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Frosting & Fettuccine

Home » Recipes » Decorating Tutorials

Dec 20, 2018(last updated January 10, 2022)

How to Create the Ultimate Cookie Gift Box

BySam Adler
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.

Learn how to create the ultimate cookie gift box for your family and friends! It makes the perfect hostess or thank you gift!

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box on a gray background decorated with leaves.

Tell me, would you be excited if someone brought you a cookie gift box?

I know I would be screaming of joy!

So many different holiday themed cookies and treats filled beautifully and neatly in a festive box.

Honestly I think this is the perfect gift to bring to family and friends over the holidays, but why stop there!

It’s actually the perfect gift to bring to anyone all year round. I mean, I know December is cookie season and all, but its not like people stop liking cookies the rest of the year!

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.

How to create a cookie gift box:

First you need to know what kinds of cookies you are adding into your cookie gift box.

These can be either homemade or store-bought. Don’t be ashamed if you’re using store bought, you are taking the cookie out of the packaging anyways hehehe.

My recommendations when you’re thinking about cookie selections is to think of:

  • Different shapes and sizes– You definitely want a variety here so that your cookie gift box has a dynamic look to it. That means some classic round cookies, but also a rectangular shortbread cookie, and then a fun shaped cookie like these raspberry lemon linzer cookies. 
  • Different flavors– Again you want the variety so that there are different flavors and your gift receiver cannot resist trying each one!
  • Add in candies or other treats– The main focus of this box is obviously cookies but its fun to add in little treats to break up the space visually.

How to keep the cookies fresh

Start early. Make the cookies over a few days and freeze the cookie dough. Then bake on the day that you want to pack the cookies so they are fresh!

Here are all the cookie recipes that I added into my cookie gift box this year (2018):

  1. Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies 
  2. Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies
  3. Chunky Cherry Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies
  4. Raspberry Lemon Linzer Cookies 
  5. Chewy White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies 
  6. Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies 

I also added in some crushed peppermint candies, and some Trader Joe Christmas gummies for added fun.

Next, make it pretty!

How to decorate a cookie gift box:

First you need something to put all your delicious treats in.

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.

You can definitely get something disposable like these boxes, but if you want to make it extra special and are looking for something prettier and more stable you need a box like this.

The box I used, I bought in store at my local Michaels. I looked for it online but cannot find it anywhere, sorry friends!

Basically what you want is a large, shallow-but not too shallow, tray or box that does not have a lid. Next get some fun ribbon, and maybe a small pretty napkin or two.

How to assemble:

This is my favorite part- when it all comes together.

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.

Like I said before you want your cookie box to look dynamic and visually pleasing.

That means sectioning off and stacking the cookies in different ways, layering them either with napkins or cupcake liners, or tying them with ribbon.

I started decorating my cookie gift box by adding my cookies and treats to the corners first, then placed the raspberry linzer cookie in the middle to be the focal point.

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.

Then I started to fill in all around them. There is no right or wrong way to do this so let your imagination run wild.

Some ideas to help you:

  • Stack a few cookies, tie them with ribbon,  then place them standing up.
  • Stack a few cookies, tie them with ribbon, then place them on their side.
  • Use pink cupcake liners to add visual appeal under smaller cookies.
  • Use little containers to add your treats to like I did with my crushed peppermint candies. I actually used a stack of these instead of just one, to make sure it was on the same level as the cookies.
  • If you need to section off a part for candy, I cut a heavier cardstock envelope to make a partition for the gummies.

Now that you’re done, stand back and admire your beautiful cookie gift box!

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.

Isn’t she pretty?

So hard to give away something you love so much, but I know it will be so very much appreciated to whoever gets to receive something as special as this!

Happy cookie box gifting and holidays friends!

More cookie boxes!

Here is my cookie box from December 2019. Not all recipes are included but the ones I did use are:

  • Chocolate Brownie Cookies
  • Italian Rainbow Cookies
  • Raspberry Thumbprint cookies 

A tin filled with holiday cookies

Here is my cookie box from December 2020. Yes those are mini bottles of alcohol. 

The recipes I included are:

  • Gingersnap Cookies
  • Eggnog Snickerdoodles
  • Cranberry Orange Shortbread
  • Lemon Shortbread
  • Coffee Cookies
  • Gingerbread Biscotti

Christmas cookies in a box with ribbon

This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something using one of my links, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support friend!

