1/3 c. shortening
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg
2/3 c. honey
1 tsp. lemon flavoring
2 3/4 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Mix shortening, sugar, egg, honey and flavoring thoroughly. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. Stir together flour, soda, salt; blend in. Chill dough.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough out 1/4" thick. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1" apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until no imprint remains when touched lightly. When cool, ice and decorate as desired.

Makes about 5 dozen 2 1/2" cookies.

WREATHS: Cut dough with scalloped cutter, using smaller cutter for center. Cover with white icing. Sprinkle with green sugar and decorate with clusters of berries made of red icing, leaves of green icing, to give effect of holly wreaths.

BELLS: Outline and make clapper with red icing.

STOCKINGS: Sprinkle colored sugar on toes and heels before baking. Or mark heels and toes of baked cookies with icing of some contrasting color.

SANTA CLAUSES: Outline with red icing. Fill bag with tiny candies. Paint boots with melted chocolate.

ANGELS: Frost skirt and face white; wings light blue. Trim with gold or silver dragees.

CHRISTMAS TREES: Spread with white icing. Sprinkle with green sugar. Decorate with silver dragees and tiny colored candies

MERRY CHRISTMAS MOLASSES COOKIES: Make Merry Christmas Cookies (above) except use brown sugar in place of granulated, molasses in place of honey, and 2 teaspoons cinnamon plus 1 teaspoon ginger in place of lemon flavoring. Shape and decorate (below). TOYS: Outline shapes (drum, car, jack-in-the-box, etc.) with white or colored icing. Pipe icing on animals (reindeer, elephant, horse, camel, dog, kitten, etc.) to give effect of bridles, blankets, or saddles.

BOYS AND GIRLS: Pipe figures with an icing to give desired effects: eyes, noses, buttons, etc.

TEDDY BEARS: Make balls for all parts. Press flat, then roll another small ball for nose.

EASY CREAMY ICING:

1 c. sifted powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla or other flavoring
1 1/2 tbsp. cream or 1 tbsp. water

Blend all together. Tint with food coloring.