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Cookie Gift Baskets: a Fun, Affordable Gift No One Will Return

Cookie gift baskets are a fun and cost-effective way to legitimately practice your baking addiction and share the fruits of your labor with others.

Who can resist a specially-packed gift basket with delectable homemade cookies? It’s one gift that no one will want to return or exchange.

Plus, cookie baskets are a simple way to knock out your gift list, particularly during the holidays. You can set aside a day to bake cookies or bake them over time and freeze them until you’re ready to assemble baskets. This is an especially affordable way to give a large number of gifts to neighbors, teachers, friends, relatives, the mailman, your hairdresser … plus, children can help bake homemade cookies and assemble baskets as a fun holiday tradition or any time during the year.

What Cookie Basket Supplies Do You Need?

The beauty of a cookie basket is its simplicity. If you can bake, you can assemble and give one. (And The Elf is on a mission to ensure than anyone can do the baking part.)

In addition to the ingredients you need to bake homemade cookies, gather these items from a discount store to prepare to assemble your baskets.

• Baskets
  
• Plastic treat bags or colored plastic wrap
• Decorative candies, such as Hershey Kisses, other foil-wrapped chocolates, or candy canes
• Cellophane wrap or large, clear gift bags
• Decorative ribbon
• Gift tags

What Kinds of Cookies Should You Include in Your Gift Basket?

A variety.

Choose cookies that vary in shape. For instance, choose a bar cookie, a cut-out, frosted cookie, a drop cookie, a sandwich cookie, and a pressed cookie.

Choose cookies that vary in taste. Select versions with different ingredients like chocolate, nuts, fruits, peanut butter, or powdered sugar for variety.

Choose cookies that vary in color to make your basket appealing. Be careful that all of the types of cookies are not golden brown or dark brown – try to choose one or two varieties that have bright dried fruits or added food coloring.

How Many Cookies Should You Bake?

Choose 4-6 types of cookies. Plan for each basket to hold about two dozen cookies. If you bake 4-6 batches of cookies at one time, you can assemble several gift baskets. Most cookie recipes make 2-4 dozen cookies, so five recipes is enough for 5-10 baskets. Plan to assemble several gift baskets at one time.

How to Assemble a Cookie Gift Basket

Bake cookies. Allow them to cool completely.

Wrap cookies. Set small cookies in cellophane goodie bags or wrap them in colored plastic wrap. Individually wrap larger cookies. By wrapping cookies, you help them stay fresher for a longer time.

Assemble the basket. Set the basket in the center of a large piece of colored or clear cellophane or a clear, oversized gift bag. Stuff a few layers of tissue paper on the bottom of the basket as a cushion. Arrange wrapped cookies. Sprinkle foil-wrapped or other colorful candies in the basket.

Seal the basket. Gather the corners of the cellophane up and over the sides of the basket so that corners meet. Tie the cellophane or clear gift bag closed with colorful ribbon. Add a bow and a gift tag with a special massage.

Additional Items to Add to Your Gift Basket

For a fun variation, add extra items such as baking gadgets, mugs, cocoa mix, tea, or Christmas cookie cutters to your gift basket.

More tips from The Elf for Cookie Gift Baskets

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