Naturally preserving/storing cookies - tips?

I had this same problem when I was flooding with royal icing. Now I outline with royal and then flood with a glaze containing corn syrup, which keeps the cookies softer. How long they last depends on the recipe you use. Some last about a week in an air-tight tin. Maybe longer if wrapped in individual plastic bags. I have a recipe that contains lemon zest and those last a month. 

I would LOVE to have a good lemon cookie recipe (I'm assuming the lemon zest is in the cookie?) Share if you will

Thanks so much for this helpful information, Jill!  Your cookies last a month?Wow!  One question, how does the glaze compare to the royal icing in terms of finish?  The glaze I've seen looks a little translucent.  Also, would love to give your lemon cookie recipe if you'd like to share it. 

I usually package my cookies and seal them in cellophane within 24 hours of decorating and they stay fresh for about 6 weeks. I think any cookie if left out will start to dry out when exposed to air. The nature of royal icing is that it gets more solid over time. Packaging them individually will help prevent the drying process to continue.

I use real egg whites for my royal icing so that could make a difference. 

I use pasteurized egg whites plus I add a tablespoon of both corn syrup and glycerin. That keeps it from getting rock hard.

The corn syrup glaze I use is a little translucent, so I just add a few drops of Wilton white food coloring tp the glaze

. The lemon zest sugar cookie recipe is from Rose Levy Berenbaum's Christmas cookie book Rose's Christmas Cookies.

How would you store cookies that do not have icing on them? I made some chocolate chip cookie, sugar cookies with sprinkles etc. I have been putting them in the freezer in between my days that the farmers markets.