29 Holiday Cookies That Start the Season Before the Tree Even Goes Up

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The moment the air turns crisp, my mind drifts to all the sweet treats that make the holidays feel extra magical. These festive cookies kick off the season with flavors and decorations that practically scream cozy nights and twinkling lights. From buttery classics to fun, unexpected twists, they’re the perfect way to start celebrating before the tree even makes its debut. It’s amazing how a little sugar and spice can set the tone for the entire holiday season!

Early-Season Holiday Sugar Cookies

A baking tray filled with decorated holiday sugar cookies, including Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars, a bell, a gingerbread person, and a snowman, all with colorful icing and sprinkles.

Perfectly tender cut-out cookies ready to decorate—start the holiday season early with sweet festive fun.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Holiday Sugar Cookies

Festive Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

Overhead view of several cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies on a cooling rack and baking tray, surrounded by shelled pistachios and dried cranberries.
Dried Cranberry Shortbread Cookies With Pistachios. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery shortbread loaded with cranberries and pistachios—an elegant holiday treat for early cookie cravings.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread from Grandma’s Tin

Raspberry Lemon Holiday Delights

Three raspberry lemonade cookies on a plate.
Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Bright, tangy raspberry-lemon cookies bring early holiday cheer with every buttery bite.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cookies Grandma Would Love

Early Holiday S’mores Cookies

Easy S’mores Cookies With Graham Cracker Crumbs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker cookies bring campfire nostalgia to early holiday celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Classic S’mores Cookies from Grandma’s Campfire

Chewy Peanut Butter Holiday Cookies

peanut butter pretzel cookies on a wire rack.
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies perfect for kickstarting holiday baking before the tree goes up.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Treats

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies for Early Guests

Fudgy White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fudgy chocolate and cool peppermint cookies to start your holiday entertaining early in the season.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Cookies Grandma Saved for Guests

Crispy Rice Oatmeal Holiday Cookies

A batch of Rice Krispie oatmeal cookies on a rack.
Chewy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Homemade-style oatmeal cookies with crispy edges—ideal for early-season holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice Oatmeal Cookies from Grandma’s Tin

Zesty Cornmeal Lime Cookies

Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery cornmeal cookies with a lime twist, perfect for a festive holiday flavor kickoff.
Get the Recipe: Cornmeal Lime Cookies from Grandma’s Pantry

Buttery Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich shortbread with chocolate bits—start your holiday cookie countdown with this nostalgic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Chocolate Chip Shortbread from Grandma’s Tin

Triple Chocolate Holiday Cookies

Triple Chocolate Cookies With Grated Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fudgy triple chocolate cookies that bring indulgence to early-season holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Triple Chocolate Cookie Secret

Pumpkin Spice Holiday Cookies

A stake of pumpkin frosted cookies.
Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting—cozy, festive bites to kick off holiday baking early.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Grandma’s Fall Kitchen

No-Bake Holiday Haystacks

Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies With White Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, crunchy no-bake haystacks—quick festive cookies that bring holiday cheer before the tree is up.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Haystacks Just Like Grandma Made

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Quick And Easy Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Soft, quick peanut butter cookies—easy to make and perfect for early holiday indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies for Holidays

Stacked oatmeal coconut cookies next to a glass of milk.
Crispy And Chewy Oatmeal Coconut Cookies With Raisins. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Chewy oatmeal cookies with coconut and raisins—start holiday baking season with this classic twist.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies with Coconut

Fun Sprinkle Cookies for Early Holidays

Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Bright, colorful sprinkle cookies that kick off holiday baking fun before the tree is up.
Get the Recipe: Sprinkle Cookies from Grandma’s Recipe Box

Holiday Almond Sugar Cookies to Start the Season

Almond sugar cookies on a cooling rack.
Just Sweet Enough Almond Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Lightly crisp almond sugar cookies perfect for kicking off holiday baking season.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Almond Sugar Cookies to Start the Season

Zesty Lemon Thumbprint Cookies for Holidays

Lemon curd cookies on a tray.
Bright And Tangy Lemon Curd Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery cookies filled with bright lemon curd—perfect to bring holiday cheer before the tree goes up.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Lemon Thumbprint Cookies for Holidays

Cream Cheese Walnut Cookies for Early Holiday Fun

Walnut Cookies Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, nutty cookies with cream cheese and walnuts make a cozy holiday treat anytime in the season.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Walnut Cookies for Early Holiday Fun

Iced Oatmeal Cookies for Holiday Snacking

Iced oatmeal cookies on a wire rack.
Old-Fashioned Iced Oatmeal Cookies (Soft And Chewy). Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Sweet, chewy oatmeal cookies with a glaze that adds holiday sparkle before the decorations go up.
Get the Recipe: Iced Oatmeal Cookies for Holiday Snacking

Festive Sprinkle Cookies to Kick Off Holiday Baking

confetti cookies stacked.
Confetti Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, buttery cookies sprinkled with holiday colors—start the festive season early with these treats.
Get the Recipe: Festive Sprinkle Cookies to Kick Off Holiday Baking

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies for Holiday Cheer

glazed strawberry cookies spread out on a baking rack.
Glazed Strawberry Shortcake Cookies With Fresh Strawberries. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Fruity, glazed cookies that bring holiday sweetness even before the tree is up.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies for Holiday Cheer

Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies for Festive Baking

A rack of chocolate chunk cookies.
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Pecans. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Rich chocolate and pecans make these cookies a perfect early-holiday treat for chocolate lovers.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies for Festive Baking

Pistachio Shortbread Cookies to Start Holidays Early

A plate of round pistachio shortbread cookies arranged around a bowl of shelled pistachios.
Pistachio Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery, crumbly pistachio cookies perfect for the season before the holidays officially begin.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Shortbread Cookies to Start Holidays Early

Strawberry Sandwich Cookies for Early Holiday Treats

strawberry sandwich cookies on a dark background.
Soft And Chewy Strawberry Sandwich Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Soft, creamy strawberry sandwiches that feel like a holiday treat before the first ornament is hung.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sandwich Cookies for Early Holiday Treats

White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies for Holiday Snacking

White Chocolate Cookie Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft oatmeal cookies studded with white chocolate—ideal for holiday snacking before festivities kick in.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies for Holiday Snacking

Almond Amaretti Cookies to Begin Holiday Baking

Lemon Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Crisp almond cookies that are tender inside—perfect to start holiday baking and celebrations early.
Get the Recipe: Almond Amaretti Cookies to Begin Holiday Baking

Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Holiday Glaze

Frosted Eggnog Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft eggnog cookies with a sweet glaze—holiday flavors you can enjoy before the big tree goes up.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Cookies with Creamy Holiday Glaze

Kitchen Sink Cookies for Early Holiday Indulgence

Two kitchen sink cookies on a plate.
Sweet And Salty Kitchen Sink Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Loaded cookies with chocolate and treats for early-holiday enjoyment before the season officially begins.
Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookies for Early Holiday Indulgence

Fruit Pizza Cookies to Kick Off Holiday Baking

Fruit Pizza Cookies. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Soft sugar cookies topped with cream cheese frosting and fruit—perfect to start holiday treats early.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Pizza Cookies to Kick Off Holiday Baking

33 Holiday Pies Everyone Quietly Competes to Bring First

When the holidays roll around, the table suddenly becomes a friendly battlefield of flavors. Everyone seems to quietly compete to bring first, hoping their pie will steal the spotlight.
Grab it here: 33 Holiday Pies Everyone Quietly Competes to Bring First

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