Christmas Cookie Boxes {Homemade Gift}

Easy homemade Christmas cookie boxes filled with classic Holiday cookies likes chocolate crinkles, snickerdoodles, gingerbread and candies. This is a simple yet delicious edible gift for family and friends.

This is the best homemade gift ever! Overflowing with a variety of sweet and savory treats, there is something for everyone. It is the perfect gift for families, friends, teachers, and co-workers because you can customize it to your skill level, their tastes, or even according to allergies. You can hand deliver it, ship it, or leave it as a surprise on a friend's doorstep! The joy and possibilities are endless just like the holiday season itself. If you are looking for more fun ways to brighten someone's day, then make sure to take a look at more Food and Cookie Packaging Ideas.

How To Make Christmas Cookie Boxes (Holiday Biscuit Boxes)?

1. Decide what goes in the box- Will it be just cookies? Or will it include candies and nuts?
2. Make a list of people who you plan on gifting- How many boxes per household are needed? How many people are in the household?
3. Make a shopping list- Review your recipes carefully so you are not running to the grocery store constantly, and then do the grocery shopping.
4. Decide how you will package them- Will they be shipped? Will they be handed out in person? Will they be in holiday plastic bags, metal tins, boxes? Take that into account with your decisions.
5. Make a baking timeline- Some cookies need to be decorated and others require chilling of dough. Creating a detailed checklist will really help.
6. Assemble/Package- Use smaller boxes and different sizes of cupcake liners as dividers inside the big box to separate different cookies.
7. Deliver or ship- Take them to the post office, or have fun seeing people's faces as you hand deliver them!

How To Decorate Cookies?

The best choices for decorating cookies would be Royal Icing or Easy Glace Icing, because both dry hard and therefore will hold up to packaging, stacking, and delivering best.

However, you can use softer frosting such as Best Sugar Cookie Frosting, American Buttercream Frosting, or Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Make sure you do not layer these cookie in the box and crush the beautiful frosting. Instead, place them in a single layer as a visual star of the box!

Using other decorating methods such as melted chocolate drizzles, candies, sprinkles, crushed cookies, etc. make for stunning visual appeal, and even more fun too! You can also decorate with stencils and edible sprays. Check out this tutorial on How to Use Cake Stencils and Edible Sprays.

Decorate with Easy Fondant Daisies or Wafer Paper Flowers or Buttercream Flowers (Russian Piping Tips) or Royal Icing Flowers (Sugar Flowers) or even Fondant Roses (Ribbon Roses).

You can even decorate with Homemade Marshmallow Fondant.

How To Package Cookies?

1. Determine what size box you need- Based on the number and types of cookies being placed in it.
2. Fill box with cupcake liners or small loaf pans- To separate the cookies inside the boxes.
3. Line the loaf pans with tissue paper- For more color and to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
4. Place a few sheets of tissue paper on top of all the cookies- To make it look beautiful and to hold everything together tightly. Tissues fill up the empty space and prevent cookies from wobbling around and breaking.
5. Place the lid on top- Wrap it tightly with a ribbon.

How To Ship and Mail Cookies?

1. Wrap cookies in plastic wrap or in ziploc bags- Use holiday colors or holiday print bags, if you like. Then, place these wrapped cookies into the divided sections of the box.
2. Place heaviest cookies on the bottom- This keeps the lighter cookies from being crushed.
3. Pack the cookies as tightly as possible- Use tissue paper or bubble wrap to aid in securing the cookies.
4. Place the decorative box of cookies into a shipping box- Choose one just slightly bigger than the decorative box. Use a new box so that it is as sturdy as possible.
5. Surround the decorative box inside the shipping box with bubble wrap- This will help protect the cookies while en route.
6. Seal the box- With packing tape.
7. Address- And label the box.
8. Select express shipping- So the cookies will get there as fast and fresh as possible.

What Are The Best Cookies To Ship?

The best ones to ship are ones that are sturdy and not too delicate because the boxes will take some beating during delivery. Cookies like spritz, sugar, gingerbread, chocolate chip, peanut butter, crinkle, snickerdoodles, and shortbread are classic choices. Do not choose cookies that have fillings or frosting that can go bad or that need to be refrigerated. You can find a huge list of cookie options, broken down by category in this collection of the Best Homemade Christmas Cookies.

