This is something that I looked forward to when I was a child, and have wonderful memories of every Christmas baking cookies in our kitchen. This is a tradition that I have carried over to my children and also my foster children. My children look forward to it every year. My foster children are a little reserved in the beginning, but quickly become involved.

This is a great activity to get foster children involved in without great difficulty. Really this is something in my experience they involve themselves in without much need of encouragement. They do not have to “fit in” by decorating like the other children, and there is no right or wrong, so it is a safe activity they do not have to fear failing or not fitting in.

They love to see their cookies displayed and to see others enjoy them. They get to share, work together with others, learn to take turns, bond with others and experience something that foster children do not have the opportunity in their homes. Most of these things foster children struggle with, while feeling like it is impossible for them to succeed. With this activity, they get the chance to see that they can do it. This can be a very valuable lesson for foster children.

My children like to make all different kinds of cookies meaning that I have to mix up a dozen different kinds of cookie dough but I have found one recipe that you can make several different kinds of cookies with, so I will share it below. It is a great time saver and also, there isn't a ton of different ingredients to buy making it more affordable.

Easy Sugar Cookie Dough

2 cups butter softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs plus 3 yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice

Bake at 325-350. Cooking time will be based on type of cookie.

This recipe can be found in Country Living Magazine.

Below are a few ideas for your different cookies.

Peppermint candy cane cookies: add peppermint extract around 2 teaspoons, divided dough in half and add red food coloring

Dip one side of baked cookies in melted chocolate.

Sandwich cookies: 2 small circle cookies and add a peppermint Hershey kiss to the middle right after they come out of the oven.

Sugar cookies with colored coarse sugar.

Use cookie cutters and then decorate with frosting and other treats.

Really, with this recipe you can do anything with these cookies so use your imagination.

Foster Children at Christmas Time

Foster Children and Holidays

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