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The Baker’s Buzz: What’s Trending This Holiday Season?
The holiday season is FAST approaching, and we know you've got all kinds of festive treats on the brain! Between Thanksgiving, Elf on the Shelf, and Christmas, there's a whole lot to plan for this time of year. And if you're anything like us, you've probably already got a few Valentine's Day ideas floating around in your head, too! With so many holidays, trends, and treat ideas to keep up with, it can be hard to decide what to offer your customers each season.
That's where we come in! At Miss Cookie Packaging, we're always keeping our finger on the pulse of what's happening in the baking and treat-making world. After all, our goal is to create packaging that not only makes your treats look adorable but helps you SELL them, too! And one of the best ways we can do that is by paying attention to what you, our customers, are loving!
So, we thought it would be fun to give you a little peek behind the scenes at what's been happening here at MCP! We're diving into this season's biggest bestsellers, trends we've noticed year after year, products you've already sold us out of, and a few favorites that are getting dangerously close to disappearing. And don't worry, if you missed out on something you had your eye on, we've rounded up some great alternatives and creative ideas to help you make the most of what's still available.
Whether you're putting the finishing touches on your holiday menu or still looking for a little inspiration, we've got plenty to share. Let's get into it!
What's Hot This November?
Let's kick things off with some of our biggest sellers this month! We've noticed a few familiar favorites making their way back to the top of the list, along with some products that have really taken off this holiday season.
Surprise Advent Calendars: Think Outside the Cookie Box!
Our 12-Day Surprise Advent Calendars are always a HUGE hit, especially over on our TikTok Shop! Traditionally, most of these calendars have been purchased individually by customers looking to put together a fun, personalized countdown for their loved ones. But over the past two years, we've noticed a growing trend of bakers and treat makers getting creative with them, and we LOVE to see it!
We think a lot of our customers don't even realize we carry these calendars, or assume they're just meant for toys and little gifts. But here's the thing: our Surprise Calendars have the same sturdy plastic tray inserts as our Cookie Advent Calendars, just with much bigger compartments! Each cubby measures a generous 3" x 3" x 3", which opens up a whole new world of possibilities for what you can put inside.
In fact, Carvel Syosset over on Long Island had the GENIUS idea to use our Surprise Calendars for ICE CREAM this year! How COOL is that?! It's such a creative use for these calendars and really goes to show just how much you can fit inside one of those compartments!
And ice cream isn't the only thing we've seen! We've had customers fill these calendars with hot cocoa bombs, chocolate-covered Rice Krispies treats, macarons, and even craft popcorn kernels! The possibilities really are endless. As long as your treats fit inside the compartments and can be safely stored and enjoyed throughout the 12-day countdown, why not make it an advent calendar! We also have 1lb bags of food-safe paper shred that you can add to your calendars for those goodies that are a little too big for a cookie calendar but a little too small to take up the full 3 inch cubby!
You can even make these calendars your own with custom stickers! Whether you want to incorporate your bakery's branding, personalize them for your customers, or give them a completely different theme, a few stickers can go a long way.
So, if you've been overlooking our Surprise Advent Calendars because you thought they weren't meant for baked goods, consider this your sign to give them a second look! You might just come up with something that goes viral!
Cookie Advent Calendars
You KNOW we have to talk about our Cookie Advent Calendars, too! Our Grouchy Green Guy Cookie Advent Calendar has been our top-selling calendar this ENTIRE year! This design was hand-illustrated by us, and we even created a matching set of hand-illustrated cookie cutters so you can make cookies that fit the theme perfectly.
And let's not forget about our Gingerbread House Cookie Advent Calendar, which was our best-selling calendar last year! This design was SO popular that we were still getting messages on December 1st from bakers asking if we had any left because their calendars were selling so well and they needed to order more! Unfortunately, we were completely wiped out by then, so of course we HAD to bring it back this year!
Both designs have been getting plenty of love this season, and we're excited to see all the adorable cookie countdowns you guys are putting together!
