It’s December 21. As always around this date, a wee panic sets in. A little bit of a Groundhog Day feeling – haven’t I been here before? Maybe 365 days ago? Doing and saying exactly the same thing? I am sure it is the same for lots of people – there are just certain things/traditions that MUST happen in order for it to be Christmas.

Now is when the fear of not buying/making enough or not equally distributing the loot takes over. The budget has long been busted. The spreadsheet is seemingly in a foreign language. Then I let it go, say it will just have to be good enough. And it usually is.

But then I SWEAR that NEXT YEAR I will not find myself in this predicament. I will plan better, further ahead AND STICK TO THE PLAN AND THE BUDGET. For real. (Perhaps I should look in the archives – I bet I reminded myself then.)

Eh, the gifts are what they are. What REALLY causes panic is not getting all the baking done. I am woefully behind in this area.

Made so far: Santa’s Whiskers and Doris’ Ginger Cookies. There will be brioche cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.

NOT MADE: Russian Tea Cakes, Sugar/Gingerbread Cookies. Matzo Roca. This is unacceptable.

Tonight I will try to crank out some fudge. But that doesn’t even begin to cover the things I’ve been wanting to make for YEARS and can never seem to get to. I wonder how much I can cram in 4 days.

Arkansas Fig Fruitcake?

Reindeer Feed?

And the holy grail: Stollen. I have several recipes clipped and long saved.

Next year I vow to bake and make all these things and SEND them to friends and family.

None of those things matter though. IT WILL NOT BE CHRISTMAS UNTIL “A CHRISTMAS STORY” AND “HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS” HAVE BEEN VIEWED.

I better get busy.

Happy Holidays! I hope you get a moment to relax and enjoy friends and family. What it’s really all about.

Though cookies are nice, too. And egg nog with brandy…