here is some information with links to help you
http://allrecipes.com/advice/coll/all/articles/176P1.asp
Mailing Cookies Print
chocolate chip cookie mail gram stamp envelope Everyone loves to receive packages in the mail, especially the edible variety. Make sure you get cheers, not jeers, when you mail your elegant eatables.
No, no, no!
Certain cookies tend to ship better than others do. We recommend that you do not mail cookies with custard or custard-like fillings or toppings, including Cheesecake Bars or Nanaimo bars. The custard could spoil, making a very unwelcome gift. For that matter, any cookie that requires refrigeration is not a good candidate for the mail. Another type of cookie that doesn't hold up well for mailing is one with a delicate, cake-like texture such as Madeleines. And now, on to the kinds of cookies that loved to be mailed all over the world.
Yes, yes, yes!
Cookies that have a crunchy or hard texture such as Biscotti, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Crisps, Springerele, and Shortbreads make excellent choices for mail delivery. They tend to be fairly sturdy, so you don't have to worry too much about breakage. And since they already have a fairly dry texture, drying out isn't much of an issue.
Cookies that have a slightly chewy texture, like Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal-Raisin, Snickerdoodles, and White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies also ship well. These cookies will tend to dry out if they are in the mail for more than a week, so if their destination is a long way off, you might want to ship them by express to ensure that they arrive just as tasty as when they left.
Macaroons and Pignoli mail beautifully. Their chewy, moist textures only seem to improve after they've aged a few days. Who wouldn't want to receive a single, perfect chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon as a special treat?
Dense bar cookies such as Fudge Brownies, Blondies, or Peanut Butter Bars are delightful to receive in the mail. Just be sure to individually wrap each one with plastic wrap to keep that moist, gooey, dense texture from drying out.
Good things come in secure packages
Once you've baked and cooled your cookies, you're ready for the next step: packing them. There are a few guidelines you should follow when it comes to preparing cookies to be mailed. Follow these and your special packages should arrive fresh, in one piece, and great tasting.
Don't pack crisp and soft cookies together. The moisture from the soft cookies will seep into the crisp cookies, making them lose their delightful crunch.
Don't overstuff your container. Your cookies may be damaged. Likewise, don't under-pack your container. The cookies should fit snugly. If you have too much space, crumple up a bit of tissue paper to fill the holes.
Pack cookies in a sturdy tin or airtight container. On the bottom of the container place a piece of bubble wrap, then line the container with parchment paper or cellophane, leaving enough to tuck over the top once the container is fully packed. Place one layer of cookies in the container. Cover with parchment paper. Arrange another layer of cookies, followed with more parchment paper, and continue this layering until the container is full. Tuck the cellophane or parchment paper over the top, then place another piece of bubble wrap on top, and seal your container.
You now need to pack your tin or container in a heavy-duty cardboard box that's large enough to allow a two- to three-inch cushion between the tin and the wall of the outside box. Place a layer of shipping peanuts, air-popped popcorn, or crumpled paper on the bottom of your shipping box. Set your cookie tin on this bottom layer. Then fill in the sides and top with more shipping materials. Seal the shipping box with two-inch-wide shipping tape. Place a mailing label on the box, and you're ready to send those treats on their way. Rest assured you won't be seeing any "Return to Sender" messages coming your way!
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http://www.baking911.com/howto/mail.htm
In General: Durable foods that ship well include baked goods that are moist and firm or hard, but not brittle. These travel well and should arrive whole, not in crumbs. Examples are pound cakes, cookies, fruitcakes, brownies and fudge.
Obviously, it's not a good idea to send perishable foods. If you do, be sure to mark it as so and check with your post office for the best way to ship. Usually the best way is to ship it overnight in a Styrofoam container packed with ice packs or dry ice.
Tip #1 on Sending Food Gifts to the Military Overseas and Tip #2
If you're not sure how well a food will ship, test it. Place the food in a container and shake it a few times. If it holds its shape, it should mail well. Place the food in a draft (made by a fan or wind) to see if the food retains moisture well.
Materials: Once you've selected and prepared your holiday food gift, a proper package is a must. Start by putting in a layer of packing material such as newspaper, popcorn or plastic bubble wrap, etc in a sturdy corrugated box. Next, center the gift in the middle of the box. Then overfill the box with cushioning material, making sure there's no air space left in the box.
bullet Boxes: should have two basic lines of defense, an inner gift box, that is well packed in a second, outer heavy corrugated box, suitable for mailing. When choosing a an outer box, make sure it's roomy enough to allow plenty of packing material on all sides. Check with your carrier on the sizes that can be sent.
bullet Other good shipping containers include: rigid plastic freezer or refrigerator containers, metal cake boxes and metal canisters. Two, 1-gallon plastic milk jugs can be cut to hold food. Cut the top half off each jug. Wash and air well to remove any odors. Place the wrapped food inside one half; fill any empty spaces with crumpled tissue or unsalted air-popped popcorn. Fit the second jug half over the first like a lid and seal with freezer tape. Place in box to send.
bullet Cushioning materials: recycled Styrofoam, bubble wrap, popcorn (air-popped, with no oil) and eco foam, the environment-friendly cousin of foam peanuts or other packing materials that are safe to use with food. Eco foam is a biodegradable cornstarch product that provides excellent cushioning, however, there are potential problems -- its only drawback is that it melts when wet, so dont use it to pack any containers that may leak. With popcorn, there have been warnings not to use any type of food as packing material when shipping because it can attract insects. It also can absorb exhaust fumes from cargo holds and other areas the package may pass through in transit. Sealing popcorn in zipper-lock bags to use as padding may be a safe alternative. Use only air-popped popcorn that contains no salt or oil.
bullet Styrofoam and ice packs: Needed when shipping perishable items. It should be placed inside of the outer box or can be sent as is -- double check. These items should be shipped overnight. Check with your carrier on the sizes that can be sent.
bullet Moisture absorbers: If you are worried about moisture, there are moisture absorbers available, but be careful that you use those approved for food use and ask whether or not the baking recipe will get too dry if you use them. Go to: http://www.foodsave.net/food_preservation.htm Make sure they are FOOD SAFE.
bullet Baking pans: Most breads, cakes and bar cookies can be baked in a foil or light-weight aluminum pan, or coffee can that also may be used for shipping. If you are going to ship the food in its baking container, follow the directions in the recipe for cooling and removing the food from the pan. When thoroughly cooled, wrap in plastic wrap or foil and return to the cleaned container.
bullet Wrap all foods: in aluminum foil or plastic before placing in shipping containers when drying during shipping is a problem. Wrap small items, like candy and cookies, individually. Small plastic bags are ideal for this. Select a strong cardboard box to mail the food in. Place a cushion of crumbled newspaper, paper towels, styrofoam pellets or unsalted air-popped popcorn in the box and then add the containers of food. Finish packing with paper. Securely close the box and label it "perishable." Check with available mailing services to determine which one best fits your delivery needs.
bullet Mailing tape and address label: use a tape that is strong enough to withstand mailing. An clearly written mailing label is very important.
bullet Select mode of mailing: There are many shipping providers. Some pick up for an added charge. Each has a variety of services available. You can review what is offered, calculate shipping costs, find the nearest location, or locate the customer service telephone number on the Internet.
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