Decorative boxes are safe and attractive wrappings for delicate cookies or cakes.
Gifting homemade or purchased food items is a popular gesture during the holiday season and for virtually any occasion. Food gifts are appropriate as Christmas gifts, hostess gifts, sympathy, birthday, housewarming, congratulations, engagement and baby shower gifts. Creative and decorative wrapping is important when gifting homemade gifts, as it shows an extra effort and validates your product as a legitimate gift. When packaging food gifts, protect them and make them look nice.
Instructions
1. Place small items, such as cookies, candies or crackers, in small cellophane bags. Use cellophane bags when gifting small amounts of food that are sturdy enough to pile on top of each other without breaking or smashing. Fill the bags with mixed or spiced nuts, cereal snack mixes, caramel popcorn, chocolate candies, fudge or dry cookies. Tie a decorative ribbon around the neck of the bag and attach a small gift tag.
2. Stack cookies, cakes or pies in tins, decorative wax boxes or Chinese take-out containers. Use boxes or tins for delicate items that need sturdier packaging. Fill decorative metal tins with cookies or candies, or place a whole pie inside a tin. Place a decorative gift tag on the top of the tin stating the contents within. As an alternative to tins, use wax-covered paper boxes, rather than simple paper boxes, to prevent grease stains. Purchase tins, holiday-themed or decorative wax boxes from craft or baking-supply stores. Use a piece of wax or parchment paper between layers of cookies, fudge, cakes or caramels to keep stacked items from sticking to each other.
3. Fill jars or large mugs with loose items such as candies, flour mixtures, coco-powder mixtures, snack mixes and nuts. Lidded mason jars are ideal for packaging loose, messy items like powders or small candies. Layer baking mixtures of measured flour, baking powder, sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, nuts or dried fruit in mason jars and screw the lid on tight. You can also fill jars with spiced nuts, crackers or chocolates. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar and attach a small spoon or metal cookie cutter. To use mugs, fill cellophane bags or plastic zipping baggies with the powder or small items and then place them in the mug.
4. Place contained items, such as purchased boxed foods, wine bottles, olive oils, vinegars, canned jams, jellies and fruits, candy boxes and other packaged treats, in decorative gift bags. You can also arrange self-contained items in a gift basket. Wrap the entire gift basket in a large piece of clear cellophane and tie it off with a ribbon.
5. Tie ribbons and tags on everything. Any wrapped item looks better with a decorative ribbon, homemade tag and special embellishments tied around it. Tie ribbons around boxes, tins, through bag handles and around the neck of jars and bottles. Make homemade gift tags to add a personal touch and embellish with small attachments, such as miniature measuring spoons, a miniature cookie cutter, miniature novelty whisk, cheese grater or a food-themed Christmas ornament. Tie embellishments through the ribbon or secure it with hot glue.
Tags: around neck, cellophane bags, items such, around neck attach, attach small