Because my husband and I are both from the same hometown, holiday gatherings are pretty darn easy on us. But so many people have to split time, alternate families, or spend the holidays alone, and it makes me sad to think they’re missing out on those little food traditions that make the holidays so special. So I became interested in what my friends are doing to keep their holiday traditions alive or whether they’re choosing to blaze a new path instead.

I couldn’t think of a better person to ask than my good friend Chrystie Corns, a fellow blogger here at MaineToday, everyone’s favorite coupon maven, newly re-married and the mom of 2 5/9 kids. She’s from the County like I am, but this year she spent Christmas with her family in their brand new home in southern Maine.

What holiday meal or special dish reminds you of Christmas at home in Madawaska?

My mother used to make the best Homemade Chicken Stew with dumplings and ployes. This year, I tried my first crack at it for Christmas Day and I gotta say, it was right on par with her recipe. I impressed my family!

What new food tradition have you started with your own family?

Now that I have my own family, we have a tradition of baking cookies. A few days before Christmas, my kids and I spent the afternoon baking peanut butter blossoms, gingerbread men & sugar cookies. We had our own little cookie factory going on and I hope that this is a tradition we carry on through the years.

Where would you grab a bite to eat if you were home in Madawaska for the holidays?

Where would you eat if you were home for Christmas: I would likely eat at Lakeview Restaurant. It’s always nice to go to a restaurant where you know you’ll see friends that you haven’t seen in a long time.