It's 6 days to the birth of Christ (the mankind date, at least), and it doesn't just look like Christmas, but sounds and smells a lot like it too.
There are 2 camps of Christmast-ers.
The Gifters - natural-born Martha Stewarts who adore the shopping and wrapping. And then there are the Diss-ers - people who scorn gifting as the commercial witchcraft of the season.
I actually appreciate the act of Christmas gifting, as long as we don't get too carried away.
Giving someone a gift is telling the person they matter to us, and we've put in effort to think about them in the tizzy of festivities.
Of course there are many gift nightmares, things you have no idea what to do with, things that shouldn't have been invented in the first place. But take it in the right spirit - someone thought of you, and you're lucky enough for someone to care.
I love food gifts.
And when I say Christmas smells, it's really kitchen baking that I'm thinking of.
Make some amazing kitchen gifts of your own:
> Gula Melaka Granola
One of my favorite bakes this Christmas is Bon Appetit's Chocolate-Pistachio Sables - so scrummy.
I've adapted it into Chocolate-Almond Sables because I love a good crunch, and the almonds give a much stronger crackle.
Other cookie recipes to try:
> Double Chocolate Fudgy Cookies
> Ombré Swirl Cookies
> Chocolate Chip Shortbread
> Lemon Poppy Cookies
Strictly speaking, these are not your traditional French-style sables (shortbread cookies). But they carry the butter-cookie base that makes them so sabley rich and tender, generously enveloped with rich dark chocolate.
It screams of Christmas!
I've made mine into jumbo logs and sliced them thickly for extra festive indulgence.
So gorgeous for gifting.
They bake into a lovely semi-crunchy exterior, with a mottled crumbly interior that makes them quite addictive.
You can use any sort of nuts you like, just remember to chop them up coarsely so they mix easily into the dough.
Chilling the logs is also essential for a crunchy bake, and when you make jumbos like mine (about 7-8cm), use a big sturdy knife to slice your cold dough - or a big ol' cleaver, much better grip!
Remember friends, think of family and even strangers this Christmas season. Remember to show some love.
> Remembering Robbie Williams
Everyone deserves to be happy at Christmas.
More Christmas goodies for the season:
> Edible Christmas Wreaths
> Red Santa Hats
> Christmas Cake Pops
