Kitchen

[Peggyfs]

Try packing with popcorn.  My mom always sent food surrounded by popcorn when I was in college---almost 50 years ago.  Cookies plus popcorn--what a treat!!!!

[beach-mom]

During the school year, I send cookies to DS every two weeks while he's away at college. He is on the other side of the country, and I don't want them to go by "pony express," so I send them priority mail. Here's what I do FWIW:

I buy large freezer containers - each one will hold 12 cookies. I line them with wax paper, stack the cookies with a layer of wax paper between each, and put a final layer of wax paper on top. Then I use PACKING TAPE wrapped around the outside (I learned to do this the hard way!) I can fit 2 of these containers in the large priority mail box from the US post office. I fill in with crumbled newspaper, or sometimes socks or some other clothing item. I put a layer of newspaper on the bottom and on the top. 

I mail the box out Tuesday at noon, and he will get it sometimes late Thursday, and sometimes Friday. The college mail room closes at 4 on Friday and doesn't reopen until Monday, so I have to get it there before Friday. (I learned that the hard way too!)

At first I just taped the lids with scotch tape. Then one time they arrived with the lids off and the cookies all out. Also, one time I mailed them on Wednesday. They sat in the mail room all weekend, and when he picked them up Monday they were like eating little bullets! I also tried using UPS, and that was a lot more expensive. 

He shares them with his friends and dorm-mates and says they rarely last through the weekend! 

[Ruthie-Roo]

I haven't read all of the comments, but I am certain you got some awesome advice!  Here is a book I remember checking out from the library: The Flying Brownie: 100 Terrific Homemade Food Gifts for Friends and Loved Ones Far Away, by Shirley Fan, 2013.  I haven't sent cookies and other baked goods to loved ones for a long time, and I am sure not an expert.  So, unfortunately, I can't offer much help.  But this book, in addition to the comments here, should set you on a great path.  Good luck and have fuin!  

P.S.  I forgot....  From the book's description on the "A" site, it says it offers not just recipes, but guidance in packing, rules and regulations on mailing the packages off, and so on.

[Noel7]

I mailed a lot of cookies to my daughter in college and when she interned in DC.

IMO the trick is to wrap each cookie separately in Saran wrap then use bubble wrap around the batch.

ITA that the type of cookie counts.  Chocolate chip work well.