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There is something special about giving homemade cookies at Christmas. A pretty tin filled with cookies, a little ribbon, and a handwritten tag makes a thoughtful gift that feels a little more personal than something picked up at the store.
I love the idea of baking a variety of cookies, putting together a few different combinations, and having homemade gifts ready for neighbors, friends, family, and anyone who could use a little Christmas cheer.
You don’t have to spend days in the kitchen or make a dozen different recipes. A few good cookie recipes, some simple packaging, and a little planning are all you need.
If you’re looking for homemade Christmas gift ideas, here are 15 delicious cookies to make for gift tins and neighbor gifts.
Classic Christmas Cookies for Gift Tins
When putting together a cookie tin, I like to choose cookies with different flavors, colors, and textures. A combination of chocolate, spice, peppermint, and buttery cookies makes a beautiful assortment.
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Gingersnap Cookies
Gingersnaps are a classic Christmas cookie. Their warm spices and slightly crisp texture make them perfect for holiday cookie tins.
They also have that wonderful old-fashioned flavor that always reminds me of Christmas baking.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies are almost too pretty to leave out of a Christmas cookie tin.
Their rich chocolate centers and powdered sugar coating make them stand out on a holiday cookie tray. They’re a great choice when you want something chocolatey in your assortment.
Andes Mint Cookies
For the chocolate lovers, Andes mint cookies are always a fun addition.
These rich chocolate cookies topped with a smooth chocolate-mint swirl look beautiful in a gift tin and add something a little different to a traditional Christmas cookie assortment.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
You can’t go wrong with homemade snickerdoodles. These soft, buttery cookies are rolled in cinnamon sugar and have that familiar old-fashioned flavor everyone loves.
They’re a wonderful choice for filling in the spaces between other cookies in a gift tin.
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Chocolate and peanut butter are always a winning combination.
These peanut butter cup cookies are a fun addition to a homemade cookie assortment and are especially good for anyone who loves peanut butter and chocolate together.
Pretty Cookies That Make Beautiful Christmas Gifts
Some cookies are almost as pretty as they are delicious. These are especially nice when you want to make a gift tin that looks festive and colorful.
Cranberry Orange Swirl Cookies
These cranberry orange swirl cookies have beautiful red swirls running through buttery cookie dough.
The combination of sweet-tart cranberries and bright orange makes them a lovely addition to a Christmas cookie platter.
Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
Peppermint meltaway cookies bring a little Christmas color to your cookie tins. With their soft texture, sweet frosting, and crushed peppermint candy, they’re a festive choice for holiday gift giving.
Pinwheel Cookies
These pretty pink and vanilla pinwheel cookies are a fun way to add color to your Christmas cookie assortment.
Their spiral design and colorful sprinkle-covered edges make them especially eye-catching in a gift tin.
Gumdrop Cookies
For something a little different, try old-fashioned gumdrop cookies. These buttery cookie bars have colorful pieces of gumdrop candy throughout.
They’re a nostalgic Christmas treat and a fun addition to a homemade gift assortment.
Hershey’s Kiss Cookies
Hershey’s Kiss cookies are a fun addition to any Christmas cookie tin.
With a delicious homemade cookie and a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss in the center, they’re a classic combination that’s always popular during the holidays.
Favorite Cookies for Sharing
If you’re putting together gift tins for chocolate lovers, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
Pecan Pie Cookies
These pecan pie cookies bring all the familiar flavors of pecan pie into a smaller, easy-to-share treat. They’re a wonderful choice for anyone who loves traditional holiday desserts.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies
Old-fashioned iced oatmeal cookies are always a welcome addition to a homemade cookie assortment.
Their soft, chewy texture and sweet icing make them a comforting treat that balances out some of the richer chocolate cookies.
Cranberry Orange Cookies
If you love baking with cranberries during the holidays, these cranberry orange swirl cookies are another delicious option. The combination of citrus and cranberry is a nice contrast to all the rich chocolate and spice cookies.
Kris Kringle Cookies
Kris Kringle cookies are a festive addition to your Christmas baking. They’re a fun way to add another homemade favorite to your holiday cookie tins and share something special with friends and neighbors.
How to Put Together Homemade Christmas Cookie Tins
You don’t need expensive packaging to make beautiful homemade cookie gifts. In fact, some of the prettiest cookie gifts are put together with simple supplies.
Choose a variety of cookies.
I like to choose four or five different cookies for a gift tin. Try including something chocolate, something with peppermint, a traditional sugar cookie, and a couple of colorful or spiced cookies.
Use cupcake liners or parchment paper.
Small paper cupcake liners are an easy way to separate different cookies inside a tin. You can also use small pieces of parchment paper between layers to keep cookies from sticking together.
Keep delicate cookies separate.
Frosted cookies and cookies with delicate toppings should be packed carefully. Make sure everything is completely cooled and set before placing them in a container.
Add a little decoration.
Tie a ribbon around the tin, add a small gift tag, or tuck in a handwritten note. These little details make homemade gifts feel extra special.
Tips for Making Christmas Cookies Ahead of Time
One of the best ways to make holiday baking easier is to start early.
Many cookies freeze beautifully, which means you can bake several batches ahead of time and have them ready when you need them.
Let cookies cool completely before freezing. Store them in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers.
When you’re ready to assemble your gifts, thaw the cookies while still in their containers to help prevent condensation.
For the prettiest cookie tins, add frosting, powdered sugar, and other delicate decorations after thawing whenever possible.
Always check that your cookies are completely cooled and dry before packaging them for gifts.
Homemade Gifts Are Always Special
I think one of the nicest things about giving homemade cookies is that they don’t have to be perfect.
A little assortment of cookies made in your own kitchen, packaged up with a ribbon and a handwritten note, is a gift that people appreciate.
Whether you’re baking for neighbors, friends, family, or a Christmas cookie exchange, you can make the season a little sweeter with a few homemade treats.
Choose a few favorite recipes, put on some Christmas music, and enjoy a little time in the kitchen. Sometimes the simplest gifts are the ones people remember the most.
Follow my Christmas Cookie Exchange board on Pinterest.
