People Are Putting Their Christmas Lights Back Up in March. Here's Why.

Every bit more and more Americans exercise social distancing and spend time at home, we've begun to see a new tendency that brings a smile to our face. Some folks are brightening their communities by putting holiday lights back up.

Craving a sweet treat? We love these Christmas lights cookies, too.

Why Are Christmas Lights Going upwardly Right Now?

While many of u.s. are typically hanging Easter decorations this time of year, Christmas lights are all the rage. Traditionally meant to spread cheer during the winter months, holiday lights are being put up all across the country as a reminder to stay positive. In that location's something about those twinkly little lights that automatically makes u.s.a. a little bit happier.

How Did This Thought Start?

Yous tin can thank Twitter for this great idea.

"What if nosotros all put our Christmas lights back up?" Lane Grindle, a play-by-play broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers, tweeted Sun. "And so nosotros could get in the car and drive around and look at them. That seems like a fair social distancing activity."

Only like that, an idea was born and Twitter users beyond the country started sharing photos of the holiday lights lifting the spirits of their friends, families and neighbors.

Audio On. Lights On. Hearts lifted. ❤️ We had our first confirmed case of #COVID19 in Cheatham Canton, Tennessee today. Our response is to be the light, and stay abode! #FlattenTheCurve y'all. Take yourself a Merry Piddling Quarantine. 🎄#CoronaVirusChallenge #christmaslights #beloved picture.twitter.com/HmkTCm5O2Q

— Brenda Sparks (@theatreartist) March 19, 2020

Today a few of my neighbours decided we needed a scrap more light in this nighttime fourth dimension and decided to turn their Christmas lights back on. I hope information technology brings a smile to you face like information technology did mine. motion-picture show.twitter.com/MukgY36FTj

— Nadine (@NadineGB204) March xviii, 2020

My youngest son was bored today and said, "can we put Christmas lights on our tree outside to cheer us upwardly?" Peachy thought buddy. Lights are on tonight every bit a sign of hope and the sweetness listen of my x yr one-time. #Rhodeisland #hope #lovemysons #Christmas #Cumberland pic.twitter.com/qhVjeuLc02

— Mike Griffin (@rhodyknowsbest) March 16, 2020

Looking for your own inspiration? These are our jolliest Christmas decorating ideas.

How You Tin Spread Cheer

With and then many people working from habitation, at present's the perfect time to dig out that box of Christmas lights. Even if yous don't get all out, a few strings of lights are sure to bring some joy to your community. Or, if you lot're like us, y'all never took them down in the showtime place, and so simply plug them back in.

Want to put your tree back up, too? Check out our decorating guide.

Bake some cheer with these Christmas cookie recipes.

Buttery Spritz Cookies

This tender spritz cookie recipe is very eye-catching on my Christmas cookie tray. The dough is piece of cake to work with, and then it's fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes. This is easily-down the best spritz cookie recipe e'er. —Beverly Launius, Sandwich, Illinois

Fill your kitchen with holiday cheer with this Christmas songs playlist.

Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Treats

Santa is sure to stop by your business firm if y'all go out these minty chocolate cookies waiting for him. They're quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio

Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies

Every time I brand these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors. —Kara Melt, Elk Ridge, Utah

Peppermint Stick Cookies

With cool mint flavour and a festive look, these whimsical creations will make you lot feel similar you're in the North Pole. The chilled dough is easy to shape, too. —Nancy Knapke, Fort Recovery, Ohio

Whipped Shortbread

These whipped shortbread cookies cook in your rima oris. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also gear up them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

These are my family's very favorite cookies. They're soft, chewy and totally delicious. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta

Raspberry Ribbons

I make these bonny, buttery cookies to serve at our remote guest lodge, and all the cooks in the kitchen are addicted to them! —Patsy Wolfenden, Gilt, British Columbia

Grandma Krause's Coconut Cookies

When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them kokosnoot cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe. —Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida

Eggnog Snickerdoodles

It simply wouldn't exist Christmas without these melt-in-your-oral cavity cookies on my platter! They have a lovely eggnog flavor and wait bully with their crunchy tops. The aroma while they bake is as delectable as their taste. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Frosted Cerise Velvet Cookies

