When I enrolled my daughter, Emma, in Daisies, it was mostly because meetings were just twice a month, and I wouldn’t need to hover around (yep, I’m that parent). However, when cookie season rolled around, we were assured that selling cookies would be low-stress and easy-breezy, with whatever we could sell being just fine. The cookie coordinator handed us a whopping 20 cases of cookies and told us, “They practically sell themselves.” Then, winter decided to bless us with the stomach flu, and I discovered that not all cookie sales are created equal.
I had a mere two weeks to move 230 boxes of cookies. No pressure at all, right? Here’s what I gleaned from the experience:
- Early Sales are Key. The first two weeks of cookie sales are crucial. This is the time when everyone is craving cookies but none are available yet. Unfortunately, when your entire household contracts the stomach flu — twice (because sharing is caring) — you miss out on this golden window of opportunity. By the time you’re ready to hit the sidewalks, everyone else has already stocked up, and no one is in the mood for more cookies. Plus, did you know Keebler makes a cookie almost identical to Samoas, called Coconut Dreams? You’re welcome.
- Flu and Cookies Don’t Mix. I figured I’d take an extra case of Tagalongs because they’ve been my favorite since my own Brownie days. I had plans to freeze them for summer snacking. After devouring a few, I was hit with the stomach flu, and let me tell you, peanut butter does not come back up easily. I ended up with a whole case of Tagalongs I couldn’t look at again. The best-laid plans often take a turn for the worse.
- Eating Cookies Beats Selling Them. If you ask me to eat Trefoils with whipped cream and caramel, I won’t even let you finish your request. For every door I knocked on, I lost five precious minutes that could have been spent indulging in cookies.
- Cookie Moms are Fierce. Some of these moms are passionate and dedicated, turning into an unstoppable force during cookie season. They sport comfy shoes and have booths decorated so impressively that they make celebrity displays look dull. They lure you in with cookie samples and a smile that’s hard to resist. Believe me, when you’re sitting on 230 boxes, even I ended up buying cookies from other troops.
- Kids’ Enthusiasm Fades Fast. My 6-year-old was all-in until we hit seven homes that didn’t want any cookies. “Let’s just go home and play Legos, Mom,” she said, completely worn out. At that age, unless there’s a prize involved, you’re the one doing all the selling, which can be quite the hustle.
- Lack of Hustle is Genetic. I realized I’m not much of a go-getter. I prefer to settle rather than hustle. My husband is the real deal when it comes to negotiating, while I’ve concluded that my cookie selling strategy for next year may involve his skills.
- Secret Stashes Exist. Turns out my husband has a hidden stash of S’mores cookies tucked away somewhere in the house.
- One Cookie is Never Enough. You can tell yourself you’ll just have one cookie, but when you’ve polished off three boxes by noon, that plan goes out the window. It’s a slippery slope when you have cases of cookies at home.
- People Will Pay for Cookies. I was surprised at how freely people handed over $4 for a box of cookies. Maybe it’s the tradition or the cause — I’m not entirely sure. But I would have found it harder to sell high-quality European chocolates at a dollar than I did with these butter cookies priced at four bucks.
- I Don’t Want the Cookie Mom Job. Keeping track of sales with tally marks on the back of receipts was a chaotic experience. I realized I lack the organization needed for this role. In the end, we didn’t quite sell all 230 boxes. I felt a twinge of guilt returning them, but I acted early enough for the troops to sell them at booths. I did consider buying the leftovers, but my husband wasn’t having any of it.
Ultimately, we sold about half. Okay, maybe a little less than half, but enough to ease my mind about those boxes that were rolling around in my car. Next year, I plan to start early—assuming the flu doesn’t strike again. Until then, I have plenty of Samoas and S’mores to enjoy. And oh, I might have a half-eaten box of Tagalongs if anyone is brave enough.
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Summary
Selling Girl Scout cookies can be a wild ride filled with unexpected challenges, from timing your sales to managing your family’s enthusiasm. The experience revealed not just the realities of cookie sales but also the humorous side of parenting.
Keyphrase: Girl Scout cookie lessons
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