Children around the world always write a long list to Santa telling him what they want for Christmas. But has anyone ever asked the jolly man from the North Pole what he wants?

Well the secret is out. Not that you couldn't have guessed. It's cookies. Light and almondy macaroons, gaily dressed ginger folk, nutty chocolate tartlets, bright cookie swirls, iced and candy-coated ornaments and an all-time favourite –– shortbread stars.

Santa likes cookies to look special, just as you do when you are arranging a plate of them for a company, boxing them up for gifts or toting them to a bake sale or cookie exchange.

Our selection below invites little hands to help in the cutting out, decorating and, certainly, the choosing of the best and most beautiful for the jolly man who appears by magic on the most fantastic night of the year.

Try baking these tasty recipes for Santa with your little ones from The Canadian Living Test Kitchen:

Eggnog Sugar Cookies - Familiar eggnog flavours of nutmeg, cinnamon and rum make these Christmas ornament cookies taste and look festive.

Christmas Cherry Spirals - Swirls of colour add drama and great taste to a cookie platter. If you prefer a green accent, use green colouring and cherries.

Golden Ginger Folk - Let the kids decorate these little people to their hearts' content with Royal Icing.

Shortbread Stars - Buttery and flaky — what more is needed to describe this perfect shortbread?

White Chocolate Almond Macaroons - Light golden and crisp outside, chewy and white inside, these cookies are the perfect show-offs for a natural pairing of flavours.

Crispy Rice Pops - Carol Gooding of Toronto says these crisp and colourful creations are the first to disappear from her bake sale table.

Chocolate Hazelnut Tassies - These tiny tarts feature tender pastry and rich chocolate filling — as good as candy!

Cranberry Almond Bars - Dotted with chopped red berries and white nuts, these make toothsome taste treats that look great, too.

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