Heres an easy way to make cute favors for a holiday party. These candy-filled cookie cutters also make charming, yet inexpensive, Christmas gifts.

Youll need some holiday cookie cutters in a variety of shapes, candy melts in different flavors and colors (available from stores that carry candy making supplies) or baking chips in several flavors (peanut butter, milk-chocolate, mint, white chocolate, etc.), colored sprinkles, colored sugar, clear cello bags, gold twist ties or colored ribbon.

First, line a large cookie sheet or jellyroll pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set the cookie cutters (face down) onto the cookie sheet, a few inches apart.

Next, melt one flavor or color of candy melt (or baking chip) according to the directions on the package, then pour the melted candy into the cookie cutter. Fill the cutter to the top and use a knife or small spoon to make sure the melted candy is distributed evenly inside the cookie cutter. Immediately sprinkle some colored sugar or candy sprinkles over the melted candy in the cookie cutter.

Repeat the process, using as many different colors and flavors of candy as you wish. When all the cookie cutters have been filled, put the cookie sheet in the refrigerator and leave it there until the candy in all of the cutters has hardened.

Remove each cutter from the cookie sheet. Scrape off any candy that might have stuck to the outside of the cutters. Package each candy- filled cutter in a clear cello bag (available at crafts stores). Close the top of each cello bag with a gold twist tie or a piece of colored ribbon.

Variations:

Instead of candy melts or baking chips, use your favorite recipe for fudge or peppermint bark and pour the mixture into the cookie cutters and let it harden.

Use different cookie cutters for different holidays and events - heart- shaped cutters for Valentine's Day, or bunny-shaped or egg-shaped cutters for Easter, for example.

Suzanne Lieurance

Suzanne Lieurance is a children's author, freelance writer, and owner of the Three Angels Gourmet Co. She also teaches children's writing for the Institute of Children's Literature based in West Redding, Connecticut. Lieurance is the author of 12 published books for children and has written articles for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and ezines like Family-Fun, Kansas City Weddings, Instructor Magazine, New Moon for Girls, Children's Writer, and many others. As the owner of the Three Angels Gourmet Co., Lieurance offers daily food tips at the Three Angels blog and her "heavenly gourmet mixes" are available at gourmet food stores and gift shops across the country and online at Three Angels Gourmet. Find out more about her books and her other writing at her website. Email her about writing assignments, conference presentations, or author visits at suzannelieurance@hotmail.com