Mystery Dumpling Bundles
Our Mystery Dumpling Bundles have been another HUGE hit this November! Both our Christmas and Elf bundles have been flying off the shelves, and it's easy to see why. They're super cute AND they play on an existing viral trend!
The Elf Dumpling Bundle is especially perfect for creating a ready-made surprise for the Elf to bring, something we know busy parents are always looking for this time of year!
Fold-Over Toppers
Fold-Over Toppers have REALLY taken off this year, and we can see why! They're one of our favorite ways to package a single full-sized cookie, giving it that extra premium look without adding a bunch of extra work. Sometimes it's the packaging that makes a simple cookie feel like something special, and these do exactly that!
They're especially great for PYO cookies! You can attach the paint palette right behind the cookie, keeping everything together in one neat, ready-to-sell package. With so many seasonal designs to choose from, it's no surprise these have become such a popular choice for holiday markets this year!
Grinchy Goodies Pouches
It's officially the year of Grinchmas! Our Small Grinchy Goodies Pouches completely sold out last holiday season, so of course we had to bring them back this year! They've been a hot item again this November, but this time around, we decided to go BIG! By popular demand, we've introduced our Large Grinchy Goodies Pouches, giving you even more room to package all kinds of delightfully grinchy treats. We even made a large set of our popular Grouchy Green Guy cookie cutters to pair with this pouch!
Both sizes have been incredibly popular this season, and if that tells us anything, it's that 2026 is shaping up to be a very Grouchy Green Christmas!
Elf Donut & Pizza Boxes
Our Elf Donut and Pizza Boxes have been another big hit this November! These mini boxes are just the right size for creating adorable, Elf-sized treats, and they're especially popular for DIY kits! After all, what kid wouldn't love waking up to find that their Elf brought them their very own little donut shop or pizza-making activity?
We even put together FREE printable DIY instructions to make assembling these kits a breeze! Just add your treats, package everything up, and you've got a ready-to-sell Elf activity that busy parents will love.
Cake Pop Cards
And of course, we couldn't talk about our bestsellers without mentioning Cake Pop Cards! These are consistently some of our most popular products, and this holiday season has been no exception.
Going, Going, Almost Gone!
These holiday favorites have been flying off our shelves, and they are getting dangerously close to selling out! If you've had your eye on any of these designs, consider this your friendly heads-up to grab them while you still can!
Because the Holidays are right around the corner, we don't have time to reprint any more packaging, so once these are gone, they're gone for the season! If you're still planning your holiday menus or stocking up for upcoming markets, now's the time to snag these popular picks.
Cake Bite Calendar – 12 Days of Cake Bites Countdown Calendars – Ornaments
Price range: $30.00 through $95.00
12 Day Cookie Advent Calendars – Woodland Creatures
Price range: $33.66 through $104.68
12 Day Cookie Advent Calendars – Christmas Version – Red
Price range: $33.66 through $104.6824-Day Advent Calendar Clearance: Last Chance!
Our 24-Day Advent Calendars aren't just close to being gone for the season, they're close to being GONE gone! These designs are being retired, that means once our remaining inventory sells out, that's it!
We've already completely sold out of our 24-Day Merry Christmas Calendar, and inventory on several of our other designs is getting dangerously low! So, if you love offering 24-day countdowns to your customers, now is the time to stock up on your favorite designs while they're still available. Plus, they're all 50% off!
24 Day Cookie Advent Calendars – Woodland Creatures
Price range: $26.90 through $63.84
24 Day Cookie Advent Calendars – Santa’s Workshop
Price range: $26.90 through $63.84
24 Day Cookie Advent Calendars – Holiday Version – Light Blue
Price range: $26.90 through $63.84
24 Day Cookie Advent Calendars – Christmas Version – Red
Price range: $26.90 through $63.84PYO Paint Palettes & Edible Ink Markers: Stock Up While You Can!
