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How to Decorate & Share Christmas Cookies Like the Pro You've Always Wanted to Be

Person icing Christmas cookies.

Is there anything more delightful than enjoying a homemade cookie? There’s just something magical about them that even the best bakeries cannot replicate. While the flavor is really what everyone ultimately savors about these tasty sweet treats, the presentation goes a long way toward transforming the humble cookie into something extraordinary. 


Want to sleigh your cookie exchange game this season (or just really impress your family and friends)? Read on to learn how you can make, decorate and share your cookies like a pro (and then put those skills to good use to host the ultimate Christmas cookie exchange)!

Upgrade Your Baking Supplies & Tools

A collage of various baking tools and supplies.

Sure, an egg beater works fine as a makeshift stand mixer, and a tablespoon can stir ingredients together. But really, there comes a day when it’s time to assess what’s in your kitchen and make some upgrades. You’ll thank us (and yourself) in the long run when you realize how much easier and more enjoyable baking is when you have the right tools for the job. Here are the tools every cookie baker needs:

Piping Tips and Bags

Enthusiastic beginner: 42-Piece Decorating Kit

Oh, you’re serious: 387-Piece Cake & Cookie Decorating Kit

Silicone Baking Mat

Simple and affordable: Amazon Basics Silicone Mat (Pack of 2)

Next level: Silicone Baking Mat (Set of 6)

Baking Sheet

All-in-one design: Baking Sheet Tray, Cooling Rack & Silicone Mat Set

Nonstick, but make it ceramic: GreenLife Half Cookie Sheet

Cooling Rack

Space saver: Wilton 3-Tier Folding Cooling Rack

Food Dye

Gel is the way to go: Wilton 12-Count Gel-Based Food Color Assortment

Cookie Scoop

For perfectly uniform cookies: Cookie Scoops - Set of 3

Electric Stand Mixer

On a budget: 3.2 qt. Small Electric Food Mixer

Next level: 5.5 qt. Cuisinart Stand Mixer

THE mixer: 5 qt. KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer

Oven Thermometer

Simple and affordable: Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer

Measuring Cups (Dry)

Classic in plastic: KitchenAid Measuring Cups

Magnetic for easy organizing: Stainless Steel Measuring Cups

Collapsible for small spaces: Silicone Measure Cups & Spoons Set

Measuring Cups (Liquid)

Forever favorites: Pyrex 2-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set

Modern measuring: OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup

Measuring Spoons

Classic in plastic: KitchenAid Measuring Spoons

Magnetic for easy organizing: Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons

What Inspector Gadget would use: KitchenArt Adjustable Measuring Spoon

Digital Food Scale

Compact: Ozeri Digital Multifunction Scale

Next level: 22 lb Digital Kitchen Scale

Hand Mixer

Easy and electric: Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Easy and manual: OXO Good Grips Egg Beater

Spatulas

Perfect for every color scheme: Silicone Spatula - Set of 5

Whisks

Classic stainless steel: Amazon Basics Wire Whisks - Set of 3

Heat-resistant silicone: Non-Scratch Coated Whisks - Set of 3

Perfect for smaller spaces: Collapsible Silicone Whisk

Mixing Bowls

Classic in plastic: KitchenAid Mixing Bowls - Set of 3

Forever favorites: Pyrex 8-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids

Baking Sifter

Effortless sifting: Bellemain Stainless Steel Sifter

Rolling Pin

When precision is key: Stainless Steel and Silicone Baking Mat Set

Keep it classic: French Rolling Pin

Use the Correct Type of Icing (and Let Your Cookies Cool Before Decorating Them!)

Royal icing Christmas cookies.

It’s no surprise that sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies are at the top of the list of America’s favorite Christmas cookies. Both cookies can be decorated using that creamy frosting in a can or a tube of icing, but if you want your cookies to have a professional look, royal icing is the way to go. It’s easy to decorate with (especially if your decorating goals include outlining and flooding your cookies), easy to make (all you need is confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder and water) and when it dries, it has a beautiful sheen that looks and tastes delicious. 

Long story short—royal icing is indeed the reigning champion here. And yes, let your cookies cool completely before decorating them. Don’t be that person on the baking show that everyone yells at for icing a hot cookie. 

