Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Today’s the day…yes, I am finally sharing my ideas on How To Create the Best Holiday Cookie Box!
Here’s the thing, baking cookies and putting them in a box isn’t really a hard thing to do, right? Yeah, we get that. But baking cookies and arranging them in the box, not only to look cute but also be protected, and then properly shipping them off…well that can be a little tricky.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is shipping out Christmas cookie boxes to friends, family, and people I work with. I’ve been doing this for a few years now and it’s become one of my favorite December activities. I love setting aside a day just for baking cookies, it’s the best. Last year, I was so bummed when I didn’t have time to bake up any cookies. This year I’m making a serious effort to bake all the cookies I can, and get boxes shipped out too.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to creating the perfect cookie box. So I thought it would be fun to share them with you guys. Here’s how I go about creating the perfect holiday cookie box.
Step One: Choose Your Cookies
When choosing your cookies, be sure to pick cookies, and or other desserts, that will hold up well in shipping. I like to choose cookies that are different shapes and sizes. I find it’s nice to have a little variety in the box, so I’ll normally bake up four to six different cookies and then divide them between boxes.
The cookies I used in the box you see here:
Salted Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Blondies
Coconut Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Covered Pretzel Presents
Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies
Vanilla Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing
Chocolate Caramel Cookies (Half Baked Harvest Cookbook recipe…favorite cookies)
Step Two: Get a Sturdy Box
The box you use to package your cookies is very important. You’ll want to choose a sturdy box that can handle shipping. I love using a heavy-duty cardboard box that has dividers in it so that I can keep each cookie separate from one other. I also love using a good cookie tin. Both are great options for keeping cookies safe.
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) that will be large enough to wrap over the cookies when the box is full. This keeps the cookies safe and fresh.
Step Three: Gather Cute Packaging and Ribbon
Of course I love to make my boxes as cute as possible, so I try to find festive plastic wrapping, food safe tissue paper, and or ribbon to wrap around my cookies. This gives your boxes that extra special touch…plus it’s just fun.
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, small holiday cookie tins or food containers that will fit inside your box.
Step Four: Bake Cookies
As I mentioned, I love setting an entire day aside for baking cookies. Normally, Asher will come over and we’ll have a “Christmas Cookie Day”. We bake, listen to Christmas music, and eat our body weight in sugar. It’s a fun way to get a lot of cookies baked and decorated and get the boxes filled. I like to bake and decorate the cookies in the morning and afternoon, then let them chill and package them up at night so that they are ready to ship in the morning.
Step Five: 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 the time you spent making cookies wasn’t wasted, trust me, the worst thing ever is to hear that your cookies arrived smashed.
My tips:
- Start out by wrapping any cookies that are more fragile in plastic wrap or plastic food 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 snug 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 help keep the cookies snug 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 tape and then write FRAGILE all over the box. No seriously like all over the box, and in BOLD letters.
Step Six: Ship Your Box Off
I bake my cookies and package them up all in one day, and then the next morning I head to UPS or Fed-EX to ship them off. My recommendations? Do not use USPS to ship your cookies, that almost never ends well. Ship your cookies via two-day air because it’s important to get your cookies to their owner as soon as possible.
And DONE.
I know it’s a bit of work to create a holiday cookie box, but the efforts are worth it. I continually find that whoever receives a box is always so happy and grateful for the homemade goodies. And guys, you don’t have to bake a ton of cookies for your boxes. One, two, three, types of cookies is fine! I hope this post inspires you guys to get into the kitchen and bake up some cookies for friends and family!
Lastly, if you use these tips on How To Create the Best Holiday 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!
Where do you get your cookie boxes from? Or are they more of a DIY?
This is actually a box that was sent to me and I added the dividers, BUT I did find this amazing shop on Etsy that has all kinds of great gift boxes (and other cute gifting items). Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have other questions. Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKraftPackage?ref=l2-shopheader-name§ion_id=19423912
Merry Christmas, Tieghan!! I apologize if this question happens to be a repeat of another Christmas cookie creator looking for inspiration here:
Will you please share specific cardboard box recommendations/where you find yours with these dividers? Thanks so cozily!!
