I have shipped bread to my son in Afghanistan several times and it's always made it in great shape...I have sent sourdough and non-sourdough.  I usually send a couple loaves in with a ton of other food items and he always says the bread disappears first....it usually takes about ten days to get to him....the USPS is especially great at getting packages to our servicemen and women quickly!

Thank you Barb...any special wrapping needed? I have plastic bread bags and twist ties I bought last year...

I might be over-wrapping, but I wrap the bread in plastic wrap, then foil.  I always enclose large and small zipper bags for him to put the bread into once he has sliced it - of course, you won't have to do that....I'm sure your plastic bread bags will be perfect...where did you get them?  Might be something I could use to send the breads to my son!

Barb I bought the original single and double loaf bags from KA last year. They still have them, but no longer provide the twist ties and their prices are high on them.

Sam's Club has a great deal on them if you have one in your area, 1,000 for $21.63 including shipping if they are mailed to you.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=428458&pid=_Froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=741695

And Pleasant Hill Grain also has terrific prices on several sizes... Scroll down quite a ways on this page and you will see them.

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/grains_baking_supplies.aspx

Thanks for the info on the bags..my husband and I are heading south tomorrow and there is a Sam's Club where we're headed...will check and see if they have the bags..thank you again......

You can make Panettone which has a long life up to a month or more.  You can get more information on my blog http://turosdolci.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/panettone-a-traditional-sweet-bread-is-a-symbol-of-christmas-greetings/

Traditionally they are wrapped in a specially made box, but you can also find colored foil or use cello wrap with a gold twist top. It is really the paper molds that keep the panettone fresh.

I've also have give a web site where you can buy the paper molds on line to cook them in.  These molds are oiled and help to keep the panettone fresh.

Panettone is a Italian sweet bread that is tradtiional at Christmas time and given as a Christmas greeting. It is perfect for what you are looking for. 

Check with Fedex and UPS, they have a FDA apparoved packaging for shipping food.

http://www.clearbags.com/ carries many different types of clear bags and has some FDA approved bags especially for food. There are other web sites also, google it and you will find all sorts of gift packaging and bakery box packaging companies. 

Happy Holidays,

Patricia Turo