Eggnog is one of those things that must be present on Christmas, even thought most people can either take it or leave it. It's sweet and creamy, and there's so much that can be done with it. Unfortunately, it is not always so prevalent in stores year round. And you have to make sure to check the expiration date before buying it as some stores may reuse what they didn't sell last year because of its long shelf life in the carton. So get your holiday baking and drinking started with these five delicious eggnog recipes!

1. Eggnog (from the carton at the grocery store) mixed with amaretto, sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg, and topped with whipped cream. This is how my mother makes it every year to decorate the Christmas tree and serve during dessert on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If you're someone who's not crazy about the taste of straight nog, this recipe might help because there are many flavors to distract from the initial taste of eggnog (and it's alcoholic!).

2. Eggnog can be used for more than just drinking. It is frequently used in festive baked goods as well. For example, these easy-to-eat Eggnog Cheesecake Bars. These can probably also be made into a regular cheesecake if you'd prefer that, too.

3. I also found these Eggnog Coffee Cake Muffins, which might be a great addition to that grand Christmas morning breakfast.

4. These Eggnog Bagels look and sound amazing. They include classic holiday flavors, such as eggnog and nutmeg, and are consumed by a cinnamon sugar glaze. There's also a recipe for a holiday spiced cream cheese—using a rum extract—to go with it.

5. A twist on a classic recipe, these Eggnog Snickerdoodles are a perfect and easy donation to those holiday cookie parties. You can get even more creative and add a frosted topping with maybe an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.