(Family Features) - Some people may have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads during this time of year, but I have other sweet things on my mind. It's such a fun time of year to bake cakes, breads and cookies and share them with friends and family! Here are a few ways you can celebrate the season by baking:

Host a Cookie Exchange - This is a great way to bring different families together for an afternoon or evening of fun. Everyone brings at least a dozen of their favorite holiday cookies to share. Then they can all create their own delectable cookie plate from all the yummy treats available. 

Have a Family Baking Night - Get everyone involved in the holiday fun by baking up some special cookies together. Let the kids help make some simple sugar cookies, and then set out a bunch of toppings like sprinkles, chocolate morsels, colored sugars and frostings. Everyone can express their inner artist and create their own cookie masterpiece.

Make a Special Plate for Santa - Santa does work up an appetite on his big night, so putting out a plate of cookies is a good idea. You can use a special Christmas plate, one of your own pretty dishes, or even let the kids make one by decorating a paper plate with pictures and messages for Santa. Giving him some of these chocolate-studded Mini Chip Snowball Cookies will certainly put a smile on his face!

For more sweet, seasonal cookie recipes, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com.