[Sca-cooks] The 24 Days of Christmas? was: Cookie Recipe Exchange

[kingstaste at mindspring.com]

> Calling the mass frenzy and commercial orgy that leads up to Christmas
"the
> Christmas season" is very 20th Century.  We are in the Advent season, if
you
> will, and are approaching the Christmas season.
> Christianna
>

I would imagine that what you call it all depends on your religious bent.
I'm not at all
religious, so I don't care what it's called.  I just like the commercial
orgy :)

William de Grandfort


	I suppose I should explain.  I am not coming from a religious point of view
at all, but rather from the aspect of understanding the nature of holidays
and celebrations, and the original intent behind them.  I'm also all in
favor of creating new traditions to fit the occasions, I just get twitchy
when the original meanings of celebrations and observances are bastardized
or forgotten all together.  I've written a book called "366 Days of
Celebrations, or, A Year Full of Reasons to Throw A Party".  It is a
compendium of various observances from throughout history and across the
globe.   To be fair, I should also mention that this season is the beginning
of the New Year just after Samhain, later this week is the birthday of the
prophet Mohammed, and today is the Roman Festival of Neptune.
	As for the commercialism aspect of Christmas, I live in a very nice glass
house up here at the North Pole, being 1/2 of a professional Santa and Mrs.
Claus duo, this time of year provides roughly 1/4 of my annual income.
However, I do try to avoid the attitude of having to shop, having to spend a
certain amount, having to supply specific toys, etc.  It truly is the
thought that counts behind a gift or remembrance, regardless of the monetary
value.  A really appropriate gift shows much more to me than a really
expensive one.
	I think the cookie recipe exchange is a great idea, and a grand new
tradition for our electronic age.  (I also want to work on something like
the gingerbread kit party, that sounds like great fun).  Make your cookies
and enjoy them whenever you like, after all, life is uncertain, eat dessert
first.  But every age needs someone to remember and tell why things are
done, even if they turn into the crazy old woman in the corner :o  So, I'll
jump in and supply the history and meanings when I see the need, and
hopefully new traditions will carry on the spirit of the old ones.
Christianna