Cookies, cookies, cookies! What a wonderful thing at Christmas time. I, for one, enjoy lots of different cookies, but never seem to have the time or effort to bake them all. Having a Cookie Exchange seemed like the perfect answer to my desire for variety.
Begin by thinking of the number of people you would like to attend and ask them to bring 1/2 dozen bagged or boxed cookies for each one invited. Have them bring extra so that you serve them with punch or any other beverage you choose.
I always try to come with a theme for each of my Cookie Exchanges. An example would be a Winter Wonderland, with white, silver and blue decorations, another would be an old fashioned Christmas, with vintage ornaments, handmade ornaments and strings of popcorn on your tree. Have fun with your decorations, mix and match over the years and you’ll have many options for themes.
Another feature of a Cookie Exchange are the games. There are so many options, my favorite being Christmas Bingo. This is always a big hit. Download pictures from the internet, I did 35 in all and make up bingo cards for each guest using a variety of these pictures. Other games include Christmas movie trivia and word scramble. Whatever you choose, their will be plenty of laughs going around. I purchase small, less then $5.00, gifts all year long and store them just for this occasion.
Why not make a small cookbook of the cookie recipes that everyone brings. I’ve done this every year with great success and anticipation by my guests. You can either make the booklets up right after the party and send them out, or wait until next year and hand them out at the party. Either way, your guests will appreciate this gesture.
Last, but certainly not least, is to have fun! I tell my guests that it’s not really about the cookies it’s about sharing some time with friends around a plate of these tasty morsels! If you feel it’s too much work for you during the holiday season, why not ask a good friend or relative to co-sponsor the event with you. This way everyone has a great time and no one is stressed out. Whatever you choose, have fun and eat a cookie for me!
Learn more about Christmas Cookie Exchanges. Stop by Marion Wilkinson’s site where you can find out all about new cookie recipes.