If you're planning on offering PYO cookies or DIY decorating kits this holiday season, this one's for you! We're running VERY low on our PYO Paint Palettes and Edible Ink Markers, and we won't be restocking either before Christmas!
PYO Paint Palette & Brush Sets – Pack of 12 Sets – Rainbow
Original price was: $13.49.$10.79Current price is: $10.79.
Red Mini Edible Ink Markers
Price range: $4.25 through $9.00
ORANGE – MINI EDIBLE INK MARKERS
Price range: $4.25 through $9.00
GREEN – MINI EDIBLE INK MARKERS
Price range: $4.25 through $9.00Don't Sleep on These! Great Alternatives & Hidden Gems
You guys have been keeping us BUSY this holiday season, and some of our most popular designs have already completely sold out! We've been getting lots of questions about restocks, but unfortunately, as we mentioned earlier, we simply don't have enough time to reprint any more packaging before the holidays. But don't give up on that holiday treat idea just yet! Just because one design has sold out doesn't mean you can't create something just as adorable with a little creativity!
We've rounded up some of our favorite alternatives to this season's sold-out bestsellers, along with a few products we think deserve WAY more attention. From swapping out a Fold-Over Topper to dressing up simple packaging with a festive gift tag, sometimes all it takes is one little change to bring your original idea to life.
And while we're at it, we want to show you a few ways to think outside the box (or pouch!) and get even more use out of your packaging. After all, the more ways you can use a product, the more opportunities you have to add something new to your holiday menu!
Let's take a look at some options you might be overlooking!
Fold-Over Toppers: Same Festive Vibes, Different Designs!
Some of our most popular Fold-Over Toppers have already sold out this season, but don't let that stop you from offering those holiday treats! We still have plenty of adorable designs that can give you a similar look without having to change your whole plan.
Our Grouchy Green Guy PYO Fold-Over Topper is running low, so if they run out before you can grab them, check out our Merry Whatever Fold-Over Topper! It's got that same delightfully grouchy holiday attitude and makes a great alternative for your Grinchmas-themed treats.
Our North Pole Delivery Fold-Over Topper has been flying off the shelves ever since we showed off our adorable Elf-sized cake pops packaged in it, and we're officially down to SINGLE DIGITS! But if you miss out on this design, don't worry! You don't need THAT particular topper to recreate these adorable mini treats. We used Daisy Makes' small round popper and some 4" toothpicks to make our tiny cake pops, and they'd look just as cute paired with any of our holiday Fold-Over Toppers! We think our Let's Build a Snowman Fold-Over Topper would be especially adorable for a DIY snowman kit! Just fill the bag with little circle and hat cake bites or mini cookies that customers can use to build their own snowman. How cute would that be?!
And for those of you still finishing up Thanksgiving orders, our Happy Thanksgiving Cookie Greeting Card is a great alternative to the almost sold-out Thanksgiving PYO Fold-Over Topper. It's a different packaging style, but it still gives your cookies that extra special touch and makes them ready for gifting.
And speaking of Fold-Over Toppers, stencils have been HOT this year, and they're a Fold-Over Topper's best friend! Our Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas Fold-Over Toppers pair perfectly with our Christmas Movie Stencils! We also have two different holiday PYO instruction designs that pair with our PYO stencils, making it easy to create a complete paint-your-own cookie kit. Just attach your paint palette behind the cookie, and you've got an adorable, ready-to-sell holiday activity that's perfect for markets and gift giving.
Christmas Movie Stencils
Price range: $5.99 through $28.75
Don't Forget About the Elf!
Our Elf "I'm Back" Cake Pop Card was SO popular this year that even after a restock, you guys managed to sell us out AGAIN! Unfortunately, we won't be getting any more this season, but don't worry, we've got plenty of other ways to package up some adorable Elf treats!
If you're making cake pops, don't overlook our Snowbucks Cake Pop Card! You can make the cutest little coffee-shop-inspired cake pops with these! Imagine offering that alongside a little box of "donut" cake bites as a special delivery from the Elf! We think kids would go absolutely crazy for it!
