4 years into our marriage, and we’ve only just started forming our own Christmas traditions. The tree goes up the weekend after Thanksgiving. We buy on new unique or sentimental ornament every year, and on Christmas Eve we watch It’s A Wonderful Life and make egg nog or boozy hot chocolates.

This year I’m adding sugar cookies to the mix. They’re Justin’s favourite, and anything with candy cane in or on it is OK by me.

So here’s to a sweet and cozy Christmas and a happy new year.

1 cup cold butter
1 cups granulated sugar
1 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of almond essence
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C, and line baking tray with parchment.

Blend butter until fluffy and light, before adding the sugar one tablespoon at a time, followed by the egg.

Add the extract and essence, then the baking powder and then flour one tablespoon at a time until smooth.

Dump onto a floured surface and roll until 1/2 inch thick. Using your favourite Christmas cookie cutter, cut and reroll until you’ve used all the batter.

Bake for 8-10 minutes and allow to cool thoroughly before icing and decorating.