Goodness gracious, now that I post your site jumps to the bottom of this page and I see indeed someone JUST asked you the same question. Haha, sorry to be repetitive! We obviously are very eager to know! 😉 Stockings of thanks!!
Thank you so much! This is actually a box that was sent to me and I added the dividers, BUT I did find this amazing shop on Etsy that has all kinds of great gift boxes (and other cute gifting items). Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have other questions. Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKraftPackage?ref=l2-shopheader-name§ion_id=19423912
Where do you get a heavy-duty cardboard box that has dividers? Love your box…do tell your source please!
Thank you so much! This is actually a box that was sent to me and I added the dividers, BUT I did find this amazing shop on Etsy that has all kinds of great gift boxes (and other cute gifting items). Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have other questions. Happy Holiday’s ? 🙂
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheKraftPackage?ref=l2-shopheader-name§ion_id=19423912
Love all of this, and perfect timing, thank you!! Merry Christmas from Oklahoma xoxoxo
Thank you Marie!
What a cute present! Nothing warms my heart more than a box where I can make my own delicious creations, or I receive creations that are WAY more beautiful and tasty than I would have ever made them!
Yes! I am so glad you like this! Thank you!
Hey Tieghan,
I love your Christmas cookie boxes! That’s nice that you were able to ship them to everyone and have a cookie decorating day! I also baked cookies today (for my mom), listened to Christmas music, and made homemade hot chocolate. 🙂 It was nice to bake holiday cookies and I’m looking forward to baking more, while I can. I agree that packaging them is tough, and they seem to get easily squished.
Also, I love your little santa cookies and remember your post for them, so seeing the santas in your cookie box made me smile. ? I got a goat cookie cutter that made me think of you, and I might make chocolate sugar cookies (or vanilla) goats this week. ?
I hope you’re enjoying your guests and having a restful night.
Hi! I am so glad you like these! Thank you! I bet that goat cookie cutter is going to make such cute cookies! Thanks Kristin!
This is so fun and such a perfect gift idea! All of these cookies look amazing! 🙂
Thank you Laura!
I loved watching your cookie box. I use to do this for my family , friends and my church. I would take them to the foos pantry for some familues who were homeless. But 2 yrs ago i got a very bad infections in my feet and i have lost my abilities of walking and standing. So i can no longer bake cookies. It was a passion of mine to see others , mostly children enjoy them. Thank you for bringing back many memories to me.. God bless you and the joy you give to others.. Merry Christmas… with loving thoughts..Jill Stevenson
That is so nice of you. I am sorry that you can no longer bake, but I am glad you have the memories with you still. Thank you for sharing that Jill, Merry Christmas!
Omg, I’m speechless by how much I adore this whole idea, Tieghan! Thanks girl, this is the best!
Thank you Tori!
I make cookies for my kids teachers for Christmas. I LOVE your santa cookies and I’m going to include those this year! I also make fudge and chocolate meringue cookies. Don’t know why the teachers like chocolate so much!?! Oh wait, they have my kids, lol
Awh that is so sweet of you! I hope they love the cookies, thanks June!
Anyone would be so lucky to be a recipient of your delicious and gorgeous cookie boxes! What a wonderfully detailed post. Love your blog!
Thank you Andrea!
O.M.G. If only I were on your Christmas cookie list! I am now officially inspired to take on my Christmas baking. Those Santa cookies are on the top of my must-try list!
Great! I hope you love them! Thank you Rosemary!
I would sure love to get a Holiday Cookie Box from you! It’s so appealing and professionally done! Thanks for sharing your tips, Tieghan!
Thank you Deb!
Such a fun, delicious holiday gift idea!
Thank you Liz!
Thank you so much for all these tips! I love the Santa cookies, so cute!
Thank you Jenny!