Trace on tissue paper. Then cut pattern from cardboard. Place greased pattern on dough. Cut around it with a sharp knife. Other cooky patterns can be made in same way. [Illustration] To make “dancing” Gingerbread boys ... bend the legs and arms into “action” positions when you place them on baking sheet (as shown in small figures above). Packing cookies successfully for mailing =1= Select heavy box, lined with waxed paper. Use plenty of filler (crushed wrapping or tissue paper, or unbuttered popcorn or Cheerios). =2= Wrap each cooky separately ... in waxed paper. Or place cookies back-to-back in pairs ... then wrap each pair. [Illustration] =3= Pad bottom of box with filler. Fit wrapped cookies into box closely, in layers. =4= Use filler between layers to prevent crushing of cookies. [Illustration] =5= Cover with paper doily, add card, and pad top with crushed paper. Pack tightly so contents will not shake around. =6= Wrap box tightly with heavy paper and cord. Address plainly with permanent ink ... covering address with Scotch tape or colorless nail polish. Mark the box plainly: “PERISHABLE.” [Illustration: Festive Christmas Cookies ★ 1 Sandbakelser ★ 2 Spritz Rosettes ★ 3 Merry Christmas Cookies, Trees, Stars, etc. ★ 4 Nurnberger ★ 5 Almond Crescents ★ 6 Lebkuchen ★ 7 Scotch Shortbread ★ 8 Berliner Kranser ★ 9 Finska Kakor ★ 10 Russian Tea Cakes] [Sidenote: Gay shapes ... for holiday cheer.] MERRY CHRISTMAS COOKIES ( (KEY) Recipe) _Soft, cushiony cookies, dark or light._ DARK DOUGH.... _For animal shapes, toy shapes, and boy and girl figures._ Mix together thoroughly ... ⅓ cup soft shortening ⅓ cup brown sugar 1 egg ⅔ cup molasses Sift together and stir in ... 2¾ cups _sifted_ GOLD MEDAL Flour 1 tsp. soda 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ginger Chill dough. Roll out thick (¼″). Cut into desired shapes. Place 1″ apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake until, when touched lightly with finger, no imprint remains. When cool, ice and decorate as desired. TEMPERATURE: 375° (quick mod. oven). TIME: Bake 8 to 10 min. AMOUNT: About 5 doz. 2½″ cookies. LIGHT DOUGH _For bells, stockings, stars, wreaths, etc._ Follow (KEY) recipe for Dark Dough above _except_ substitute honey for molasses, and granulated sugar for brown. Use 1 tsp. vanilla in place of cinnamon and ginger. TO HANG ON CHRISTMAS TREE Just loop a piece of green string and press ends into the dough at the top of each cooky before baking. Bake with string-side _down_ on pan. [Illustration] TO DECORATE Use recipe for Decorating Icing (p. 31) (thin the icing for spreading). For decorating ideas, see picture on preceding page. Sugar in coarse granules for decorating is available at bakery supply houses. STARS [Illustration] Cover with white icing. Sprinkle with sky blue sugar. WREATHS [Illustration]