Gingerbread Cookie Dough (for Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments)

This recipe gingerbread cookie dough recipe has a 5 star rating. Definitely worth a try if you're into creating homemade gingerbread cookie ornaments. Aside from using them to decorate the tree, you could use them on packages. Eatable decorations are great for kids.

Servings: 1 batch

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup (175 mL) fancy molasses
1/2 cup (125 mL) cooking molasses
6 cups (1.5 L) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 mL) ground ginger
1 tsp (5 mL) each baking soda and salt
1 tsp (5 mL) each ground cloves and cinnamon

Preparation:

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in fancy molasses and cooking molasses.
In separate bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, salt, cloves and cinnamon; add half at a time to molasses mixture, mixing well and blending with hands, if necessary.
Divide into quarters and shape into discs; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 1 week or overwrap in heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks.)


Additional Information:
Source:  Holiday Best: 2005, Canadian Living Magazine



Enjoy your gingerbread cookie ornaments!

White Christmas Lyrics

Is there a song more popular at Christmastime than Bing Crosby's, White Christmas? I don't think so. It's stood the test of time and will continue to remain a classic throughout the ages.

The song was written by Irving Berlin the same year as it's original release in 1942. It debuted in the movie, Holiday Inn, and was later used in a film that was made due to the popularity of the song. Naturally, that movie was called, White Christmas.

Here's a link to the original recording on YouTube. If you'd like to sing along, the lyrics are below.

Click to listen - Bing Crosby - White Christmas - 1942 original version- 78RPM

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
________________________
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
________________________
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     Enjoy!     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crazy Canadian Christmas Ornaments


Okay, I've seen everything now! If you do a Google search for traditional Canadian Christmas ornaments, you'll see what I mean. I may be a proud Canuck, but I don't think that I want to put a tacky heart-shaped Canadian flag on my tree. It may be very patriotic, but it just doesn't seem Christmas-y to me. If anything, it comes closer to representing Valentine's Day (meets Canada Day :)).

The things that we're known for, and that are near and dear to us as a country are pretty well covered in this short list of crazy Canadian ornaments, most of which can be purchased through Amazon, if you've a mind to add them to your collection:

Mountie Christmas Ornament - designed by Hallmark in 1984 as a collectible.


 Canada Goose Clip-On Ornament - I couldn't figure out the clip-on part at first as my first thought went to a tie clip....I'm tired. After a second look, I decided that it must clip onto the tree branch. It's available at Tree Treasures if you like it.


Proud to be a Canuck Ornaments - These are for die-hards and perhaps not as crazy as the others. I'm sure there are probably a lot more available, especially in the sports area.
         


You might want to look for the gingerbread recipe for making your ornaments this year. It's in the October posts, and has a 5 star rating. You can make decorations that will be more Canadianna than purchased ones will ever be. It can be something special that you do for your loved ones. What a great way to start a beautiful Christmas tradition, especially for children.

Meantime....these crazy Canadian Christmas ornaments make great stocking stuffers or joke gifts.


How to Ease the Battle of Christmas Shopping

If last minute Christmas shopping is not something that you do for fun, then it can seem like a real battle.

It is 8:55 on Christmas Eve morning. A small army of last minute shoppers secure the perimeter of a department store, ready to charge the door the same instant the key releases the lock. They are prepared, armed with shopping list in one gloved hand, handbag and/or extra carry-all clutched tightly in the other. The next five minutes move by far too slowly, and the crowd is getting itchy to spring into action, but they wait.

It is now 8:59:59 and the group quiets expectantly, waiting for the audible click of the lock being turned. They cluster even tighter, trying to ensure they make it through the doors before the person next to them. Twitching the straps of their bags, they ready themselves for the sprint, waiting out the last few seconds on taut nerves. Then the signal!

In a great wave, the crowd surges forward, filling the aisles with people and the employees with fear. Within seconds the entire store is an occupied combat zone. Customers are elbowing their way to the front row of sale bins, wrestling with the enemy for the last available Barbie doll in town, and shooting their Christmas budget full of holes. The frazzled staff will see no relief until the lock is once more securely in place.

Back at home base, the exhausted combatants can be found in the midst of ribbons and paper. They fought a brave battle for the purchases, and now it is time to wrap things up. At two o'clock in the morning, the last present is laid under the tree, and finally, the time has come for some rest.

TIPS TO EASE THE BATTLE
If purchasing warfare is not your idea of a good time, you can avoid the chaos of last minute shopping with a little bit of planning. The pointers below may help you with your strategy.

* If you don't know what someone you are buying for wants, narrow it down to a few choices. This will decrease the miles you walk as you look at every gift item in every store. Looking through catalogues or online may help you come up with some ideas.

* Have at least some alternative gift idea in case what you are looking for is hard to find. Stores can run out of stock close to the holiday. You will save yourself a trip by calling ahead to check that your sought after item is available.

* Obtain as many gifts as possible through mail order or online. I know some people who use eBay for their gift buying. You may have to pay a little extra for shipping and handling, but weigh that against the alternatives. It may be worth a few bucks just to avoid having to haul packages on the bus, or trying to find a parking space.

* Take advantage of gift wrapping services. Instead of wrapping until the wee hours of the morning, bring as many items home all ready to place under the tree. Some places do this for free, others charge for the service. Ask a store employee.

Of course, some people enjoy that hustle and bustle of shopping the week before Christmas. Apparently, it puts them in the festive mood. If you are one of these people, then don't change a thing, just enjoy.

If you are among the many others, then perhaps you'll read these tips early enough in the season to free yourself and your energy to have some fun and family time during the holidays. That's what it's supposed to be about, isn't it?

Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!

*** This article first appeared in The Old South Advocate in London, Ontario in the 1990's. It was written by Shirley Anderson and reprinted here with permission from the author. As you can probably tell, it was written pre internet shopping, but still a very entertaining read. ***

Have Something to Share with Christmas Canada Readers?

Have an interesting Canadian Christmas story to share or an organization that could use a little exposure to help their cause at Christmas time? Maybe you'd like a shot at guest posting. Just send an email to iamannea@yahoo.ca to have your submission considered. All serious inquiries will receive a response.