As more and more Americans practice social distancing and spend time at home, we’ve begun to see a new trend that brings a smile to our face. Some folks are brightening their communities by putting holiday lights back up.
Craving a sweet treat? We love these Christmas lights cookies, too.
Why Are Christmas Lights Going up Right Now?
While many of us are typically hanging Easter decorations this time of year, Christmas lights are all the rage. Traditionally meant to spread cheer during the winter months, holiday lights are being put up all across the country as a reminder to stay positive. There’s something about those twinkly little lights that automatically makes us a little bit happier.
How Did This Idea Start?
You can thank Twitter for this great idea.
“What if we all put our Christmas lights back up?” Lane Grindle, a play-by-play broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers, tweeted Sunday. “Then we could get in the car and drive around and look at them. That seems like a fair social distancing activity.”
Just like that, an idea was born and Twitter users across the country started sharing photos of the holiday lights lifting the spirits of their friends, families and neighbors.
Sound On. Lights On. Hearts lifted. ❤️ We had our first confirmed case of #COVID19 in Cheatham County, Tennessee today. Our response is to be the light, and stay home! #FlattenTheCurve y’all. Have yourself a Merry Little Quarantine. 🎄#CoronaVirusChallenge #christmaslights #love pic.twitter.com/HmkTCm5O2Q
— Brenda Sparks (@theatreartist) March 19, 2020
Today a few of my neighbours decided we needed a bit more light in this dark time and decided to turn their Christmas lights back on. I hope it brings a smile to you face like it did mine. pic.twitter.com/MukgY36FTj
— Nadine (@NadineGB204) March 18, 2020
My youngest son was bored today and said, “can we put Christmas lights on our tree outside to cheer us up?” Great idea buddy. Lights are on tonight as a sign of hope and the sweet mind of my 10 year old. #Rhodeisland #hope #lovemysons #Christmas #Cumberland pic.twitter.com/qhVjeuLc02
— Mike Griffin (@rhodyknowsbest) March 16, 2020
Looking for your own inspiration? These are our jolliest Christmas decorating ideas.
How You Can Spread Cheer
With so many people working from home, now’s the perfect time to dig out that box of Christmas lights. Even if you don’t go all out, a few strings of lights are sure to bring some joy to your community. Or, if you’re like us, you never took them down in the first place, so simply plug them back in.
Want to put your tree back up, too? Check out our decorating guide.
Bake some cheer with these Christmas cookie recipes.
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Buttery Spritz Cookies
This tender spritz cookie recipe is very eye-catching on my Christmas cookie tray. The dough is easy to work with, so it's fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes. This is hands-down the best spritz cookie recipe ever. —Beverly Launius, Sandwich, Illinois
Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Treats
Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty chocolate cookies waiting for him. They're quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
Every time I make these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors. —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
Peppermint Stick Cookies
With cool mint flavor and a festive look, these whimsical creations will make you feel like you're in the North Pole. The chilled dough is easy to shape, too. —Nancy Knapke, Fort Recovery, Ohio
Whipped Shortbread
These whipped shortbread christmas cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and ladies' teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
These are my family's very favorite cookies. They're soft, chewy and totally delicious. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
Raspberry Ribbons
I make these attractive, buttery cookies to serve at our remote guest lodge, and all the cooks in the kitchen are addicted to them! —Patsy Wolfenden, Golden, British Columbia
Grandma Krause's Coconut Cookies
When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Homosassa, Florida
Eggnog Snickerdoodles
It simply wouldn't be Christmas without these melt-in-your-mouth cookies on my platter! They have a lovely eggnog flavor and look great with their crunchy tops. The aroma while they bake is as delectable as their taste. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Frosted Red Velvet Cookies
During college, my student job was in the bakery. These red velvet cookies take me back to that special place and time. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota
Touch-of-Gold Christmas Trees
You can decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don't have the gold dust. The filling alone makes the cookies special and so delicious! —Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York
Colorful Candy Bar Cookies
No one will guess that these sweet treats with the candy bar center start with store-bought dough. Roll them in colored sugar or just dip the tops for even faster assembly. Instead of using miniature candy bars, slice regular-size Snickers candy bars into 1-inch pieces for the centers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Giant Molasses Cookies
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy molasses cookies are also great for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Holiday Almond Tassies
I make so many of these fancy tassies, I use up a 7-pound container of almond paste every year! They’re one of my family’s holiday favorites. —Donna Westhouse, Dorr, Michigan
Rum Balls
Rum flavor comes through nicely in these traditional, no-bake rum balls. I like to make a few dozen at a time and give them to my neighbors for Christmas. —Audrey Larson, Bloomington, Minnesota
Gingerbread Men Cookies
No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread man cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Italian Sprinkle Cookies
Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian-American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York
Swirled Mint Cookies
No one will believe that these rich and buttery cookies are light, but they are! With their colorful swirls, each one of these minty, sugary bites has its own look. —Lois Hill, Thomasville, North Carolina
Yummy Cracker Snacks
These treats are my family's favorite, and it seems no matter how many I make, they always disappear too soon. —D. Weaver, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Peppermint Meltaways
