Making Your Own Christmas Cookie Box
The Perfect Way to Execute a Homemade Christmas Gift
By Jennifer Curcio
Many, many years ago I was an exchange student in Germany. I was living with my host family in Bavaria during winter time, and got to experience the traditional Christmas we read about in story books and movies, namely that there was snow – and the first time I’d ever seen it falling from the sky.
The thing that struck me the most was how much Christmas was embraced. There were Christmas markets on the weekend, tasteful decorations in all the stores and at home we had a working bee on the first weekend of December where we made a huge batch of various cookies to share with visitors during the Christmas period. This is a tradition I would like to keep alive with at home. It’s a great way to get together with friends and family, bake and snack on sweets and feel organised for the festive period. So, how do you make your own Christmas Cookie Box?
P.S: Here’s a little how-to I created that shows you how to create a cookie box but with some extras.
HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS COOKIE BOX
SELECT A COOKIE BOX
All you need to do is gather a few small boxes (depending on how many people you’re gifting them to); I bought mine from Muji (in the stationery section) and created dividers by cutting cardboard so I could dedicate a little compartment for each cookie or component. You can easily find some options at your local stationery store, variety stores/$2 shops or recycling old take away cake boxes or vintage tins. If selecting something you already have, make sure it’s clean/in good condition and sturdy.
DECIDE ON WHAT TO FILL YOUR COOKIE BOX WITH
Select five to six cookies or desserts to fill your boxes with. I chose German Christmas Cookies (recipe here), Hazelnut Horseshoes (recipe here), Rum or Yum Balls (recipe here) and Gingerbread Triangles (I halved this recipe and used a triangle cookie cutter to cut out each piece). I also added some bael fruit pieces for tea, you could include small sealed jars of homemade salted caramel, flavoured sugars (like cinnamon or cardamom), homemade fudge in wrappers, a festive spice mix, Christmas decorations, a store-bought sweet or candy that’s connected to your culture, the list is endless.
Before placing the biscuits or treats in the box be sure to add a little ‘cushion’ for them. You could use baking paper pieces, cupcake liners, or wrapping paper pieces. If you’re not using a box with dividers, then create some cushioning by adding crinkle-cut paper or bubble wrap (tip: you can cover it in gift wrap to make it look more festive). Cover your crinkle-cut paper or bubble wrap with paper tissue and then when everything’s in place, simply seal your box with a Christmas sticker or tie it closed with a ribbon with a name tag or card and gift away.
FESTIVE BAKING SWAP
If you like the sound of making a Christmas cookie box or being gifted one, then you might be interested in our annual festive baking swap. How does it work?
Registrations start at the end of each year, around October.
Once you register you’ll be sent a few questions which will then help us match you with your baking partner.
You’ll receive your baking swap partner’s details, including their favourite festive flavours, allergies, etc.
Next, you’ll prepare your festive baking box (items can be home baked or store-bought, a mix of both is ideal)
Send your box and simply wait to receive yours.
Here’s what you might expect to receive: homemade festive biscuits, traditional sweets, tea, a homemade spice mix, a Christmas decoration, a handwritten recipe, candied nuts, and more.
Want to be updated when registrations open next year? Simply email here with ‘Festive Baking Swap’ in the subject title.
Thank you and hope you’ll join our global festive baking swap next year.
