For many of us, that means baking ... gift-ready cookie mixes packaged in reusable glass mason jars. Send them to your friend who appreciates artisanal, small-batch sweets. A foolproof kit ...

Or maybe it’s because we are conditioned to bake during the holiday season and butter is nearly always on sale. It could also be that this year’s crop of baking books is too good to pass up.

From a nimble rolling pin to durable cookie cutters and bright food coloring, here are the cookie-related essentials we recommend to make holiday baking fun and stress-free. Whetstone Woodenware ...

The holiday ... baking dish; refrigerate until set. With the emphasis on fiber and healthy eating, you could put together a bean soup mix. This makes 19 cups so would be enough for 8 gifts.