I think it was four years ago that my mom started the annual Christmas Cookie Sale at her church. She had heard of a nearby church that did something similar to raise money and decided that it would be a neat activity to try. Needless to say it has become something legends are told of.
Every year, around November, my mom and her little helpers begin hounding the church ladies for promises of baked cookies. And they don't accept just any cookie. These have to be FANCY cookies - no store bought, no plain 'ole chocolate chip. We're talking, bars, decorated, cut-outs, fudge, anything worthy of delivery to the baby Jesus. These women return with promises of 10 dozen, 15 dozen, 20 dozen and more! Last year set the all time record of something like 700 dozen cookies.
The beginning of December they hold a "decorating party" in the church one Sat. morning. The first year they even had a professional baker come and give them decorating lessons and hints. This is serious stuff here. Finally, a week or so before Christmas they set up shop in the dining room, transforming it with tables, silver trays, and poinsettias.
I've only heard tales of the people lining up and hour before opening, the mad rush to be the first, and the strategies employed by shoppers to ensure premium selection. Apparently it is analogous to Filene's Basement on wedding dress day. This year I decided to check it out myself and sure enough - there were the crowds, there went the cookies, and before we knew it we were done. 350 lbs of cookies - POOOF! - in less than an hour. Now that I've eaten my fair share I can only cringe at the number of calories. But, boy they were good.
Not sure if I'll make it up next year again, but I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to come. I think if the now-tradition were to stop there might be a large uprising in the local community.
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