7 kinds of cookies arranged in a cookie gift box.
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How to Create the Ultimate Cookie Box

Learn how to create the ultimate cookie gift box for your family and friends! It makes the perfect hostess or thank you gift!
Prep Time1 hr
Active Time20 mins
1 hr
Total Time20 mins
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas cookie box, cookie box, cookie box gift, how to make a cookie box gift
Yield: 1 cookie box
Author: Sam Adler
Cost: $25

Materials

Assemble the box

  • 1 large but shallow box
  • Parchment paper or crinkle paper any color
  • 6 cookie recipes homemade or storebought
  • ribbon different size and color
  • festive napkins for layering
  • cupcake holders for layering

Instructions

  • Take the box or tin you are using and layer it with a layer of parchment or crinkle paper.
  • Group the cookies together to stack and tie them with the different ribbon. Start adding the cookies either on their side or right side up to the corners. Then place a cookie stack in the middle for a focal point.
  • Fill in the gaps with more cookies or candies/treats. Use pretty napkins or cupcake liners to layer the cookies on top of to add dimension.
  • Keep going and rearranging until you are happy with how it looks, theres no wrong way to do this!

Notes

Any homemade or store bought cookies work here.
To deliver this as a gift, wrap the box in cellophane and tie with ribbon. 

I love when you share my recipes!!

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Filed Under: Decorating Tutorials Tagged With: Chocolate, Vanilla

About Sam Adler

Sam Adler is a Le Cordon Bleu professionally trained pastry chef, Saveur Blog Award winner, food photographer, and food blogger over on FrostingandFettuccine.com. She has been featured in numerous online and in-print publications including Taste of Home Magazine, Saveur Magazine, The Feed Feed, and Food Blogger Pro. Sam lives in Hollywood florida with her husband, two young kids, and french bulldog. When she’s not baking and dancing in her kitchen you can find her at her favorite yoga spot.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula says

    August 28, 2019 at 6:55 am

    Love this idea! Any homemade gift is way better than any store-bought one. I really liked the idea of tieing some cookies with the ribbon. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 29, 2019 at 9:25 pm

      Aww thanks Paula!! So happy you enjoyed this post! I can’t wait for this years cookie season to make another one!

      Reply
  2. Michelle J says

    November 16, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    You said to make sure it doesn’t have a lid. How are you keeping the cookies protected/from getting stale?

    Reply
    • Sam says

      November 18, 2019 at 2:59 pm

      Hey Michelle! You can wrap it in plastic wrap or wrap it in cellophane to give it as a gift!

      Reply
  3. Faylinn says

    May 29, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    I really loved the idea that you gave about how you can add in little treats in a cookie box to break up space in a visual way. My mom told me that she is having a hard time trying to figure out what to give her friend for her birthday, so I suggested getting her gourmet cookies. She loved the idea and now it evolved into getting her a cookie box, so we need to make sure we are prepared for it.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      June 2, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      Hi Faylinn! I am so happy that your mom found this post helpful, what a lovely thing to do for a friend! Thank you for your sweet comment and hope you and the family are staying safe and healthy!

      Reply
  4. Ange says

    December 3, 2020 at 10:20 am

    Can you share some ideas of what to put in a cookie/treat box if you need to send the gift (hi, Covid)? I don’t want anything to go stale, so what are the best options of treats that won’t go bad after several days?

    Reply
    • Sam says

      December 3, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      Hey Ange! Ahh! YES! So the great thing about this is that you can totally stuff some candies in here along with some cookies. I would say any kind of caramel, or chocolate bark would be a great addition. Even some store bought lollypops. If you want to make sure the cookies stay fresh you can package them in plastic bags and then put them in the cookies box too. Hope that helps! Happy holidays and hopefully soon good riddance covid!!!

      Reply
  5. Custom cookie boxes says

    September 9, 2021 at 3:25 am

    Thank you for sharing such information.
    Your informative post has answered all of my questions.
    I really appreciate the research work and effort it improves my knowledge.
    Custom Cookie Boxes

    Reply
    • Sam Adler says

      September 11, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      Welcome!

      Reply
  6. Jenn Clata says

    December 2, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    So beautiful! Thank you for sharing! We are new to our neighborhood and I already knew I wanted to do cookies for the neighbors and this post was just the inspiration I needed!

    Reply
    • Sam Adler says

      December 8, 2021 at 10:58 pm

      Hooray Jenn! I am so happy you found this post helpful. I am sure you’ll be making friends in no time!! Happy Holidays!!

      Reply

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Hi! Im Sam Adler,

I'm a professionally trained pastry chef and food photographer.
This is a place where you will find easy yet impressive looking desserts. I also share a ton of food photography resources too! What can I say, I love pretty & delicious baked goods! Learn more about me!

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