Variations For Holiday Boxes

• Candy box- Include candies such as Crockpot Candy, Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate Bark, Peanut Brittle, Lemon Fudge, or Coffee Fudge.
• Cupcake box- Fill with Christmas cupcakes like Chocolate Chip Cupcakes (With Mint Frosting) , Easy Pointsettia Cupcakes, Snowman Cupcakes, or Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes.
• Jars of homemade mixes- Such as cakes, brownies, cookies, hot chocolate, or even pancake mixes!
• Spice blends- Choose seasonal blends like pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spices, or savory ones such as a breakfast blend, Italian, Greek, Cajun, or Mexican.
• Bottles of homemade extracts- These will require advanced planning because they take awhile to make. Extracts such as vanilla, almond, amaretto, orange, or lemon make great gifts.
• Nuts- These Candied Nuts are a delicious homemade addition. You can also add store-bought mixes.
• Box of brownies and bars- These Caramel Brownies (With Brownie Mix), Easy Christmas Brownies {Christmas Tree Brownies}, or 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownies are delicious choices. Add any of these S'Mores Bars, Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars , Cookie Bars Recipe, or these Cake Mix Cookie Bars for more decadent goodness.
• Box of pie slices- Add slices of Crustless Cranberry Pie, Easy Peach Pie, Easy Cherry Pie, Easy Blueberry Pie, Easy Pumpkin Pie, or Apple Pie.
• Jam box- Package small mason jars of your favorite homemade jams like this Homemade Strawberry Jam, raspberry, blackberry, orange marmalade, or even apricot jam.

Tips And Techniques

• All cookies must be cooled- Cool completely and then decorate and package them.
• Don't leave everything until the last minute- These gift boxes take time, so waiting to the last minute to plan, shop, bake, cool, and package will not be possible.
• Don't try new recipes- This is not the time for that. Go for trusted classics that you know everyone loves.
• Fill empty spaces- With peppermints and other seasonal store-bought candies. It also keeps everything tight inside and keeps things from moving around.
• The number of boxes will vary- Based upon how many cookies you put in each box and the size of the boxes you choose. This is why advanced planning is crucial.
• Put like cookies by like cookies- Mint is a strong flavor so try to separate it from fruity cookies so the flavors don't accidentally cross over.
• Use sturdy cookies- Because delicate cookies may break before delivery.
• Wrap homemade candies- In candy foil for a a fun and festive look.

Storage

• Refrigerate- Most cookies can be stored in a covered box in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze- Most cookies can be frozen for up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container or bag. Simply thaw to room temperature to enjoy later.

Classics

These are considered to be the most traditional recipes that almost every household makes in some version or another.

• Snowball Cookies (Mexican Wedding Cookies)- Rich, buttery, tender, loaded with pecans and powdered sugar.
• Easy Meringue Cookies (Egg White Cookies)- Delicate, light, airy and packed with vanilla flavor. 
• Best Snickerdoodle Cookies (Soft and Chewy)- Soft and chewy with crispy, sugary tops. Recipe without cream of tartar included.
• Shortbread Cookies- Made with just 3 Ingredients.
• Sugar Cookies- Soft and chewy. Decorate with frosting. Holds its shape! No spreading! No chilling! 
• Pinwheel Cookies- So beautiful and colorful.
• Ricotta Cheese Cookies- A great way to use up ricotta cheese. So soft in the center but crispy on the outside.
• Almond Crescent Cookies (Vanillekipferl)- So buttery, rich and tender. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
• Spritz Cookies- These are stunning with their variety of beautiful shapes like snowflakes, flowers e.t.c.
• Cut Out Sugar Cookies- The most popular holiday cookie on the planet and these are made with a cake mix to make the process even easier!
• Jam Thumbprint Cookies- Soft and tender, indented and filled with jams and preserves.
• Linzer Cookies- Vanilla and almond flavored shortbread cookie sandwiches are filled with raspberry jam.
• Pizzelle Cookies- An Italian cookie that's thin and crispy with aromatic vanilla and anise extracts.
• Italian Rainbow Cookies (Venetians)- There are also called Italian flag cookies and Neapolitans. Colorful layers of almond cookies with raspberry jam and topped with chocolate.
• Small Batch of Sugar Cookies- Requires no chilling. The cookies hold their shape and taste great.
• Danish Butter Cookies- The dough is piped, baked, filled with buttercream and dipped in melted chocolate.
• Cream Cheese Cookies- Super soft cookies that melt in your mouth. Slightly tangy with vanilla and almond flavor.
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies- One of the most chewy cookies ever! Loaded with raisins, oats, butter.
• Gooey Butter Cookies- These start off with a cake mix and have a lovely crackled appearance.
• Chocolate Chip Cookies- These are jumbo sized and as big as the palm of your hands.
• Red Velvet Cookies- These are made with just 5 simple ingredients.
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies- These are simply stunning with their cracked powdered sugar topping.
• Black and White Cookies- Also referred to as Half Moon Cookies.

