A Christmas cookie box makes a great gift. They are customizable and have a handmade element to make it extra special and unique. Though these are typically given around the Christmas holiday season, they work beautifully as any holiday gift, a birthday gift, or simply a “thinking of you” gift. Though the process is relatively simple, there are some steps that help to make sure your gifting process goes well. Here is how to create a memorable cookie box.
Select the Cookies for the Christmas Cookie Box
This is by far the most important step as it’s the main part of the gift.
The cookies you choose to make should depend on your personal baking abilities, the time you’ve set aside to put toward this project, and, of course, the preferences of the people you are baking for.
Determine the amount of varieties.
One Cookie
You can opt to create a cookie box with one variety of cookie. This is simple, and it looks beautiful in a window box. These are great options if you need to make a lot of cookie boxes or if you’re short on time. They present well and provide the joy of receiving a handcrafted, personal gift.
Multiple Cookies
You can have a cookie box of anywhere from 3 to 8 different varieties of cookies. They can vary in flavor or vary in shape.
Keep this simple– say you only want to make short bread cookies, which is completely fine. You can make one that is a classic short bread flavor in a square shape. Take another set of that same classic flavor, change to a round shape and dip a part of it in melted chocolate. Lastly, you can take that short bread recipe and add ground nuts to it. There you have three different options with one simple recipe.
Determine the type of varieties for the Christmas cookie box
One Dough, Multiple Ways
There are many cookie dough recipes that can be used over and over to create multiple flavors. This is an efficient way to baking as only one main recipe is needed and you only have to add simple additions. This is a great recipe option or choose from one of these.
Multiple Recipes
Another option is to create different cookie recipes. This is great for experienced bakers or if you want to challenge yourself. Choose at least one classic cookie. That could be a shortbread, sugar, or chocolate chip. This will balance all of the other flavors you choose. After that, you have free reign. Choose a sandwich cookie option. You could have one that’s in a fun shape. Then go bold. Choose an out of the box flavor combination.
Whatever you choose, make sure to choose flavors the person to whom you’re gifting will like. I suggest creating a google form with various flavors and additions for your recipient to choose from. They can also include any allergies or flavors they completely dislike.
Cookie Flavor Types
- Sugar or Shortbread
- Nut
- Jam
- Chocolate
- Spice
Choose the Display for the Christmas Cookie Box
Boxes
There are tin or metal options. Hobby Lobby usually has a great selection of tin cookie boxes during Christmas time. These are great reusable options.
A fun, unique option is a wooden box. This would invoke a warm rustic feel and like the metal boxes, these are also reusable.
The most common option is a disposable box. These are usually foldable and made of cardboard like a takeout container. Disposable is great to contain the mess and these are usually less expensive. If you are making a lot of cookie boxes, this might be the most economical option.
Lining
With either option, a lining will add a great detail. Depending on the size of your box, a tea towel will work wonderfully, this is my personal favorite option. This is reusable and comes in a variety of prints and colors.
You could also use decorative tissue paper, butcher block or craft paper, or crinkle paper to fill the bottom of the box. These are more economical options and work well for smaller boxes or ones with odd shapes as the paper can be manipulated easily.
As an alternative to full linings or in addition, use separate containers for each cookie type. Use baking liners to put a type of cookie in or you can use boxes with separate dividers.
Personalization for the Christmas Cookie Box
Add a note, a handwritten note would be a great option, if you are able to; however, a typed note will work just as well. Write a personalized message or simple Christmas greeting. Also include cookie descriptions. Have an outline of what each cookie type is so that the receiver knows what they are eating.
