| We've all seen them. Clusters of big, gourmet | | | | colored cellophane. A different color for |
| cookies, individually wrapped in shiny, | | | | each cookie would be ok, or all the same |
| colored cellophane, with bows and ribbons. | | | | color appropriate to the occassion. Tie each |
| They come in many styles and with different | | | | one with some curly ribbon at the base where |
| treats, toys or gift items attached to or | | | | the stick comes out of the cookie. Tie it |
| inside a basket or vase of some sort. They | | | | very tightly so the cookies will stay fresh |
| make a terrific and edible gift idea. After | | | | on the stick. You can adorn each cookie with |
| all, who doesn't love cookies? Sadly, they | | | | additional, larger ribbons or bows at this |
| can be very expensive gifts, especially when | | | | point. When using curly ribbon, don't forget |
| considering that cookies don't cost a whole | | | | to curl it!3. Now cut your styrofoam or |
| lot to bake.Here's how to make your own | | | | florist's foam to the size of the top of the |
| cookie bouquets at home without spending a | | | | container you chose. Then fit the foam in so |
| fortune!What You Will Need:* Chopsticks or | | | | it is nice and tight and near the top of the |
| Wooden Skewers - Make sure they are | | | | container. Remember, you can place something |
| heat-proof. If you're baking smaller cookies, | | | | heavier in the bottom of the container so |
| then popsicle sticks would also work.* | | | | that it does not tip over. Small pebbles work |
| Cookies - Find a delicious cookie recipe that | | | | well for this. Remember that the sticks will |
| makes larger size cookies, your favorite or | | | | poke through the foam and into the bottom of |
| your gift recipients favorite will do fine.* | | | | the container.4. Here comes the fun part, |
| Container - This needs to be a sturdy | | | | let's assemble the cookie bouquet! Take each |
| container that is a bit bottom heavy, | | | | of your cookies and stick them through the |
| especially if you plan to include more than a | | | | foam so they go all the way through the foam |
| few big cookies. You can try putting some | | | | and further, near to the bottom of the |
| pebbles in the bottom to make sure the | | | | container. You can assemble the cookies in |
| container won't tip over, if needed. Some | | | | any manner you like, but most cookie bouquets |
| ideas for containers include: a coffee mug, a | | | | have one cookie at the center that is taller |
| metal or plastic pail, a basket, a vase, a | | | | than the other cookies, so keep that in mind. |
| planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glass | | | | Decorate with additional ribbons, toys, |
| bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, | | | | candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be |
| teapot, porcelain or pottery serving ware.* | | | | attached with additional ribbon to the |
| Cellophane - The shiny, colored kind looks | | | | container or the sticks of the cookies or |
| best, but the colored plastic wrap you get at | | | | even with a glue gun (if appropriate).5. Give |
| your local supermarket would work too.* | | | | your gift and watch the smiles! Make sure to |
| Ribbon - The curly kind works well for this. | | | | give the bouquet as soon as possible after |
| Any colors you like.* Decorations - Anything | | | | you have assembled it, you don't want the |
| goes! What's appropriate to the occasion and | | | | cookies to go stale!Tips:Make sure you bake |
| what does the gift recipient like? Some ideas | | | | enough cookies for your container, if baking |
| include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, | | | | small cookies, you may run out if you are |
| balloons, fake or real flowers, stickers or | | | | filling a large container. Always bake more |
| whatever you find at the local craft store.* | | | | than enough. Surely your extras won't go to |
| Block of styrofoam or florists foam - You | | | | waste.Bake both large and small cookies and |
| know that stereo you bought last December? | | | | use them both in the bouquet for a nice |
| You probably kept the box, just search your | | | | varied look like a more traditional flower |
| garage for some spare, clean, styrofoam.* | | | | bouquet.More Ideas:Some cookie bouquets use |
| Something to cover up the styrofoam or | | | | cutout cookies, these can be fun to make and |
| florist's foam - You can use a big ribbon, | | | | decorate. Use your favorite sugar cookie |
| some moss, plastic grass, tissue paper | | | | cutout recipe and cut into shapes appropriate |
| crumpled up or whatever else you have | | | | for the occasion. For cutout cookies to work, |
| handy.Instructions:1. When you place the | | | | you may want to double your sugar cookie |
| cookie dough on the cookie sheet, press the | | | | recipe as the cookies need to be nice and |
| dough down a bit to flatten it so that it | | | | thick for the stick to go through them. For |
| doesn't spread too much while baking and so | | | | this type of cookie, wooden skewers will work |
| that the stick can be inserted properly. | | | | best, chopsticks may be too thick. Then |
| Before you bake the cookies, you must insert | | | | decorate the cookies with frosting. No need |
| the chopstick or wooden skewer into one side | | | | for colored cellophane with these cookies, |
| of each cookie. Push it in almost the length | | | | use regular plastic wrap or clear cellophane |
| of the cookie without going out the other | | | | so that the beauty of your hand decorated |
| end. This is an important step, as if your | | | | cookies shines through.Remember, your cookie |
| cookie is too big and your stick is not | | | | bouquet doesn't need to look professional, |
| sturdy enough, it simply won't hold it and | | | | it's the homemade touch that makes it a truly |
| the cookie may fall apart when you pick it | | | | special gift.Ricky Alberta is an editor for |
| up. When baking big cookies, you probably | | | | several websites including |
| won't be able to fit more than 3 cookies with | | | | Cookie-Recipes.net, which includes hundreds |
| their sticks to a sheet.2. After baking the | | | | of cookie recipes, cookie baking tips, a |
| cookies with their sticks, cool the cookies | | | | cookie blog and message boards. |
| thoroughly, then wrap each one with the | | | | |