A reader asks:
I would love to know how you and your readers package yourcookies for gift giving. I always feel like by the time I bought allthese fancy cookie tins/papers/etc., I could have bought everyone apresent! Also, does anyone has any tips on packing cookies for mailing?
Don’t buy those fancy tins and papers! I have seen some in dollarstores that might be worth your while, but otherwise they are justexpensive and unnecessary. Here’s how I usually make up cookie traysfor gift-giving:
First of all, bake an assortment of cookies. Choose your recipescarefully for those that will look pretty on your cookie plates byproviding a variety of colors, sizes, and textures. If you bake wellahead of time, freeze the cookies as you go.
Buy a stack of disposable pie plates (the cheap foil kind). Theselook nice and provide a deep dish– plenty of room for the goodies.Fill each of these with an assortment of neatly arranged cookiesstraight from your freezer as well as individually wrapped packages offudge or other candies you have made. Garnish the plates with a handfulof store-bought Christmas candies such as wrapped peppermints,Hershey’s kisses, or chocolate bells.
Wrap the whole deal with a couple of snug layers of high qualityplastic wrap (you can even use colored wrap if you want to). Tie upeach plate with ribbon, top with a couple of crossed candy canes and abow, and add a sticky to/from label. It’s pretty, it’s practical, andyou’re done!
I do not have as much experience with mailing cookies, but perhaps some readers do?