During higher, my student job was in the bakery. These red velvet cookies take me back to that special place and fourth dimension. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota

Touch-of-Gilt Christmas Trees

Y'all tin decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don't have the aureate grit. The filling alone makes the cookies special and then succulent! —Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York

Colorful Candy Bar Cookies

No one will estimate these sugariness treats with the candy bar center start with store-bought dough. Roll them in colored sugar or just dip the tops for fifty-fifty faster assembly. Instead of using miniature candy bars for the centers, you tin likewise slice regular-size Snickers candy bars into i-inch pieces. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Giant Molasses Cookies

My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy molasses cookies are also dandy for shipping equally holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York

Holiday Almond Tassies

I brand so many of these fancy tassies, I use up a 7-pound container of almond paste every year! They're i of my family unit'due south holiday favorites. —Donna Westhouse, Dorr, Michigan

Rum Balls

Rum flavor comes through nicely in these traditional, no-bake rum assurance. I like to make a few dozen at a fourth dimension and give them to my neighbors for Christmas. —Audrey Larson, Bloomington, Minnesota

Gingerbread Men Cookies

No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread men cookies! This is a tried-and-truthful recipe I'1000 happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

Italian Sprinkle Cookies

Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies have some time, but, believe me, they are well worth information technology! My hubby and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York

Swirled Mint Cookies

No one volition believe that these rich and buttery cookies are light, but they are! With their colorful swirls, each one of these minty, sugary bites has its ain look. —Lois Loma, Thomasville, North Carolina

Yummy Cracker Snacks

These treats are my family unit's favorite. In fact, it seems no matter how many I make, they always disappear too presently! —D. Weaver, Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Peppermint Meltaways

This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I often cover a plate of these peppermint cookies with red or greenish plastic wrap and a bright vacation bow in one corner. And yes, they really do cook in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan

Snickerdoodles

The history of this whimsically named care for is widely disputed, but the popularity of this classic cinnamon-sugar-coated cookie is undeniable! —Gustatory modality of Home Test Kitchen

Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies

My family's all-fourth dimension favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Fiddling ones have fun making their own icing designs. — Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia

Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Cookies

These tempting fudgy cookies demand only five ingredients—what could be easier? The melt-in-your-rima oris goodies become over big with kids and brand a fantastic pick-me-up for adults. —Elaine Stephens, Carmel, Indiana

Vanilla Meringue Cookies

Want to larn how to brand meringues? This meringue cookie recipe creates low-cal, airy morsels. Information technology'due south the perfect fat-free care for to really beat a sweets craving. —Jenni Precipitous, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cookie Jar Gingersnaps

My grandma kept two cookie jars in her pantry. One of the jars, which I now have, always had these well-baked and chewy gingersnaps in it. They're nevertheless my favorite cookie recipe. My girl, Becky, used this recipe for a 4-H fair and won a blue ribbon. —Deb Handy, Pomona, Kansas

Rainbow Cookies

I always bake these cookies two weeks ahead. That allows plenty time for mellowing, leaving them moist and full of almond flavor. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York

Lemon Snowflakes

You'll need just four ingredients to make these delightful cookies. Confectioners' sugar highlights the croaky tops to give them their snowflake appearance. —Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Everyone who tries these dear gems is amazed that they utilise simply five ingredients. Blistering cookies doesn't get much easier than this. —Dee Davis, Lord's day City, Arizona

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

These sweet cookies feature white chocolate and cranberries for a delightful taste. They add a perfect holiday feel to whatever cookie tray. —Donna Beck, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

Vanilla-Butter Carbohydrate Cookies

These are one of my favorite cookies to broil for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile and yous tin use it for other holidays, besides. Children like to help with decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota

Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams

Because so many people seem to love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I came up with this no-bake cookie recipe.—Geraldine Sliwa, Elgin, Illinois

No-Bake Christmas Wreath Treats

Cornflakes take the identify of traditional rice cereal in these sweet no-bake Christmas cookies from our Exam Kitchen. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they're a fun addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste of Home Exam Kitchen

Pinwheel Cookies

These pretty pinwheel cookies have tempting swirly layers of orange and chocolate. I really mess up my kitchen whenever I bake a batch, simply the smiles on the faces of family and friends enjoying them arrive all worthwhile. — Paulette Morgan, Moorhead, Minnesota

