Jann, the new issue of Cooking Light talks about packaging...

We have one guest who out does everyone on her packaging. Not sure where she finds the time with 3 growing boys, but talk about WOW factor! One year she made felt gingerbread men packets for each guest with her cookies in them! I'm talking 30 bakers!

Here's what the new issue of Cooking Light has to say on the subject of:

PACKAGING PANACHE

1 Heap cookies into inexpensive tins lined with tissue or parchment paper-retro tins with holiday scenes, galvanized tins or red and silver tins.

2 Stack cookies onto a pretty saucer from a flea market, wrap with cellophane, and tie with a ribbon. (I found great Christmas themed plates, desert plates and deep bowls at Big Lots in November and snatched them up for 99 cents each. Wish I had thought to get enough for the exchange!)

3. Pile a wide juice glass high with cookies and remind guests that they can fill the glass with milk for drinking.

4. Use colorful takeout boxes.

5. Place cookies in glassine bags and tiw with colorful ribbon.

6. Put cookies in a paper bag, fold over the top, punch two holes, string ribbon through the holes and tie a bow.

7. Line a small basket with a holday napkin and fill with cookies.

8. Stack cookies in a colorful cafe au lait bowl, and wrap with cellophane.

9. Wrap cookies in wax paper, secure with a ribbon and tie a cookie cutter to the ribbon.

10. Package cookies in small wooden boxes lined the colorful tissue paper.