Growing up in the 1950’s-1980’s baking cookies for a wedding was deeply rooted in me. Small coal mining towns rich with many European ethnicities enriched baking skills. Specifically, in the southwestern/western Pennsylvania and the Youngstown, Ohio area.

As a non-traditional student in the Journalism & Public Relations curriculum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, I struggled to find articles to write about. I thought of the cookie table as I was preparing to bake for an out-of-state wedding. Read about this sweet tradition here.

For example since the inception of a Facebook page titled The Wedding Cookie Table Community, the tradition has caught on. Local news channels have showcased the cookie table through interviews with the creator of the page.

Furthermore, “Cookie university” which occurs in the spring and fall attracting people from different states, a big boon for the economy as people visit Pittsburgh, PA to attend. There are vendors, demonstrators, and vendors peddling their wares. However, I have not attended the “university” so I am not one-hundred percent sure. I am a home baker and keep it small and simple. (Just how I like it).

Moreover you may wonder where I am heading with this rant. Well, I take pride in talking to people about this tradition. Those who have never experienced it or have never been to a wedding with the elaborate tables full of delectable goodies. Now, with all this publicity I am sad that our little tradition in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio is no longer “intimate” and unique. The tradition is beautiful, thoughtful, and will always be dear to me.

In conclusion if you want to see the most recent episode featuring the world’s largest Christmas cookie exchange visit the Facebook page for details.