Here's an old recipe, from the ShenandoahValley, USA.  

Melt a cup of butter, pour it over two cups of sugar in a bowl, and cream together. Add four eggs, and beat into the mixture. Sift a teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt into three cups of flour. Combine into the other mixture and allow to stand for an hour in a cool place. 

Roll out thinly (adding more flour if necessary). Cut out shapes, then sprinkle white sugar over them and bake in a moderately hot oven.  

It then says: "These cookies were commonly offered to groups of Belsnickers when they visited during the Christmas holiday season" ...

I have no idea what or who Belsnicklers are, and I don't want to look it up as that will spoil the magic! You make some, and see if any Belsnicklers come by, ok?

PS I made loads even halving the ingredients, and I used light brown sugar with the butter, and added ginger, cinnamon and mixed spice. And no white sugar, which I believe is icing sugar in the UK.