What are your family’s holiday traditions? Perhaps they include checking out the many fun holiday events across the Valley. Or, if your family is like many of our staff members, you prefer to eat your way through the holidays by making tasty treats together to share with family and friends.

No matter how your family makes the holidays uniquely your own, remember the importance of quality family time this holiday season. Not only are you all getting to spend some much-needed time together amid the holiday chaos, but that time together is also critical for strengthening family bonds and reducing the likelihood your kids will use drugs and alcohol.

How do DrugFreeAz.org team members get into the holiday spirit?

Kim Obert, Program Manager

The women in my family get together for a baking day each year. We all have our “specialties” that we bake/make, so we divide and conquer the tasks. I usually make English Toffee, Dark Chocolate Mint Cookies, Peanut Butter Smoothies and Sugar Cookies. My sister makes Russian Tea Cookies, Banana Bread and Peanut Clusters. My daughter and my mother all have their specialties, too. At the end of the day, we each have an assortment of a dozen or more different treats to share with others. Plus, we have a whole day of laughing, talking and remembering why we love each other!

Thalia Williams, Program Director

I use this Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie recipe each Christmas to share with my friends and family. The cinnamon makes the house smell delicious and festive. Enjoy!

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (can use ½ cup butter, ½ cup applesauce to make it healthier and chewier)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, and then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

(Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com)

Theresa Londono, Program Manager

My family enjoys choosing an angel tree child to sponsor for Christmas. There are many locations around the valley that display Christmas trees decorated with paper ornaments containing information about a child in need. We choose children the same ages and genders as my kids. That way, my kids become the experts about the best choices for the gifts we buy that child. It’s a great way to encourage kids to become more aware of others’ needs. They might even become inspired to donate some of their already-read books or other possessions to a charity benefitting children and families.

Barb Van Norman, Executive Assistant

A Christmas tradition that my two daughters and I honor every year is gathering in my kitchen, donning our Christmas aprons and spending the afternoon baking. The Christmas music plays in the background and we reminisce while baking our favorite treats. Each year we like to add a new one that one of us has found, so after working up some courage and making sure we have the necessary ingredients on hand, we give it a try, never knowing if it will be a flop or a success. This year we will be trying our hands at making a gingerbread house! No matter how it turns out, it seems we always have our best conversations at this time, covered in flour, laughing and singing along to the Christmas music. Wishing you and your family sweet memories this Holiday Season!