You rush to the living room and crouch by the Christmas tree. Its lights sparkle like snow in the moonlight. "Okay," you whisper, "if they're heading for the Candy Cane Express, I'll stop them right here." You pause for a second. Wait—what is the Candy Cane Express? A train made of candy? A cookie carpool? You have no idea, but you're determined to stop it anyway. You grab a roll of wrapping ribbon and stretch it across the tree skirt like a shiny trap. Then you sprinkle a few chocolate chips for bait. Mom would say you're making a mess. But this is gingerbread warfare. Moments later, you hear tiny footsteps. The cookies charge in formation, dragging their spoon and chanting, "Freedom for Frosting!" They spot the chocolate chips and run toward them—right into your trap! The ribbon tightens, and the cookies tumble into a tangled heap. "Retreat! We've been ribboned!" one cries. You grin in victory and reach down to scoop them up. But the cookies throw up their little doughy hands and shout, "Please, don't eat us!" You freeze. They look up at you with frosting-smeared faces and gumdrop-buttoned chests heaving from the chase.