As a child, I was never very fond of gingerbread and when I started making Christmas cookies all those years ago, I didn’t give a thought to making gingerbread men — or women for that matter. Everything changed when I found out that my great nephew loved gingerbread! Who knew? So I set about finding the best recipe I could. Not having much experience with how they should taste, I just decided to experiment until I found one that I liked. And what do you know...I ended up liking gingerbread!

My mother loved angels and had many of them around the house. She treasured an alabaster pin of an angel carrying a child that her mother had given to her. One of her favorite Christmas songs was “Guardian Angels” sung by Mario Lanza and I must admit that when I’m missing her I listen to that song and feel warm and cozy. So it’s no wonder that when holiday baking starts, one of the first cutout cookies I make are angels in one form or another. Along with Santa and Christmas trees, these heavenly messengers speak clearly of the miracle of the season.

Santa has always been a very special part of Christmas for me. My mother was a Santa “collector” and his cheery face was everywhere in our home during the holidays. My sister is partial to snowmen in all shapes and sizes. So making and decorating cookies that depict these two symbols of the holiday season is something I just can’t resist. I love the joy they embody and the smiles they bring to everyone’s face. From the goofy mustaches and full beards to the knit hats and sparkling sugar, Santa and Snowmen are on my list of must-have Christmas cookies.