This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I often cover a plate of these peppermint cookies with red or green plastic wrap and a bright holiday bow in one corner. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Snickerdoodles
The history of this whimsically named treat is widely disputed, but the popularity of this classic cinnamon-sugar-coated cookie is undeniable! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies
My family’s all-time favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Little ones have fun making their own icing designs. — Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia
Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Cookies
These fudgy, tempting cookies only need five ingredients—what could be easier? The moist, delicious goodies go over big with kids and make a fantastic pick-me-up for adults. —Elaine Stephens, Carmel, Indiana
Vanilla Meringue Cookies
Want to learn how to make meringues? This meringue cookie is light, airy morsels and the perfect fat-free treat to really beat a sweets craving. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cookie Jar Gingersnaps
My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One of the jars, which I now have, always had these crisp and chewy gingersnaps in it. They're still my favorite cookie recipe. My daughter, Becky, used this recipe for a 4-H fair and won a blue ribbon. —Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas
Rainbow Cookies
I always bake these two weeks ahead. That allows the cookies enough time to mellow, leaving them moist and full of almond flavor! —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Lemon Snowflakes
You’ll need just four items to whip up these delightful cookies. Confectioners’ sugar highlights the cracked tops to give them their snowflake appearance. —Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Baking peanut butter kiss cookies to share doesn't get much easier than this. Stir together four ingredients. Bake. Top with a kiss. Done! Your family will love this Hershey's peanut butter blossom cookie recipe. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
These sweet cookies feature white chocolate and cranberries for a delightful taste. They add a perfect holiday feel to any cookie tray. —Donna Beck, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookies
These are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile and you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota
Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
Because so many people seem to love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I came up with this no-bake cookie recipe.—Geraldine Sliwa, Elgin, Illinois
No-Bake Christmas Wreath Treats
Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet no bake Christmas cookies from our Test Kitchen. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they're a fun addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pinwheel Cookies
These pretty pinwheel cookies have tempting swirly layers of orange and chocolate. I really mess up my kitchen whenever I bake a batch, but the smiles on the faces of family and friends enjoying them make it all worthwhile.
— Paulette Morgan, Moorhead, Minnesota
Peanut Butter Christmas Mice
With their black licorice tails, candy noses and peanut ears, these chewy "mice" were always a hit at classroom parties. My children are in their teens now, but they still ask me to make these cookies for the holidays. —Nancy Rowse, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Peanut Butter Cookies
It is amazing how much flavor these simple peanut butter cookies without brown sugar have. I make them very often because I always have the ingredients on hand. —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
What fun! These double-chocolaty delights have a surprise inside! Atop the chocolate cookie base, marshmallow peeks out under chocolate icing. Kids love them! —June Formanek, Belle Plaine, Iowa
White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints
When I pass around the cookie tray, all eyes land on these fancy thumbprints. The white chocolate filling and dab of jewel-toned jam will satisfy the most discriminating sweet tooth. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Butterfinger Cookies
These great cookies don't last long—make a double batch! —Carol Kitchens, Ridgeland, Mississippi
Candy Cane Snowballs
I bake dozens of kinds of Christmas cookies to give to family and friends. I came up with this recipe when I had leftover candy canes. We dip the snowballs into a white candy coating, then into crushed peppermint candy. —Debby Anderson, Stockbridge, Georgia
Coffee Shortbread
You'll be remembered for these cookies when you serve them for a morning coffee or at a gathering. Melted chips drizzled on top make them look fancy, but they're so easy to make. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Mom's Buttermilk Cookies
I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California
Ice Cream Kolachkes
These sweet pastries have Polish and Czech roots and can also be spelled "kolaches." They are usually filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture. The ice cream is a unique twist on traditional kolachkes, and it's simplest to use a square cookie cutter to cut the dough. —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio
Butter Mint Cookies
These delicate mint cookies were a big hit when I made them for a party at work. —Anita Epitropou, Zion, Illinois
Crackle Cookies
Because these cookies crack on top, my granddaughter thinks I make a mistake when I bake them—until she takes a bite! They’re very close to my Mama’s wonderful chocolate cookie recipe. —Ruth Cain, Hartselle, Alabama
Molasses Cookies with a Kick
Here’s my go-to combination of ingredients for the best spice cookies. They’re a natural for fall, but I make them all year long. My mom says they’re her favorite! —Tamara Rau, Medina, North Dakota
Lemon-Butter Spritz Cookies
This recipe makes a lot of terrific cookies! It's great for Christmas when all the kids and grandkids visit. They can help decorate the cookies-not to mention help eat them! —Paula Pelis, Rocky Point, New York
Mountain Cookies
I've been making these deliciously different cookies for about 11 years. My kids especially like the creamy coconut filling. Whenever I take these cookies, people ask for the recipe. You'll be hard-pressed to eat just one!