Peppermint

The Christmas season just won't be the same without peppermint, candy cane and mint treats.

• Filled Cookies- These chocolate sugar cookies are filled with a Peppermint patty.
• Peppermint Cookies- Dipped in white chocolate and covered in crushed candy canes.

Chocolate

Nothing can beat a delicious gooey cookie loaded with chocolate, whether it's in the form of cocoa powder, ganache or chocolate chips.

• Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies- Filled with creamy ganache.
• No Bake Cookies- Full of oats to give it a super chewy texture.
• Church Window Cookies- These are no bake and packed with chocolate, marshmallows, coconut and nuts.
• Chocolate Caramel Cookies- Soft, moist, fudgy, bakery style, loaded with chocolate chips and stuffed with caramel.
• Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies- Starts off with cake mix and full of cinnamon, cayenne, chili powder.
• White Chocolate Chip Cookies- Chocolate cookie dough base balanced by white chocolate flavors.
• Fudgy Triple Chocolate Cookies- Overloaded with 3 chocolate sources: cocoa, chocolate chips, truffles.
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookies- These have a very striking appearance.
• Chocolate Spritz Cookies- The dough is slightly thick to make it easier to pipe beautiful shapes.
• S'mores Cookies- Full of graham crackers, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
• Chocolate Sugar Cookies- Crispy and perfect for making cut out shapes and decorating.
• Nutella Cookies- Rich and fudgy with a brownie texture.
• Chocolate Cherry Cookies- Also known as Black Forest Cookies.
• Chocolate M&M Cookies- So fun and colorful.
• Chocolate Covered Oreos- So easy to make that even kids can help.
• Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers- Quick and easy but still delicious.
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels- Decorate them with seasonal sprinkles.
• Chocolate Chunk Cookies- Uses browned butter to enhance flavor.

Nutty

There is something wonderful about nuts that not only adds texture to cookies but also adds an incredible earthy flavor.

• White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies- Ready in just 20 minutes!
• Butter Pecan Cookies- Full of toasted pecans for some crunch.
• Pistachio Cookies- These are cut out cookies with crushed pistachios that don't spread during baking.
• Peanut Butter Cookies- Soft and chewy!
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies- Perfectly sweet and salty.
• Peanut Butter Blossoms- Thumbprint cookies filled with peanut butter and Hershey's Kiss.
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies- Super crunchy on the outside because of crushed peanuts but tender on the inside.
• Italian Almond Cookies- Also known as Ricciarelli.
• Reese's Cookies- Full of mini peanut butter cups and Reeses pieces.

Spiced

Whether you use just ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves or your favorite blend of pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice, it's sure to elevate your cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness.

• Cinnamon Cookies- Loaded with warm spiced flavors.
• Ginger Cookies- Full of fresh ginger.
• Eggnog Cookies- These can be glazed or enjoyed as is.
• Gingersnap Cookies- Full of spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and covered in semisweet chocolate.
• Molasses Cookies- The dark molasses adds a very unique flavor.
• Caramel Snickerdoodles- Stuffed with caramel and even better than the original.
• Churro Cookies- Made with pie crust.

Decorated

You can decorate with icing, fondant, melted chocolate drizzle or sugar glaze and even sprinkles.

• Easy Gingerbread Cookies- Only requires 3 simple ingredients!
• Champagne Cookies- Decorate them with champagne frosting to take them a step further.
• Stained Glass Cookies- These are breathtaking with edible windows that are created from rock candy or Jolly Ranchers.
• Snowman Cookies- These start off with Oreos.
• Jumbo Gingerbread Men Cookies- So much fun to make with kids.
• Christmas Tree Cookies- Decorated with colorful melted chocolate and mini m&m candies.
• Snowflake Cookies- Decorated with blue fondant and sparkling sugar.
• Cranberry Orange Cookies- Loaded with dried cranberries, fresh orange zest and topped off with a white chocolate drizzle.

Recipe