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Excited to share our 2022 Christmas Cookie Box. This post is complete with my best tips and tricks to help you create the perfect cookie box at home! This year’s box is filled to the top with all of our most favorite Christmas cookies and bars. Some new favorites mixed in with oldies, but goodies! There are a few classics, like sugar cookies, fun snickerdoodles, and my favorite, gingerbread latte cookies. And then, Christmas monster cookies and the cutest little tree light cookies, plus a handful more. We’re packing up only the very BEST cookies and sweets this holiday season. If there is one gift on everyone’s list, it’s a homemade cookie box!
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull this year’s box off, but it is here. And I love it the most of all my cookie boxes. But it is crazy how many I have made at this point.
This is year SIX of what I think is possibly my most exciting post of the year. I’m not sure, you all tell me, do you look forward to this box all year? I started brainstorming the box’s “look” back in November, planning the recipes, and testing them. I’ve been excited to share ever since!
I feel like so many of you have come to love this post. It’s one of my favorite posts too! Cookie boxes are so fun and they really do make the best gift. Whether you’re packaging them up for shipping or bringing them as a hostess gift, we can all appreciate a cookie box! They never get returned!
You can see my previous holiday cookie boxes from 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. But as with every new year, I wanted to make this one even more special. A little bigger, and hopefully my best yet!
This Christmas I’m all about vintage Christmas vibes. Everything from the colors, to the ornaments, to even some of the recipes I’m sharing.
It all started with a couple rolls of wrapping paper that inspired all these vintage vibes. I actually layered them underneath my cookie box and I loved the way it turned out.
A lot like last year’s box, this year’s box is in keeping with my “easy cookies” theme that I’m full-on embracing. When it comes to holiday baking, I like to mostly keep the recipes simple. Nothing too fancy or overly complicated. Holiday baking should be fun and stress-free!
I made all my favorites, easy, but oh-so-delicious cookies + a new peanut bar I’m excited to share! All the details, including my updated tips and tricks, are below!
How to choose your cookies
When choosing your cookies, be sure to pick cookies/desserts, that will hold up well in shipping. I like to choose cookies that are of different shapes and sizes. I find it’s nice to have a little variety in the box instead of looking through a bunch of circle cookies.
As for how many cookies to include in your box? It depends on the year and how much time I have allowed for creating my boxes, but I bake anywhere from 4 to 8 different cookies and then divide them between boxes. This year I did eight different cookies and made a nice size box.
With that said, my box is large. Many of you will most likely be using smaller boxes. If that’s the case, just go with four to six of your favorite cookies.
All the cookies used in my 2022 Holiday Cookie Box:
Soft Gingerbread Latte Cookies with Brown Butter Icing
Chewy Frosted Cinnamon Swirl Snickerdoodles
Easy Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
Easy Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies
Salted Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars (coming next week!)
Other cookies that would be great too!
Slice n’ Bake Salted Chocolate Butter Pecan Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies
Chewy Brown Sugar Maple Cookies
Brown Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Blondies
Step one: get a sturdy box
The box you use to package your cookies is very important, especially if you’re shipping cookies overnight. You’ll want to choose a sturdy box that can handle shipping. I love using a heavy-duty cardboard box, think something like a nice hatbox. Then I like to add cardboard ornament dividers. Or simply make your own using cardboard from old Amazon packages, which is what I did for this year’s box. Dividers keep each cookie separate from one other. If you have a wooden box and are just gifting to someone close to home, that’s great too!
If you’re looking to order a box, I found this cute Christmas box set and this cute set. There’s also this box with cute Christmas designs. Or if you’re looking for a simpler design, these are nice too, but a little smaller. Or I love these cute boxes too!!
Lastly, these cookie boxes are pretty adorable too. I recommend smaller treats for this box though!
Any of these boxes are the perfect size for gifting and will fit four to six different cookies. These boxes are great for dropping off to neighbors and gifting to family and friends in town. If you plan to ship your box, I’d recommend putting the cookie box inside a sturdier box. Be sure to use bubble wrap or packing paper to secure the box. This will ensure that none of your cookies get banged around during shipping.
Another alternative is to use cookie tins. I love these festive square tins or these more classic round tins.
Or, if you want to ship just one kind of cookie, give this cookie box a try. It would be perfect for a batch of Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies.
For pretty ribbon, I’ve been using this gold ribbon all month long. It also comes in green. Both are still in stock! This strip ribbon is pretty too. And this is my favorite velvet ribbon. And lastly, this is gift wrap set is cute too. Great for any kind of gift wrapping!
I love searching through Anthropologie, Terrian, and Target for good ribbons, plus other fun items for cookie boxes.
