My Favorite Christmas Cookies & Other Traditions

Hello friends and followers of Smart Girls Read Romance,

Thanks so much for stopping by today. This month is a great month to visit the blog because you'll find all sorts of Holiday traditions and recipes you'll want to keep handy.

Here's a recipe for cookies I make every year. They're easy-peasy yet mouth-watering delicious.

PECAN CRESCENTS
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Confectioners' sugar

Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour. Stir in pecans.
Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 2-1/2-in. logs and shape into crescents. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 325° for 20-22 minutes or until set and bottoms are lightly browned. Let stand for 2-3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

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What could be easier, right? And I know your family will love them!

Now...what about some of the first Christmas traditions in America?

CHRISTMAS TREE
Of course, Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition. However, the first American Christmas tree can be credited to a Hessian soldier by the name of Henrick Roddmore, who was captured at the Battle of Bennington (Vermont) in 1776. He then went to work on the farm of Samuel Denslow in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, where for the next 14 years he put up and decorated Christmas trees in the Denslow family home.

The first Christmas tree retail lot was established in 1851 by a Pennsylvanian named Mark Carr, who hauled two ox sleds loaded with Christmas trees from the Catskill Mountains to the sidewalks of New York City.

The first president to set up a Christmas tree in the White House was Franklin Pierce, and the first president to establish the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn was Calvin Coolidge.

On December 22, 1882, Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, created the first string of Christmas tree lights. They were first sold in New York City.

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HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS
The first department store Santa was James Edgar, who, during Christmas seasons beginning in 1890, would wander about his store (the Boston Store) in Brockton, Massachusetts, dressed as Santa Claus, talking to the children of customers.

MORE CHRISTMAS FIRSTS
December 7, 1898: The first Christmas postage stamp was released in Canada
December 7, 1907: Christmas seals sold for the first time
Wednesday, December 1, 1909: The Christmas Club savings account began

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Thanks so much for visiting today, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakuh and Happy Holidays!