Opry Crowd Falls for Lainey Wilson’s Playful Take on “Christmas Cookies”
Grand Ole Opry member Lainey Wilson brought plenty of holiday cheer to the Opry stage with a lively and feel-good cover of Christmas Cookies, the beloved seasonal classic made famous by George Strait.
Written by Aaron Barker, “Christmas Cookies” was first recorded by Strait for the 1999 compilation A Country Christmas before later appearing on his 2011 album Christmas Time: 15 Holiday Favorites. Over the years, the song has become a holiday staple, with covers from artists like The Oak Ridge Boys, Drake Milligan, and Wilson herself.
Wilson has had a long-standing connection to the tune. Back in 2021, she shared a cozy “visualizer” video of her rendition featuring her beloved dog, Hippie Mae, and later that same year delivered a charming performance during the CMA Country Christmas television special.
She brought the song back home on December 10, 2025, during one of the Opry’s festive Opry Country Christmas shows. Fresh off being named CMA Entertainer of the Year, Wilson stepped onto the stage dressed for the occasion in a bold green ensemble—bell-bottoms included—paired with a fluffy jacket and her signature black cowboy hat.
Her upbeat, joyful delivery had the Opry audience smiling from the first note to the last, turning the performance into a true holiday highlight for those in attendance.
A Festive Season Filled With Memorable Performances
Wilson’s version of “Christmas Cookies” also appears on her holiday EP Peace, Love, and Cowboys (Holiday Edition), which features three tracks: a festive rework of “Peace, Love, and Cowboys,” “Christmas Cookies,” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
The final track is a virtual duet with the late Bing Crosby, blending his iconic vocals with Wilson’s for a modern holiday twist. An animated music video was released to accompany the duet, adding even more seasonal charm.
Wilson also helped officially kick off the holidays with a standout appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing her No. 1 hit “Somewhere Over Laredo” before closing with the holiday version of “Peace, Love, and Cowboys.” Fans praised the performance as the perfect transition into Christmas and the New Year.
A joyful season, a classic song, and Lainey Wilson’s unmistakable charm—holiday magic, Opry style. 🎄✨
