I even got around to ordering holiday cards…imagine that! I must admit, they are super cute. They arrive next week (nothing like cutting it close) and I cannot wait to mail them. This year I decided to order them from TinyPrints.com. I was able to design my cards and see the changes in real-time (who needs to order proofs nowadays?). I could not have been happier with how they looked online…my fingers are crossed that they look just as good in-person! I’ll be sure to post photos of them on the How To: Simplify Facebook page after I send them!
In addition to buying presents and designing our holiday cards, I also brainstormed gifts to distribute from How To: Simplify. I came across some really great ideas and, mixing a few ideas here and there with some that I had in my head, I came up with something I hope my family and friends will absolutely love…and enjoy (wink wink).
As you know, ’tis the season for indulging in countless treats…and spoiling the ones you love with home baked goods will only add to the holiday cheer. Not able to give your tasty treats in-person? There’s no need to stress…check out some of the ideas below. They will help you package up your cookies and treats for a safe and sound delivery to family and friends this holiday season.
- Bake treats that are sturdy. Cookies, bars, and brownies are your best bet when it comes to shipping. Cool them thoroughly and wrap them in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, parchment paper, waxed paper, plastic bags or a combination of any of the previously listed items.
- Use round cookie cutters. By using cookie cutters, especially ones with rounded edges, your cookies will arrive in one piece … without points breaking off.
- Avoid frosting and filling. The frosting might soften which will cause the treats to stick to one another…or worse, a filled cookie might break, causing filling to cover all of the other cookies in the package.
- Wrap the treats. Cookies and bars tend to travel well when wrapped in pairs, back to back, or individually with plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil.
- Protect the treats. Pack treats tightly (and in a layered fashion with appropriate packaging material) into tins or boxes. See below for some cute packaging ideas.
- Label the packages. Label your boxes “perishable,” “this side up” and/or “fragile” to promote safe handling.
The following are sites that have great packaging ideas for Christmas cookies and treats:
- Holiday Cookie Mailing Tubes (via Martha Stewart)
- Bakery Boxes (via Bake It Pretty — I actually ordered a few items from this site this year…love, love, love this shop!)
- Candy Cane Treat Box (via Martha Stewart)
- Iced Cookie Boxes (via Martha Stewart)
As you can see, Martha Stewart appears to be the queen of cookie packaging ideas. For more decorative ideas, check out her slideshow of cute ideas that I know you will love to use for your Christmas cookie packaging this year!
Take some pictures of your packaging and be sure to post your creations on the How To: Simplify Facebook page. I would love to see what you create!
Great ideas…Thanks for sharing them!