I used to give big trays of Christmas cookies as gifts every year.
Here are some of my faves: Date-nut pinwheels, Lemon-cheese spritz cookies, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, Viennese Crescents (like Russian Tea Cakes), homemade fudge, and candy canes. I also tried one new cookie every year. Some made the cut...and some didn't.
Nuts, candies, or dried fruits make a nice garnish. If you add a few apple slices around the edges before you cover with plastic wrap, the cookie will stay nice and moist. Just don't over-do it, or they will get too soggy.
I also made some a really good fruitcake. I know how much fun people make of it, but it can be heavenly.