I felt I had to compensate for living thousands of miles away from my family. I didn't get to see my siblings or parents over Christmas. My husband is an only so there was only one set of grandparents nearby and they barely acknowledged the season.
I felt pressured to do more, to go big, to give it my all.
And then, one year, I had writing commitments. (YIPPEE, my first contract and the book was due January 1.)
I couldn't do it all. In fact, I couldn't do most of what I'd been doing for years.
How did I slow things down you ask? My daughters were mostly grown, my husband needed to lose a few pounds anyway ... so ... I asked what treat meant Christmas to them. What one thing did they really want to have over the holidays?
And that's when I realized I was going overboard because I wanted to, not because anyone else expected me to.
I gave up baking cookies! Yes, yes I did. I saved a day. I saved another day by telling friends they'd not be getting their usual bottle of Irish Cream. (They're writers so they understood.) I found the best bakery in town for cookies and limited candy to Christmas stockings.
I had one, busy, fun day cooking a delicious meal and baking pies for dessert.
The stress eased and for the first time, I didn't exhaust myself with all the preparations. It's not Christmas Day itself, it's the weeks leading up to it that are draining. It's right now, these days, that find us overwhelmed and too busy.
I know you've probably seen this recipe a lot over the years, but here it is again, because without Christmas Bark, it isn't Christmas in our house.
1 300 gram package of real semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 Peppermint candy canes (classic red, green & white are tastiest)
What you'll need:
1 Meat tenderizer (turned on its side)
A good length of waxed paper
1 Child old enough not to bash a sibling on the head with said tenderizer
1 Baking tray
Preparation:
Toss chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and melt on medium power 2 - 3 minutes depending - Hint: the chips will look glossy when done.
Unwrap Candy Canes and set them on a length of waxed paper. Fold the paper into a package and whack the canes with the side of the meat tenderizer to crush them. This is where a little supervision of the child comes in handy.
Stir candy into melted chocolate and spread evenly on more waxed paper on the tray. Freeze flat.
Here's the most important part: Tell your helper what a great kid they are, how much you needed their help and dab at your joyful eyes because, hey, new memories ... (if you read my post on the 15th of this month, you'll understand)
After sampling the chilled Christmas Bark, send it home with your helper!
From our house to yours: Merry Christmas!
Don't forget to enter our Monthly Giveaway - we're being extra generous this year. Check out our holiday books here: Holiday Book Page
What treat means Christmas to you and yours? What couldn't you give up?
Wow, that's great easy recipe. I might make that one! Need some candy canes.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's family doesn't eat many sweets. She still has Halloween candy left over. So, this year, Karl and I have peanut butter balls and iced sugar cookies. I'm looking more at sides to take. I have some dips I'm going to make up--either jalapeno or habanero. This is Texas, what can I say LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm making Constance's cheese ball!
DeleteI stopped feeling duty bound to do Christmas baking years ago. Not having it in the house made indulging in a goodie a real treat when I was visiting. As long as there is wine and cheese in the fridge I'm happy. Oh, and maybe a few cashews to nibble on. Love cashews.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. We do less sugar, too. That's why the Bark goes home with them!
DeleteSounds good. I'm still rushing around, but I also enjoy it and don't mind that I keep getting farther behind, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love to cook but hate baking, so I always left that to others in the family. And we've totally minimized Christmas the last few years. No presents, simple food, but lots of presence - of family and friends! It's been great!
ReplyDeletePatsy Tong
ReplyDeleteI kind of do what you did with your chocolate and candy cane but I use both milk chocolate and white chocolate. I get the long big strait pretzels and when I get each one done I roll the pretzel stick in the chocolate and candy cane mixture and let it set up. I usually put them in a glass but not to many in one as you don't want them to stick together. I then do the other chocolate. I also sprinkle some sprinkles on some of those just to dress them up a little more. I also sometimes add a little kosher salt to some of them. The two last items is up to you. You might like to try one to see what you think.
These sound great! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteSo at what age can your trust kids not to bash siblings on the head with the meat tenderizer?? (LOL!!!)
ReplyDeleteYou freeze this candy but then can you take it out after it sets?
Great way to reduce holiday stress.
5,6,7...but I supervise! LOL
DeleteMy family has two treats we couldn't give up. One is deviled eggs. We have a feast of appetizers and finger foods while we decorate the house for the season. I think my kids would riot if I didn't make deviled eggs. On Christmas we have paella. My family is from Spain, and we've been making the dish for years. It's pretty big. We've got a big pan from Spain and we cook it over a propane tank in the garage. It's Heaven. Christmas isn't my favorite season, but we absolutely know how to make it special. Thanks for sharing and for letting us share, too!
ReplyDeleteWe love paella...ever since a trip to Barcelona. Every restaurant along Las Ramblas has different recipes for paella.
DeleteSo many good recipes this month. I saved all of them because you never know when you might need a quick, easy dish to take to a party. Thanks, Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Everyone should slow down for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteYes... we need to think of ways to ease back a little.
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