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We've all seen them. Clusters of big, gourmet cookies, individually wrapped in shiny cellophane, with bows and ribbons. They come in many styles and with different treats, toys or gift items attached to or inside a basket or vase of some sort. They make a terrific and edible gift idea. After all, who doesn't love cookies? Sadly, they can be very expensive gifts, especially when considering that cookies are inexpensive to bake.
Here's how to make your own cookie bouquets at home without spending a fortune!
What You Will Need:
Chopsticks, Wooden Skewers or Sucker Sticks. If you're baking smaller cookies, then popsicle sticks would also work.
Cookies - Find a delicious cookie recipe that makes larger size cookies, (your favorite or your gift recipients favorite will do fine)!
Clear cellophane cookie or treat bags.
Container - This needs to be a sturdy container, especially if you plan to include more than a few big cookies. Some ideas for containers include: a coffee mug, a metal or plastic pail, a basket, a vase, a planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glass bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, teapot, porcelain or pottery serving ware.
Cellophane or Basket Bags – You can use the colored cellophane but I prefer clear cellophane so the cookies really stand out.
Ribbon - The curly kind works well for this. Any colors you like.
Decorations - Anything goes! What's appropriate to the occasion and what does the gift recipient like? Some ideas include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, balloons, fake or real flowers, stickers or whatever you find at the local craft store.
Block of styrofoam or florists foam.
Something to cover up the stryofoam or florist's foam - You can use moss, plastic grass, shredded paper, tissue paper crumpled up or whatever else you have handy.
Scotch tape.
Instructions:
I don’t like to bake my sugar cookies cookies with the stick inside. The cookies have to be made too thick. So I bake and decorate my cookies as usual. When the icing is dry, you’re ready to assemble your bouquet.
You can also use any other type of cookie, chocolate chip, etc.
Cut a piece of Styrofoam or florists foam to fit into the bottom of your container very snugly. Place each cookie in a clear cellophane or treat bag and seal the bottom or top of the bag (whichever you prefer) with a small hand sealer. I purchased a very inexpensive one at Walmart. Or, you can tie the top or bottom of the cookie bag with a pretty ribbon.
Decide where your cookies will be placed in the basket. Typically an odd number works best. The cookies that will go in the back will need the longer sticks. Tape the sticks onto the back of the cellophane, making sure the stick reaches the top of the bag to make the cookie more secure.
Stick the cookies into the foam so that the stick is near the bottom of the container. When you have them arranged the way you want, place tissue paper, shred, or moss, etc. around the cookies to hide the foam.
Now you’re ready to place any other item into the basket that you’d like. Decorate with additional ribbons, toys, candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be attached with additional ribbon to the container or the sticks of the cookies or even with a glue gun (if appropriate).
Give your gift and watch the smiles! Make sure to give the bouquet as soon as possible after you have assembled it, you don't want the cookies to go stale!
Tips:
Make sure you bake enough cookies for your container, if baking small cookies, you may run out if you are filling a large container.
Bake both large and small cookies and use them both in the bouquet for a nice varied look like a more traditional flower bouquet.
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Thank You for sharing!