This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
A holiday cookie box is a beautiful way to celebrate the season and share the joy of homemade baking. Instead of presenting cookies one by one, you can arrange a colorful assortment in a single festive box. From spiced gingerbread to frosted sugar cookies, each treat adds its own flavor, color and charm. Thoughtful touches like dividers, tissue paper and ribbons turn the box into both a gift and a centerpiece, making it as fun to create as it is to receive.
A holiday cookie box is filled with a festive assortment of cookies. It makes a thoughtful homemade gift that’s colorful, creative and full of seasonal charm.
You might also like to make a Valentine’s Day treat box, shower steamers, birdseed ornament, or a chunky hand-knitted blanket.
Why You’ll Love It
Customizable: Choose any cookies you like, from simple shortbread to elaborate gingerbread.
Perfect gift: A homemade cookie box feels personal and thoughtful.
Festive look: A mix of colors, shapes and decorations looks eye-catching.
Fun to make: Decorating and arranging the box can be as enjoyable as baking.
How to Make a Holiday Cookie Box
Choose cookies: Pick a variety for flavor, texture and appearance.
Bake or gather: Prepare your chosen cookies or use favorite recipes you already love.
Arrange box: Line the box with parchment or tissue, then add cookies neatly in sections.
Decorate: Finish with ribbons, tags or greenery for a festive presentation.
Cookie Box Variations
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free cookie recipes for the box.
Store-bought option: Mix homemade with purchased cookies if you’re short on time.
Themed box: Choose only red and green cookies, or create a box of just chocolate varieties.
Kid-friendly version: Include simple decorated cookies kids can help make.
My Top 8 Favorite Cookies
Here are my top favorite cookies for a holiday cookie box if you’re looking for some baking inspiration. They aren’t in any particular order because I love them all!
Festive Chocolate Covered Oreo Christmas Cookies
I’m already sold on Oreos (any kind!) so these Festive Chocolate Covered Oreo Christmas Cookies nearly always make my festive baking list. Making these are oh-so-simple. You need to dip Oreo cookies into melted candies and then decorate them however you like. You can use writing icing for those cutesy Christmas messages or use festive coloured sprinkles.
Nutellotti Soft Nutella Cookies with Filling
Did someone say Nutella? Yes these Nutellotti Soft Nutella Cookies with Filling are another type of cookie you can’t go wrong with. If the very thought of hazelnut and chocolate together makes your mouth water, you’re going to want these in your cookie variety box this year. These aren’t exactly diet-friendly but you can enjoy them before making those pesky New Year’s Resolutions!
Homemade Torrone Italian Nut Nougat
The honey nut flavours in this Homemade Torrone Italian Nut Nougat are to die for! These white candies suit any cookie gift box packaging and I like to cut the nougat into pieces and wrap each one with festive paper. Add these to your cookie variety box this year and watch as they become the first treat or cookie to disappear!
Gluten Free Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Add these wonderful Gluten Free Christmas Pinwheel Cookies to your holiday cookie box. The red, white and green are super-festive and these might look technical but they’re really not hard to make at all. These are ideal for a cookie exchange and one of the most fun homemade Christmas cookie box recipes you can make.
Just Like Starbucks Ginger Molasses Cookies Copycat Recipe
You don’t have to go all the way to your favourite coffee shop to get these Starbucks Ginger Molasses Cookies for your cookie variety box. Not when they’re this simple to make anyway! If the rich flavours of ginger and molasses wound good to you, I recommend you make these for your holiday cookie box this year.
Gluten Free Stained Glass Christmas Cookies
Are these a Christmas tree decoration or a cookie? Well, why not both! Make holes in the tops of these cute cookie exchange worthy cookies before baking. That way you can thread festive coloured ribbons through them before adding these Gluten Free Stained Glass Christmas Cookies to the holiday cookie box.
Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringue Kiss Cookies
Now these are seriously cute. Peppermint and chocolate never tasted so good together and these Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringue Kiss Christmas Cookies couldn’t be any cuter! Make sure your DIY cookie box ideas include some form of meringue treat. These are as light as air and as festive as cookies get.
Gluten Free Italian Pignoli Cookies
Christmas is the time to serve nuts and nutty cookies. These Gluten Free Italian Pignoli Cookies combine the flavours of almonds and pine nuts to make these classic Italian treats. If you have some space in your holiday cookie box to fill, consider adding some nuts in their shells and a decorative nutcracker too!
How to Store a DIY Cookie Box
Store: Keep cookies in an airtight container or sealed box at room temperature.
Freeze: This isn’t suitable for freezing once assembled as a gift box.
Top Tips
Mix textures: Include chewy, crisp and frosted cookies for variety.
Use dividers: Separate delicate cookies with cupcake liners or parchment.
Stay seasonal: Add peppermint, gingerbread or spiced cookies for holiday flavor.
Think presentation: Ribbons, tags and greenery make the box extra special.
Christmas Cookie Box FAQs
Usually four to six different kinds give a nice balance without being overwhelming.
Not necessarily. A sturdy cardboard or tin lined with parchment works well.
Yes, small candies, fudge or chocolate truffles pair nicely.
Usually one day in advance works best so everything stays fresh.
A holiday cookie box is more than just a container of treats, it’s a way to share warmth and joy with the people you care about most. By mixing cookies of different flavors, textures and decorations, you create a gift that’s personal and memorable. Make your Christmas cookie box amazing by adding a few finishing touches like ribbons or tags and you’ll love making it as much as the recipient loves getting it. Pick any Christmas cookie box recipes you like to personalize it.
More Crafts to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Incredible mix of festive cookies that bring joy to any celebration!
I am so excited to try these Christmas cookies. The all look so good and delicious. Thank you for letting me join your group.
april
This is absolutely wonderful. I love the idea of creating a holiday cookie box. You could offer a variety of different cookies and the person would have the chance to share the cookies during the season of giving too.
Just in time for the holiday! My kids are gonna love those Oreos!
My husband has a company that makes these for his employees every year and they love them. Such a great way to celebrate the holidays.
All of these holiday posts are getting me excited for Christmas. I LOVE this cookie box idea, I will have to do this.
They all look so good! The Peppermint Meringue ones sound divine. such a great gift idea
So many cute cookies! I want them all.