Table Notes | No. 3
My Favorite Holiday Tradition: The Cookie Box
I started making cookie boxes for friends and family in 2019. The truth is: cookie boxes are a lot of work. Mixing, chilling, dipping, packing—it adds up. But it’s also a tradition I look forward to all year. I start early, usually in the last week of October or the first week of November, freezing dough little by little so that by December, all the fun parts remain.
There’s something almost meditative about turning butter, flour, and sugar into a little collection of sweetness meant to be shared. A box of small, thoughtful things that says: I made this for you.
My cookie assortment has evolved over the years, but this year’s box features a delicious mix of no-bake treats, classic flavors, and fun shapes. Here’s the full list of what made the cut:
Here’s a photo of my box from last year.
As you can see, I let my daughter take the lead on decorating the Santa cookies—and every time I look at them, they make me smile. They’re her favorite cookies in the whole batch, and it’s become one of my favorite parts of the season to share this little activity with her.
As far as packaging goes, I’ve continued to use these kraft bakery boxes, lining them with wrapping paper and tying them up with red-and-white baker’s twine and a sprig of rosemary.
If you’re baking this season, I’d love to know what’s coming out of your oven. Maybe one of these old favorites will make its way into your cookie tins, too. This tradition is my way of slowing down and sending a little homemade joy into the world.
Happy baking.