Holiday Jingles Christmas Cookies

I grew up in Chicago. Of course, I have found memories of Christmas. As an adult I have been looking to enjoy the things that made Christmas special. A short list of things that I enjoyed at Christmastime includes; Firestone Christmas records, oranges in my stocking, homemade stockings, cut rock candy from Peerless in Chgo, a live Christmas tree, turkey, ham, stuffing, pretzels in a giant tin container, a variety cheese wedges in a green plastic tray, venison sausage, hanging c-9 Christmas lights outside, golden Christmas lights on the artificial tree, life size Empire light up Santa Claus blowmold, copious amounts of black tea, a wood burning fireplace, small fabric elves, homemade ornaments including Styrofoam balls pierced with glittering costume jewels and a little drummer boy made from a wooden clothes pin, pumpkin pie, and Salerno Holiday Jingles.

Today my wife bought me a box of Santa's Favorites cookies, which was quite sweet of her. Are you asking, "Where are the Holiday Jingles" Here's the short version. Salerno, a regional company, made Holiday Jingles for as long as I can remember. These were anise flavored cookies with red and green sprinkles in a green cardboard box. Those cookies no longer exist. When Keebler bought Salerno they stopped Salerno from using the Jingles name. Keebler has since put out it's own inferior version pictured above. Today Salerno makes the cookie using the same recipe and calls them Santa's Favorites. (I have met Santa and I can tell yo that hey are, in deed, his favorite!) The problem with Santa's Favs is that they don't have the same shapes and textures as the oldies. You know what? They taste the same. So, if you are nostalgic for the old Holiday Jingles try the new version and let me know what you think.

What are the things that made your Christmas special?   

Comments

[Mary Ann]

It's Christmas Day and I still have not found my Favorite Cookie. I live in Oregon, Illinois and not one store within a 75 mile radius has the Best cookie with Milk. I feel the holidays are missing something. I sure hope Keebler wakes up and gets the cookies back on the shelves next year.

[dave banet]

does anyone know if you can get the salerno gingerbread men cookies anywhere?

[jim]

I was googling Salerno Jingles cookies because I myself a Chicago native have had these cookies for over 40 years at Christmas time and have not been able to find them at any stores. I did however find a case of them for $30.00 on Amazon?? I really miss them - so much ofr the Keebler version - they are terrible.

Jim 12/11/2008

[Wendy]

There has never been a better cookie with a cold glass of milk. I would love to bring this old tradition back and have my kids enjoy these favs of mine. I'm 53.

[Christina]

OMG!! I am so very excited that you have posted this blog... I have been searching the entire state of NC looking for my "green box of cookies in the shapes of bells, trees, & wreaths" with no luck. In fact, the people at the stores look at me like I just checked out of psyche ward! THANK YOU!!!

[Ellen]

Santa's Favorites are no where as good as the Jingles and we miss them

[Tammy]

Finally, I'm not the only one going nuts! Used to live in Arlington Hts. and now in Myrtle Beach. I have searched for years, I finally bought Keeblers and put anise flavor in with cookis in a tuperware, still not the same!!! Thank you, my parents are going back and I'll have them bring some back. 42 also!!!

[Michael]

I was Googleing those cookies and came across your post. They were a must have every Christmas for me as kid too. I was just talking to my mother about that yesterday on Thanksgiving. I had to laugh when I read Firestone Christmas albums. Wow I hadn't thought about that in years but, we had a few and drug them out about this team every year. Thanks for the tip about Santa's Favorites. I've tried others but, with out the Anise flavor it's just not the same.

We must be about the same age. I'm 42.

[Danatello]

The Keebler version that I mentioned in the post would be nation wide if they put them out this year. Otherwise, you would need to have someone get a box of the Salerno Santa's Favorites and ship them to you. They are available at grocery stores in Chicagoland.

[Debbie]

I loved these cookies as well and cannot find them anywhere online to purchase. I live in North Carolina and have never seen them in a store. Any suggestions?