Quintessential Christmas cookie?

I was thinking of baking something for the young man who does garden work for me.
He is American and I would like to make something he might have enjoyed in the past and that he can share with his little girl.
From what I have read over the years Americans do not like fruit cakes, and therefore probably don’t like mince pies either.
So I’m seeking ideas for a cookie that might be traditional in some way.

Americans …….. probably don’t like mince pies either.

They liked this recipe - https://www.delish.com/uk/food-news/a30 ... ie-recipe/

[Robin Garr]

I think many Americans would find a mince pie unfamiliar, Barb. Whether they liked it might be a random thing.

I'm having a hard time thinking of a truly typical Christmas cookie in my life. Shortbreads? Gingerbread persons? Sugar cookies dusted with red or green colored sugar?

Every country is diverse but the US is especially diverse, with so many different countries' traditions being filtered through our culture.

So if you want to bake something that is going to tap into his own childhood/nostalgia, I'm afraid the only reliable way is to ask about his childhood family traditions. It might ruin the surprise but it will point you in the right direction.

[Jenise]

Yup, what Rahsaan said. In many cases, Christmas cookies here are about shapes--candy canes, Christmas trees, etc--things cut out with a cookie cutter and frosted. I relate to those as well as cookies with jam prints, shortbreads, and those powder-sugar dusted mounds with pecans that some call Russian tea cookies but have, I think, a more holiday-oriented name at this time of year. God knows what, though.

Peanut butter shortbread cookies with a Hershey's kiss planted in the top.

Gingerbread persons are for children. (Unless the gingerbread is made with Guinness, in which case we should talk outside.)

[Jenise]

Oh, and some Americans do love fruit cake! I'm one of them. But you're right it's not as cemented in tradition here--so many different ethnicities in our melting pot, and then the fruit cake jokes have made them uncool.

Gingerbread persons are for children.

Maybe. That does make me think of my youth and I wonder how widespread that 'tradition' is.

Nonetheless, gingerbread is such a broad genre that can be made in many forms and (with or without Guinness) is not just for kids!

Thanks everyone, I think I’ll go with nuts and chocolates!
If I get around to making spice cookies ill make a gingerbread small person for his little girl.