And cake pops aren't the only option! We have a HUGE selection of Elf Cookie Cards that work beautifully with mini cookies or cake bites! These are especially great for offering affordable, ready-made Elf surprises that busy parents can grab without having to plan an elaborate activity themselves.
Our Nice List Cookie Pouches are another adorable option for packaging Elf treats, and don't forget about our Elf Table Tents! These little signs are such an easy addition to your finished products and help parents turn your treats into a complete Elf experience.
The best part? You don't have to reinvent your entire holiday menu to offer Elf-themed goodies. Sometimes all it takes is a different card, pouch, or finishing touch to turn a treat you're already making into something parents will be excited to pick up!
A Little Gift Tag Goes a LONG Way!
Here's one of our favorite packaging tips that we think more bakers and treat makers should be taking advantage of: you don't need holiday-specific packaging to make your treats feel festive! Sometimes all it takes is a cute gift tag and a little bow to completely transform your presentation.
Our clear boxes and bakery boxes are perfect examples! You can use the same boxes year-round, then simply swap out your stretch loop and gift tags to match the season. It's an easy way to make your treats look intentional without having to stock up on a different box for every holiday.
And you don't even need a box! A single decorated cookie in a clear bag with a pretty bow and gift tag makes an adorable, affordable grab-and-go gift. Our gusseted bags are another great option, especially for packaging drop cookies, chocolates, or an assortment of smaller treats.
We've added several NEW holiday gift tag designs this season, along with plenty of returning favorites! Don't forget about our Elf "I'm Back" and "I'm Here" Gift Tags, either. They're perfect for turning just about any treat into a special delivery from the Elf, especially if you missed out on some of our sold-out Elf packaging!
If you're looking for an easy way to expand your holiday offerings without adding a ton of extra work, don't underestimate what a simple gift tag can do!
Don't Sleep on Cookie Greeting Cards!
Think about how many people are looking for little gifts for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, and office staff this time of year! Our Cookie Greeting Cards are such an easy way to turn a single full-sized cookie into a thoughtful, ready-to-give gift, and they look adorable displayed at holiday markets!
These are especially great to market as corporate gifts, employee appreciation treats, or easy grab-and-go holiday gifts. You can even glue a $5 gift card to a local coffee shop to the inside of the greeting card! It's such a simple addition, but it instantly makes the gift feel a little more special and gives you an opportunity to offer a higher-priced gift option to your customers.
And don't forget, these aren't just for decorated cookies! Cake pops fit beautifully inside our Cookie Greeting Cards, too! You can fit ~2 standard-sized cake pops using Medium poppers or ~4 mini cake pops using Small poppers from Daisy Makes! It's such a fun way to package your cake pops a little differently and offer customers another gift-ready option. Other sweet treats can work beautifully, too, depending on their size!
If you're looking for an easy addition to your holiday menu that customers can grab for just about anyone on their list, our Cookie Greeting Cards are definitely worth a look!
Greeting Card – “Sweet Christmas Wishes” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – “Soakin’ Up the Holiday Cheer” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – Polar Express “Merry Christmas To You” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – “Merry and Bright” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – “Happy Holidays to You” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – “Wishing You Much JOY” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – “Santa Postcard” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00
Greeting Card – “Merry Little Christmas” – 4.25″ x 5″ Box
Price range: $9.70 through $73.00Think Outside the Pouch!
We might call them Cookie Pouches, but that doesn't mean you have to fill them with cookies! These little bags are SO versatile, and they're one of our favorite ways to package up all kinds of goodies for holiday markets. Think chocolate-covered Oreos, dipped pretzels, cake bites, brownie bites, dog treats, hot cocoa mix, and so much more! If it fits and can be safely packaged inside, why not?
