There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies during the holidays to stir fond memories. From traditional gingerbread men to peanut butter Christmas mice, baking can be filled with fun, family and, finally, feasting!

Involve the entire family in the baking process. Kids of all ages can look through cookbooks to find tempting pictures and recipes. Once the recipe is selected its time to go to the store and pick up all the important ingredients. Some great recipes to try are: candy cane cookies, scotcharoos and gumdrop cookies. Bar cookies are another way of making fast and yummy treats. Try these gooey cherry bars.

There’s more to holiday cookies than the basic eggs, flour and butter. You’ll need to pick up an array of decorations such as multi-colored icing, sprinkles, M&Ms® Minis®, raisins, jelly beans, food dye and coconut so that when the time comes to dress the gingerbread men, or decorate a gingerbread house, you’ll be ready.

Kids love rolling out dough and cutting out fun shapes. This year get some new cookie cutters so your gingerbread men can have a dog and maybe a Christmas tree too! Cut out snowflakes and snowmen, then decorate with powdered sugar to make them snowy white. These snowball cookies come already snow covered and are absolutely wonderful!

Or for a change from traditional holiday cookies, try making Rugelach; a pastry made with cream cheese dough and different fillings such as raisins, walnuts and cinnamon, or chocolate and walnut. This Chow Mein Noodle Cookie recipe will add a touch of multicultural flair to your celebration—and it’s unusual enough that you’ll be sure to be the only one bringing these to the potluck!

If you happen to be short on time, purchase some prepared cookie dough or even pre-baked sugar cookies that can be taken home for your family to gather round and decorate. Make a night of it and enjoy your cookies in front of a classic holiday video that you can pick up right at the store.