What You Need to Make Your Own Royal Icing

Pre-made mix: Judee's Royal Icing Mix

DIY ingredients: 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Powdered Sugar, Judee’s Complete Meringue Powder Mix

To make your own royal icing, simply mix 4 cups of powdered/confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons of meringue powder and 9–10 tablespoons of water together. Icing should drizzle and smooth out when you lift your whisk up. Add more sugar if too thin or more water if too thick. That's it!

Keep the Add-Ons Simple, but Make Them a *Little* Extra

Wooden cookie molds.

Everyone loves sprinkles and cute shapes, and while we love a Christmas tree-shaped cookie with red and green sprinkles, consider trying something new and fresh this year. 

Fun Sprinkles

Santa Claus & Gingerbread Man Sprinkles

Snowman & Snowflake Sprinkles

Pink & Green Retro Christmas Sprinkles

Gold Star & Sugar Sprinkles

Cool Cookie Cutters

Reindeer Wooden Cookie Cutter

Christmas Dinosaur Cookie Cutter Set

Custom Name Christmas Cookie Cutter Stamp

Custom Pet Portrait Cookie Cutter

Christmas Sweater Cookie Cutter

Opt for Easy but Yummy with a Cookie Kit

Plate of gingerbread cookies from a pre-made kit.

Want to be a smart cookie and speed up the process? Use a pre-packaged cookie kit! Your cookies can still proudly boast of being hand-decorated, but instead of spending time trying to find all the bits and pieces you need, you can buy them all in one neat bundle. 


Our Fave Cookie Kits

Winter Sweaters, Boots & More

Snowmen, Stockings & More

Ninjabread Gingerbread Ninjas

Ugly Sweaters

Gingerbread Men & Trees


Display Your Amazing Cookies Like a Boutique Bakery

Festive cookie gift boxes and a cookie jar with Santa on it.
Platter filled with Christmas cookies.

After all of the hard work you put into crafting your cookie masterpieces, don’t just toss them in a boring container. Show them off like they deserve!

Cookie Display Ideas for the Table

Le Creuset Enamel on Steel Noel Collection Cookie Jar

3-Tier White and Gold Serving Stand

Euro Ceramica Red and White Winterfest Platter

Wooden Tree and Santa Hat Serving Tray Set

Red Rectangular Porcelain Serving Tray Set

Red and White Striped Ceramic Christmas Pedestal Stand

Cookie Display Ideas for Giving

Festive House Gift Boxes

Buffalo Plaid Christmas Window Gift Boxes

Christmas Cookie Tin Gift Boxes

Red Buffalo Plaid Window Gift Boxes

Christmas Mailbox Tin Gift Boxes

Kraft Paper Christmas Window Gift Boxes


Ship Your Cookies with Care

What’s the best way to ship cookies without breakage or loss of freshness so loved ones can enjoy your delicious treats even from afar? 

  1. Choose a cookie that ships well. Cookies decorated with yumminess like buttercream frosting won’t hold us as well in the post, so save those for your in-person cookie exchanges. Cookies decorated with royal icing or a chocolate drizzle will likely be fine so long as the decoration is completely set and the weather isn’t too hot.
  2. Make sure your cookies are completely cool.
  3. Wrap your cookies in pairs with plastic wrap. Place the flat undersides of the cookies against each other and use a small piece of plastic wrap to hold them together. This helps keep them fresher and therefore, more tasty even after days in transit.
  4. Take a container like a cookie tin or plastic food storage box and line it with a few layers of tissue paper (not only does it look more gifty, but it’ll help protect the edges of your cookies) and place your wrapped cookies in it. Add more pieces of tissue as needed so there isn’t much room for your cookies to shift in transit.
  5. Put the lid of your container on, then place it in a shipping box. Use more tissue paper or packing supplies to cushion the box and prevent shifting. 
  6. Head to the post office and send your cookies on their merry way!

Now that you're ready to whip up some sweet treats, check out our complete guide to hosting the ultimate Christmas cookie exchange.

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What makes Evite SignUp Sheets different from other signup tools?

Developed hand-in-hand with community organizers, PTA presidents, parents and teachers, Evite's signup sheets are designed to make organizing volunteers a breeze. Here are a few ways SignUp Sheets are different than other signup tools:

  • 100% free: SignUp Sheets are free to use.
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  • Automatic reminders and notifications: Stay on top of your event with automated reminders and notifications for you and your participants. Perfect for busy parents, teachers and anyone juggling multiple commitments.
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  • User-friendly experience: Our intuitive interface makes creating and sharing signup sheets simple for everyone, regardless of tech experience.
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Choose Evite SignUp Sheets for the easiest, most streamlined way to get volunteers and signups for your next event!

