Yes, it’s already December. No, you have not entirely missed the cookie decorating train. Stop moping like these Melted Snowmen Cookies…
Melted Snowman Cookies | Photo by The Gruntled Gourmand
…and soon you’ll have a collection like this!
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies | Photo by SHORECOOK
1. The eyes have it.
Recipe: The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies | Photo by somtimz
2. Reindeer games are always fun.
Recipe: Reindeer Cookies
Reindeer Cookies | Photo by Ashley Schof
3. This squirrel knows what’s up. He’d remind you that you can replicate this happy sandwich cookie with any shape of cookie cutter.
Recipe: Frosted Molasses Ginger Sandwich Cookies
Frosted Molasses Ginger Sandwich Cookies | Photo by JPMJ
4. As we’ve long known, it’s the accessories that make the outfit.
Recipe: Old Fashioned Butter Cookies With Butter Frosting
Old Fashioned Butter Cookies with Butter Frosting | Photo by Doughgirl8
5. Yeah, I’m tired of everyone stealing my cookies, too. Monograms FTW!
Recipe: Delilah’s Frosted Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Deliliah’s Frosted Cut Out Sugar Cookies | Photo by Lolalita
6. Or, you could always move out into your own place…
Recipe: Classic Gingerbread Cutouts
Classic Gingerbread Cutouts | Photo by Celia
7. But then you’d miss your family…even the dog!
Recipe: Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies | Photo by angela
8. Then again, you could finally get that pet hedgehog you always wanted…
Recipe: Hedgehog Cookies
Hedgehog Cookies | Photo by foodelicious
9. And if you do, he needs a happy home (obvs!).
Recipe: Meringue Mushrooms
Meringue Mushrooms | Photo by abapplez
10. OK, OK, time to focus. Graphic designers LOVE to talk about the value of white space. Apparently, it’s a good look for cookies, too.
Shortbread Cookies | Photo by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
11. The details are what make a cookie extra special, like the tiny gingerbread men on this tree. And what would you place inside this edible snow globe?
Sugar Cookie Icing | Photo by Rachel
12. Love the tangled Christmas lights in the reindeer antlers.
Gingerbread Men | Photo by footballgrl16
13. And to imagine how excited the tool fan in the family must have been to get these.
Sugar Cookie Glaze | Photo by footballgrl16
14. Don’t be afraid to bust out ALL the cookie cutters from back in the day. Dinosaurs like Christmas, too! (Recipe: Sugar Cookie Icing).
Sugar Cookie Icing | Photo by MW
15. You’d be amazed how much fun you can have just with circles.
Recipe: The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies | Photo by augustmoon
16. Fun with circles, continued.
Recipe: Glaze Icing
Glaze Icing | Photo by Kay Gooding
17. The layered look works for cookies, like these stacked snowflakes.
Sugar Cookie Icing | Photo by Marianne
18. You could even decorate a holiday sweater to match!
Fuzzy recipe: Gingerbread Men
Gingerbread Men | Photo by Lizzy Cat
19. This fellow seems upset that he’s sans sweater! More likely, he’s upset about his lost arm.
Recipe: Sugar Cookie Icing
Sugar Cookie Icing | Photo by Tana
20. Or, envious of this man’s mustache.
Recipe: Eileen’s Spicy Gingerbread Men
Eileen’s Spicy Gingerbread Man | Photo by Maryam
21. Or maybe, like so many of us, he just misses Mom.
Eileen’s Spicy Gingerbread Men | Photo by LilCheer
Now that you’re full of ideas, bake up a batch of cookies to use as your blank canvases. You’re going to need some frosting and icing, aren’t you? Whip some up, then get started with basic cookie-decorating tips. Next, host a cookie decorating party and let your friends in on the fun.