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Welcome to a special early Christmas edition of This is TODAY! With the holiday approaching this weekend, we’re offering last-minute recipe ideas and expert-approved gifts for those last few people on your list. Plus, tips for keeping your tree in great shape and your pets safe, as well as fun new traditions to start with loved ones to get you in the Christmas spirit.

But first, the news ...

The House Jan. 6 committee met yesterday to finalize its plans to issue at least three referrals asking the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against former President Donald Trump related to the Capitol riot, NBC News has learned. Argentina won its first World Cup title since 1986 by defeating France on penalty kicks in a thriller yesterday after the two teams were tied 3-3. Cecily Strong said goodbye to "Saturday Night Live" after 11 seasons with her final episode. American tourists are stranded in Machu Picchu amid violent protests in the wake of political crisis in Peru. Plus, New York has banned pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits starting in 2024, instead having them work with shelters to offer rescued or abandoned animals up for adoption. 

🍪 From gingerbread to peppermint: 52 of the best holiday cookie recipes

When it comes to the food at Christmas, we’re with Santa Claus: The cookies are the best part. Have yourself a holiday cookie party with these 52 cookie recipes from all around the country. From Maine Needhams to Alabama Lane cake cookie sandwiches, we have all the sweet and savory treats you need to satisfy your cravings. Just make sure to leave a few extras for St. Nick. See the recipes.

🎁 Don't panic! There's still time to find the best and most affordable last-minute gifts.

Don't spend the last week before Christmas agonizing over "What am I going to get that person?" Let our Shop TODAY experts help with gifts for everyone: grandmas, Secret Santa, Gen Z, stocking stuffers, gag gifts — you name it, we got it. And if your wallet is running on fumes, we have 27 last-minute Amazon gifts you can shop right now, plus deals from Target and other retailers for $30 or less. See all of our Shop TODAY gift guides here. 

Start a new Christmas tradition with these 25 ideas.   

Whether it’s decorating a gingerbread house with the kids or watching Uncle Floyd snoring on the recliner in the middle of the family party, some Christmas traditions are timeless. If you’re looking to add a new one this year, we have 25 ideas for the whole family that can also be done in the days leading up to Christmas. Simple activities like painting sugar cookies, giving out awards or buying new ornaments can become new ways for your family to celebrate the season. And we promise — your new tradition won't be one the kids admit they hated when they get older. 

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

If you want your Christmas tree to last into 2023 without looking like it belongs to Charlie Brown, we have 7 tips from experts that will keep you breathing in that Christmas-y scent well past New Year’s. These tricks also apply to anyone running out to snag a last-minute tree, since half the battle is avoiding certain pitfalls when selecting one. If you have pets, keeping animals safe around the tree and avoiding any Clark Griswold-Aunt Bethany cat situations is a must. We also have tips from a veterinarian on how to ensure your furry friends enjoy the holidays safely, too. 

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Um, a little help here? A 1-year-old boy who was taught American Sign Language by his parents did not know this strange man with the beard and red suit ... and he wanted outta there. Samuel Spencer used ASL to sign "help" to his parents while sitting in Santa's lap, shooting them a look that said, "Is anyone seeing this?" Samuel, who is a teenager now, passed on the in-person visits after getting a little stranger danger from Ol' St. Nick. "Poor buddy didn't love Santa very much, ever really," his mom told us. "So we didn't try to get him to go much after that." 

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See you again tomorrow morning.

Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield

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