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I've been grappling with this same issue... no luck. I'll be hanging on every comment.

I bought an ice cream maker last week and am now facing the same issue. I reused a plastic takeout soup container for one batch, and just tupperware for another.

What about paper Chinese takeout boxes? I'm not sure if the gift kind you'd get at Michael's would work, but they might.

I'm looking for them too. Keep us posted.

Try going to a restaurant supply shop, www.restaurantdepot.com.

I hadn't thought of that before. I've been putting my ice cream in tupperware for years - maybe this would take away some of that iciness that sprouts up after a few days (humidity?)

I give out ice cream to friends in containers they can reuse, like a Tupperware. It's not pretty, but better than tossing a bunch of one-use containers in the trash. I also reuse large plastic yogurt or cottage cheese containers. I make my own ice cream labels to wrap around them.

Not sure if paper Chinese takeout boxes will work too well - you want a container that can be tightly sealed and prevent leakage.

I second the quart-sized yogurt container suggestion. They work great!

I buy these containers for soup all the time at my local restaurant supply store (Surfas in Culver City, CA) - usually in 10 packs. They have several different sizes.

How about pint-size glass canning jars?
Kerr, Ball, and Mason all make them.

I know where you can get them, Smart & Final. I bought a bunch of them for just this purpose, and they are perfect. I forget the exact number per pack but definitely more than 10 a bag, and the covers are sold separately.

I buy cases of wide mouth pint mason jars. You can get 12 for less than $10, especially at this time of year, and you can use them over and over. Add some fabric to the top before you screw on the top and you have a pretty package!

christianne: the problem with soup containers is that they have little holes punched in the top to let the steam out. For freezing, you don't want any holes, otherwise you get instant freezer burn. I love Surfas, though! A toy store for me.

Aimi and ehme: Glass wouldn't do well in the freezer.

RJD: The Smart & Final suggestion is great, if you live in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon or Washington. They don't have an e-commerce site. Someone in one of those states want to ship me some?!

I live in Oregon and I would ship you some, but our store is called "Cash & Carry" (from their website). Wonder if it's the same?

RJD: Is there a product number? What exactly is the item name?

i have found the perfect site!

they have plastic containers in the all the right sizes.. from smaller than half a pint (8oz) to larger than a gallon (128oz).

they have skirted lids, recessed lids (for easy stacking), and regular flat lids!

there is no minimum order, although for total orders less than $50 they apply a $10 charge.

the site?

www.containerandpackaging.com

After trying from yogurt to Ziploc containers, I still think ice-cream looks better in pint-size paper containers when I give it away. I will be ordering from GelatoMarket.com and stick a waterproof label on the lid (with the name of the flavor) to cover the holes and to prevent freezer burn. I live in the Boston area and would be willing to split the order if anyone is interested.

I found them at www.thinkgarnish.com and you can buy just one if you want to.

You can find these containers at Wholesale paper supplies
http://wholesalepapersupplies.com/index1.html
The min order is 500 and lids are ordered seperately.

oh. I am just reading the thread now. papillonmosaic, did you end up buying from gelato market? I am in the Boston area too.

I like to eat my ice cream out of my favorite ice-cream bowl or right out of a pint size container. I can understand wanting to give away your gifts away in something that looks the same way as you enjoy it.

I found these ice-cream tubs (1 pint size) on Amazon and I think I'll get them because the times where I have given ice-cream to friends in ugly tupperware they usually give me back my tupperware (it's the polite thing to do) and they request more. So really, they never throw it away, they give it back to you when they want more, and hopefully they reuse it (maybe it can hold soup?). But they are $12 each. I'm sure a nice waterproof label can be added to the tops, side or even discreetly on the bottom.

http://www.amazon.com/Zak-Designs-Cream-White-Pint/dp/B001LBFDZE/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2LDFONRZ2KPAK&colid=28KD4MTDRYZ5A

I found these a few weeks back, sooo cute and cheap!
http://www.sweetblisscontainers.com/

The container with holes in the lid looks perfect! Why not use a sheet of Saran wrap under the lid?