Often when I sit down to write these columns, I check the National Days website to give me an idea of what interesting topics are celebrated on or near the time of my column.

I feel I’ve hit the jackpot for this week.

I found two great celebrations happening today: National Bake Cookies Day as well as National Muffin Day.

How appropriate as we close in on the holidays.

Desserts are my favorite part of the holidays, and are often a part of holiday traditions.

I remember my grandma making certain desserts and it brings to mind good memories whenever I see or eat those things.

She used to make a cranberry oatmeal-type bar that was so yummy. I’ve tried to make them a few times and they don’t taste quite like when she made them, but it does make me smile thinking about her.

She also used to make a butterscotch pie during the holidays and I would always pinch the toasted tips of the merengue off and eat them. I try to refrain from that now whenever I make butterscotch pie, but sometimes, I bring it to Christmas dinner with a few tips missing.

Try to think about some desserts that spark memories.

Desserts are also a good way to make new memories and traditions.

My kiddos enjoy baking cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Sometimes I cheat and use refrigerated dough depending on how busy we are, but the kids love to put the freshly-baked cookies on the plate for Santa (and sneak a few cookies, too).

There was one year I hadn’t planned to make cookies. I was going to use pre-packaged cookies and the kids looked at me like I had two heads.

Apparently, the tradition of making cookies meant more to them than I had realized so I had to stop and get together the ingredients to make cookies from scratch because Santa needed fresh cookies.

I had created a tradition and didn’t even realize it.

Here are a few recipes that may be holiday-tradition-worthy (my daughter loves the monster cookies).

Contact the extension office for more recipes or information on family relations.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at 859-744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.