Simple Cookie Decorating Gift for the Holidays
With the Christmas season upon us and holiday traditions in full swing, making and decorating cookies definitely holds a special spot in my heart.
This year rather than just exchanging cookies, think about putting together a holiday cookie decorating box for kids and their families to enjoy. This gift provides a festive activity that kids will long remember.
I made one of these boxes for my niece years ago. Each Christmas, we would always bake and decorate cookies together – it was our special thing.
However, one Christmas I had just had my son, so I made my niece this little box, so she would still be able to decorate Christmas cookies that year.
In addition to putting together a holiday cookie decorating box for others, you could also make one for your family.
Save it until Christmas Eve, when you can then decorate cookies to leave for Santa:)
Not only is this box super easy to make, but it doesn’t involve screen time nor is it another toy.
And, if you are even a little bit of a baker or crafter, you probably already have a lot of the materials.
Cookie Decorating Gift Box Materials
- About a dozen roll-out cookies – Baking the cookies ahead of time eliminates the mess and lets the kids go straight to the fun part – the decorating.
- Candy Melts – I used chocolate and red
- Decorating Materials – sprinkles, candies, etc
- Small containers for the sprinkles/candies – You can use condiment containers, small tupperware, or you could buy the sprinkles/candies in small containers
- Decorative Box – Michaels always has great ones
- Ziplocs – to put the cookies and candy melts in
- Ribbon – to spruce up the Ziplocs
Holiday Cookie Decorating Box Instructions
First, you’ll want to bake your cookies and let them cool.
I made these cookies without dairy, egg, or gluten. I’ve gone through quite my share of recipes, as well as trying to use substitutes on my own recipes.
Hands down, the best one is from The Unconventional Baker. She also shares recipes for chocolate roll-out and vanilla roll-out cookies. Her instructions were great. And, the cookies rolled out very well! Also, they don’t use cane sugar, and they taste just as a rollout cookie should.
After they cooled, I placed about eight of each type of cookie in a stack and put them into a Ziploc bag. I folded the bag, so you wouldn’t see the zipper part when placed in the box.
Then, I adorned the top gingerbread man from each pile with a little bow:)
Next, I took the candy melts and poured them into ziplock bags.
Afterward, I also tied ribbons around them to make them look more festive.
Additionally, I found these cute little containers at Dollar Tree (10 for $1) and filled them with sprinkles and candies for decorating.
I also had all of these items in my pantry – so no additional cost for decorating materials 🙂
Next, I arranged everything into this Michael’s box. They have the cutest boxes for all holidays and seasons – and I always seem to shop when they are 70% off, which made this box $3!
The last thing I did was add a few candy canes because they make everything look so festive.
If I had a little more room in the holiday cookie decorating box, I would have added hot cocoa, paper cups, and cute straws, which would have made for a nice touch.
I spent only around $7 on this holiday cookie decorating box, as I already had everything but the box and candy melts.
Spending only $7 on a gift is quite amazing, right?
This year, as you get caught in the whirlwind of the holiday season, remember that decorating cookies is something simple, thrifty, and delicious to give!
And, I’m sure if you start this Christmas Eve tradition of decorating cookies for Santa, your kids will remember and blissfully look forward to it each year.
Thanks so much, Sarah! She was so happy :))
That is so cute! What a fun gift idea.
Thank you so much! Happy Holidays:))
What a great idea! Traditions makes Christmas more meaningful.
Thanks, Camille! They do :)) Merry Christmas!
Love this idea! So cute!
Thanks so much, Rachael! :)) Merry Christmas!
What a fantastic idea! Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Anita! Thanks for reading :))
What a wonderful gift idea, I am looking for some ideas like this.
Thanks,
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop
Thanks, Kathleen!:) I love ideas like this too – we posted a gingerbread making basket too and we have lots of ideas on our pinterest board @JustMeasuringUp 🙂
What a fantastic idea! I know a lot of people who would love to receive a gift like this. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Kathy!! Kids do love it 🙂
What a wonderful gift idea! Love all your boxed sets, so creative. Pinning for later!
Thanks so much Erica!! Happy Holidays :))
What a lovely idea Eileen and so much more meaningful than a toy. I can just imagine how much fun everyone has decorating their cookies together.
Thanks Michelle!:)) Yes it’s so fun!! 🙂 Happy Holidays!
This is such a thoughtful gift. I really like how you added lots of thoughtful details! Great idea!
Blessings,
Patty
Thanks, Patty!! It was fun to make :))
Thanks, Lori!! 🙂 Happy Holidays 🙂
I totally love all of the gift boxes you have been posting. I am saving this one for next Christmas. There are so many mothers I know who would love this.
