What is it about certain foods that make them so identified with with the holidays that we barely even think of them at any other time of the year? The classic is, of course, fruitcake, which is universally loved or despised, depending on who you're speaking to - but who ever hears any mention of fruitcake in March? It's something that seems to appear in December and then go into hibernation until the next year rolls around.
And then there's ribbon candy. I've never seen ribbon candy anywhere at any time other than Christmas. I remember one Christmas when I was very young and someone gave my parents a box of beautiful ribbon candy for the holidays. I had never seen it before and the colors and shape were so intoxicating it nearly killed me. I must have eaten half the box before I felt physically ill. I haven't touched it since.
The same can be said for non-edibles like poinsettias, which are perfectly lovely flowers for any time of the year but somehow are only thrust upon us for the holidays. Why is that? And the fact that they are in such an abundance at Christmas makes us not really want to see them the rest of the year. And if we should be lucky enough to travel to some tropical island we see them looking extremely incongruous, blooming along the roadside in hedgerows in the heat of the day and it's startling, to say the least.
My favorite Christmas specialty is the iconic Christmas cookie. Some of my best recipes are ones I make only at Christmas (the cookie press Christmas trees come to mind) and I have no idea why. I could make them in another shape at any other time of the year and enjoy them equally well, but somehow they just aren't the same so I never do.
I guess it has to do with the fact that Christmas is a state of mind as much as anything else. It reminds me of that wonderful Hawaiian print muu muu you had to buy on your trip to Honolulu - somehow it's just not the same once you get it back to the mainland.
And then there's ribbon candy. I've never seen ribbon candy anywhere at any time other than Christmas. I remember one Christmas when I was very young and someone gave my parents a box of beautiful ribbon candy for the holidays. I had never seen it before and the colors and shape were so intoxicating it nearly killed me. I must have eaten half the box before I felt physically ill. I haven't touched it since.
The same can be said for non-edibles like poinsettias, which are perfectly lovely flowers for any time of the year but somehow are only thrust upon us for the holidays. Why is that? And the fact that they are in such an abundance at Christmas makes us not really want to see them the rest of the year. And if we should be lucky enough to travel to some tropical island we see them looking extremely incongruous, blooming along the roadside in hedgerows in the heat of the day and it's startling, to say the least.
My favorite Christmas specialty is the iconic Christmas cookie. Some of my best recipes are ones I make only at Christmas (the cookie press Christmas trees come to mind) and I have no idea why. I could make them in another shape at any other time of the year and enjoy them equally well, but somehow they just aren't the same so I never do.
I guess it has to do with the fact that Christmas is a state of mind as much as anything else. It reminds me of that wonderful Hawaiian print muu muu you had to buy on your trip to Honolulu - somehow it's just not the same once you get it back to the mainland.
3 comments:
I have to agree with you regarding your Christmas tree cookies, they are my favorites of the tin of cookies that you give to Barbara and me each year. Thank you so much!!! We always look forward to all of them each year! Have a Great Christmas!
Thanks so much - I'm glad you enjoy them. Hope your holiday is wonderful too!
Wow - you took me right back to my younger days when you described that candy... "The colors and shape were so intoxicating it nearly killed me." Been there - nearly died a similar death! ;~) Oh what happy holiday memories!
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