What is a SignUp Sheet?

Signup sheets are the perfect way to streamline scheduling, volunteer recruitment, class parties, snack duty, potluck organization, parent-teacher conferences and more! You can think of them as your digital assistant for coordinating events and tasks and ensuring that your event is a success.

Evite SignUp Sheets offers parents, teachers and event planners customizable online forms that organizers and volunteers can access and update effortlessly. Volunteers can choose their preferred time slots, sign up for tasks or indicate what they'll bring to the event. It only takes organizers a few minutes to create a signup sheet and send it out with a shareable link, so they can get the word out via text, email or social media—whichever way they prefer! 

Long story short, SignUp Sheets save everyone involved tons of time, avoid scheduling headaches and ensure everything runs smoothly before and during the event.

How do I create a SignUp Sheet?

Creating a signup sheet has never been easier than with Evite! Here’s how to create a sheet that’s sure to make your event an absolute success:

  1. Go to Evite SignUp Sheets and choose the template that best fits your needs. Evite offers multiple signup sheet templates perfect for every occasion, including:
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  1. After selecting your sheet template, create a title for your signup sheet and add the date, the location, the time (if applicable), who the organizer is, the organizer’s phone number or email and an optional note describing the event to your volunteers. You can also change your signup sheet background and title image if you wish!
  1. Next, create slots for your signup sheet. If you aren’t logged into your account, you will need to do so at this point, but luckily, you can use your existing Evite account (no need to create yet another login!). What you’ll include here will depend on what your event needs, but you can include a list of what’s needed (along with optional descriptions), how many volunteers are needed, and dates and times.
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  1. Finally, review your sheet, copy your shareable link and send it out to everyone on your list! Every time a volunteer signs up for a slot on your signup sheet, Evite will email you. We will also send reminders to you and your volunteers before your event so no one will forget about it, and we’ll even let volunteers know if you remove their slot or cancel your event sheet so you don’t have to!

What information should be included on a SignUp Sheet?

When it comes to signup sheet information, there are some essentials to include regardless of what you’re organizing:

  1. A title for your signup sheet. Tip: Aim to keep your signup sheet title concise but clear. You want volunteers to read it and have a general understanding of what your event is about, and also make it easy for them to look for later if they need to reference your sheet again. You have the option to include a more descriptive note in a different field about your event, so save the more in-depth details for that!
  1. When and where the event is taking place. 
  1. The organizer’s name and phone number.
  1. Slots for volunteers to choose from. Once you choose the SignUp Sheets template that fits the occasion, the slots you’ll need for your sheet will be right there and ready for you to add the relevant info, such as dates, times, items to bring and tasks to complete. 

When adding your slot information, clearly define what people are signing up for, especially for a what-to-bring list or role assignments. If you want someone to bring healthy snacks for kids to enjoy after a game, specify that. You want your volunteers to feel confident in what they’re bringing and to make it easy for them to know what’s expected of them. It will save them time and stress (and you, too!). That being said, if you make your ask too specific (for example, asking for a hard-to-source item or something expensive), you may not end up with a volunteer for it. So be clear about what you expect, but also be reasonable!

Aside from providing the basic signup information, you can also add optional descriptions to both your entire signup sheet and individual slots. While not required, they can help guide your volunteers further and provide more information. You can add information about allergies, preferences and general info about the event. You can also add a wish list to make it easier for your volunteers to bring exactly what you need!

What are the benefits of using a SignUp Sheet template?

Signup sheet templates offer a ton of advantages for both organizers and volunteers and with Evite SignUp Sheets, you'll enjoy even more benefits than other digital and paper signup sheets! Some benefits our signup sheet templates offer include:

  • A 100% free experience (no subscriptions required!).
  • Shareable links for quick and easy sharing.
  • No need to create another login—you can use your existing Evite account.
  • The option to add a wish list to help your volunteers out.
  • Automatic reminders—we’ll remind everyone on your behalf.
  • An easy-to-use experience with eye-catching guided templates.
  • Clean, modern designs with no pop-up ads.

With Evite SignUp Sheets, you can enjoy organizing and coordinating all your events with ease. Signup sheets streamline the signup process for everyone involved, ensuring that everything will go to plan on the day of your event while saving you precious time in the process.

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