And speaking of pouches, we HAVE to mention our Bag of Coal Cookie Pouches! These are one of our biggest sellers every winter, and last year we even introduced a smaller version so you have more options for your treats. They're perfect for funny stocking stuffers, White Elephant gifts, or a little something for someone who's been extra naughty this year!
Our small pouches can fit approximately 3–5 mini cookies or one full-sized cookie, depending on the size, while our large pouches can hold around 12–14 minis or a few full-sized cookies. We even have a blog tutorial showing you how to make your own coal cookies, so you can offer the whole experience to your customers!
SMALL “Very Merry Holly Jolly Christmas” Cookie Pouches – 5.5″ x 6″ x 2″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $10.10 through $74.00
SMALL “Bag of Coal” Cookie Pouches – 5.5″ x 6″ x 2″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $10.10 through $74.00
SMALL “Sweet Holiday Wishes” Cookie Pouches – 5.5″ x 6″ x 2″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $10.10 through $74.00
“Snowballs” Cookie Pouches – 5.5″ x 6″ x 2″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $10.10 through $74.00
“Reindeer Treats” Cookie Pouches – 5.5″ x 6″ x 2″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $10.10 through $74.00
“Happy Holidays!” Cookie Pouches – 6.5″ x 8″ x 2.5″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $12.70 through $93.00
Merry Christmas Cookie Pouches – 6.5″ x 8″ x 2.5″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $12.70 through $93.00
Bag of Coal Cookie Pouches – 6.5″ x 8″ x 2.5″ Cookie Packaging Stand Up Pouch
Price range: $12.70 through $93.00Missed Out on Our Christmas DIY Gable Box? We've Got Options!
Our Christmas DIY Gable Box may be sold out, but that doesn't mean you have to cross DIY kits off your holiday menu! We still have some adorable options for putting together fun decorating activities that kids (and parents!) will love.
Our Gingerbread House Gable Box is a great alternative, especially when paired with our DIY Gingerbread House Instructions! Fill it with everything your customers need to decorate their own gingerbread house cookies, and you've got a complete holiday activity ready to go.
And don't forget about our Christmas Eve DIY Gable Box! Pair it with one of our Elf Table Tents and market it as the Elf's final surprise before heading back to the North Pole! It's a great way to help busy parents wrap up their Elf festivities while giving you another opportunity to sell your holiday treats.
Just because one design is gone doesn't mean the idea has to go with it. A simple packaging swap can give your DIY kits a whole new theme!
Wine Bottle Hangers: The Hostess Gift You Didn't Know You Needed!
Our Wine Bottle Hanger Treat Boxes are a NEW product for us this year, and WOW, you guys have been loving them! Our Brown Wine Bottle Hangers we added for Thanksgiving have been selling SO fast and are already running low!
But don't worry, Thanksgiving isn't the only occasion these are perfect for! We also have Christmas Wine Bottle Hangers, and they pair perfectly with our matching "Let's Get Lit" Cookie Cutter and Matching Stencil! These little boxes can hold approximately one 3" cookie or four mini treats like cake bites or chocolates, making them such an easy way to turn a bottle of wine into a thoughtful holiday gift.
Here's a little marketing tip: put a sample on a wine (or liquor) bottle to your market! These are the kind of products customers might not even realize they need until they see one in person. Market them as the perfect hostess gift for holiday parties, because the only thing better than showing up with a bottle of wine is bringing a little something sweet to go with it!
That's a Wrap! (For Now!)
Whew, that was a lot! We hope this little peek at what's been trending here at MCP has given you some fresh inspiration for your holiday treats! Whether you're stocking up on this season's bestsellers, grabbing a few last-chance favorites, or discovering a new way to use packaging you might have overlooked, there's still plenty of time to get creative with your holiday offerings!
And remember, just because something has sold out doesn't mean you have to scrap your original idea! Sometimes a little creativity and a simple packaging swap can turn into something even better. We absolutely LOVE seeing what you guys come up with, so keep tagging us in your creations! Who knows, maybe your treats will inspire the next big trend here at MCP!
