To think “period cookies” is ridiculous…

[smallstitch]

Just seen a post on local fb page asking if any bakers can make some “period cookies” with a photo from Instagram. Various iced cookies - some depicting pants with pink gusset, others are sanitary pads, and some say “welcome to the big girls club”.
Is it me or has society lost the plot?

And to be fair, periods can be disgusting! Doesn’t mean you should be ashamed of them, but they certainly don’t smell of roses and lollipops. They serve a very important purpose, specific to the female species, which is a lot to be proud of. But they also drip down your legs, stain your knickers and can make you feel wretched. They are what they are, but “celebrating” with cakes like that - ugh! They are part of life.

Like a monthly subscription where you get cookies in the post timed to land when you most need them.

I could go for that

Is it just another example of attention seeking and needing to push boundaries? If so, I can think of better ways to use that energy.

This is the weird celebration culture we live in. Everything has to be celebrated, that way people will buy more rubbish to celebrate, cakes, decorations, a new outfit, drinks food. It's consumerism.

But in British culture we don't "celebrate" menarche? There's a difference between normalising and talking openly about something that was once considered embarrassing, to oversharing. I do think in today's UK culture, we have become a bunch of "oversharers".

Also, isn't the traditional period sweet fix chocolate? Always was in my day. "Must get a box of tampax, oh and a massive bar of Cadburys".

Absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. I just don't think: becoming "a fertile woman " is something that needs biscuits and a celebration for a young girl,

My initial reaction was 'eugh, gross', because I was brought up that periods were a bit disgusting and, if not something to be ashamed about, should still be kept private. Actually, logically, it's a big coming of age moment for a young girl, I remember it being an huge deal for me, and maybe we should celebrate it. I've probably got about 8-10 years before my daughter starts her periods and maybe I should try and get my head round celebrating with some period cookies.

Trying now to remember which book I read that had a scene when the daughter has her first period and the mother celebrates it by gently slapping her face "as the French do" - so should be popular on MN. Then cooks her DD's favourite meal to celebrate. This is pasta in a tomato sauce and the daughter is put right off said meal because of the connection.

SquashedMallow

But somethings really don't need to be "celebrated" - just normalised. And in 2025, I honestly really do think menstruating is talked about openly and completely normalised to discuss. You don't need to display it on a bunch of cakes. Come on ? Let's get some dignity back.

My thoughts exactly.

Oddly enough, a few years back MN had a product test for a company where a bunch of us received ‘subscription boxes’ that came with pads/tampons and treats like chocolate or beauty bits.

And preferably photographed, filmed, and posted online, which half the time seems to be what the stuff and the celebration are really for.

Yes, agree withbyou about not making your daughters feel ashamed about periods, but the imagery, here, is superficial.

I'm highly skeptical this happened

Do you have a screenshot @smallstitch ?

Definitely a thing

Agreed. Though this thread is making me think of that long-running thread by a home baker who has a tradition of making deliberately grotesque cakes for her friends, often of y-fronts with bulging tackle, or actual cock and balls with googly eyes on the testicles. I think she did once do a vagina cake...

Tagged wrong quote, I’ve reported to MN to delete

Completely OTT. Get the teen a nice bar of chocolate, hot water bottle and pack of paracetemol! I'm sure I did similar when my DD started, Explained it would probably be 'light' and a bit irregular at first but not to worry (she was 13) and that was that. Would've been totally cringe if I'd baked 'period' biscuits or done anything of that sort, she would've hated it.

There's no way I would have wanted the start of my periods drawn attention to as an event. Mortifying.

I think it's 'a thing' now. My child is 10 so I naturally have a lot of social media friends with children of a similar age, most seem to mark every occasions with a helium balloon, themed pjs and decorated cakes/cookies.

I've seen this done for: Easter, 1st December, Christmas Eve, 1st October, Halloween, bonfire night, last day of term (for all years, not just Y6/11), first day of term, Valentine's Day, SATs, GCSEs, Pancake day and even a Friday 13th one!!

Nah, that’s mad. My older daughter got a tub of Ben and jerrys to go with her pads and cuddles. In hindsight I wish I’d got her a hot water bottle to help with her cramps. I’ll throw one in when her baby sister eventually gets her period. Not getting fecking cookies specially made though.

Guys you’re all being very hasty, judging these period cookies without even knowing what kind they are. Chocolate blob, red velvet, strawberry shortcake?? Do we invite all the girls over to celebrate together? What about red bunting and a pants piñata filled with strawberry laces?

Why does it matter? It's not harming you.
Some kids will like it, some won't.
Literally nothing to do with you.

Bloody hell. I’m not someone who’s too arsed about what other people waste spend their own money on but that is mental. consumerism is out of control.

It’s funny how I managed to grow up not being ashamed of my periods without these. My mum was just… normal. Had pads in for me and spoke to me about it. Didn’t humiliate me when I leaked. I think I would have thought she’d lost the plot if she bought me these 😂

I feel sorry for girls these days. Their mums will have them posing for a photo with their period cookies 🤦🏼‍♀️ Even worse if the mum posts it on Instagram.