Your box just showed up. Here's how to make it last.

Keep them sealed in the box or bag they arrived in. That packaging is doing more work than you'd think. A cool, dry spot away from direct sun keeps them at their best.

They're at their peak for about 5 days, and still good for up to a week if they stay sealed. After that, the freezer's your friend.

A cookie that's a few days old still has some magic left. It just needs a minute of heat to remember what it's for.

Cookies freeze better than most people expect. Wrap them individually, or lay them in a single layer before bagging together, in a freezer-safe bag or container. That's what keeps freezer burn away.

They'll hold well for up to 2 months. When you're ready for one, let it thaw on the counter, then warm it the same way as above.

• Give a warmed-up cookie a minute to rest before you bite in. Straight out of the oven, that center is lava.
• Coffee or a cold glass of milk turns any of these into a whole moment, not just a snack.
• If you've got a few flavors in the box, try them at different temperatures before picking a favorite: warm brings out the chocolate ones, cold makes the citrus and berry sing.