Christmas Cookie.

Today's Marketing Cookie is a Christmas Cookie.

While my family is still tucked in their beds with happy dreams dancing in their heads, I am sitting here in sweet silence, making today's cookie. I promise to make this cookie as best as I can, and truly I hope it brings you peace, love, and goodwill. It's really my little gift to you. I realize that a cookie blog post is not much of a Christmas gift, but it comes from my heart, and as the old saying goes, "He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."

As life's lottery would have it, I was born into a family that celebrates Christmas. This isn't a holiday I inherited through marriage, nor a do-it-yourself tradition kit I chose at iParty. No. The magic of Christmas, the boughs of holly, the twinkle lights, every glittery bit of its special meaning has been hardwired into my DNA. No amount of psychotherapy, holiday corrective counseling, or electro-shock treatment could remove Christmas from my spirit. It's written into the core operating system of who I am, and it's who I hope to be.

I was raised on the story of Christ, I long for the glow of candlelight, I love the tale of Santa, the elves, his reindeer, and I especially love the Grinch. I am a sucker for green, white, and red stripes, I look forward to Christmas movies, and I can't help but love hearing Bing Crosby sing. The whole Christmas package, every bit of it, is like one giant gift... but wouldn't have nearly as much meaning if it couldn't be shared.

You see, the most precious part of Christmas, or any great holiday for that matter, is the pure magic that happens when spending time with family and friends. A kiss under the mistletoe. An overdue embrace when first arriving from a long journey home. Sharing, giving, and loving creates a miracle. We smile a little easier, act a little nicer, and laugh a little louder. Little babies, children, and adults, all dressed in their best, sharing every love of life. For one day, we can become the people we always hoped we would be. What could be a better gift than that?

Merry Christmas!