Instead, "flour was all over the box, " and just one jar of cookie mix was intact, says the 47-year-old public relations director for a bed and mattress company from Highland, Md.

WSJ: How Would Santa Ship Chocolate Pears and Live Lobsters

When Ann Mowrey opened a gift from her sister a few weeks ago, she expected three jars of cookie-making mix.

WSJ: How Would Santa Ship Chocolate Pears and Live Lobsters