christmas traditions

One of my absolute fondest memories of Christmas was baking with my mom. There was a time, back in Montreal, when people would order cookies from my mother around holiday time. This was usually for gifts, so other than baking the cookies, we had to package them well too. (this was my job!)

My house would consistently be saturated with the smell of freshly baked cookies throughout the holidays...coconut rings, almond cocoa cookies, date swirl cookies, walnut shortbread. Man, I get sentimental (and hungry) just thinking about it.
Sometimes, I would just gape in awe at the magic of it all - tables and tables of cookies, made with the utmost care and...since this is my mom we're talking about, a great amount of diligence.

this year, we plan to revive the cookie extravaganza on a smaller scale...we're not taking any orders, but will just bake for our friends. most importantly, I really wanted Iris to take part in this delectable tradition. When we did this in Montreal, she was still a toddler! And so; I'm praying for snow this Christmas. That way, I can at least make-believe that it's Montreal all over again, I'm 10, and wearing some absurdly geeky sweater (one that my brother most likely has a matching one of).

I've shared my favourite Christmas tradition...what's yours?