I know you have those treasured recipes like I do in Kelly’s Kitchen and now we want you to share them with us, and be a part of Homemade for the Holiday’s with Dixie Crystals. This past weekend I was looking at all the wonderful little 3 X 5 cards in the old recipe box my Mom has entrusted me with, and remembering what she always had for the holidays. There were always the Almond Horns, Anise Drops and Spritz cookies. My little sister Tricia carries on her own traditions as well, and now everyone wants those chocolate-dipped Oreos! She always has a decadent selection that I look forward to when I make it back up to Ohio for the holidays.

   But what about you? What do you always make to carry on the family traditions? If you share them with us, you’ll have the chance to win a family four-pack of excellent seats to enjoy the 20^th Anniversary production of the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker December 28^th or 29^th at the Mahaffey Theater in St Petersburg, featuring the finest Russian ballerinas. All you have to do to qualify to win is send us your favorite Christmas cookie recipe, using Dixie Crystals Sugar. Once we have all the entries, we’ll randomly choose three finalists who will come to the Florida Central Credit Union Performance Theater here at our studios on Tuesday, December 4^th at 2:30 pm with their recipe and cookies for a taste test in Kelly’s Kitchen with our celebrated panel of cookie testers; Janet Keeler, St Pete Times Lifestyle Editor and author of "Cookielicious," and Jessica Beebe, owner of Sugardarlings Cones ‘n Cupcakes. Once we’ve truly tested each batch of cookies (most likely leaving nothing but crumbs) the cookie that receives the most votes will receive the Great Russian Nutcracker tickets. Each of our three finalists will also receive a special gift basket from Kelly’s Kitchen with Janet Keeler’s book, a special treat from Sugardarlings along with a special selection from Kelly’s Kitchen.

   Send us those recipes now by clicking here, and pictures are always appreciated. If you find yourself in need of inspiration, please join the Dixie Crystals Community for recipes, great baking videos with Chef Eddy, along with free downloadable vintage cookbooks, coupons and even more contests. Dixie Crystals are on Facebook, Twitter (@DixieCrystals) and Pinterest. The kids will also enjoy the craft ideas and coloring pages. Make this a family-style Homemade Holidays with Dixie Crystals and Kelly’s Kitchen!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

Think of what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap - Barbara Jordan.