Tip: place bubble wrap in the bottom of your box. Then line the box with a very large piece of plastic wrap (use multiple layers if needed). Be sure to use a piece that is large enough to wrap overtop of the cookies when the box is full. This keeps the cookies safe and fresh.
Step two: gather cute packaging and ribbon
I try to find festive plastic wrapping, food-safe tissue paper, and/or ribbon to wrap around my cookies. This gives your box that extra special touch.
Tip: I always wrap cookies that I want to stay extra fresh in holiday ziplock storage bags and then add them to the box. If you want to use something a little cuter than storage bags or plastic wrap, try using holiday cellophane bags that can be sealed with ribbon. Or use small holiday cookie tins or boxes, or food containers that will fit inside your box.
Step three: when to bake your cookies
As I mentioned above, I like to bake and decorate my cookies in the morning. Then I let them chill and package them up later that afternoon or at night. This way they are all ready to ship in the morning. Have fun and make a day of this with your girlfriends, kids, siblings, really anyone who loves to bake and listen to Christmas music!
Step four: package everything up
Packing up your boxes is probably one of the trickiest steps of sending out holiday cookie boxes. You’ll want to make sure that all of the time you spent making cookies wasn’t wasted. First, you should know that these photos are a bit misleading. They do not represent how I would actually ship my box. My goal is to show off the cookies, but here are my best tips for actually packaging up the cookies and shipping out your boxes…
- Start out by wrapping any cookies that are more fragile in plastic wrap or plastic storage bags.
- Be sure to package the heaviest cookies on the bottom and the lightest cookies on top.
- Arrange a layer of shredded paper, bubble wrap, or tissue paper between each new layer of cookies.
- Pack your cookies snugly in your box to keep them from moving during shipping.
- For the final layer of your box, I like to use shredded paper, bubble wrap, or tissue paper. This will further help the cookies to stay snug and in their place.
- Pack the box inside a large cardboard box with about two inches of space all around it. Fill in the empty space with bubble wrap, as this provides just another layer of protection for your cookies.
- Seal the box well with packaging tape and then write FRAGILE all over it.
Step five: ship your box
I ship via UPS or FedEx, and I’ve found them to be pretty reliable. Ship your cookies via two-day air because it’s important to get your cookies to their recipient as soon as possible. My biggest tip? If possible, avoid the post office. In my experience, that does not end well.
What are all of you baking up this holiday season? I love to see what you’ve made so please share your HBH recipes!
SO EXCITED to see everyone’s cookie boxes soon!
Lastly, if you make any of the cookies from our 2022 Christmas Cookie Box, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Teighan,
Love all your great ideas for Baking! The
Cookies look delicious! Maybe you could bake
A box of cookies, put them in one of your Boxes, then I would buy them?😊 easy peasy! Just kidding, but thank you for all the recipes
Haha wish I could send ALL of you a cookie box! How fun would that be! xT
Hi Teighan,
No 2023 version this year?
Coming soooo soon! 🙂 xT
Why cant i order a box from you?
Hi! I’ve tried making both the gingerbread and holiday monster cookies according to your recipes…all my ingredients are fresh and not expired…I also makes sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting…I am using a kitchen aid stand mixer and have noticed in both recipes that by the time I get done incorporating the amount of flour that the recipe calls for, both batters were still extremely sticky to work with and seemed like they didn’t have enough flour…I also used a cookie scoop for both and neither of them spread like yours in the oven, they just stayed super thick…after adding additional flour to the monster cookies they came out very dry…I’m really not sure what I’m doing wrong, please help!
Hi Steph,
Thanks for giving the recipes a try, sorry to hear you are having issues. I wouldn’t add more flour to the monster cookies, that’s definitely what dried them out. Is it possible you are over-mixing the batters? Have you tried chilling the dough at all? Have you tapped the baking sheets on the counter to help the cookies to flatten? Let me know! xT
Hi!! What exact boxes do you use?! They look much sturdier than the ones on Amazon!!
Hi Jenny,
This is an old Prada box, any recycled box that you have lying around will work! xx
Is it too early to make them today if I am planning to serve on Christmas Eve? I don’t really want to freeze them.
Hi Michelle,
Are you referring to a specific recipe? But yes, I would say it’s definitely too early:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I love this idea mainly because I’ve been making cookie boxes for over 60 years. My mom brought this German tradition with her when she crossed the Atlantic with my dad as a GI bride in 1956. As my mom’s only daughter, I’ve been baking Christmas cookies with her since I could sit up. She passed in early 2018, but the tradition continues in our house. In fact the only year I missed was 2017 when she was failing and I just couldn’t manage while taking care of her.
