[1] The earliest examples of Christmas cookies in the United States were brought by the Dutch in the early 17th century.

These imported cookie cutters often depicted highly stylised images with subjects designed to hang on Christmas trees.

The cookies are often cut into the shape of candy canes, reindeer, holly leaves, Christmas trees, stars, or angels.

Gingerbread has existed in some form since sugars and spices were brought back to Europe, from soldiers in the Crusades.

Pepparkakor are crisp, thin gingersnap biscuits from Sweden, traditionally cut out in flower and heart shapes.

[4] Pfeffernüsse originate in Scandinavia and date from medieval times when spices were used exclusively in holiday baking.

Springerle have been traditional Christmas cookies in south Germany (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg) and Austria for centuries.