Peanut Butter Christmas Mice

With their black licorice tails, processed noses and peanut ears, these chewy "mice" were ever a hit at classroom parties. My children are in their teens now, but they still ask me to brand these cookies for the holidays. —Nancy Rowse, Bella Vista, Arkansas

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

It is amazing how much flavor these simple 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies without dark-brown carbohydrate accept. I make them very ofttimes because I always have the ingredients on hand. —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

What fun! These double-chocolaty delights accept a surprise inside! Atop the chocolate cookie base, marshmallow peeks out nether chocolate icing. Kids dearest them! —June Formanek, Belle Plaine, Iowa

White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints

When I pass around the cookie tray, all eyes state on these fancy thumbprints. The white chocolate filling and dab of precious stone-toned jam will satisfy the most discriminating sweet molar. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Butterfinger Cookies

These cracking cookies don't last long—make a double batch! —Ballad Kitchens, Ridgeland, Mississippi

Candy Cane Snowballs

I bake dozens of kinds of Christmas cookies to give to family and friends. I came up with this recipe when I had leftover processed canes. Nosotros dip the snowballs into a white candy coating, then into crushed peppermint candy. —Debby Anderson, Stockbridge, Georgia

Coffee Shortbread

You'll be remembered for these cookies when you serve them for a forenoon coffee or at a gathering. Melted chips drizzled on top make them look fancy, but they're and so easy to make. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois

Mom's Buttermilk Cookies

I treasure my female parent's recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California

Ice Cream Kolachkes

These sweet pastries take Polish and Czech roots and tin besides be spelled "kolaches." They are commonly filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture. The ice cream is a unique twist on traditional kolachkes, and it's simplest to use a square cookie cutter to cutting the dough. —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio

Butter Mint Cookies

These fragile mint cookies were a large hit when I made them for a political party at work. —Anita Epitropou, Zion, Illinois

Crepitation Cookies

Because these cookies crack on top, my granddaughter thinks I brand a mistake when I bake them—until she takes a bite! They're very close to my Mama'south wonderful chocolate cookie recipe. —Ruth Cain, Hartselle, Alabama

Molasses Cookies with a Kick

Here's my become-to combination of ingredients for the best spice cookies. They're a natural for autumn, but I make them all year long. My mom says they're her favorite! —Tamara Rau, Medina, North Dakota

Lemon-Butter Spritz Cookies

This recipe makes a lot of terrific cookies! It's great for Christmas when all the kids and grandkids visit. They can assist decorate the cookies-non to mention help eat them! —Paula Pelis, Rocky Signal, New York

Mountain Cookies

I've been making these deliciously different cookies for about 11 years. My kids especially like the creamy coconut filling. Whenever I take these cookies, people ask for the recipe. You'll exist hard-pressed to consume simply one! —Jeanne Adams, Richmond, Vermont

Eggnog Cookies

This cookie's flavour fits right into the holiday spirit—pick your favorite cookie cutter shapes to make them even more than festive! —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Butter Cookies

This smashing butter cookie recipe is a favorite of my nephews, who love the creamy frosting. —Ruth Griggs, South Colina, Virginia

Dipped Gingersnaps

I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these soft, chewy cookies. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Hashemite kingdom of jordan, Utah

Italian Christmas Cookies

A unmarried batch of these ricotta cheese cookies is never plenty. I usually make 1 to requite abroad and ii more than to keep at home. The ricotta cheese makes the morsels extra moist. —Doris Marshall, Strasburg, Pennsylvania

Scottish Shortbread

Scottish settlers first came to this area over 150 years ago. My mother herself was Scottish, and—as with nigh of my favorite recipes—she passed this shortbread recipe on to me. I make a triple batch of it each yr at Christmas, to savour and as gifts. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

I packed chocolate fries, raisins, nuts and cinnamon into my oatmeal cookie recipe. These soft

Chocolate Snowball Cookies

These dainty cookies just melt in your mouth. I savor making them for go-togethers when in that location are lots of people around to relish them. —Mary Lou Welsh, Hinsdale, Illinois

