Virtual Christmas Cookie Swap: Moms Talk

One of the joys of the holiday season is all those yummy baked goods.

One of the pains of the holiday season is making all those yummy baked goods.

I love to bake Christmas cookies. Some years, I've made upwards of 60 dozen cookies along with a couple of pans of brownies. I've scaled that back since I don't work in an office anymore.

I try to get some variety in what I make. I break Christmas cookies down into four basic flavors -- sugar/sweet, chocolate, fruit and spice -- and make a cookie from each one. That way, there's something for just about every taste.

For example, my spicy cookie this year is a molasses spice cookie loaded with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. My mom has already requested the fruit cookie: cranberry-orange.

Today, let's do an online cookie swap. You don't have to turn on the stove for this cookie swap, just your computer.

Share your favorite holiday sweets memories. Was it the time you got a little tipsy on your great-aunt's rum balls? Was decorating gingerbread men with your brothers and sisters one of your favorite Christmas activities?

Is there a particular treat you must make no matter what? For me, it's Russian tea cakes. My family jokes (at least, I think it's a joke) that I can't cross the state line into Connecticut without them when I go home for Christmas.

On the flip side, do you hate baking and can't wait until your son or daughter is old enough to take over?

Post your favorite recipes and baking tips in the comments. I'll be sharing my recipe for Russian tea cakes. 

Joining us, as always, is our holly-jolly Moms Council.

 is a freelance reporter with Patch. Julie a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in 2010.

 works in public relations. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. They are expecting their fourth child this winter. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

 is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

 is the newest member of the  and past president of Avon Early Childhood PTA. She will also be blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you, too, can .