It was November of my 9th grade year. I was walking through the halls with my best friend Kim when she turned to me and said, “So, who are you inviting this year?” Confused I asked, “What are you talking about?” And in some exasperated tone she replied, “Who are you inviting to the cookie party this year?!” 

Ahhhh. The famous Nyman Christmas Cookie Decorating Party. It deserves to be captialized. 

You see, this tradition has been going on for 25 years – the first year taking place with Natalie as a 3 year old in Garland, Texas. From there my mom held this fantastically magical and fun Christmas party each year, allowing each of her kids to invite one friend. (Just so you all know, Kim did get invited that year.) 

It’s a great way to ring in the Christmas season, and one that I still made time for this year among studying for finals and finishing up a semester. Yes, it is that special to me. 

Christmas music, holiday cheer, good friends and plenty of sugar cookies and frosting (and an acceptance that your kitchen will get a little messy) is all you need to pull this holiday party off. This year was my cute nephew’s first time participating and he caught the magic of Christmas decorating quickly. When I walked into the kitchen and asked what he was doing, he looked at me with frosting on his hands and cookies on his plate and exclaimed “DECORATING TOOKIES!” (tookies = cookies). 

The cookies won’t look perfect.

The frosting will get on lots of things other than cookies.

You might even think your house will always smell like frosting and cookies (is that a bad thing?)

But most importantly, you’ll have all your children sitting around the table with people they love surrounded by the Christmas spirit. 

No cookie party would be complete without Grandma Ada’s  tried-and-true sugar cookie and frosting recipes! We really think you’ll love them!

Trisha

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