Cream Wafers

My sons used to help me brand these cookies, and at present my oldest granddaughter helps. When the smaller grandchildren are home, they assist, too. The cute footling sandwich cookies are tender, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth good! —Linda Clinkenbeard, Vincennes, Indiana

Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

My mom ever brightened my tiffin with these yummy cookies. —Tammy Orr, Wharton, New Jersey

Peppermint Biscotti

Dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candy, these flavorful biscotti are a favorite. They are among the many sweets I make for Christmas. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania

Ruby-red Kiss Cookies

Topped with a chocolate osculation, these cherry-flavored cookies wait super cute on a dessert tray. Share them with family unit and friends. —Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin

Cinnamon Saccharide Cookies

My mom ever had these cookies on manus. They're so skilful with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or milk. —Leah Costigan, Otto, Due north Carolina

Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies

Rich and buttery Christmas cutout cookies like these never last long at a political party. They're one of my favorite bootleg Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to gloat the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri

Pumpkin Chip Cookies

These golden cakelike cookies are my favorite, especially around the holidays. They disappear speedily from my dessert trays. The subtle pumpkin and cinnamon flavors pair nicely with chocolate chips. —Tami Burroughs, Salem, Oregon

Dipped Cherry Cookies

Our seven children and four grandkids voted this festive, flavorful cookie a "keeper." We gave a batch to our postal service carrier, in cheers for trudging through and so much snow, and she asked for the recipe. —Ruth Anne Dale, Titusville, Pennsylvania

Pecan Goody Cups

These miniature tarts feature whole pecans, a caramel-like filling, and a butter and foam cheese chaff that melts right in your mouth. —Janice Hose, Hagerstown, Maryland

Cranberry Swirl Biscotti

A friend of mine, who is known for her excellent cookies, shared this recipe with me. The mix of cranberries and cherry preserves is so refreshing. —Lisa Kilcup, Gig Harbor, Washington

Pinwheels and Checkerboards

My mom used to make these cookies every Christmas, and I yet beloved them. They are so colorful...and you can get two kinds of cookies from one dough! They're perfect for including in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland

Winning Cranberry Chip Cookies

Clogged of cranberries, chocolate chips and basics, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a alter of stride from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't await until December to make them. My family unit requests them all yr-round. —Betty Albee, Buhl, Idaho

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

My group of friends had a weekly "movie nighttime" during winters on Martha's Vineyard, and nosotros'd accept turns making a chocolate treat to share. These terrific cookies were an instant success. Once they debuted, I had to make them many more times. —Laura Bryant German, W. Warren, Massachusetts

Grandma Brubaker's Orange Cookies

At least two generations of my family have enjoyed the recipe for these frail, orangish-flavored, cakelike cookies. —Sheri DeBolt, Huntington, Indiana

Cuccidati

The compliments make these Sicilian cookies worth the effort. Information technology'south the best recipe I've found! —Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York

Cherry Christmas Slices

Brilliant carmine and green candied cherries add actress sparkle to these delicious vacation delights. What I actually similar all-time is that this recipe's piece of cake to mix upwards ahead of time. In fact, I've often made the dough in November and kept information technology in the freezer until I needed it in December! —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota

Go Bananas Whoopie Pies

I love anything with peanut butter, so when I saw this recipe for soft banana cookies with a yummy peanut butter filling, I had to make them. Utilise a cookie scoop to go on them nicely rounded and all the aforementioned size. —Jessie Sarrazin, Livingston, Montana

Chocolate Coconut Neapolitans

These yummy striped cookies with a chocolaty twist are easy and fun to make, only they exercise need some time in the freezer. —Lena Marie Brownell, Rockland, Massachusetts

Pecan Meltaways

This sweet, nutty pecan meltaways recipe is a tradition in our house at Christmastime, but the treats are delightful whatever fourth dimension of the yr. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Eggnog Thumbprints

These cute cookie bites e'er get a recipe request. They make special holiday gifts and freeze well, likewise.— Mary Ann Ludwig, Edwardsville, Illinois

Almond Chocolate Biscotti

My neighbors look forward to getting my gifts of these chocolate-covered cookies. I beloved that this chocolate biscotti recipe is such a cinch to brand. —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/christmas-lights-march/

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