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Post by biojen on Oct 7, 2007 17:36:07 GMT -5
I am wondering if anyone has had this dilemma. I was raised in a Christian household so I have warm, fuzzy memories of Christmas time and holiday baking. I married a Jewish man and we have decided not to celebrate Christmas in our home however I truly enjoy the holiday season still. I usually slip into a short depression right after Thanksgiving when the holiday decorations and music start in the department stores and was hoping to bring back some of the holiday baking memories this year with a cookie exchange. My problem is this- I want to invite my Christian friends as well as my Jewish friends. I'd say the ratio is probably 3:1 Hanukkah celebrators to Christmas celebrators. Does anyone have any ideas for how to host such an event without having people bring actual Christmas or Hanukkah cookies? I'm wondering if there is a tactful suggestion for keeping both dreidel-shaped cookies and santa claus cookies out of the picture. We all love home-baked cookies no matter what holiday we celebrate but I want to make sure that all of the cookies will be put to good use in all of the families homes. BTW- None of the people attending insist on keeping kosher so there is no problem there. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by bonnieb on Oct 9, 2007 7:25:53 GMT -5
I don't have the same issue you do but I think it would be ok to put on the invitation (no holiday shaped cookies or cut out cookies please). Are you going to call your exchange a Holiday Cookie Exchange?
Truthfully (as a Christian) I would not be offended to receive cookies shaped like a dreidel. It's a celebration of both religions and a mutual respect thing. But not everyone may feel that way.
Unfortunately, in this case, I think you will just have to be specific on your invitation if it is the cut out cookies that concern you. Are you going to try to have a theme of some kind?
For Valentine's Day several years back I hosted a RED, WHITE AND PINK ladies lunch. It was really fun to see all the ladies in their favorite red, white or pink tops. It was really quite festive. I have been toying with the idea of a Peppermint themed ladies lunch (having the ladies wear red or white) in December. I would like to have them bring an item to donate to charity (our sister church collects blankets and outerwear for the homeless). The tables of couse would be decorated red and white as well. I want to do something different this year. I use to be the only one that hosted cookie exchanges but now all my friends are so it leaves little room for me to host one in December.
Good Luck with your cookie exchange. Let us know what solution you came up with for the exchange.
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Post by Cathie in PA on Oct 9, 2007 17:23:19 GMT -5
Hello:
I think you will find that how the cookie is shaped or what it represents will not be a big factor. You may find folks do enjoy other ideas and receipes. Being that Christmas and Hanukkah are close together could be a great way for people to show their traditions. You know it is a Cookie Exchange and alot of work goes into the baking, but I have found it is much more than that. At the exchanges I have had, the women are all so totally different from each other and they blend so beautifully together and welcome seeing each other every year. I would not get too tied up on what type of holiday cookie will be on the table. Enjoy the friends that will be at your home.
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Post by Karen HW on Nov 7, 2007 9:03:37 GMT -5
We are Christian homeschoolers and we study Jewish history and even celebrate some of the feast when possible. After all it is the basis of our faith. So to receive a menorah or a driedel cookie wouldn't bother us. I would consider it a wonderful learning experience. Of course we don't do the santa thing, so that wouldn't be an issue for any Jewish friends. And if you want to get right down to it, the birth of Jesus was in the fall anyway!!!  Go figure  |
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Post by Barb P on Nov 25, 2007 9:43:41 GMT -5
Are the people coming to the exchange offended by the other religion? I know that kids in school learn about the celebrations of may religions...christian, jewish, kwanza. Make the theme of your party to celebrate the holiday season and you might want to ask your guests to bring a cookie that is specific to their religion, or just a generic cookie. This way it would be 'expected' to receive all different varieties. In my experience, most of the cookies that my guests bring are just new recipes, and not specifically decorated to ANY theme.
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Post by Theresa on Sept 13, 2010 9:51:53 GMT -5
My Mom and I decided a couple of years ago the holidays were too busy for folks, so we have our cookie exchange the first week end in November...it has a Fall theme, and works out great. Halloween is over, and Thanksgiving is still a couple weeks away. Just a thought.....
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Post by Pamela on Sept 17, 2010 11:26:21 GMT -5
 Your fall/harvest cookie exchange is just what I was thinking of doing this year myself. It is difficult to schedule it so most people can come in December. However I am hoping that the "prizes" I picked up during the year though almost all christmas related will be appreciated. I think it will be fun to come up with some autumn related "games" for a change too.
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Go figure 
Your fall/harvest cookie exchange is just what I was thinking of doing this year myself. It is difficult to schedule it so most people can come in December. However I am hoping that the "prizes" I picked up during the year though almost all christmas related will be appreciated. I think it will be fun to come up with some autumn related "games" for a change too.