I love to bake, but it’s one of those things that can easily wind up feeling like just one more thankless item on the “you know, you really should…” list.
So how to put the joy and fun back into rolling out dough and busting out those sprinkles? Here are some ideas that have helped me establish my priorities and bring a little sanity back to that mixing bowl:
First, figure out why you’re baking in the first place. Do you like the social aspect of baking with a friend or your spouse? Do you get the most pleasure from baking your favorite recipes? Do you get artistic satisfaction from decorating? Or are you mostly doing it so your kids have the opportunity to pour sprinkles and eat their creations? Establishing that “why” can help you figure out where to skim without cutting back on the satisfaction.
Now that you’ve got your priorities figured out – always a good first step when trying to simplify your life – try whichever of these ideas make sense for you:
- Scale back. It’s tempting to try to make every delicious treat and cool craft you see on Pinterest, but trying to do too much is a recipe for getting overwhelmed and burned out. And if your favorite part is the baking – bringing your grandmother’s recipes to life, mixing, or eating delicious, one-of-a-kind creations – you may get frustrated trying to do too many, feeling like you’re sacrificing quality for quantity. Instead of making two dozen kinds of cookies, why not focus on one or two this year?
- Team up. Everything seems easier – and more fun – when you’ve got another parent to split the work and the clean-up. If your friends invite you and the kids over to bake or decorate cookies, by all means accept the invitation! I went to my friend Melissa’s last week to make gingerbread men. She did the baking, we both helped the kids cut out the dough, and then she and I sat and gabbed while they decorated.Another way to team up: create a cookie co-op. You and several friends pick a single kind of cookie or treat and bake a bunch, then trade. You get a variety of cookies without having to make them all yourself.
- Cheat. Just because your Aunt Matilda passed down a three-generations-old springerle recipe doesn’t mean you’re obligated to make it every year. Or maybe you make those heirloom cookies at night while your kids are asleep, then buy a bag of sugar cookie mix to bake with them so you can get to the fun part – decorating – faster. If your kids just want to frost and dust with sugar, you don’t even have to make real cookies (see my Babble post on graham-cracker “gingerbread”). Tradition and timeless recipes are wonderful, but only when you get real satisfaction out of making them. Don’t let something that should be joyful turn into a drag: if your life is too full or your kids are too little to pull it off right now, you can always try again in a year or two.
- Do what works. No need to reinvent the wheel every year. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stick to the things you know you and your kids will enjoy. If that means you turn out peanut butter blossoms or peppermint bark every blessed year, is that really such a bad thing?
- Forget the calendar. Yes, it’s December 16, and perhaps your to-do list between now and the 25th is a mile long. But who says you have to have all your baking done by Christmas Day? The way I see it, the holiday “season” lasts at least until the kids go back to school, or as long as you can milk it, whichever is longer. Why not spend some of those long afternoons during winter break baking? The kids will need something to do, and there will be less pressure after the “big day” is over. Plus, you can probably get some great discounts on holiday-themed cookie cutters and green-and-red sugar.
Remember, the best holiday memories you can give your kids include a happy mom! How are you taking it easy this holiday?
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I just finished a marathon of Christmas cookie baking. I started on Wednesday and by last night I made 10, yes 10 batches. I have one more to do tonight, then I’m done!
Your first thing about asking yourself why you do it is key. I do it because I enjoy it. My mom makes Christmas cookies every year and I grew up as her assitant and enjoying the results. I now live across the country from her and the rest of my family, and for the past several years we have not been able to go back for the holidays. So in some ways it fills a need I have to connect with them. It’s therapudic in a way. Plus I want to start the same tradition with my kids, who so far love assisting me (and enjoying the results!).
Your tips #1 and #4 are so true for me. I stuck to recipes I was familiar with and none that were too complicated. And while I went all out this year, for the last several years when I was either pregnant or with baby on my hip, I scaled wayyyyy back. It’s key to know your limits and not push yourself past them.
I should also note that it’s all about priorities. Because I enjoy baking, it’s accomplished… but my Christmas cards have not gone out yet and no presents have been wrapped yet! When people see one accomplishment, they need to remember that other things often slip. Nobody is super human!
I’m so with you. I’ve been doing what’s fun for me, and it’s making the season far nicer and more delicious.
When I was little my mom had a list a mile long of things she had to make and bake. The kitchen was always turned upside down with dishes and flour she literally called the neighbor girl and paid her to come and clean the kitchen. I won’t ever forget it.
I love baking and typically make something weekly all year long. So when it is the holidays I start breaking out new and old recipes at Thanksgiving. Some cookies are strictly because the kids love to help (think chocolate covered pretzel rods with sprinkles). Then other times I want no help from them. I’m in my zone and I want to do it myself damn it : ) I do agree that making peppermint or almond bark is one of the easiest and rewarding treats. 15 minutes and you have something pretty and yummy. On the other hand I’ve made about 120 peanut butter bon bons, and though the ingredients are simple, they take a long time. But they are so good. This week I have more to go on my list. We’ve gotta do some gingerbread for ornament tags. I also like to make the apple sauce & cinnamon ornaments. It seems like baking since you have to make the dough, roll it, cut it, and bake it! Thank goodness they smell heavenly since you can’t eat ’em.