Corduroy’s Christmas is a truly iconic Christmas book. I have such vivid memories of joyfully flipping the many flaps in this book (and screaming in horror when my younger brother ripped them off…). Thankfully, my mom saved this book, and sent it to me and my own little ones this year. I am happy to report that it has brought both me and my kids a LOT of joy, and that all flaps have been adequately taped back in place.

There is something so special about the simplicity of this book. The story follows Corduroy as he wraps and bakes and sings his way through the lead-up to the happiest time of the year. But what was most striking to me when I re-read this book as an adult was the fact that it starts with the line, “Corduroy loves Christmas. There are so many things to do.”

In adulthood, so many of the “things to do,” that pile up around the holidays can become stressful or overwhelming. But Corduroy, of course, feels no such way, and accomplishes all the “things” of Christmastime with a smile on his face, and gratitude in his fluffy little heart.

While it will always be a little bit stressful (especially for mom) to make sure that everyone has the right gift, and to get all those homemade Christmas cookies to your friends and neighbors, and to clean up the never-ending wrapping paper mess (while also making sure to remember which paper belongs to Santa, and which is for mom and dad…), these are also all such wonderful, festive, and, for our kids especially, formative “things to do.” Funny that it took a cartoon bear to remind me to pause and give thanks for the very fact that I get to do these things for another year.

My favorite scene in this book has always been Corduroy’s adventure in baking Christmas cookies, likely due to the fact that a lot of my own favorite Christmas memories revolve around baking, eating, and feeding Santa a variety of sweet treats.

Growing up, my aunt used to make THE BEST Christmas cookies. (And I say “Christmas” cookies, but they were really any occasion cookies.) The recipe is so simple, and makes cookies that are somehow simultaneously crunchy and soft. Growing up, my aunt would always top these cookies with frosting in the most intricate and beautiful holiday designs. And while my family makes the same cookies, and decorates with the same delicious cream cheese frosting, the artwork is definitely a little more… abstract.

Below you can find both a link to Corduroy’s Christmas (and links to a few other holiday books that reference baking), as well as the recipe for my aunt’s famous sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting.

If you make these cookies and feel motivated to post about them, I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @thepaperdart so that I can drool over them from afar.

As always, happy reading, and have a very merry holiday season.

THE BEST Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a stand mixer. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. (If refrigerating overnight, let thaw on counter for 20 mins before rolling.)

Frosting Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting Instructions

Mix cream cheese and vanilla in a stand mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar until combined. (I usually separate the frosting into batches, and use food coloring to dye it. I then pipe it onto the cooled cookies using a piping bag.)

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