Christmas Cookie GIft Basket

What better gift at the holidays than a Christmas cookie gift basket? With some planning ahead you can be ready to give baskets full of delicious homemade holiday cookies that look professionally done.

There are some things that you will need to consider. Most baskets that you buy really don't hold that many cookies. For example on a recent check of some of the main companies that make cookie baskets it wasn't unusual to see half a dozen decorated cookies in a basket for $50.00. So, when you think of the work involved in making your own cookie gift basket remember that you aren't going to be filling it up with several dozen cookies but rather a dozen or so large ones.

You also need to decide on a container. Baskets work well, especially if you plan on having other items like coffee mugs or cookie cutters in addition to the cookies. Baskets can be found very inexpensively at most thrift shops.

• Other containers to consider are:
• Coffee mugs
• Antique bowls
• Plates and platters
• Specialty gift bags

You can really use anything you like, just keep it creative. Cellophane for sealing up the basket is available at most hobby stores or stores that carry gift basket supplies.

You will need filler of some sort and some dry floral foam if you plan to arrange cookies on sticks in the basket.  You can buy colored paper made just for gift baskets and it is inexpensive.  You can also use popped popcorn to cover the floral foam if you like.

If you are not using floral foam in the bottom of the basket you will want to wad newspaper up to raise the level of the basket. Many basket companies use Styrofoam for this because you can attach the contents of the basket to it to keep them from shifting. The top of the foam should come about ¼ of the way down the into the basket. Place your filler on top of it to hide it completely.

Cookies

You can use any cookie recipe that you like that will hold up well. Sugar cookies work well, especially if you want to do shaped and decorated cookies. Rolled gingerbread cookies work great for this, too. Drop cookies can be use, just make them bigger than you normally would.

Whichever types of cookies you choose you can use Popsicle sticks available at the local craft store to make cookies on sticks. Once these are baked the sticks can be put into the foam and the cookies can be arranged almost like a floral arrangement.  To do this press the stick gently into the cookie dough before baking. You will want the upper 1/3 of the stick to be in the cookie for support.

If you plan on decorating with icing use a royal icing. It is easy to make and it dries hard enough that it will stay intact when you transport it. You can even seal the cookies individually in cellophane bags and tie the tops with a ribbon. If the cookies are on sticks pull the bag over the top and secure at the bottom of the cookie around the stick with ribbon.

You can use your favorite cookie recipe or find one of the many recipes on the Internet.  Two great lists of cookies are:

The 50 Best Cookies on the Internet

50 More Best Cookies on the Internet

Most cookies can be made ahead, baked, and frozen for up to three months. This makes it super simple to get the cookies out and arrange the baskets at the last minute. Whether you decide to make several varieties or only one or two, your Christmas cookie gift basket is sure to be a hit.