Mom Guest has asked to pass along the following suggestions on packing and shipping cookies. She says this has consistently worked very well to make sure cookies arrive in one piece. It takes a little extra time, but it’s worth it to make sure the kids get your cookies in perfect shape. The ideal method is a vacuum sealer, if you happen to have one.

Pull out a 3-foot sheet (approx.) of plain plastic wrap and lay it on the counter. Width-wise, lay three cookies across one end. Roll them all over (toward the center) once so they are wrapped in plastic. Lay another three cookies on top of the first set, flat bottom against flat bottom. Roll all the cookies again. What you are doing, basically, is putting one layer of plastic in between
each layer of three cookies. Do it two more times so there is a pack of 12 cookies. At this point, roll all the cookies to the end of the wrap so you have a bundle. The sides will not be sealed, so be careful they don't fall out. Then put three packets of cookies in a gallon ziploc bag. Carol uses the bags to save/send cookies for Mids who can’t attend. It may sound like a lot of work, but once you get the system rolling it’s not too bad.

Jot your name on the ziploc bags (we want to be sure that your name accompanies your cookies on Cafe day!) and pack them between whatever you have handy to cushion with; bubble wrap, newspaper, chips, whatever.

If you send aluminum pans of bars or brownies, leave them uncut, wrap them well in plastic wrap, and place a piece of cardboard on top of each pan to keep them from crushing. Place any pans at the bottom of your box, and cookies on top of them.

Please be sure to write FRAGILE on the box and draw arrows pointing “up” around all the four sides. Carol says it really helps to indicate “up” so the box doesn’t arrive upside down.

IMPORTANT: Put your name and return address and sponsorship date on the outside of the box so Carol will be sure that your cookies are used on the right date. You may send the cookies several days prior to your sponsorship date, as Carol can freeze them in her big freezer. Try to avoid having the cookies in transit any longer than possible, and try to avoid having them sit static on a Sunday. You can send them a week ahead of time if that works best for you.

You can compare shipping rates to find the best one for your area at: http://www.shipgooder.com/
I don't see UPS in the above rate chart - try: http://www.theupsstore.com/qcc/qcc.asp

As an example, from the Richmond, VA area, I can send a box FedEx Ground Home Delivery and it will get to Carol overnight about 95% of the time for about 60¢ per pound. So it's about $11 to send 16 dozen cookies.


Please email me with any questions at all: muffi@kpcookiecafe.com