These no-bake snowballs are a delicious and healthy alternative that can give Santa the energy he needs to finish the big job of delivering all those presents tonight! Bonus: Make them ahead for less stress on Christmas Eve!
Why Traditions Are Important for Kids
You may not believe the impact small traditions and rituals you carry on have on your children. During holidays, birthdays, or even in daily interactions you can use traditions or rituals to connect with your kids in special ways. New studies are showing that traditions (no matter how small) have long lasting benefits for children. 4 specific benefits are identified:
- Predictability: Kids look forward to rituals, like bedtime stories.
- Connection: Whether connecting with one parent, or extended family, rituals and traditions give kids a chance to connect.
- Identity: Traditions give kids a sense of belonging to a family or group.
- Values: Religious or other rituals and traditions give opportunity to teach the values held by the family.
Although it may seem insignificant, a tradition as simple as leaving treats for Santa and his reindeer give kids something to look forward to, and a way to connect. It may seem hard to make cookies on a day when you may have a million other things you have to cook. These no-bake snowballs are a delicious and healthy alternative that can give Santa the energy he needs to finish the big job of delivering all those presents tonight! This simple tradition is easy to start, and fun to continue!
Do you carry this tradition in your house? What do you leave for Santa?
Christmas Snowballs
Ingredients
- 9 each Medjool dates
- 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup peanut butter natural
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/3 cup coconut flakes
Instructions
- Place the oats in a food processor, and blend until you get a fine flour-like consistency (it may take a few minutes.) Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Place the dates (without pits) into the food processor and blend until a sticky paste forms. Add the sticky ball of date paste to the mixing bowl.
- Add cocoa powder, peanut butter, and vanilla to the mixing bowl. Use your hands to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Gently shape the dough into balls, using about two tablespoons of dough per ball.
- Place coconut in a shallow bowl. Roll each ball into the coconut.
- Enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.