Thinking outside the gift box......

or bag.

I'm always searching for inspiration to add a new flair to my cookie or candy gift packaging.

I'd like to share a few ideas with you that I've used. Maybe they'll  come in handy for a-l-l those confections you've
(so tirelessly) baked for your family and friends.

TINS

Little Drummer Boy Drum

♫ Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum ♫

These sugared cookies with the pretzel/marshmallow drum sticks are so cute in their tin drum case.
These tins are readily available at most stores.
The silver cording crisscross and ribbon creates the drum effect perfectly.
You can purchase Pecan Sandie's.....roll coat the edges with white chocolate and sanding sugar.

Chocolate Truffles

Here's a sweet vintage inspired tin with

a little silk seam binding.

An antique brooch would be a nice finishing touch.

Snowman

This Frosty character tin would be a festive way to house your Snowball Cookies.

Snowball Cookie Recipe

1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened

2 1/2 cups- flour

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 pinch of salt

Combine

Form balls, bake 325 10-12 mins.

Dust in powder sugar

VASES

White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Canes

For a charming rustic vase... repurpose a Pringles potato chip container by wrapping it in upholstery webbing or a strip of tartan plaid wool fabric.

Attach a rusty charm with a jute (twine) and raffia bow.

Embellish with a small swag of evergreens and dried berries.

It's simple and festive.

Shortbread Medallions

Colorful paper shreds nested in  white pedestal bowls adds color and padded protection for those fragile baked goods

Completing the look with a combination of red and white bakers twine and ribbon.

Tags and or recipes add a nice personal

touch.

Meringue Christmas Tree Swirls

Glassware really creates a touch of elegance in any gift presentation.

Vases, urns, apothecary jars, can also be used to

serve your sweet treats.

Cornucopias...

in copious amounts.

During the Christmas holiday season we receive surprise visitors.

I like to have a selection of "Sweet Surprises" waiting for them.

I'll prepare various styles of cornucopias and fill them with a variety of candies and

set them out in baskets and trays for my guest to take home.

When I found this Waffle cone photo I wanted to add this design to my collection, but I couldn't find any instructions.

It seemed simple enough; so I gave it a try.

When I'm making copious amounts I'm always looking for shortcuts.

Pulling out the waffle maker

along with all the ingredients was the one big step I cut out.

I purchased my waffle cones from the local

grocery store.

Easypeasy!

Double dip the waffle cone rim in melted white chocolate with another quick double dip in sanding sugar crystals.

I filled the Cornucopias with traditional hard Christmas ribbon candies and wrapped them cello bags.

Foiled Doily Cornucopias

These are the directions for my traditional foiled cornucopias.

I also set these at each place setting on our Christmas dinner table.

Simply....

Roll a 10 inch foiled (paper) Doily into a cone, hot glue into place.

To form the handle dab another spot of hot glue on the tip end of either...wired tinsel garland or pipe cleaner and affix to each side of the cone.

I tie a few jingle bells on with metallic thread.

Fill with cookies, candies, toys, etc.

PAPER

This Country Living cookie envelope along with the single strip wrap concept (in the next photo) is one of my super easy favorites, especially adorned with the crystal snowflake ornament.

It can be applied to so many types of paper...

Glassine, scrapbook, tissue, etc.

 
Just by cutting a strip of decorative paper and wrapping the sleeve around the cookies.

Tie and tag,

Voila!

I hope one of these techniques will help in the last minute preparations, that always have a tendency to sneak up.