In Ecuador, during the weeks leading to Christmas, the commerce of biscuits, chocolates, cookies, candies, lollipops, among other sugary goodies, increases drastically.
The homes, offices and
educational institutions all
begin buying candy
and goodies for treats.
At local candy stores people come in to search of the best deals for arming their Christmas baggies.
The sales, mainly of animal crackers and
chocolates, increase and the shoppers
buy the treats in weight by pounds.
The most popular treats are the chocolates and biscuits but each year people will innovate
their Christmas baggies.
There are also ready-made
baggies sold, with candies, chocolates and cookies for those who do not want to
prepare their own baggies.
The baggies are a
popular gift, not just for children but for coworkers, employees, family and
friends.
The really lucky ones
will get various bags to enjoy during the Holiday times.
The candy and cookies
are a delight to everyone, no matter the age.
It is a reminder of
the childhood and the treats received before and enjoyed together with family
and friends.
A beloved tradition
for everyone, everywhere in Ecuador.
How to get ready
We prepare the
Christmas baggies together with my son at our house.
It is a wonderful
time for both of us, a time to prepare for the Holidays, listen to Christmas
Carols and enjoy each other’s company.
He usually brings a
friend or two to help and of course they take a baggie home as a prize for the
work done.
Besides the Christmas
music I prepare the Christmas spirit with Canelazos or Finnish Glögi (mulled
wine) that go perfectly with the cookies, candies and chocolates.
For making the
Christmas baggies, you’ll need pretty Christmas themed bags.
You can either buy
them or make your own.
You will also need
candies, cookies and chocolates, preferably individually wrapped.
How to prepare a perfect Christmas baggie
The secret of the
perfect Christmas baggies is to have one third of varied cookies, so there is
enough of them but not too much.
A Christmas bag with
too much cookies is seen cheap but when there are too little cookies, people
aren’t happy either.
Another third is
candies of different kind, with some gummy drops or chewing gum for the smaller
kids.
The last third is for
chocolate, and there needs to be different kinds and flavors also.
Don’t fill the baggie
with just one kind of cookies, candies and chocolate.
The Christmas baggies
should always be a surprise, and the surprises shouldn’t end before the baggie
ends.
