19 Best Christmas Cookies for Cookie Exchanges & Gift Giving (Easy Holiday Recipes!)
The holiday season is the perfect time to share the gift of homemade cookies! Whether you're participating in a cookie exchange with friends, preparing treats for your neighbors, creating teacher gifts, or filling holiday gift boxes, this collection of Christmas cookies is designed to impress and delight everyone on your list.
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We've rounded up the most giftable and crowd-pleasing cookie recipes from Marathons and Motivation - perfect for cookie exchanges, neighbor gifts, teacher appreciation, and holiday parties! From show-stopping presentation cookies to portable treats that travel well, each recipe is designed to look beautiful, taste amazing, and bring joy to everyone who receives them!
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Gift-Giving & Cookie Exchanges
This collection features cookies that are specifically chosen for their shareability and gift-worthy presentation! These recipes create cookies that look as stunning as they taste - essential when you're giving them to others or bringing them to an exchange. Many of these cookies travel well and maintain their beautiful appearance even after being packaged and transported. You'll find options that can be made ahead and stored, which is crucial when you're baking multiple batches for different recipients. The variety includes elegant presentation cookies for special gifts, fun and festive options that appeal to all ages, and unique flavor combinations that will make your contribution stand out at any cookie exchange. Plus, these recipes are designed to yield generous batches, so you can make enough to share with everyone on your list without spending days in the kitchen. Whether you're packaging them in decorative tins, arranging them on festive platters, or boxing them up as teacher gifts, these cookies are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer!
1. Christmas Wreath Cookies
These adorable wreath cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat! Using premade sugar cookie dough and decorated with green M&Ms and red Twizzler bows, they're perfect for little hands to help create.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These festive wreaths are instantly recognizable and photograph beautifully! They're sturdy enough to stack in a gift tin without breaking, and the cheerful design brings instant holiday cheer to any cookie platter.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Premade sugar cookie dough
- White icing
- Green M&Ms
- Peel 'n Pull Twizzlers
Get the full recipe for Christmas Wreath Cookies →
2. Reindeer Sugar Cookies
Bring Rudolph and his friends to life with these cute reindeer cookies! Kids will love adding the pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and red M&M noses to create their own herd of festive reindeer.
Why they're perfect for gifting: Kids and adults alike adore these whimsical cookies! They're conversation starters at cookie exchanges and make people smile - perfect for spreading holiday joy to neighbors and teachers.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Premade sugar cookie dough
- Chocolate icing
- Candy eyes
- Mini pretzels
- Red M&Ms
Get the full recipe for Reindeer Sugar Cookies →
3. Easy Grinch Sugar Cookies
Who doesn't love the Grinch? These bright green cookies topped with red heart sprinkles are a hit with kids and adults alike. They're simple to make and capture the whimsical spirit of everyone's favorite Christmas grump!
Why they're perfect for gifting: The vibrant green color makes these cookies stand out on any cookie tray! They're a fun, playful option that appeals to Grinch fans of all ages and adds a pop of color to your gift boxes.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Sugar cookie mix
- Butter
- Egg
- Green food dye
- Granulated sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Get the full recipe for Easy Grinch Sugar Cookies →
4. Sugar Cookie Blossoms
A festive twist on classic peanut butter blossoms, these sugar cookie blossoms are topped with Hershey's Sugar Cookie Kisses and rolled in colorful red and green sugar. They're beautiful, delicious, and easy enough for kids to help make.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These cookies are a crowd-pleaser with universal appeal! The festive red and green sugar coating makes them instantly holiday-ready, and they stack beautifully in gift containers without the decorations getting damaged.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Milk
- Red and green sugar crystals
- Hershey's Sugar Cookie Kisses
Get the full recipe for Sugar Cookie Blossoms →
5. Red Velvet Blossom Cookies
A festive twist on classic blossom cookies! These bright red velvet cookies are topped with Hershey's Hugs for a beautiful combination of red velvet cake flavor and white chocolate. Perfect for Christmas or Valentine's Day!
Why they're perfect for gifting: The vibrant red color makes these cookies absolutely stunning on any cookie platter! They're visually striking and the combination of red velvet and white chocolate appeals to everyone. They store well for up to a week.
Ingredients you'll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cocoa powder
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Red food coloring
- Hershey's Hug candies
Get the full recipe for Red Velvet Blossom Cookies →
6. Grinch Haystack Cookies
No-bake and kid-approved! These Grinch Haystack Cookies use chow mein noodles and vibrant green candy melts to create a crunchy, sweet treat. Perfect for little ones who want to help but aren't ready for the oven yet.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These no-bake treats are incredibly easy to make in large batches! Their unique texture and eye-catching color make them a memorable addition to any cookie exchange, and they're allergy-friendly since they contain no flour, eggs, or nuts.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Chow mein noodles
- Vibrant green candy melts
- Coconut oil
- Red heart sprinkles
Get the full recipe for Grinch Haystack Cookies →
7. Red Velvet Cookie Bars
These stunning red velvet cookie bars are topped with cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles. Using a cake mix as the base makes them incredibly easy, and kids will love helping spread the frosting and add the colorful toppings!
