Okay, cookiers, listen. The year is not over yet. I know it’s tempting to look at the calendar, glance at your oven, and declare December done… packaged up… sealed with red and green string. But hang with me here, because the last three weeks of the year can still bring in a surprising amount of profit for your cookie business when you know what to offer and how to position it.
A few years ago, I hit my breaking point around December 10th. I remember standing in my kitchen, staring at what felt like the 17th batch of Santa cookies that week, and telling my family, “If I see one more Christmas tree cookie, I might lose it.” My house looked like a cookie blizzard had hit it — trays stacked everywhere, icing bowls on every surface, emails popping in with “any chance you could just squeeze this in…?”
I told myself I wasn’t doing anything else. No more orders. No more late nights. I just wanted to glide into Christmas with a little breathing room and maybe a clean counter.
But then one night, after everyone went to bed, that familiar spark hit. You know the one — the creative jolt that shows up exactly when you were planning to rest. I realized I had bought the cutest packaging for holiday gift boxes and DIY kits… and I hadn’t really promoted any of it. It was just sitting there staring at me like, “Hey, remember us?”
So I made one quick post. One. I told people I had simple holiday gift boxes and last-minute DIY kits available if they still needed something festive.
That single post paid for my family’s entire Christmas.
It reminded me of something I’ve carried into every December since:
The year isn’t over until you decide it’s over.
So if you’re tired, I get it. If you’re looking at your numbers and wishing they were a little higher before ringing in the new year, there is still time to shift things. And you don’t need a huge launch or 27 offers to do it. A few strategic, simple options can completely change your December.
Let’s talk about them.
Corporate Orders & Gift Boxes: Your December Secret Weapon
Corporate gifting is one of the most overlooked income boosters for cookiers, especially at the end of the year. Businesses — big and small — are scrambling in December. They need client gifts, team appreciation treats, something that feels thoughtful and festive but doesn’t require them to run around town in holiday traffic.
And that’s where you come in.
You do not need 12 corporate themes or a giant menu. You just need one really strong holiday set that photographs well and feels classy and gift-ready. Something like a Santa and Mrs. Claus duo, or a simple tree and Santa pairing. Clean lines, bright colors, and easy packaging go a long way here.
Businesses love these because they feel personal without being complicated. And you get to charge appropriately for the convenience, the customization, and the speed — because someone ordering corporate gifts on December 14th is not shopping around. They’re looking for someone who can help them now.
Schools are another great option. Even if your district is strict about homemade treats, it’s worth asking. Some bakers get special permission when their business is licensed and labeled properly. A quick email can turn into a big order for a teacher appreciation lunch or staff celebration.
And don’t forget the special touches. A custom tag with the business name or a holiday message takes seconds to print but makes the gift feel elevated. It also positions you as someone they’ll want to return to next year.
Gift Cards: The Most Profitable “Offer” You Can Make
If you’re feeling tapped out and the idea of baking anything else makes your eye twitch… this one is your golden ticket.
Gift cards require:
- Zero baking
- Zero packaging
- Zero late nights
And people love them because they solve a classic December problem:
“What do I get someone who has everything… and oh no, shipping deadlines have passed?”
You can offer gift cards for cookie classes, holiday orders, or future custom orders. You can frame them as “the perfect last minute gift,” which is exactly what half of your audience is Googling during the final stretch.
A cookie class gift card is especially appealing — it feels thoughtful, fun, and unique. And all you had to do was hit “publish.”
DIY Cookie Kits: The Lifesaver Parents Don’t Know They Need
If you’ve ever had kids home for winter break, you already understand why these fly off the shelf.
Families need activities. They need something fun and festive that doesn’t involve lining up construction paper on the floor or pulling out 12 bins of crafts. Your DIY cookie kits solve that problem beautifully.
A few cute cookies, a handful of icing colors, a sprinkle mix, and a simple instruction card can become the activity of the day. These kits work beautifully for cousins getting together, grandparents babysitting, playdates, family parties, or just a quiet afternoon at home.
And the best part? You can batch them incredibly efficiently.
Even better — if you make more than you sell right away, freeze them. They’ll stay perfectly fresh for months, and you can repurpose them for pop-ups or future events. Nothing goes to waste.
Adjust Your Pricing for Holiday Demand
Let’s talk mindset for a second.
Your December pricing is not your June pricing. The demand is higher, your time is more limited, and your energy is absolutely more valuable this time of year.
And no — that doesn’t mean you’re taking advantage of anyone. It simply means you’re acknowledging the reality of your capacity.
People aren’t coming to you in December because you’re the cheapest option. They’re coming because you’re:
- Reliable
- High-quality
- Local
- Gift-worthy
- Solving a very real holiday problem
Holiday pricing should reflect the season you’re in, not the season you wish you were in. You’re offering convenience, beauty, and handcrafted work during the busiest month of the year. That has value.
Finish the Year With Intention — Not Burnout
If you’ve been feeling like this year is already “over,” I want you to remember that one social post I made that changed everything for me. You don’t need to do more. You need to do what makes sense strategically.
A strong corporate gift set.
A simple DIY kit.
A few well-timed gift card reminders.
And pricing that protects your energy and your profit.
This is how you finish the year well — with clarity, confidence, and intention instead of exhaustion.
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