It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I’m not just talking about the trees and garland that went up the day after Halloween. Aside from the snowflakes, the music and all that red and green, you can tell Santa’s on his way because of all the cookies.

They’re gracing plenty of magazine covers. Special all-cookie issues are devoted just to them. And for every one holiday cookie cookbook, there have got to be at least 10 more that aren’t so ’tis the season.

For most of us, cookies at Christmas make creative garnishes, treats for guests or fun swaps with friends. Any other time, our obsession with cookies–with a side of a tall, cold glass of milk–makes us feel like a kid again.

But for people like Gretchen Holt Witt, cookies have taken on a hopeful new meaning. Gretchen and her husband, Larry, founded Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research, inspired by their 3-year-old son Liam’s own battle with the disease.

It began innocently enough–with a bake sale. But when volunteers raised more than $400,000 in just a matter of weeks, the sweet event took on even greater meaning. Now, almost four years later, though the Witts lost their son, their commitment to cancer research–and cookies–remains as strong.

Since cookies are a hot topic right now, you could always host a bake sale to help support this good cause. Or if holiday schedules are a little too hectic for that right now, there are some easy ways you can make a difference this Christmas.

If you’ve got a baker on your list who’s been especially nice this year, treat him or her to an OXO Be A Good Cookie Spatula. At just $7, it makes a thoughtful stocking stuffer, or paired with a cookbook (especially the organization’s Best Bake Sale Cookbook), a fun and functional gift. OXO will donate proceeds to $100,000 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

If you and your pals are avid Facebookers, Glad is offering you a way to help support this cause with a just click of the mouse or tap of the touchpad. For every virtual cookie given, Glad will donate $0.10 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. To learn more, visit facebook.com/glad and click on “Glad Cookie Exchange.” The goal is to share 1 million cookies.