Why they're perfect for gifting: These gorgeous bars are easy to cut into uniform squares and package beautifully in clear cellophane bags or festive tins. The cream cheese frosting adds an elegant touch, making them perfect for special gift recipients like teachers or coworkers.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Red velvet cake mix
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Whipped cream cheese frosting
- Red and green sprinkles
Get the full recipe for Red Velvet Cookie Bars →
7. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Enjoy all the flavors of classic sugar cookies without the rolling, cutting, and chilling! These easy cookie bars are topped with cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles for a simple yet impressive holiday treat.
Why they're perfect for gifting: Cookie bars are incredibly easy to package and transport! Cut them into uniform squares for a professional presentation, and they stack beautifully in gift boxes or tins. The cream cheese frosting makes them extra special and delicious.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Unsalted butter
- White sugar
- Eggs
- Almond extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking powder
- Heavy cream
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Holiday sprinkles
Get the full recipe for Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars →
8. Snowman Cookies
Build a snowman you can eat! These adorable cream cheese cookies are stacked and decorated to look like little snowmen, complete with candy decorations for eyes, noses, and buttons.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These three-dimensional snowmen are show-stoppers that will be the talk of any cookie exchange! They're absolutely adorable and create a "wow" factor that makes your gift extra special and memorable.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Sugar
- Flour
- Vanilla extract
- White frosting
- Candy decorations (for eyes, nose, buttons)
- Mini chocolate chips
- Orange candies or fondant
Get the full recipe for Cream Cheese Snowman Cookies →
9. Hot Cocoa Mug Sugar Cookies
These adorable cut-out cookies are decorated with royal icing to look like mugs of hot cocoa complete with whipped cream and snowflakes! They're perfect for keeping the sugar cookie tradition alive all winter long.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These cookies are true showpieces! The detailed decorating makes them look bakery-quality, and they're absolutely adorable. The royal icing sets hard, making them perfect for packaging without smudging.
Ingredients you'll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated white sugar
- Egg
- Lemon zest
- Vanilla extract
- Confectioners' sugar
- Meringue powder
- Red food coloring gel
- Coffee mug cookie cutter
Get the full recipe for Hot Cocoa Mug Sugar Cookies →
10. Walnut Snowball Cookies
These classic holiday cookies feature rich butter and walnuts, all rolled in powdered sugar for a festive snowy appearance. They're buttery, nutty, and absolutely delicious!
Why they're perfect for gifting: Snowball cookies are a timeless classic that everyone loves! Their powdered sugar coating gives them an elegant, snowy look that's perfect for the holidays. They're sturdy cookies that travel well and look beautiful arranged in gift tins.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla
- Finely chopped walnuts
- Powdered sugar
Get the full recipe for Walnut Snowball Cookies →
11. Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Delicate and beautiful, these snowflake cookies are perfect for teaching kids about winter wonderlands. The cream cheese makes them extra soft and tender, and decorating with white icing creates stunning snowflake patterns.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These elegant cookies look professionally decorated and sophisticated - perfect for adult cookie exchanges or upscale gift presentations. The white-on-white design is timeless and beautiful, fitting any holiday decor theme.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- White icing
- White sprinkles or sanding sugar
Get the full recipe for Snowflake Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies →
12. Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies for Christmas
These classic cream cheese sugar cookies are a holiday staple! Soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with festive colors and sprinkles. Let the kids use cookie cutters in their favorite Christmas shapes!
Why they're perfect for gifting: These versatile drop cookies can be customized with different colors and sprinkles to match any theme or recipient's preferences. They're soft and delicious, making them universally loved at cookie exchanges.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
- Icing
Get the full recipe for Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies for Christmas →
13. Peanut Butter M&M Cookies with Cinnamon
A fun twist on traditional peanut butter cookies! These treats combine the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate with a warm hint of cinnamon. Kids will love pressing colorful M&Ms into the dough.
Why they're perfect for gifting: The colorful M&Ms make these cookies festive and fun! They're hearty cookies that travel well and maintain their texture, making them ideal for packaging and mailing to distant friends and family.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Peanut butter
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- M&Ms
Get the full recipe for Peanut Butter M&M Cookies with Cinnamon →
14. Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
This easy recipe takes all the hard work out of decorating! Press the cookie dough into festive sprinkles before baking for an effortless decorating method that looks stunning and tastes amazing.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These cookies look festive and finished with minimal effort! The sprinkle coating means no fragile icing to worry about during transport, making them perfect for cookie exchanges where you need to travel with your treats.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Christmas sprinkles
Get the full recipe for Christmas Sprinkle Cookies →
15. Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
These festive sandwich cookies combine rich chocolate with refreshing peppermint! Made with chocolate cookies and peppermint frosting, then rolled in crushed candy canes for a beautiful holiday presentation.
Why they're perfect for gifting: These sophisticated sandwich cookies scream "holiday elegance!" The crushed candy cane coating adds festive flair and a delightful peppermint crunch that makes them stand out at any cookie exchange.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
- Mint extract
- Crushed candy canes
Get the full recipe for Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies →
16. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These classic Betty Crocker cookies feature intense chocolate flavor with a beautiful powdered sugar coating that creates their signature crinkled appearance. Soft, chewy, and utterly delicious!
