Pricing and costs of cookies vary depending on a number of factors like ingredients used, packaging, brands, etc. All of us are aware of the brands of cookies found in our stores like Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Keebler and more. The cookie brands found in our stores are usually economically priced and range from a dollar to up to $5 or more per package. But if you are considering sending cookies for gifts as corporate gifts, it is better to invest in the more sophisticated gourmet cookies.

Gourmet cookies may be a little more expensive but the extra steps taken in ordering and sending these cookies as gifts is always worthwhile. Pricing and costs of cookies depend on a number of varying factors like brand, quantity, size, packaging and decoration.

1. More famous brands of gourmet cookies will be priced higher than lesser known brands

2. Price depends on the number of cookies per package.

3. Extra features like packaging and personalization may cost more.

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Choose a price range before ordering cookies

Prices of gourmet cookies vary greatly depending on brands, and, if you are placing a large order, it can add up quickly. Decide on how much you want to spend on cookie gift baskets and how many you need. With the variety of gourmet cookies online, you can find one that suits your price range.

I recommend: CookiesbyDesign lets you choose cookie baskets and bouquets according to price. They have cookie baskets which start from under $35 and up. Temptation Gift Baskets also offers cookie gift baskets with different price ranges and they start from $25 and up.

Calculate pricing and costs of cookies which depend on packaging and shipping

There are many different types of packaging available like cookie baskets, gift tins, trays, party favors and more. Price varies depending on the type of packaging you choose. The price will also be higher if you choose same-day or next-day shipping for the cookies for delivery.

I recommend: Giving cookies for gifts in the form on cookie gift baskets, cookie jars, tins and more are provided by Pacific Cookie. Mrs. Fields also offers a variety of packaging to choose from like cookie baskets, tins, towers and even ceramic.

Check total cost of gourmet cookies which vary with customization

Cookie manufacturers provide services where they can personalize cookies with messages like birthday wishes or thank you notes, even print your corporate logo on the cookies. You can also personalize entire cookie tins to reflect your company's message.

I recommend: 1-800-Bakery offers to customize your cookies to suit any corporate gifting occasion. They can decorate cookies with your logo, message or even the shape you want for the cookie. Super Cookie offers cookies designed for every occasion that might require corporate gifts. And if these designs don't fit the bill, then they will create a cookie designed just the way you want it.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many sellers with online cookies stores sell sample packs of their cookies in assorted flavors. This is a great way to taste the selections before you place a huge order. If there is no mention of sample orders on the website, use the contact us link and send them an email asking for paid samples. Most will be happy to oblige.

What better product than cookies to sweeten any business deal? Whether you are looking to butter up a client or offer sweet rewards for your employees, gourmet cookies are a good bet.

Cookies can enhance a meeting, remind clients of your logo, thank clients or employees and liven up a seminar. Before picking a cookie baking business, ask yourself the following:

1. What will be the main use of your cookies? For corporate events, gifts, marketing or clients?

2. How often will your business buy cookies? For bigger orders, you may need to keep track of inventory and request discounts.

3. What type of cookie brands are most popular with your clients and employees?

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Check out the most popular cookie brands

Your clients and employees may have favorite brands of cookies. Ask around to find out the most popular ones for your business to use. Trying to motivate employees to attend a seminar? Remind them that their favorite cookies will be served.

I recommend: Mrs. Fields has ideas for corporate cookie gifts. David's Cookies offers chocolate chip cookies gift services for clients or employees, including corporate cookie baskets and bouquets. Nestle Toll House offers a catering menu for your business events, such as a cookie tray or personalized cookies.

Get creative with sweet gifts, marketing ideas from cookie manufacturers

You can use cookies to market your brand, give a thank-you, offer incentives or motivate. Order online cookies with your company logo for any business event. Gourmet cookies can be a nice addition to any motivational seminar, open house or other business event you may need to host.

I recommend: How Sweet of You has cookie bouquets for any occasion: graduation, administrative professionals, baby gifts and more. Get a gourmet cookie with your corporate logo on it for clients from Cookies by Design. EdibleGiftsPlus.com has photo cookies for your corporate logo. Totally Chocolate has cookies for corporate birthdays, thank yous or encouragement.

Ask cookie manufacturers for volume discounts and orders

If you are going to be a frequent client, ask for large order or volume discounts for your company. Also, look for cookie companies with a small minimum order requirement.

I recommend: Cookies From Home requires a low minimum order and allows you to inventory your corporate gifts. Cookies From the Heart offers cookie tins with quantity discounts available.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ordering online cookies makes it easier to scan the latest catalog of options and view the treats before purchasing.
• •  Ask the cookie manufacturer for free samples of the products you plan to buy most often.
• •  Ask the cookie bakery if they have a reminder service or automatic orders for annual birthdays, anniversaries, company events and other milestones you don't want to miss.

