Are you excited for finals to be over, and to finally go home for Christmas break, but you have no idea what to get your friends for Christmas? Well, nothing spreads Christmas cheer, and your love for your friends more than a homemade gift. There are endless homemade presents to make your friends, but writing a letter, and tying a bow around a fresh batch of cookies will surely make your loved ones smile! Check out these fun decorating tips for some ideas to get you started on your cookie day of fun! Invite some family and friends over, and make a day out of it!

Go to the grocery store

You'll most likely need Christmas themed sprinkles (snowflakes, silver or white pearls, Christmas trees, etc), frosting, food coloring, sugar cookie or gingerbread dough (or the ingredients to make either dough), powdered sugar, white chocolate, parchment paper, cookie cutter, piping bags and tips, edible glitter, and some cute ribbon, and plastic bags to package your cookies.

How to use white chocolate

Melt some Ghiradelli white chocolate wafers in the microwave until melted. Get a piping bag, or Ziploc bag with a small hole cut out of the corner, and pour the melted chocolate inside of either type of bag. Place a piece of parchment paper on the counter. Now, slowly shape stars, or snowflakes onto the parchment paper. There are online videos available if you need extra help in the design technique department. After your white chocolate designs are halfway finished drying, dust them with edible glitter, or gently place a few edible pearls on them for some flare. Also, try creating some melted snowmen. Check out Pinterest's innovative melted snowmen technique; first, make a "puddle" out of the white chocolate, then make a hat out of a Rolo candy, a nose out of a candy corn tip, and the eyes and mouth out of mini chocolate chips, and "vuala" you have a melted snowman! These chocolate goodies will be perfect additions to your gift bags, or be fun to snack on around the house. I prefer white chocolate for more of a holiday feel, but any other chocolate could work as well. Also, consider dipping your cookies in any chocolate of your choosing for a rich, additional flavor.

Cookie cutting and frosting ideas

Roll out some sugar cookie dough or gingerbread dough. Cut out some trees, ornaments, gingerbread men (in either dough), stockings, stars, snowflakes, angels, candy canes, wreaths, or even bells. These shapes have so many creative opportunities for decorating! For the trees, frost your cookie with a green frosting, or dye the dough green itself. Then, paint some yellow streamers in a zig zag form, or some yellow frosting for lights. Now you can sprinkle the cookie with little "ornaments." For the gingerbread men, you can make them male or female, with a bow or a hat, a bowtie or a dress. The options are endless! Be sure to make your gingerbread man have a smile, and maybe some gumdrop buttons. Cut a hole out for your wreath cookies, and be sure to make them covered in glitter and red and green colors. Buy some miscellaneous cookie cutters, and let your mind run wild with these ideas!

Now you have an excuse to have a tacky Christmas sweater party with your friends while you play fun Christmas music. You can let your friends take home their decorated cookies as party favors too! Just be sure you don't get too distracted with your friends that you forgot about the cookies in the oven... Enjoy!