2/3 c. butter or other soft shortening
1 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. double acting baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Here are the things you will need to decorate these cookies. FROSTING: You can buy ready made frosting in a can or you can make up your own with 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and food coloring. Cake and cookie decorations. Use colorful non-pariel candy silver dots, red and green sugar sparkles. Decorations are up to you. You will also need plain paper, pencil and scissors.

Make cookie dough.

1. Get a large mixing bowl. Measure the shortening and put it in a bowl. Measure the sugar and pour it over shortening. Cream them together.

2. Get a cup, break the egg into the cup and pour it in the mixing bowl with the mixture; set aside.

3. Measure the flour, the baking powder, the salt and the nutmeg. Sift them into a bowl.

4. Pour half the sifted ingredients onto the yellow batter. Stir with the mixing spoon until the flour is blended into the batter.

5. Now add the rest of the sifted ingredients. Stir with the spoon some more then mix with your hands. Mix and mix. You will have a stiff light yellow dough.

6. Pat the dough down tightly into the bowl. Cover the bowl with a plate and put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

7. Bake at 350 degrees until light brown, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

8. Cool and decorate.