On Thursday, December 4, Great American Cookies, the only brand endorsed by Santa Claus, will provide a free original chocolate chip cookie to customers who stop by participating stores wearing Santa hats. Just in case you don't have an extra Santa hat in your closet this holiday, a downloadable cut and paste hat can be found on the Great American Cookies Facebook page: www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies.

"Cookie companies have been asking me to be their spokesman for a thousand years. I always told my agent I wouldn't do it unless it's a product I can truly get my sleigh behind, but Great American Cookies is the real deal," said Claus. "National Cookie Day is my second favorite day of the year (besides Christmas of course), and I'm inviting everyone to taste the wholesomeness of Great American Cookies in celebration."

During National Cookie month, Santa Claus made an early one-day only appearance to make a special public announcement. At a press conference held at a Great American Cookies location, Claus declared the brand as his favorite cookies of all time. Also in attendance was Mrs. Claus, who came clean about never actually baking her own cookies, but buying them from Great American Cookies instead. To view Santa's announcement, click here.

"Great American Cookies is all about sharing the fun and merriment of National Cookie Day and now that we have Santa's support, we couldn't be jollier," said David Kaiser, vice president, Great American Cookies. "We celebrate cookies year round, but this holiday season we'd also like to remind people that Great American Cookies make great gifts for friends and family and Cookie Cakes for all holiday gatherings – much tastier than fruit cakes and figgy pudding."

For more information about Great American Cookies and store locations, visit www.greatamericancookies.com, follow Great American Cookies' national Twitter handle, @Gr8AmCookies, or become a fan of the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies.