Holiday cookies are something everyone-no matter what you’re celebrating-can enjoy. Ginger cookies are simple, elegant and delicious, and they won’t make you pack on the pounds like those heavy pies, whipped creams and pastries. Bring in the holidays (and the snow), with these simple entertaining staples. You can also put them into lined decorative tins and give them away as gifts.

Ginger Cookies (adapted from Better Homes and Gardens)Makes: about 4 dozen cookiesTime: about an hourIngredients:1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened2 cups granulated sugar2 eggs1/2 cup honey4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour2 tsp. baking soda4 tsp. ground ginger1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. ground cloves1/2 cup sugar, for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until soft and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Beat in honey.

3. In a smaller mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients. Mix well.

4. Place teaspoon-sized balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Sprinkle sugar over top. Bake about 10 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown and puffed.