How long does it take for something to become a tradition? For us, it’s about seven years, since that’s how long we’ve been doing Cookie Day. On the other hand, I copied this from my aunt, who hosted a cookie day for her kids’ friends, even after they were grown. So, maybe you could say the tradition goes back decades.

My husband and I are lucky enough to live close to both of our kids and their families, my sister, my nephews, and my husband’s niece. There were fifteen of us this year. We each come with the ingredients to make one or more types of cookies, and we mix and bake there. At the end of the day, we share our cookies with each other. There are always some repeats of favorites, and some new recipes. This year my husband and I tried vegan almond butter cookies, with chocolate drizzled on top. Delicious!  

Since it was my idea to start a Cookie Day, I had said I would host, but my daughter suggested they have it at their house, since they have two ovens. It has been there ever since. My son-in-law from the very first saw that it would become a tradition, as he referred to it as “the first annual Cookie Day.” He also provides one of my favorite things about Cookie Day, hot mulled wine. There are myriad recipes for mulled wine online, but I love his, and I bet you will, too. Thanks for sharing it, Mike!

Mike’s Mulled Wine

(Per Mike “a perfect accompaniment to a Christmas cookie baking get-together”)

 Ingredients

• 4 bottles red wine (any red wine will do)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 jar (about 12 oz.) seedless jam/preserves (e.g. raspberry, strawberry) Mike notes that this was the first year he added this.
• 2 tbs vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 bottle Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider (optional)

Directions

Add all ingredients to a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium or medium/high, and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. Serve hot in coffee mugs.

Enjoy!