Shipping Christmas Cookie Gifts to Deployed Soldiers

Christmas is a wonderful time for sharing and Christmas cookie gifts are a favorite item for many to receive. For troops deployed away from home for the holiday season, shipping Christmas cookies is an excellent way of lifting morale and reminding them of fun home front memories For the past 29 years I've had the pleasure of working side by side with military troops all over the world. I have packaged many care packages but by and far the most requested and most loved item for shipping is Christmas cookie gifts.

Perhaps your Girl Scout troop or Sunday School class would like to do something to make the holidays brighter for our soldiers overseas. If you are aware of a deployed soldier, consider packing a box of Christmas cookies and ship them via the US Post Office in time to arrive before the holiday. Your group will feel good knowing a member of our Armed Forces defending our rights will enjoy each of the Christmas cookies baked and packed for shipping. If you have never had the chance to ship Christmas cookie gifts consider these tips to make sure your baked treasures arrive in good condition no matter how far they travel.

Cookie Mailing Tip #1: Find the Right Packaging for Shipping Christmas Cookie Gifts

If your mailing box is to large for the items, they will move around so much on the way to the destination the Christmas cookie gifts will be Christmas cookie crumbs. Decide on a container for storage of the cookies and use a box with just a few inches of space vacant around the cookie container. Fill that empty space with bubble wrap, shredded newspaper, or filler like popcorn or Styrofoam peanuts. If your box is to small for shipping the Christmas cookies it may break open before arrival and the recipient will receive damaged items or an empty box. Christmas cookies in a small round shape can also be packaged in Pringles or other chip cans and sealed before adding to the shipping box.

Cookie Mailing Tip #2: Wrap each Christmas Cookie for Shipping

Multiple wrappings helps preserve the Christmas cookie's freshness. It is best to wrap first in saran wrap or cellophane. Wrap in pairs with the flat sides together to stabilize the cookies. Take the wrapped cookies and place inside a Rubbermaid container or a Ziploc bag for a second layer of freshness. Place container in mailing box and fill as mentioned in Cookie mailing tip #1. Add a slice of bread to the box to absorb any moisture along the way.

Cookie Mailing Tip #3 Choose Stable Christmas Cookies for Shipping

Tender easily breakable cookies won't make it through the shipping process without being broken. Bar cookies travel well. They can be cut, wrapped and put back in the disposable pan for sliding into a Ziploc or into the box for mailing. Hard type cookies like oatmeal, chocolate chip or peanut butter are good choices to ship as Christmas cookie gifts also. Drop cookies or sturdy cookies in ball shape make good cookie package additions also.

Cookie Mailing Tip #4 Send Christmas Cookie Gifts via Flat Rate Shipping

For packages traveling longer distances, the amount of shipping funds saved by using a flat rate mailed from the US post office can be significant. When preparing your Christmas cookie gifts for shipping, stop by the post office and pick up the flat rate box marked specifically for APO or FPO shipments as this box has a discounted shipping rate. Be sure to fill out the customs form before taking the box in for mailing

Cookie Mailing Tip #5 Christmas Cookies Shipped With Love
Shipping Christmas Cookie gifts will lift the spirits of the troops of your choice but including cards, notes, pictures, and letters will make the package complete. Don't forgot to fill the box with memory items to make the holidays even brighter.

Bake a few extra Christmas cookies this year. Even if you don't have the name of a deployed soldier to send them too, shipping a Christmas cookie gift package to anyone on your list is sure to make your gift the hit of the season.