Posts: 1,238
1/2/09 4:46 P

Cece, what a great idea to do it with someone. Then you get new recipes to share.

Posts: 3,386
1/2/09 3:57 P

My sister in law and I discussed this very thing! Next year, we are going to have our list of things we want to bake ready at Thanksgiving, and will divide & conquer on supplies, and maybe doughs, too, now that you mentioned it!

I found even just organizing my baking cupboard before I got started helped tons. I used to store stuff on the top shelf, but now devoted an entire cabinet to ingredients!

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Posts: 1,238
1/2/09 1:39 P

Is sure works well when planning ahead. I had very little stress this year.

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1/2/09 1:37 P

I go through my recipes in October. I start baking right after Thanksgiving and give out my baked goods the first few weeks in December. I have a list of people I give baked cookies, cupcakes, etc. to.

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Posts: 450
10/20/08 9:22 P

I really need to start planning as well. I have my sourdough starter to start "multiplying" so that I can have plenty loaves to give for Christmas. I love this time of year!

Posts: 1,238
10/20/08 1:33 P

Well, it is getting near that time of year for holiday baking. Very soon I am going to start mixing my dough's and freezing them.

I started going through my recipes and there are so many I want to make. So instead of making them all at once, I am going to start baking some now. My husband work with a lot of guys and they love it when they get goodies.

Posts: 2,305
8/31/08 1:32 P

DUH! Why didn't I think of that? Thanks for the hint Kichler.

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Posts: 3,329
8/30/08 10:30 A

Oh what a great idea! That's one thing I never think of until the last minute...when the grocery stores are packed with people and low on ingredients! I always plan my Christmas shopping in advance and now I can plan my baking!!! Thanks for the idea!!

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8/29/08 12:33 P

I'm more of a giver than a receiver type of person myself.

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8/29/08 12:21 P

We used to exchange gifts with my husbands family, but it got to the point we were receiving "stuff" and no thought was put into the gifts. So we opened a college savings account for his two nieces and two nephews. His mother is not happy with that because she wants to receive gifts.

Posts: 4,636
8/29/08 12:15 P

I don't think you are crazy for planning ahead. I do the same thing, except for the freezing. I start thinking about what different types of cookies I am going to make and then I make a list of who will get them this year. I usually make 5-6 different types of cookies (including peanut butter balls, mmmmm) and since money is always so tight, that is usually one of the gifts we give people.

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8/29/08 11:55 A

Ok, most of you will think I am nuts, but this has been a great helper to me for many years.
I like to give baked goodies as gifts and it really helps to plan ahead.

In September or early October I start to make a list of goodies I want to bake for the holidays. Then I get my grocery list ready and go shopping.

In October I mix my cookies dough's, freeze and label them. Hint-you can freeze cookie dough's safely up to two months, maybe three.

So in December I start baking and half my mess is already done!!! It is more fun and less stress.

I used to give out my goodies the week of Christmas, but so many other people do it the same week also. So I give my goodies at least two weeks before Christmas so they are not stuffed with other sweets.