My first memory is of Christmas morning. I was just two years old and didn’t wake as early as my three older sisters, so my mom woke me gently for a private unpacking of my stocking. Stockings were a benchmark to my childhood Christmases. Mine was handmade and read MOIMOI. On that first memorable Christmas the contents were candies, small fruits, and other special little treats that I’ll never forget.
These early memories are so impactful to how we create our own traditions once we have families of our own. The importance of stockings continues with my children. It’s the opening act for the main show of presents under the tree and a day of feasting and celebrating.
Not surprisingly, many of my family’s Christmas traditions are focused on gathering. When our son August was 2 years old, we hosted our first Cookie Party. In attendance were four friends from his preschool and their parents, at our original Valerie Confections location. The kids were ecstatic, throwing sprinkles everywhere while parents snacked on cheeses and sipped wine…The following year, we repeated the party with more kids and a growing group of adults. Over the past 14 years (!!), this event has become a tradition for many families in attendance. It’s a real thrill seeing 16-year-old boys excited to bake and decorate cookies with their parents.
During the early Covid days of 2020, when we couldn’t gather for a Cookie Party, we heard from so many of the families that it has become such a part of their own tradition. It was heartbreaking not to be able to get together, but this year, we had a grand time in the Valerie Confections kitchen in Glendale and felt a deep sense of gratitude that we were able to keep the ritual alive.
On another note, Stan and I also feel incredibly lucky that Valerie Confections has now become part of so many families’ Christmas traditions. Not only did we have our busiest December ever, but this year we had customers who have ordered from us every single year for the past 20 years. As a business owner and a member of the LA community, what a gift!
Thank you all for your support this past year. I’d like to take a second today, on the first official day of winter, to wish you and yours a very happy holiday. And here’s to more good times (and Hi Gang) in 2024! Cheers to all of you.
XO,
Valerie
GIFT GUIDE: SHOP LOCAL
At this point, online is over. So shop with small, independent shops instead. Not only will you support your local economy (yay!) but you might actually feel more connected to a gift that you see and touch in person. Here are some of my favorite shops from the Bay to the Berkshires.
Los Angeles & Southern CA
San Francisco
Pacific Northwest
Texas
New York
The Berkshires
DIY GIFTS
Pull up the holiday mix on Spotify and jump in the kitchen!
There’s still time to make something special. These are some of my go-to DIY recipes, from my book Sweet. I chose these to share because they were all developed at home! A homemade gift is always welcomed, because who doesn’t want something thoughtful and delicious?
WHAT TO DRINK
Here are some of my favorite festive drinks for the holidays:
Egg Nog - I make Craig Claiborne’s recipe from 1958. It’s a classic. And this egg nog is THICK. It’s really a spoonable spirit.
Mulled Wine - We always take mulled wine with us on our yearly caroling expeditions in our neighborhood. It keeps us warm and a tiny bit toasty.
Manhattan - IMHO, the ultimate Christmas cocktail. Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters combine to make something magical. And don’t skimp on the cherries.
Champagne Cocktail - You really can’t get more festive than a classic Champagne cocktail. Something about the fizzy cube of sugar just feels like a party.
One final thought: But really? You seriously missed the deadlines? There’s nothing more solution-based than a New Year’s gift…Just play it off like it was intentional.
And with that, see you in ‘24 Gang!