Christmas Cookies: How to Pack and Mail Them for the Holidays

Homemade Christmas cookies are one of the traditional joys of the season. For parents with kids off at college, or living in other parts of the country, it is hard to share this Christmas tradition. Packing and mailing Christmas cookies through the post can cause problems with breakage and freshness. Below are four tips to pack and mail your Christmas cookies so they arrive in one piece and delicious.

Mailing Christmas Coookies - Types of Cookies

Some types of Christmas cookies are able to be shipped more easily than others. Choose cookies of a uniform size and firm composition. Things like meringues, lace cookies, puffs, and macaroons are not ideal for shipping.

When shipping cookies, only one type of cookie should be put in each box or individual bag. Stack the cookies on top of one another, with or without a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper between them.

Mailing Christmas Coookies - Boxes and Tins

Every shipment of Christmas cookies being mailed across the country should be in two containers. Never place baked good straight inside the shipping box. Using cookie tins, plastic or Tupperware boxes, or zipper seal bags insures that the cookies will not leak out of the package.

Place the Christmas cookies in layers in the box or bag. Fill it as full as you can to prevent shifting and breakage of the cookies. If using a bag to ship the cookies, suck the air out of the bag to prevent them going stale. If you are using a tin or box, place a sheet of plastic wrap over the opening before putting the lid on. This will make tighter seal.

Mailing Christmas Coookies - Packing Materials

Once the Christmas cookies are inside their first box or bag, it is time to put this into the shipping box. Select a sturdy cardboard box for mailing. Bags of cookies should never be sent in an envelope of any kind.

Use packing peanuts, shredded paper, or other soft packing material inside the packing box. The less movement inside the shipping box, the more likely your Christmas cookies are to reach their destination without breaking.

Mailing Christmas Coookies - Shipping Methods

Christmas cookies should never be sent Parcel post of by a ground mailing service. Be sure to have a set amount of time, usually two to three days, that your package will arrive in. This will insure that the cookies will not spend unnecessary time in the mail, or will get pushed to the back of the box in the holiday rush. It is also a good idea to let the recipient know to expect a box of Christmas cookies in the mail.