Though our December social calendars are usually too packed to include yet another event, one invite that inevitably warrants a “count me in” RSVP is a holiday cookie exchange.

I like to think of it as party on steroids (or should that be sprinkles?). Sure, it’s a fun social event, a time for friends to pause during the holiday madness to enjoy a cup of coffee or cocoa, some conversation, and some cookies. But it also allows us to conserve valuable time which is so important during a busy time of year. Instead of having to eke out time to bake and decorate multiple batches of different Christmas cookies, we only need to prepare one batch to share at the cookie exchange. And when we come home, voila! We’ve amassed a variety of cookies with no additional dirty mixing bowls or baking sheets to clean up!

While some cookie exchange guests admittedly sneak store-bought treats to the sharing table (No judgment here! I like a good sugar cookie no matter who bakes it!), I prefer pulling out my favorite shortbread recipe and assortment of cookie cutters, and then indulging in an activity I so rarely have time to enjoy the rest of the year. Pristinely piped and frosted cookies are not my forte, but I’ve found that stirring red and green jimmies or nonpareils into the dough before rolling it out is a great way to give your cookies a festive feel with little effort.

I hope you’re able to take some time this holiday season to make cookies and share them with friends. To help you get started, enter to win my Christmas cookie baker’s prize pack featuring a baking sheet, cooling rack, spatula, cookie cutters, a printed rolling pin and kitchen towels by Dec 20 (enter at https://www.indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests/). If you’d like the recipe for my favorite shortbread cookies (which I’ll be making for the holidays) send me an email at the address below and I’ll send it to you.

Wishing you a sweet Christmas season of sharing!

EMILY SCHILLING is editor of Indiana Connection.