2024 christmas cookie box
Wow I am SO late to the cookie box game this year. Sorry ya’ll. Nonetheless, here is my 2024 Christmas Cookie Box!
I guess, because I posted this obscenely late, I’m more hopeful that ya’ll have a couple cookie swap parties left over the weekend, or are bringing a host of treats to a Christmas Eve or day gathering to share with family and folks you love (or don’t, but want to appease with goodies). More than likely it’s far too late to ship out one of these. In person gifts, however? Not at all behind schedule. Especially because I know most of you folks procrastinate as hard as I do.
Clearly.
This year’s box is small, but quite customizable, as I’ve also included plentiful links to previous years’ cookie recipes in case you want to mix and match. I wouldn’t say I have a theme to the box, but I did quite enjoy working with the cranberry + white chocolate combination. The hues are fully appropriate for the season and the taste is obviously a winner. And we’ve a classic M&M cookie to further the Christmasy aesthetic.
Basically what I’m trying to say is all these new recipes are fabulous, and will surely win over even the grouchiest grandma at dessert hour.
As a rule of thumb, a good cookie box contains 2-4 different recipes depending on how much you like the recipient, or if you’re catering to more than one person per box. 4-6 varieties might be appropriate if you’re bringing a big order to a party. If you are trying to ship the box, keep in mind that the larger it is, the higher the cost of mailing. Packages ain’t cheap.
With that said, here are this year’s recipes, and below a few tips for building your perfect box!
The Cookies
Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Salted Pretzel Milk Chocolate Cookie Bars…coming soon!
Salted Caramel Graham Cracker Bark
More options…
Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bourbon Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Salted Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies
Coffee Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Maple Bourbon Glazed White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peppermint Bark Sandwich Cookies
Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Bourbon Peanut Butter Cookies
Crinkly Maple Glazed Peanut Butter Cookies
“Screwball” Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Chewy Brown Sugar Ginger Cookies
Easy Vanilla Orange Snowman Cookies
Build-A-Box
The box…You can really go as fancy or minimalistic as you’d like. This year I bought this set from Amazon that comes with dividers already within – I also used it a couple of years ago with good success. This round winter scene tin or peppermint swirl tin are cute options, too. I recommend a hard-side gift box or a sturdy, clean shoe box for your cookies for extra stability, and if you don’t have slots already, cut up thick cardboard and use non-toxic glue to attach to the interior base. Anywhere from 4-6 slots should do you just fine, unless you’re making a gargantuan cookie box. Hey, you do you.
The filling…Buy some pretty tissue paper to line the slots in your box. This cute scalloped set would look gorgeous or maybe go for a more classic red/white/green aesthetic. Cut it down to fit the dimensions of each slot, and double or triple up if you need to for extra padding.
The embellishments…Buy some chocolates, chocolate covered pretzel rods, and peppermint sticks or candy canes to fill in the gaps of your box. Just nice little surprise treats for your pals. I like to squeeze in a few mini shaped ornaments too for a bit of sparkle. Tie up some of the cookies with pretty ribbon, like these neutral multisized ribbons or patterned ribbon trio (love the truck one!). Choose a color scheme you like and run with it. I always like golds and reds, traditional colors, but you can go totally off the wall and pick anything you please.
To Package Your Box
Securing the wares…Wrap each bundle of like cookies in a few layers of tissue paper to secure. If you’re sending off the frosted cranberry bars, wrapped each individually in plastic. Place the heaviest cookies on the bottom, and the most fragile on top. Top with a few layers of tissue or bubble wrap, slide a cute note in if you’d like, then place the lid on. Wrap the box in your choice wrapping paper and decorate with some ribbon, a bow, and maybe a big candy cane.
Boxing up the box…Buy some bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or that weird air-filled plastic shit that looks like bubble wrap on steroids. Set a layer down in the base of your shipping box. Here, you can buy a cheap bath or kitchen towel and wrap your cookie box up all nice and snug, then place your cookie box inside. Surround with your choice padding, all sides and on top.
Secure your box with packing tape, label as needed, and write FRAGILE in all caps multiple times all over the box. This doesn’t guarantee that drivers and warehouse folks won’t be assholes and toss your box around, but it does help.
Shipment recommendations: I know overnight and two-day shipping are a pain in the wallet, but the less time the cookie box is on the road or in the sky, the better. Less time, less handling, less chance the cookies will end up in shards. I typically use UPS or USPS for any sort of shipping.
A Few Final Notes
A small courtesy (well, a large one for some) is to ensure no one receiving the box has severe food allergies or specific dietary preferences. No sense sending a pretty cookie box of traditional goods to someone who’s vegan or celiac; it won’t be properly enjoyed! Or, you know, could be deadly in the case of reactions.
Don’t forget to have some fun making the box. A little care in gift giving should come with a lot of satisfaction. Make some hot cocoa, arrange your cookies, slip into a Santa hat, and put on some happy music. Really channel that seasonal vibe in the activity.
Made your own cookie box? Let me see! And if you used any of the recipes in this post, leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
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