I LOVE Basil's pizzelles.
We're keeping it minimalist until we get out to Iowa. And then I will embark on a record-setting Christmas shopping trip and bake to offset my MIL's rather bland taste in Christmas fare. I'm already exhausted thinking about it.
Holy crap, my holiday season's a lot less hectic than yours.
This post reminds me that, while I did get the Xmas cards in the mail the day before Thanksgiving as always, I really need to get on the stick with the cookie list. I've started baking, but in a totally non-Virgo willy, nilly fashion with NO LIST!
And two words for your gift dilemma: OMAHA STEAKS. I'm a huge fan of giving meat. Perfect gift for everyone. OK, everyone non-vegan on your list. It says "I cared enough about you to give you a giant hunk of meat." It seems to thrill the old people in the Midwest, anyway.
I prefer a cashier's check.
And you know, you know what Christmas song you should be working on with your teacher.
You have one year.
I always root for old lady porn. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
Yeah, I was actually about to suggest porn as Christmas gift too, but somebody else beat me to it. My mother-in-law has never been the slightest bit interested in anything I've ever given her for Christmas, and I really put my shoulder into giving her something thoughtful and tasteful. I guess thoughtful and tasteful don't appeal to her. So this year, I guess it's porn.
Molly: May I suggest a Jello shot kit (vodka, paper cups, packages of Jello) or the Kama Sutra? I gave both to my mom, and they went over pretty darned well....
I gave old lady porn to FS, and he's still all mad about it.
And Yum: You should consider giving gigantic bulk cases of Cream of Mushroom soup to the oldsters in your life. It is the key staple of all midwestern casseroles, as you and I have discussed.
I should be a Christmas buyer, I sweartaGod.
Last year I tried to make one simple batch of chocolate chip cookies. I used the recipe on the Nestle Toll House bag that my sister, our family cookie maker, always uses. They were crap. They came out flat as pancakes and tasted, well, like crap. I'm still hearing about it. I followed the recipe to the letter so I'm not sure what the problem was. Our favorite Christmas cookies are Pecan Tassies, basically bite size pecan pies but better. I know you have to be discerning when making so many so let me know if you're interested and I'll email you the recipe.
Also, I recognize that "person who doesn't travel, doesn't cook, doesn't have hobbies, isn't athletic or outdoorsy, and doesn't care much for fashion or home decorating". I see her in the mirror every morning. Good thing you don't have to buy me a gift this year.
Thank you for those recipe links! W00t, some serious fun there 
I gave old lady porn to FS, and he's still all mad about it.
I'm not mad, just skeeved out.
This is the year I swear I'm going to do some interesting cookies, but the mere thought of your list gives me the vapors. So we'll see. (Hey, it's Christmas. I'm allowed to go all Victorian and have the vapors.)
You're reminding me why I want the kids to take piano lessons -- so I can force them to accompany my seasons with appropriate musical delights. 
Oh my stars that's a lot of baking. And also now I am hungry. Except then the conversation about old lady porn happened.
I made the pumpkin chocolate chip bars this weekend as a test. DELISH!
I'm gonna make coconut cookies, butter pecan cookies and 5 layer bars as well. maybe some oatmeal as well.
I LOVE you for including all of the cookie recipe links. I was drooling just reading about them.
My lord, all of the ones we got to sample were fantastic. The espresso ones were my faves, and the black bottom coconut bars have been on my "must make" list ever since Yum made them. Let me know how the truffles turn out.
I baked a sweet potato pie yesterday. G-damn I need to go back to work.
xo
Making peace with the bar is a milestone, one not everybody can admit to doing so.
Gift cards are good, as in Good. They are light, can be slipped in a card and allow for 100% happiness. Many of the recipients on my list receive them.
Happy Christmas!
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