Long-Distance Christmas Cookie Exchange

Since John and I moved away from the town where we both were born and raised, we’ve had to rethink how we keep in touch with those we left behind. We’re just an hour and a half away, so we make the trek to town pretty often for one-on-one time with our friends and family, but when things are super busy (think: the holidays) we pretty much rely on long-distance gift exchanges. Most of my closest blogger friends are scattered across the country, too, so mailing gifts is really the only way for me to get cards and presents into their deserving hands.

So, to help streamline things a bit, I decided to introduce the idea of a long-distance cookie exchange into my Christmas routine! It’s the perfect, stress-free way to treat my closest buds to a little something special this time of year, and we don’t have to feel constrained by schedules and miles. We can order and send cookies to our recipients with practically just the click of a button, and my friends still benefit from that irreplaceable tactile experience when they tear into their box of cookies.

Although this post isn’t sponsored by them, I wanted mention Milk Jar Cookies for your own long-distance Christmas cookie exchange. They sent our family a big box of sugary treats earlier this season, and John and I have been big, big fans of theirs ever since (my favorite is the Rocky Road!). The fact that they ship makes them a no-brainer for this concept of a cookie mailer.

Of course, if you’re already a pro baker, then, by all means, break out the cookie pan, baking supplies, and sugar. All you have to do is bake your treats, wrap them in plastic, pop them into a box with a card, and seal it with ribbon and a bow before packaging it at the post office.

In case you’re looking to pull names from a digital hat to give your long-distance Christmas cookie exchange a level of intrigue and mystery, try using an online service like DrawNames.com, which allows you to secretly draw a name from your customized list of pals. You can even include a wish list where you could notate things like allergies and flavor preferences.

Again, none of the brands that I’m mentioning in this post know that I’m writing about them, but I’ve used them all personally, and think this is truly the makings of one unforgettably tasty Christmas gift exchange. Would you try the concept out for your holiday mailers next year? It could really work for just about any holiday (or even just because), so let’s all keep this idea in our back pockets the next time we experience gift-giving paralysis. Wishing you an oh-so-sweet holiday season ahead!

(Photo by Carrie Waller for Glitter Guide; click that link for a list of The Ingredients And Gear You Need To Bake Your Heart Out This Holiday Season)