Cookies have become an essential indulgence in every pantry. There are many key terms which describe these favorite treats. Cookie brands vary greatly in size, flavor, texture, price and even presentation. Store-bought brands of cookies are tasty and economical for everyday indulgences. But if you are planning on using cookies for gifts to your boss or client, gourmet cookies are a better choice. They are little more expensive but have a richer taste, better texture, can be customized to your needs and are usually packaged in beautiful gift baskets or boxes.

Gourmet cookies have increasingly become popular option for gift giving. With the wide range of exquisite flavors available and the ease of ordering online, gourmet cookies are convenient and easy to impress with. Cookie manufacturers take into consideration many cookies' key terms to ensure that they not only taste heavenly but also look appetizing.

1. Size of the cookie - varies from mini-cookies to large 6oz cookies

2. Flavors of cookies - range from the simple sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies to the more gourmet types like butter pecan, oatmeal cranberry nut, etc.

3. Cookies come in many textures - hard, crumbly cookies, soft, chewy ones, chunky, nut-filled cookies and more.

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Select the size of the cookies

Many businesses which sell online cookies allow you to choose the size of the cookies. The most common sizes are the normal-sized cookie, which is the size available in stores, as well as large, usually four-inch-wide cookies.

I recommend: You can not only specify the size of the cookies at Beau-coup.com but also select from beautiful decorations to suit any occasion. The Gourmet Food Market sells cookies which range in size from 1 oz to 6 oz.

Decide which gourmet cookies flavor you want to use

Gourmet cookies come in an exquisite array of flavors like white chocolate macadamia nut, dark chocolate raspberry, chocolate cherry jumble and many more.

I recommend: Carolina Cookie boasts of 13 different gourmet cookie flavors like triple chocolate pecan and oatmeal cranberry nut. Pacific Cookie also sells 12 different flavors of gourmet cookies ranging from lemon drop to almond joe.

Choose from the different packaging cookie manufacturers provide

When you are using cookies as gifts, you have many options for packaging and presentation. Cookies can be assembled as cookie baskets or gift boxes, arranged as bouquets,or sold as cookie tins.

I recommend: Gourmet Cookie Bouquets packages cookies into bouquets, baskets, boxes, tins, even party favors. Cookie HQ lets you order cookie gift baskets, bouquets and more but also lets you personalize the cookies with personal photos.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When shipping cookies to a warm place, it is best to choose same day or next day shipping. Warm weather may alter the taste of the cookies or make some of the ingredients like chocolate melt.

There aren't many people in the world that will turn down free food, which makes cookies an excellent promotional product. The cookies will engage people's senses of taste, smell and touch, and if you choose the right cookies types and styles, they will think of your business at the same time.

While the flavor of the cookies is important, unless your company is a cookie bakery, you should concentrate more heavily on the presentation. Three memorable cookie types you may want to try are:

1. Fortune cookies with custom fortunes;

2. Chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies in custom bags or baskets;

3. Hand-decorated logo cookies.

Action Steps
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Look at cookie manufacturers that make custom fortune cookies

Anyone that has ever gotten Chinese takeout is familiar with the fortune cookie. Its somewhat triangular shape hides a thin strip of paper inside. While these papers usually contain lucky numbers and some type of philosophical saying, you can use them to advertise a sale or display a clever catch phrase related to your business.

I recommend: Check out the basic custom fortune cookies that Branders offers. They have space for an imprint of 2" by .3" on the fortune paper, available in a standard color and font. If you're looking for a more upscale and arguably tastier option, turn to Custom Fortune Cookie. You can pick cookies dipped in chocolate or caramel with a variety of sprinkles. They can still contain your custom fortunes and be dressed to match your promotion.

Get common flavors of cookies in custom containers

When you're thinking of cookies for gifts, you can't do much better than oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies, since they are very well liked. Even though these cookie flavors are run of the mill, your presentation doesn't have to be boring. Many cookie brands allow you to order custom tins or bags so you can add a colorful logo.

I recommend: Look at Motivators Inc. Promotional Products' premium individually wrapped cookies. There are several flavors available, including oatmeal raisin and double chocolate chip. You can add a custom full-color logo to the front of each transparent wrapper. If you'd rather have a container people may keep for a long time, consider Carolina Cookie's assortments in custom tins. The company will screen print your logo on each tin and load them up with cookies in traditional flavors.

Check out cookie baskets full of hand-decorated cookies

If you have a larger budget to spend on cookies and you really want yours to make an impression, the best way to go is hand decorated cookies. These butter or sugar cookies are covered in custom icing and look like mini-billboards for your brand.

I recommend: Corso's Cookies hand frosts your logo onto a custom butter cookie. You can order these cookies individually wrapped or in a basket with chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. If you want your basket to be more personalized, choose one from Crumb Corps. This company has everything from martini cookies to animal cookies, all custom iced. Just order one of these baskets and intersperse your logo cookies among the others for a truly memorable assortment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cookie makers may not post lists of ingredients when you order online. Make sure you obtain them if you are distributing your cookies. Some of the recipients may have food allergies or dietary restrictions.