The warmest Christmas traditions are those that produce lifelong memories, habits that your children will want to share with their children. Somehow, Christmas memories often include a sweet treat - hot cocoa, candy canes, popcorn garlands and cookies.

Adult supervision is always recommended when letting children cook, but as a mother I always encourage teaching cooking as early as possible. My 2-year-old will be making cookies for the first time this year, and my 6-month-old will watch from his bouncer. There are many, many cookie recipes for children, but I have selected some of the best for individual age groups.

Caryn Murray is a mother and frugal food shopper

At this age, a child should already be

familiar and comfortable with using a stove and an oven, so the options are less limited. Naturally, supervision is still required but the best thing about making Christmas cookies is doing so together.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 package cake mix (any flavor, I recommend chocolate)

1/2 cup softened margarine or butter

1 egg

2 tablespoons water (if using chocolate cake mix)

1 cup chocolate chips or 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Blend all ingredients using a beaters or whisk if you prefer the old fashioned way. Once the ingredients are well blended and the mixer(s) have been licked clean, drop rounded spoonfuls of the batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 9 to 12 minutes.

Optional: Use your favorite frosting to decorate or to make cookie sandwiches.

Snickerdoodles

1 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups oats

Sprinkles:

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease two or more cookie sheets. While one person creams together the butter with the sugar and the brown sugar until light and fluffy, another mixes the eggs and the vanilla. Combine these mixtures together.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour with two teaspoons of cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

Blend these ingredients, into the butter mixture and then add the oats. One person then drops onto the cookie sheets while the other mixes the 2 teaspoons of sugar with the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, then sprinkles this mixture onto the cookies.

Bake for 7 to 10 minutes.

At this age, children love to help cook but may still be a bit nervous around stoves and ovens. It's a good idea to encourage this age group to use these kitchen appliances, but if they are uncomfortable, they can be put in charge of the stirring and cleaning of the spatula.

Peanut Butter Brownie Bites

1 package of brownie mix

1/3 cup hot water

1/4 cup oil

1 egg

Miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Help your child crack the eggs, or let them crack the eggs into a separate bowl to clean out any broken shells. Allow child to blend all ingredients while you line muffin pan with paper liners. Let your child(ren) fill the paper lined muffin cups, each only halfway full and then press mini peanut butter cup into each cup. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Easy, No Bake Crispy Cookies

1/2 cup peanut

butter

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup orange juice concentrate

1 1/2 cup dry milk

4 cups rice crispy cereal (name brand or generic)

A child can stir together all ingredients and then roll into little balls.

These are really that easy to make, and rolling the dough is the best part (besides eating your creations.)

The earlier you teach a child to cook, the more self sufficient they will be as they grow older. A child as young as 2 can help with stirring, rolling the dough and cleaning the spatula. They just need you to be patient and show them how.

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

1 to 2 cups peanut butter

Several cups of powdered sugar

Powdered milk (optional)

You will need to mix the peanut butter with enough powdered sugar (and powdered milk, if you choose) to form a dough that can be rolled and formed into balls. Once you have the dough, sit down with child and let them help you roll into balls (about 1-inch big) and then roll around in more powdered sugar before putting onto a cookie sheet.

Keep stored in the fridge for snacks.