How To Make Your Own Homemade Cookie Bouquets

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