Shipping Food

[Raidra]

Does anyone ship food as holiday gifts? Money's tight and we love to give food as gifts.. I'm just wondering if things like cookies or brownies would go stale by the time they get there. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[crl]

My mom used to mail me cookies all the time when I was in college. They tasted great. I would choose sturdier things (iced cut out sugar cookies probably would not hold up well, for example) and package carefully.

Catherine

[vonfirmath]

We send iced cake cookies (I forget what my husband calls them but they taste like cake-consistency) to my SIL every year for her birthday.

She LOVES it but it definitely is NOT frugal when you pay for priority mail, etc.

We saran wrap two cookies together (flat sides together) and package with lots of packaging.

[amldaley]

There are several of us military wives here at BBB with a load of experience shipping food!

Wrap them well. If using a tin, stuff bits of crumpled wax paper in around the edges to prevent josseling.

Seal them up, use tape around lids or use good ziploc bags.

Don't pack moist with crunchy...so no fudgey brownies with biscottis.

Some age and travel better than others. Fudge does pretty well as it can withstand chilly transportation containers and is still good even when a little stale. Pizzelli's are difficult as they tend to break just by looking at them the wrong way. My MIL used to do Mexian Wedding Cakes (those mounded almond cookies covered in powdered sugar) for us. Well, they tend to get a little gummy or doughy (the sugar does). But they still tasted GREAT!

Don't pack anything chemical or stinky even in the same box. No sending candles or hand cream with the cookies lest your precious shortbread and scones arrive reeking of Bath & Body Works.

Also, keep in mind, you can not send liquids USPS, so don't count on sending homemade salsa, etc.

And USPS will not insure foods or other perishable items. Well, they'll sell you the insurance, but you won't be able to file a claim on it!

I would LOVE a box of homemade treats over so many other gifts...budget savvy or not. Great idea and I hope it works out for you!

[WolfpackMom]

I just sent fudge, chocolate covered pretzels, and peppermint bark to WA on Monday. Priority mail flat rate was the cheapest way and it should arrive tomorrow or Thursday so I am anticipating it still being good. I packaged everything in rubbermaid snap and go containers lined with parchment paper and tissue. Stuffed them in the box so tight that they cant shift around all that much and surrounded in more tissue.

We will see if they survive the trip!!

[army_mom]

packing tip: use popped popcorn to cushion cookies in containers and keep them fresh. My mom used to do that all the time when she sent me cookies.

Food definitely will stay fresh to ship, especially at this time of year since it's colder.

I love getting home baked goodies when I can't be with family and friends on holidays. It's also a nice gift to give people who don't really *need* anything.

Happy Baking!