Aww thanks, Melissa! I should have posted them sooner – but I am always last minute:) The best part of the box is that the cookies are already made :))
Such a great idea, easier than a whole gingerbread house! I should have done this…next year…or next holiday! I am borrowing this idea!
Yes – pre-assembled is that way to go! Happy Holidays, Chloe :))
What a sweet idea – it would make a great children’s party for the holidays. Decorating cookies!
What a fun gift box! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Thanks, Helen :)) Happy Holidays!
This is a really cute idea! I love creating experiences that people can enjoy. It’s often better than a toy/gift that they won’t necessarily love or will tire of soon.
-Lauren
Hi Lauren, Thanks so much! Me too – it adds a personal touch, too. And sometimes a new tradition 🙂 Happy Holidays 🙂
Thanks so much, Jess! I will soon – Happy Holidays:)
There are so many cookie kits that require mixing and baking first – which can kill the activity for kids. Love that you put the box together with the kids in mind…and their desire to get right down to decorating. Thanks for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Totally agree – and it drains parents too. With the cookies premade, everyone has a better time :)) Happy Holidays, Leslie! 🙂
A lovely tradition and a sweet gift. Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas tradition with us at Vintage Charm.
Thanks, Sharon!! Happy Holidays:))
Hi Eileen,
Don’t know why I’m just seeing this now, but just wanted to say thank you very much for recommending my cookies — I’m glad they worked so well for this and I absolutely love this idea. Will have to remember to share it around Christmas time next year! Thank you! 🙂
Yes – they were perfect. Thanks so much, Audrey 🙂
What a great idea!
And from #KALCOLS
As a cookie decorator, I can really appreciate this! Lovely idea!
This is such a cute idea. Pinning!
What an impressive gift box a busy mom would love this gift too
This is such a fun and cute idea. Love it!
Stopping by from #Alittlebitofeverything link up
What a fab idea, we have a lot of kids to buy for so these would be a great gift. And might save a few pennies with my husband recently out of work. Thanks, I’ll give it a shot!
This is such a fantastic idea! I love it and it’s much better than more useless plastic rubbish #sharingthebloglove
Love this idea! I like decorating cookies, but I don’t always like decorating them for others… that and they don’ always look so great after being packaged!
This is so cute, it’s a great gift idea! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
This is a great idea to give to a family with young ones. I like it a lot.
Such a great idea! I know many busy families would love to have this gift! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com
A very fun gift that anyone would love to receive! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
That is such a cute fun idea!!
Thanks for sharing at the #bloggerspotlight! Pinned
This is a really cute idea, I like it, thank you. Dropped by from #BloggersPitStop today and always glad to do so. Off to share so others can find this too. 🙂 Hope the week ahead treats you kindly. 🙂
This is such a fun and fantastic gift idea. I love it very much. I may make this for a family I know of who never get to have home made baking.
Thanks for sharing. Pinning.
I just love this idea!! It’s perfect for kids, and I definitely know some adults who would love it too! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m featuring this past at the Hearth and Soul Party this week! Have a wonderful week, and hope to see you at the party!
What a fabulous Idea I love this and think it is a great idea for kids that love to mess in the kitchen
This is a clever gift idea! Love it! Thanks so much for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party!
What a lovely idea. I love gifts that you can make, they are more personable. my girls would love making these for family members. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Congratulations your decorating box is a great idea for a baker and is being featured this week on Oh My Heartsie Girls WW!!
Thanks for sharing last week and hope you will join us again!! Pinned!! 🙂
Have a great day, Happy Holidays!!
That is an amazing idea–kids would love that! Thanks for sharing at Party in Your Pjs!
Eileen, this is a wonderful idea. What child wouldn’t love receiving this? For that matter, who wouldn’t love receiving this, child or not? Very thoughtful. Thanks for sharing all the details of how you put it together.
And thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
What an awesome idea. I’m featuring this when my party opens up tonight! Thank you so much for sharing.
Such a great idea for handmade gifts at this busy time of the year. Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop. Debbie from http://www.debs-world com
I love this idea – I’m always decorating baked goods with my daughter, so I should make her one of these for Christmas 🙂 #ThatFridayLinky
Neat idea! #ThatFridayLinky
Some fab ideas for the festive season loving it Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
I love this! Kids get so many toys at Christmas it’s lovely to give them something a bit different. And it looks beautiful too! #KCACOLS
This is such an amazing idea and so cute! We always make a gingerbread house each year with my daughter as we love baking and decorating things over Christmas! This is a great idea 🙂
#KCACOLS
What a great idea and love that the cookies are refined sugar free. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
This is such a beautiful idea! I love the bright colours and it would be such a fun thing to do #kcacols
Wow these are so cute and creative. Your nieces and son are very lucky.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
#KCACOLS