixture until well blended.Shape dough into 1 1/2" ball; roll in granulated sugar; place 3" apart, on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten with fingers; sprinkle with more sugar. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Let stand a minute before removing from sheets. Makes 18. These keep wonderfully in airtight container. (*visit Dear Bread‘s post today for the Viennese Creecent recipe) ✨

Tawny Lara

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Beyond Liquid Courage

It’s not Christmastime until I hear “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Bruce! 🎸

Leigh Stein

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Attention Economy

I love listening to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey and I’m not ashamed. 🎶

Day 15 of “The Little Town” Calendar

See you tomorrow! ✨Jolene