Why they're perfect for gifting: These traditional cookies are instantly recognizable and beloved by chocolate lovers! Their striking black and white appearance makes them visually stunning on cookie platters, and they're sturdy enough to package beautifully without the coating getting damaged.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
Get the full recipe for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies →
17. Raspberry Shortbread Cookies
These elegant cookies feature buttery shortbread filled with sweet raspberry preserves and drizzled with a vanilla glaze. They're perfect for cookie exchanges and look absolutely stunning on any dessert platter!
Why they're perfect for gifting: These bakery-quality cookies look incredibly impressive and sophisticated! The raspberry filling and white glaze make them beautiful enough to give to your most discerning recipients, like bosses or in-laws.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Raspberry preserves
- Powdered sugar
- Lemon juice
Get the full recipe for Raspberry Shortbread Cookies →
18. White Chocolate Dipped Molasses Cookies
These classic molasses cookies are soft and chewy on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and dipped in white chocolate for an elegant finish. The warm spices of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves fill your kitchen with holiday cheer!
Why they're perfect for gifting: The white chocolate dip elevates these from everyday cookies to gift-worthy treats! They're classic flavors with an elegant presentation, making them perfect for cookie exchanges where you want to impress.
Ingredients you'll need:
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Molasses
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Cloves
- White almond bark or white chocolate
Get the full recipe for White Chocolate Dipped Molasses Cookies →
19. Gingerbread Man Cookies with Royal Icing
These classic gingerbread men are packed with traditional holiday spices and decorated with beautiful royal icing. Perfect for decorating with the kids or creating professional-looking cookies for gifting!
Why they're perfect for gifting: Gingerbread men are quintessential holiday cookies! They're adorable, nostalgic, and customizable with different royal icing designs. The royal icing sets hard, making them perfect for packaging and transporting without smudging.
Ingredients you'll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Ground nutmeg
- Unsalted butter
- Molasses
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Meringue powder
- Food coloring
Get the full recipe for Gingerbread Man Cookies →
Tips for Cookie Exchanges & Gift-Giving
Planning Your Cookie Exchange Contribution
Choose recipes that travel well - Avoid delicate icing or toppings that will smudge during transport. Sturdy cookies with baked-in decorations work best.
Make extra batches - Cookie exchanges typically require 4-6 dozen cookies, so plan accordingly and make enough for the exchange plus extras for taste-testing!
Package thoughtfully - Bring your cookies on a nice platter or in a container you don't need returned. Include the recipe on a decorative card so others can recreate your cookies.
Label for allergies - Always include a small label listing major allergens (nuts, dairy, eggs) so guests with allergies can make informed choices.
Packaging Cookies as Gifts
Choose the right container - Decorative tins, clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, mason jars, or holiday-themed boxes all make beautiful presentations.
Layer carefully - Use parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Place sturdier cookies on the bottom and delicate ones on top.
Add a personal touch - Include a handwritten gift tag, the recipe card, or a festive ribbon to make your gift extra special.
Consider freshness - Most cookies stay fresh for 3-5 days at room temperature. For longer storage, choose recipes that freeze well or make them closer to when you'll give them.
Cookie Baking Equipment Essentials
- Measuring cups and spoons - For accurate ingredient portions
- Multiple baking sheets - Essential when making large batches
- Cookie scoop - Creates uniform cookies every time
- Parchment paper - Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy
- Cooling racks - Allows cookies to cool properly
- Airtight containers - For storing cookies before gifting
- Gift packaging supplies - Tins, boxes, cellophane bags, ribbon, and gift tags
Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Holiday Schedules
Freeze cookie dough - Many doughs can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
Bake and freeze - Most baked cookies freeze beautifully! Freeze in airtight containers for up to 1 month, then thaw at room temperature.
Create a baking schedule - Don't try to make everything in one day! Spread your baking over several days or weekends leading up to your event.
Prep ingredients - Measure dry ingredients ahead of time and store in labeled bags to speed up the baking process.
Final Thoughts
Sharing homemade cookies during the holidays is one of the most heartfelt ways to show you care! Whether you're participating in your office cookie exchange, surprising your neighbors with a sweet treat, creating thoughtful teacher gifts, or simply spreading joy to those you love, these 19 cookie recipes are guaranteed to bring smiles and create lasting memories.
From elegant presentation pieces to fun and festive favorites, from sophisticated flavor combinations to playful designs, this collection has everything you need to make your cookie giving a success. The recipes range from simple and quick to more involved showstoppers, so you can choose based on your time, skill level, and the impression you want to make.
Remember, the most important ingredient in any gift is the love and thoughtfulness you put into it. Homemade cookies show that you took the time to create something special just for them - and that means more than any store-bought gift ever could.
So preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer! Your cookie exchange contribution or homemade gift is sure to be the talk of the party.
Which recipe will you try first?
Happy Baking & Happy Gifting! 🎄🍪
For more holiday recipes and family-friendly cooking ideas, visit MarathonsAndMotivation.com
