“SANTA’S COOKIES”

The Ledo club in Assam was a favorite haunt of the allied forces in the Burma/India sector during the Second World War.  In 1950 it was still a favorite TGIF spot for the ex-pats, T-garden, Colliery and logging industry workers; my Dad and Grand-Pa’s pals.

The club ladies organized children’s programs during festivals and holidays. 

My brother and I spent as many winter holidays as we could at my Grand-Pa’s. One Christmas stands out in my memory.  We were invited to the annual children’s Christmas party.  On Christmas Day we donned our finest and went to the club.  The adults formed two lines from the club steps to the foot of the small rise beyond the club. The restless children were told to hush up and assemble on the club verandah.  

We heard a tinkle of bells.  We looked up.  A cheer rose up from the crowd. There on the crest of the hill appeared Santa on my Grand-dad’s elephant. 

To this day I remember two of the gifts from Santa that day. One was “Frosty the Snow Man”, one of the 1st editions from 1950. I was intrigued with the story. I had never experienced snow until in my later years I spent about thirteen years in Alaska, but that’s another story! I was very unhappy when Frosty melted away but was relieved when he said “I’ll be back again some day.”! The other rather exciting gift was a “grown up” red purse with tiny sequins. I treasured it for many years.

We played games, sang songs and had a grand party.  There were lots of scrumptious goodies but my favorite and to this day still is the simple old fashioned Christmas cookies. 

Old Fashioned Christmas Cookies: (Yields 5 dozen)

Ingredients:

2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. light brown sugar
1 c. (2 sticks) butter
2 eggs
6 tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

1.  Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Beat well.
2.  Sift flour, salt and baking powder.
3.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Blend well.
4.  Chill in the refrigerator for several hours.
5.  Roll dough 1/4" thick on a lightly floured cookie sheet and cut.
6.  Bake cookies in 350F degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
7.  Cool, then remove from baking sheet.