I love making things for other people, especially around the holidays.  Instead of sending Christmas cards (which I hate to do because they end up in the trash anyway) I like to make boxes of Christmas treats for a select group of friends and family. 

Now I can already hear some of you saying No way! Too much work!  Who has time?  Being a very busy woman myself I’ve found a few ways to give something of yourself without giving up your life.  Below are a few tips and a step by step guide to make your Christmas Cookie Boxes a success.

Tips for making Christmas Cookie Boxes:

• Go semi-homemade.  Keep recipes simple and fast.
• Be prepared.
• Give yourself plenty of time for baking. For me it’s two afternoons.
• Narrow the list, gift to those who’ve been a big part of your life this year and aren’t receiving regular gifts.
• Make up a few extra boxes for your hairdresser, babysitter, mailman, and the UPS guy if he’s hot!  They make a great personal gift at little cost. They also make great hostess gifts.
• Tune in!  Rock out to a cool Christmas soundtrack while you bake.
• Invite the kids in.  It doesn’t make it any easier but always way more fun!

Step by Step Christmas Cookie Boxes: 

• Create list of recipients and gather addresses.
• Choose 2-4 treats to include. My picks this year include peppermint bark, oatmeal raisin bars, brownie cookie bites, chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered twizzlers (sounds gross tastes amazing.)
• Purchase ingredients, packaging materials, shipping boxes (if shipping)
• Create labels or notes for inclusion in the box (i.e. “Merry Christmas and a Delicious New Year” or “Thanks for not stealing my lunch money this year”)
• Fold cookie boxes or prepare bags for packaging
• Decide your plan of attack
• Bake like crazy
• Package and tie with pretty ribbon and a label
• Ship to friends and family.  I try for the second week of December before people have OD’d on sugar.

For those not receiving a box of treats I send an e-greeting or make a phone call so they know that I’ve thought of them and I can still convey our holiday wishes.  If you have the time and desire you can of course send both treats and cards! 

Food can be a simple pleasure and a way to share the warmth of the holidays with those you important to you.  For me it’s a joy to see my creations and hear how happy the recipients are to enjoy them.  If you choose simple and quick recipes you’ll find that boxes of cookies are far superior to fruitcake, and they cost much less to ship too.