—Jeanne Adams, Richmond, Vermont
Eggnog Cookies
This cookie's flavor fits right into the holiday spirit—pick your favorite cookie cutter shapes to make them even more festive! —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas
Butter Cookies
This great butter cookie recipe is a favorite of my nephews, who love the creamy frosting. —Ruth Griggs, South Hill, Virginia
Dipped Gingersnaps
I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these soft, chewy cookies. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah
Italian Christmas Cookies
A single batch of these ricotta cheese cookies is never enough. I usually make one to give away and two more to keep at home. The ricotta cheese makes the morsels extra moist. —Doris Marshall, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Scottish Shortbread
Scottish settlers first came to this area over 150 years ago. My mother herself was Scottish, and—as with most of my favorite recipes—she passed this on to me. I make a triple batch of it each year at Christmas, to enjoy and as gifts. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
I packed chocolate chips, raisins, nuts and cinnamon into my oatmeal cookie recipe. These soft cookies are easy to make. Best of all, our kids love them! —Janis Plageman, Lynden, Washington
Chocolate Snowball Cookies
These dainty cookies just melt in your mouth. I enjoy making them for get-togethers when there are lots of people around to enjoy them. —Mary Lou Welsh, Hinsdale, Illinois
Cream Wafers
My sons used to help me make these cookies, and now my oldest granddaughter helps. When the smaller grandchildren are home, they help, too. The cute little sandwich cookies are tender, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth good! —Linda Clinkenbeard, Vincennes, Indiana
Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies
My mom always brightened my lunch with these yummy cookies. —Tammy Orr, Wharton, New Jersey
Peppermint Biscotti
Dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candy, this flavorful biscotti is a favorite. It's one of the many sweets I make for Christmas. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Cherry Kiss Cookies
Topped with a chocolate kiss, these cherry-flavored cookies look super cute on a dessert tray. Share them with family and friends. —Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin
Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
My mom always had these cookies on hand. They're so good with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or milk. —Leah Costigan, Otto, North Carolina
Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies
Rich, buttery sugar cookie cutouts like these never last long at a party. They're one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
These golden cakelike cookies are my favorite, especially around the holidays. They disappear quickly from my dessert trays. The subtle pumpkin and cinnamon flavors pair nicely with chocolate chips. —Tami Burroughs, Salem, Oregon
Dipped Cherry Cookies
Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful cookie a “keeper.” We gave a batch to our mail carrier, in thanks for trudging through so much snow, and she asked for the recipe. —Ruth Anne Dale, Titusville, Pennsylvania
Pecan Goody Cups
These miniature tarts feature whole pecans, a caramel-like filling, and a butter and cream cheese crust that melts right in your mouth. —Janice Hose, Hagerstown, Maryland
Cranberry Swirl Biscotti
A friend of mine, who is known for her excellent cookies, shared this recipe with me. The mix of cranberries and cherry preserves is so refreshing. —Lisa Kilcup, Gig Harbor, Washington
Pinwheels and Checkerboards
My mom used to make these cookies every Christmas, and I still love them. They are so colorful...and you can get two kinds of cookies from one dough! They're perfect for including in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
Winning Cranberry Chip Cookies
Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round. —Betty Albee, Buhl, Idaho
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
My group of friends had a weekly "movie night" during winters on Martha's Vineyard, and we'd take turns making a chocolate treat to share. These terrific cookies were an instant success. Once they debuted, I had to make them many more times. —Laura Bryant German, W. Warren, Massachusetts
Grandma Brubaker's Orange Cookies
At least two generations of my family have enjoyed the recipe for these delicate orange-flavored cookies. —Sheri DeBolt, Huntington, Indiana
Cuccidati
The compliments are well worth making these Sicilian cookies—they're the best recipe I've found! —Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York
Cherry Christmas Slices
Brilliant red and green candied cherries add extra sparkle to these delicious holiday delights. What I really like best is that this recipe's easy to mix up ahead of time. In fact, I've often made the dough in November and kept it in the freezer until I needed it in December! —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
Go Bananas Whoopie Pies
I love anything with peanut butter, so when I saw this recipe for soft banana cookies with a yummy peanut butter filling, I had to make them. Using a cookie scoop keeps them nicely rounded and all the same size. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana
Chocolate Coconut Neapolitans
These yummy striped cookies with a chocolaty twist are easy and fun to make, but they do need some time in the freezer. —Lena Marie Brownell, Rockland, Massachusetts
Pecan Meltaways
This sweet, nutty pecan balls recipe is a tradition in our house at Christmastime, but the treats are great any time of the year. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Eggnog Thumbprints
These cute cookie bites always get a recipe request. They make special holiday gifts and freeze well, too.— Mary Ann Ludwig, Edwardsville, Illinois
Almond Chocolate Biscotti
My neighbors look forward to getting my gifts of these chocolate-covered cookies. I love that this chocolate biscotti recipe is such a cinch to make. —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa