With the holidays upon us, one of my favorite traditions is baking and sharing all of the yummy cookies with friends and family.

I remember visiting my grandmother and when walking into her dining room, seeing a glass tiered stand filled with the most beautiful cookies sitting on her table. As a child, the stand seemed to glisten and the cookies looked like something you would see on the cover of a magazine. I remember thinking my grandmother must be rich to have such beautiful cookies on her table. As I grew older, I realized my grandmother used recipes from her mother and handmade all of the cookies I had admired so much. Now that I have my own children, I wanted to pass the tradition along and give them the same memories I had as a child. Obviously my cookies never look as decadent as my grandmother’s, but my kids will never know.

This year, I’m kicking off my tradition on December 4, which just so happens to be National Cookie Day. This allows me plenty of time to bake, decorate, and deliver the goodies. No matter what traditions you do for the holidays, make sure to enjoy quality time with friends and family.

Maybe baking cookies isn’t your thing but decorating them is right up your alley. Sign up for the Cookie Decorating class at Front Street Crossing on December 21 at 1 p.m. Cost is only $14 for the kit and you get to draw inspiration and tips from fellow decorators.

So whether you bake your own cookies or come to the decorating event, make sure you take a moment to enjoy one or more than one, because who’s to say you can’t celebrate National Cookie Day all month long.