Early Holiday Traditions
There has been a long and heated debate about when it is too early to begin Christmas traditions. To some, the Christmas season should at least wait until December 1, and to others, about two weeks before Christmas will suffice.
To me, it’s appropriate to start celebrations as early as Thanksgiving because there are some traditions that are more fun when given more time. Besides, the holiday season is known to be the happiest time of year, especially during winter which is otherwise dreaded by most in the northeast. So, why delay the happiness?
Some of my favorite traditions take as long as three weeks to complete. Therefore, everything starts early. Shopping for presents, decorating the house, planning a holiday party; sure, that can all take a long time. But the best Christmas traditions involve the children, take a bit less planning, and declutter the home.
Every year, children get more and more toys that pile up into a mountain in a corner of their room, never to be touched again. Avalanches of teddy bears and Barbie dolls spread across the floor, soon making it unclear whether the floor is carpet or hardwood. Instead of keeping the Andes Mountains in your home, try having the kids fill a bag of toys to be given away. Something to declutter your home, while giving toys that aren’t being played with to other children who will be excited to receive them.
Each year, my brothers and I were given a bag or a box to fill with toys we did not play with anymore. The rule was if you haven’t touched it since school started, give it away. We’d fill the bags up with toys that haven’t been used and place them under the Christmas Tree. Then, we would wait for Santa to come get them and bring them back to the North Pole. There, he can recycle the toys, make them new again, and give them to other kids. Eventually, when we were old enough to understand, we were told that my mom gives them to various organizations across the Island, so that they can be redistributed to kids who will play with them.
I loved this tradition, not only because it slimmed my mountain down to a hill, but it also taught me that I took many of my toys for granted, while other kids would be appreciative of one extra present under the tree Christmas morning. It taught me how to share with kids I didn’t know, and it taught me how to understand other people’s circumstances, to give back in areas that I have an excess.
Some of the amazing local organizations run excellent toy drives every year.
Angels of Long Island is collecting toys for kids, gifts for teens, gift cards, and bikes for their holiday drive. All items can be dropped off at the organization’s Patchogue location. Community members can also sign up to be a volunteer, be a “drop site”, or aid in distribution.
Del Vino Vineyard in Northport is collecting toys for children of Dolan Family Health Center. A part of Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital, Dolan Family Health Center is a mission-driven ambulatory care site that provides essential care to the underserved population in the Huntington area. New and unwrapped toys only.
Second Chance Toys collects and donates toys that are gently used and in good condition. Their mission is to keep plastic toys out of landfills by collecting and rehoming them to children in need. As a national organization, their drop-off locations do not extend to Suffolk County, however a few locations in Nassau are willing to come pick up toys within 30-100 miles. You can also register to be a collection site for our Suffolk County residents. Plastic toys only.
The Messenger Papers is also collecting toys, both new and gently used, as well as new pajamas to be distributed to children in need around Long Island. We will be acting as a collection site for multiple organizations such as EJ’s PJs, Angels of Long Island, and Del Vino Vineyards. If you would like to donate, feel free to drop off qualifying items to our Press Office Monday-Friday from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. at 558 Portion Road, Lake Ronkonkoma 11779
Chocolate Dipped Orange Butter Cookies
Recipe provided by McCormick
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 teaspoons Orange Extract
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 teaspoons shortening
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the orange extract. Gradually beat in flour and salt until well mixed.
- Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets; flatten with fork.
- Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute.
- Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
- Melt chocolate and shortening in microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 30 seconds. Add remaining 1 teaspoon extract; stir until chocolate is completely melted.
- Dip each cookie halfway into chocolate mixture.
- Let stand at room temperature or refrigerate on wax paper-lined tray 15 minutes or until chocolate is set.
