There are so many types of traditional Christmas cookies and so little time, but it is fun to start as soon as possible and bake a variety. Cookies make terrific gifts and last-minute offerings when dropping by to say “Merry Christmas” to a friend. Most cookies freeze well so you can pull them out when you need them.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to put on some of your favorite Christmas music, gather your ingredients, mixing bowls, spatulas and stirring spoons, and any children you might have in your home for some cookie-baking fun!

• List of Steps to a Successful Holiday Cookie Exchange

Have you ever been to or hosted a cookie exchange? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorite experiences.

For many people, homemade cookies and candy are as much a part of Christmas as the tree or stockings. For many others, holiday cookies are always the goal, but never thought of until it is too late. Whether baking for a fun family activity, for cookies to give to Santa or for the annual Cookie Exchange you participate in every year, cookies are a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holidays.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to search through your cookie recipes to find the cookies you’d like to make this holiday season. Have a favorite from your childhood? Search it out. Make it a new old tradition. Once you’ve found the recipes, use a Holiday Cookie/Candy Planner* and add the ingredients to your current shopping list (or create a shopping list just for cookies and candy). Start baking now and freeze them for the holidays, or plot any cookie baking on the calendars in your holiday planner.

* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download a Holiday Cookie/Candy Planner in Holidays & Occasions for your return addresses.

• List of My Favorite Christmas Cookies

See ListPlanIt’s Christmas Cookie Board on Pinterest.