I personally feel as though Christmas cookies should be a year-round food, but there is something about getting in the kitchen with your family and friends baking numerous kinds of delicious cookies around the holidays that makes it feel nostalgic. By the end of Christmas cookie baking, the kitchen is usually covered with flour, there are empty sheet trays everywhere and the house smells like freshly baked goods. In order to get you in the holiday spirit, I included my favorites below- ranging from everyday cookies to especially festive ones. Have a happy 12 days of Christmas cookies!

1. Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookies

This isn't a Christmas cookie per se, but it's a classic staple that's always needed. Chocolate chip cookies are a classic essential to any cookie baking marathon. And let's be real - Ghirardelli chocolate is just the best.

Check out the recipe HERE.

2. Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are another staple. While they are a year-round cookie, making them appropriately themed is not a problem. By using holiday-themed cookie cutters, colored edible glitter, and/or royal icing, it not only makes the process more fun but also more festive. There are a ton of different recipes and variations, so feel free to find the recipe that works for you or check out this one.

3. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Whoever came up with the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a true genius. These cookies are good anytime after coming out of the oven. However, they are truly the best immediately after they are done being baked when the chocolate is a little melty and the cookie is at its softest.

You definitely need to make these.

4. Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a must, simply for both smell and aesthetic purposes. They are incredibly cute and fun to decorate, as well as being great building blocks for a house or a tree.

No matter what their shape, definitely try them out this holiday season.

5. Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

A twist on the classic snickerdoodle, these cookies do not disappoint. As a personal favorite of mine, I make sure to make these every year. Softer then a regular snickerdoodle, with a hint of pumpkin, these cookies are very necessary.

6. Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies are delicious and fun to make. After making the dough, which can be almond or vanilla flavored, you make a thumbprint in the center and fill it with a jam of your choosing. Finishing them off with a glaze or powdered sugar gives them the perfect touch. If you like raspberry jam and almond then check this recipe out, if not definitely find a variation that is to your liking.

7. Chocolate-Mint Thumbprints

This is a different take on the cookie above, but still crucial to your baking repertoire. They taste just like an Andes chocolate, but in cookie form.

If you like mint and you like chocolate definitely check this out.

8. Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Peppermint is a flavor that is a must around the holidays. As a way to incorporate candy cane into your cookies, these are a must.

9. Pillsbury Sugar Cookies

While these are not homemade, they are so important around the holidays. Having many different shapes all throughout the year, the Christmas tree, snowman and reindeer are the ones that are featured around the holidays. Make sure to pick up a box of these and put them in the oven ASAP.

10. Rugelach

Rugelach is a cookie you make around the Jewish holidays and they do not disappoint. It is a fairly plain dough that is filled with either jam and nuts or chocolate spread. The ones with jam and nuts usually have a cinnamon sugar sprinkle on top, while the chocolate spread cookies have powdered sugar on them.

Either way, they are a great cookie that everyone can enjoy.

11. Spritz Cookies

These cookies are not only the cutest but also delicious. Although you do need a cookie press to make them into shapes such as these, it's worth it. If you don't have one you can also just roll them into balls and sprinkle them with colored sugar.

No matter which way you do it, definitely try them out.

12. Stained Glass Ornament Cookies

These cookies are WILD. With a regular sugar cookie base and a hard candy center, they are so incredibly, aesthetically pleasing. While a little harder to eat, due to their hard center, these cookies are more about their look.

Definitely, give some out as gifts or carefully eat them yourself.