Category: Books

LIterature & Cookies; An affordable and Memorable Gift Idea

12/6/2020

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I may have gotten a little over excited when I went to Target last month and saw the dog and cat cookie cutters. As I stood in the store fondling them and debating whether I should get them or not, a woman walked by and she said, "You know, if you buy those you will have to bake cookies!" She was right and I didn't feel like making sugar cookies at that moment, so I put them back.
Over the next few day, I couldn't get them off my mind. I kept thinking about how cute it would be to make the Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat and give them with the classic poem as a gift to a friend, neighbor or to my grandchildren. So, I went back and bought them!
Life got busy and I didn't get around to making the cookies for awhile, which gave me time to think about the gift giving possibilities.
We know that many people are struggling financially during these pandemic days. Some people always struggle, because of living on a fixed income or other reasons. As a grandmother with 11 grandchildren, 6 children and their spouses and other family members and friends, I know how expensive it can be to buy things for everyone. But, I am sentimental and giving gifts is a way that I like to express my love. Not only that, Christmas doesn't seem like Christmas to me if I don't make some of the gifts that I give. As I considered all of this, I realized that there is something of myself that I can share and maybe this idea is something you would also like to borrow.

Okay! So my dog only has gingham ears! Don't judge!

When I was young, my mother would read poetry to me and share pieces that she loved. I always remember "The Duel" by Eugene Field, or sometimes known as "The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat." It isn't necessarily a Christmas poem, but I think the coziness of my memory makes it seem like Christmas to me. Since my mother is still alive at the age of 97, all of my grandchildren know her and love her. I think that I could definitely share this poem and my memories of reading it with her and they would appreciate it. It will be very inexpensive to print the poem off myself, scroll it up and wrapped it with a ribbon, and give it along with the cookies that I lovingly baked and decorated. (My cookies are delicious, even if my decoration isn't perfect.)
If you are familiar with the poem, you know that by the end of the story, the dog and cat have eaten each other up! A card accompanying the cookies could take a line from the poem and express the hope that the recipient "eats these cookies up" and enjoys them!
Here is the poem if you haven't read it, or would like a copy yourself.

The Duel
Eugene Field - 1850-1895

The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink!
      The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
      Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
            (I wasn't there; I simply state
            What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)
The gingham dog went "Bow-wow-wow!"
And the calico cat replied "Mee-ow!"
The air was littered, an hour or so,
With bits of gingham and calico,
      While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place
      Up with its hands before its face,
For it always dreaded a family row!
            (Now mind: I'm only telling you
            What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,
And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do!"
But the gingham dog and the calico cat
Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
      Employing every tooth and claw
      In the awfullest way you ever saw--
And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
            (Don't fancy I exaggerate--
            I got my news from the Chinese plate!)
Next morning, where the two had sat
They found no trace of dog or cat;
And some folks think unto this day
That burglars stole that pair away!
      But the truth about the cat and pup
      Is this: they ate each other up!
Now what do you really think of that!
            (The old Dutch clock it told me so,
            And that is how I came to know.)

This poem has been made into book form and unfortunately, it seems to be a collector's item and is usually very costly! But I did manage to find this version for a fairly reasonable price if you would like to give an illustrated book along with your cookies.

Perhaps you have a story or poem that you cherish from your childhood that you could make into a similar gift. Here are some suggestions:

I decorated 3 different trees for The Tale of the Three Trees. This book is a must have!

You can find a printable version of the story here.

Snowmen to go with "The Snowman!"

A Santa Cookie to go with a book that I absolutely adore! If you own old cutters like mine, they can add to the charm!

Another favorite poem of mine by Eugene Field is "Jest 'Fore Christmas." There is a "yeller" dog in the poem that the dog cookie cutter would work great for.
Eugene also wrote "The Sugar Plum Tree," which involves a gingerbread dog and a chocolate cat! Click here to read it!
My mom also introduced me to the actual A. A. Milne Winnie the Pooh as a child. I loved those stories and love the Disney versions as well. Here is a post where we made mini Coddleston Pies to go with the books. Plus, we also gave other ideas that pair will with children's literature.

What stories or poems do you love that you could gift with cookies? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments! How fun to eat and read together! What a great way to instill a love of literature!

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