Holiday Parties for Hard Times
Last week, my husband and I got an invitation to a holiday party/cookie exchange with a twist - we’re supposed to bring a dozen cookies, and we’ll be nibbling on them alongside cocktails.
Then, when I was feeling overwhelmed and crazy, I asked my husband (quite a competent baker and great at rolling at sticky, temperamental dough) to bake the cookies we’d bring. But now making cookies has become appealing, perhaps as a way to procrastinate about other things I have to get done. Maybe we’ll both bake some. The party is this week. I’m thinking about something savory now, too, because I tend to have a salty tooth, not a sweet one. In any case, I’m not doing the usual cookie blowout this year so it will be nice to have a reason to make some.
I always had lots of potlucks and BYOBs in my life. I’m friends with teachers, artists, graduate students and other journalists, not investment bankers.
In any case, it’s a sign of the times that some holiday parties are going potluck this year (be sure to check out Michael’s story in Wednesday’s paper, with potluck tips a-plenty), perhaps it’s not just the economy, but also that potlucks are simply easier on the hosts. And it’s often fun to see what people bring, especially if they like to cook and bake.
It’s good that people are still finding ways to celebrate and be together. That’s really the point of the holidays to begin with.
Are you planning a pared down potluck party this year instead of a big bash?