Lovely of you, Tieghan, to help create this tradition for others.
Thanks so much for your kind message Susan and sharing your story and memories of your family traditions. I love learning about what other families do each year. Happy Holidays! xx
Really wish you had created a cookie box instead of a “Christmas cookie box”. Hannukah begins December 18th, Kwanza begins December 26, but there’s no acknowledgment of the often-forgotten non-Christian holidays. Reminder, not everyone shares the same beliefs. Wouldn’t inclusivity be more beneficial to your site and your audience? Please do better.
Alexandra,
Any non-Christian blogger can make their own cookies and share for Hanukkah, Kwanza etc and call them however they want. Just because she calls Christmas cookie box does not mean any other belief person should be offended. Should vegans get upset because it is not vegan cookie box? She one of the most successful bloggers with 5million followers, I think she knows what is beneficial to her site and audience. Please do better before commenting. Happy Holidays to you
Thank you Cath, you are right, 100%. Some people just like to be critical of success.
Tieghan has done an amazing job, we should thank her for all her fabulous recipes!
I don’t want to be hurtful as it pertains to your comments. I am Jewish, and the majority of my friends are not Jewish. You can make your Christmas Cookie Box and name it whatever you work like. To request a more inclusively name is being a bit political in todays world. I also buy a “Christmas Tree” and refer to it as my Hanukkah bush. You see, you can make lemonade out of lemons; if you consider a Christmas cookie box lemons. Have a wonderful holiday season
Good grief Alexandra, do you sit at home reading free recipe blogs and waiting around all day to be offended so you can be the politically correct police no one asked for?
If someone celebrates CHRISTMAS it is 100% their prerogative to create a CHRISTMAS cookie box.
Alexandra, Please do better yourself. It is rude to just comment and speak of inclusivity, I would prefer kindness as it a fundamental trait when trying to be inclusive. You prefer to troll and comment and pretend. Preach kindness and stop throwing stones. Save your pretend and review the cookies!
Can’t believe how hard people are going on this. I get Alexandra’s point. Representation matters. It’s disgusting people feel tough enough when hiding behind a computer screen to attack someone. OP was constructive criticism and worded very diplomatically. Didn’t realize Half Baked Harvest was a platform for antisemites. Only narrow-minded people would find a request for inclusiveness agitating. Shame on you, Tieghan for not putting a stop to the negativity spewed by multiple people. Fully done with HBH.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Everything can not be all inclusive all the time. They are cookies. For Christmas. Simple as that. If you want to make them for another holiday…go for it!
Alexandra, I couldn’t help but reply to your comment to Tieghan. She included many cookies that could be used for any kind of gift giving box. Please use your imagination to bring love and joy and not to tear down the owner of this site who truly blesses us each year with her creativity, hard work, and inclusivity.
Oh, Tieghan you only acknowledge complimentary comments? That’s lame. But, at least you’re consistent with your lack of acknowledgment. I can’t support someone who supports negativity.
Oh geez! Get lost and work on a complaint cleanse I’m sure the people around you would be less miserable
You’re not offended at the word “Christmas” you’re offended at yourself for being chronically offended
Can any or all of these be made ahead and frozen?
Thanks!
Hey Alex,
Yes, you could do that will all of them except the lace cookies and then just wait to add your frostings once the cookies are thawed. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xx
I’m curious, I remember you saying on your Instagram story that you made the snickerdoodle cookies into bars this year. What was the cook time for those? And did you do everything else the same?
Hi Hannah,
So sorry, I don’t have instructions ready to share just yet! xx
How would you recommend packing the santa cookies? I worry the frosting would smash.
Hi Kim,
You can layer them with wax paper, but they should be just fine! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Wow! I love this post. The cookies look absolutely incredible! I’m not sure if I’ll get any baking done this holiday season however your photos have certainly inspired me and gotten me into the holiday spirit. I love your photos and recipes. Well done!
Awe thanks so much for your kind message Becca, you made my morning! Let me know if you give any other them a try! xx
My daughter in-law sent me your reel and was like I’d like that for Christmas When sh I had time to bake! Any chance of being able to purchase a large box from you? She’d be beyond thrilled if I presented her with your box♥️
Hi April,
So sorry, these boxes are not for sale:) Happy Holidays! xT
I thought you were selling these. My bad.
Can the hot chocolate lace cookies be made dairy free, maybe with coconut oil. Or do you have dairy free options for baked goods. Thanks!! Cookies look delicious!!!
Hi Nancy,
So sorry, the lace cookies are very finicky and need to be followed as written. I do have a vegan section on the blog that you might enjoy! Let me know if I can help in any other way! xx