One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is bake. This year, to save some money, I decided to put together cookie tins for friends and family instead of buying gifts for everyone. I began by looking through my favorite recipe book, Company's Coming, Cookies by Jean Pare 1988. I love this cook book because it has pictures of all the cookies and allows me to easily pick a selection that I know will visually present well. 

This year I made eight different kinds of cookies:

1. Prize Shortbread
2. Peanut Butter Cookies
3. Macaroons
4. Chocolate Ice Box Cookies
5. Granola Snacks
6. Palmiers
7. Lemon Cookies
8. Coffee Finger

 

All were a big hit and turned out great.

As you can see I didn't do many traditional Christmas cookies.  I prefer baking a wide range of cookies when I'm baking for gifts because you never know what your friends will like best.  You can do the same thing for your friends and family with any cookies you choose.  Get out your favorite cook book or start searching the web for great recipe ideas.