Looking for christmas cookie decorating ideas with a little something extra? Think blue snowflakes, tiny gingerbread faces and trees covered in colorful decorations.
These pictures include individual cookie designs, pretty assortments and decorating tables you can borrow ideas from.
You can keep things simple with white outlines or go all out with a whole cookie tree. I especially love the little winter accessories.
Those snowmen and mittens are just too cute!
Christmas cookie ideas worth saving
sparkling blue snowflake
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous blue snowflake. I love the raised white branches and their sparkly finish.
The tiny white dots between them are such a pretty extra detail.
If you want to follow this look, keep the blue base pale so all that white decoration stands out.
red-and-white decorating table
How cute is this cookie decorating setup? The striped plates match the runner, with gingerbread-person shapes at each place and trays of cookies down the middle.
Try putting your sprinkles and candy decorations in muffin tins like these. You can keep the colors separate without filling the whole table with individual bowls.
gingerbread with suspenders
I am obsessed with these little outfits. The green suspenders, yellow buckles and bright red shorts are so cute together.
Those big curved smiles make them even better.
Keep the white scalloped trim if you want to copy the shorts. It’s a lovely little detail against the red.
colorful cookie platter
Don’t want every cookie to match? No problem! This platter mixes green zigzag trees, yellow stars and plenty of colorful sprinkles.
The gingerbread faces at the back are my favorite part. Try giving each one a different expression instead of repeating the same smile.
trees with different trimmings
If you are looking for lots of tree inspiration, then this one is for you. There are white garlands, tiny bows, colorful lights and gold-colored dots to choose from.
I especially love the green tree with the little light strand near the bottom. Pick one design for your batch or mix a few on the same tray.
pastel icing station
This is another pretty way to set up a decorating table. Bowls of pink and blue icing sit beside small dishes of sprinkles, with plain cookies piled on a raised stand.
Read also: 20+ Donut Decorating Ideas That Look Like Bakery Masterpieces
Give each person a lined tray like the ones here. The piping bags standing in glasses are a useful detail to borrow too.
red snowman sweater
How adorable is this sweater cookie? The little snowman sits right in the middle, with thin stripes across the sleeves and yellow zigzags at the neckline and hem.
I’d keep the snowman’s round white shapes as the main decoration. You could leave off the tiny name label for a simpler version.
painted lights and ornaments
These painted-style cookies may just be some of my favorites here. I love the red, blue, yellow and green bulbs against the white icing.
The ornament designs have little washes of color around them, while the light strings loop across the other cookies. Save this look if you prefer loose, colorful details to rows of raised piping.
red ornament with white swirls
The red and white pairing is so pretty on this ornament cookie. A fine pointed tool is shown pulling through the white lines to create those curled details.
I’d leave the rest of the red surface plain. That little band of swirls already gives you plenty to look at.
sparkling santa hat
If you’re looking for a design without lots of tiny patterns, go with this Santa hat. The deep red center stays plain while the white brim and pom-pom have a chunky, crystal-like finish.
For your own version, try edible decorating sugar on the white areas to get that snowy look.
reindeer with holly accents
Those little reindeer faces are just adorable. I love the round red noses and wide eyes, plus the green holly details tucked beside the antlers.
The shape also looks like an upside-down gingerbread person. You could try that with a cutter you already have rather than choosing a separate reindeer shape.
curled white icing lines
Here’s another look at the same red ornament shown earlier. You can see the straight white lines on the right turning into curls on the left.
If you prefer a different color combination for your own batch, you could try a green base with the same white detailing.
white outlines and little houses
Don’t want to go all out with bright icing? This assortment is for you.
The reindeer, trees and smiling gingerbread figures have small white details rather than fully covered surfaces.
I love the tall house cookies along the bottom. The snowy rooflines and little round windows make them so pretty beside the simpler dotted trees.
blue snowflake mittens
I am obsessed with this mitten design. The pale blue tops and darker striped cuffs are gorgeous together, especially with a white snowflake on each one.
Don’t forget the little looping line below the cuffs if you’re following this picture. It makes the mittens look like a connected pair.
stacked cookie trees
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. Green-iced star cookies form tall trees, with red and white dots decorating the edges.
The clear wrapping and big red bows finish the presentation. This is a fun direction for a cookie gift if you want something different from a flat assortment.
snowman with a blue scarf
How cute is this snowman? Not gonna lie, that textured blue scarf is my favorite part!
The pale mint hat has a ridged brim, with black dots forming the face and buttons.
Keep the little orange carrot nose if you want that same bright detail in the middle.
red snowflakes and swirled cookies
This box has such a pretty mix of shapes. The red snowflakes with white piping stand out beside the brown spiral cookies and powdered star cutouts.
You don’t have to decorate every cookie the same way. Try pairing a few detailed snowflakes with simpler outlined stars and smiling gingerbread figures, like this assortment.
candy-covered gingerbread houses
Want to take your decorating beyond individual cookies? These gingerbread houses give you plenty of ideas, from colorful candy roofs to white icing around the windows.
Read also: 20 Christmas Candy Ideas for Sweet Gifts and Festive Displays
I especially love the overlapping pastel circles on the house at the front. You could borrow that roof pattern for a flat house-shaped cookie too.
round cookies with festive faces
Who says you need a different cookie shape for every design? These rounds become snowmen, gingerbread faces, snowflakes and even Santa’s red suit.
The curled white beard above the black belt is such a cute idea. Pick a few of these designs if you want variety while keeping all your cookies the same shape.
gingerbread mug cookies
Last but definitely not least, we have these gorgeous mug-shaped cookies. I love the tiny gingerbread figures on the speckled white fronts. Each one even has a little red bow tie!
The raised white topping and small house decorations make this a more detailed design to save. For a simpler variation, you could keep the mug shape and add just one gingerbread face.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida