Click here to accept cookies

Just a few cool things I learned lately about cookies and Christmas:

• As part of the “cradle of civilization,” Iran (aka Persia) is one of the most ancient countries in recorded history. They were also the first to cultivate sugar and the first to make cookies from them. They discovered “reeds” that they said “produced honey without bees.” Cookies were introduced to Europe during the Muslim conquest of Spain in the 700’s.

• In medieval times in Scandinavia, spices were used only in holiday baking.

• The Dutch can be credited with making cookies (especially cookies as we know them) a staple in the US. Many countries brought their own version of course, but we chose their version and their word: koekje (var. koke, koekie), which means little cake. Theirs–and therefore ours–are sweeter, sometimes chewier.

• Not only did the Dutch bring us cookies, the popularity of “Christmas cookies” came mostly from the Dutch.

• 
  

• I noticed only one person in my family appeared on one of Santa’s lists. And it was the naughty one!

• In Norse mythology, Odin has an 8-legged horse, named Sleipnir. Children would leave treats out for the horse during the Yule season and Odin would leave treats for them in exchange. Christians adopted the tradition for Father Christmas or Sinter Klaus. In some countries it’s still a horse or horses that carry the sleigh, not reindeer.

• Leaving cookies for Santa wasn’t really a North American tradition per se until the 1930’s. During the time of the Great Depression, parents wanted their children to understand the importance of giving and kindness towards others, even during difficult times. This ensured the practice to become a tradition in North American homes. 

• It has also been tradition in western cultures that Santa does NOT kill anyone after coming down the chimney.

Congratulations This is your week.

Best Actress:

Aria Publicover as Joni Carpenter in (apparently she plays a role in the TV show)

Best Actor: Robert Brian Wilson as Billy (at 18) in

Best Quote: “Stop yelling! You are scaring the saplings!” – “Tree voice” in

My top 10 favourite cookies

1. Molasses

2. Ginger snap

3. Oreos

4. Peanut butter

5. Sugar

6. Shortbread

7. Oatmeal chocolate chip

8. Pumpkin chocolate chip

9. Peanut butter chocolate chip

10. Chocolate chip (a la Joybells)