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.

Christmas and cookies are a match made in heaven. There are so many possibilities...and so little time once the season begins. Every year I want to make every cookie cutter shape I have, from angels to zebras, and decorate them for the happiest time of the year. Although I like to use the traditional color scheme of red and green, other color combinations make for sweet treats, too. Like aqua and orange, pure white with eye-catching accents, even pink and blue! And the plate of cookies for Santa has to be extra special and delicious.