It’s that time of year again- "THE HOLIDAYS". I love it, but always stress out over what to do for "everyone." You know what I’m talking about - holiday gifts for teachers, coaches, neighbors and well…"everyone."

My husband Joe always looks forward to Christmas cookies, and usually bakes four kinds each year. He doesn’t make spritz cookies, however, even though they are his favorite.

There are a number of traditions in my family, but one is close to sacred. That tradition involves a special yeast bread or coffee cake made originally by my grandmother and now made by my mother. This coffee cake is served at our casual family Christmas Eve supper. Then, the leftovers are served the next morning for Christmas breakfast. The only name we have ever used for this special pull-apart type bread is Pawmaw’s Coffee Cake.

So…do you have all of your Christmas shopping done yet? This is the question that keeps haunting me. Everyone has been asking me this with the holiday drawing near and quite frankly, no I don’t! I mean, I have the main gifts purchased- for my mom, dad, sister and the fiancé…but there are a lot of people that I want to give a little something to, but I have no idea what to get them.

Chocolate and peppermint are two of my favorite flavors and when combined – well, it just doesn’t get any better. When I saw Fudgy Peppermint Cake being developed in the Test Kitchens, I was the first in line to volunteer to participate in the tasting sessions. Well, somebody has to do it :)

I enjoy giving food gifts during the holidays. Every year I deliver at least four, and sometimes more, platters of homemade cookies and sweet breads to friends and neighbors. I also like to make goodie bags of sweet treats to put in the stockings of the male members of my family. Sometimes I make caramelized nuts, a sweet snack mix, or candy. Yes, we still hang stockings for everyone at my parents’ home – even the adults.

Traditions are held closely in the Wahlund household. For my older son, Ryan, traditions are especially important. So when my boys were young I started the tradition of celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas. Now I know the 12 days are supposed to be from Christmas day through January 5, but we celebrated the 12 days leading up to the 25th of December. This tradition became a fun way to count down the days to that special holiday they seem to be waiting for all year. Using the song, The 12 Days of Christmas, I would do something special for the boys each day that somehow aligned with the lyrics. Sometimes it was a small toy, gift or tree ornament waiting for them at the dinner table, but most often the something special was tied to food.

We have a tradition that each year everyone in the family chooses a cookie to make for the holidays. That makes four cookies altogether, and it usually turns out to be a nice assortment.