As Sandra mentioned, Regular Priority rates can be less an Flat Rate boxes. My idea requires the use of a box of one's own...I save the boxes that my KAF orders come in, and use those! Has anyone else noticed the beautiful designs of rolling pins, "BAKE", and other baking related tools on the KAF boxes lately? They are PERFECT for giving the recipient a hint of what's inside, and it gets my 93-year-old mother excited as soon as she sees the outside of the box! The cookies I ship tend to be decorated sugar, gingerbread or chocolate roll-out cookies, so they require a bit more care in packaging. First, I package each cookie individually in a cellophane bag, closed with either a twistie or a ribbon that coordinates with the cookies. Then, in a new document box that I get at the office supply store, I line the bottom with bubble wrap, place ONE layer of cookies, place another layer of bubble wrap, and then another layer of decorated cookies. Top with bubble wrap. I close the box, shake it while listening for any shifting. If I hear anything, I add styrofoam peanuts until all is quiet. Then, I take the KAF decorated mailing box, line the bottom with bubble wrap, place the packed box of cookies inside, and fill the rest of the outside box with bubble wrap. Again, lift the box and shake to see if you can hear anything. If so, add stuffing until you don't. Once all the noise is quiet, seal the box with packaging tape and then address and mail. Except for the cellophane bags for the cookies and the document boxes, everything else I use for packaging is recycled, so the cost is kept to a minimum. This may seem like a lot to go through for cookies, but when you've already spent time decorating with royal frosting, sprinkles and quins, it's a pleasure to think of my mother's smile 2,000 miles away. It IS more work, but not nearly as much as she spent rearing me!

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