One of the most enjoyable holiday traditions is baking Christmas cookies (for obvious reasons!). However, sometimes the holiday season gets so hectic that it can be difficult to find the time to bake all of your families holiday favorites and what should be a fun tradition can feel like more of a chore. One way to save yourself some time and have a whole lot of fun in the process is to host a holiday cookie swap. Most of us are baking cookies anyway so why not join forces with your friends and turn it into a fun event? It’s much easier to make several large batches of one type of cookie rather than hunt down ingredients for seven different recipes. Cookie swaps are super easy to plan and could wind up being a favorite new tradition for you and your friends!
Hosting a Holiday Cookie Swap
1. Send Out Invitations: Invite guests a few weeks in advance. Use whatever invitation method works best for you — traditional mailed invitations, email, Facebook, etc..
2. Choose Cookies to Bake: Ask each guest to make a dozen cookies for every person in attendance, plus an extra dozen for sampling. For example, if there are 8 attending, each person would bring 9 dozen cookies. This way everybody goes home with with a good variety of different cookies. Coordinate ahead of time who will be making what cookies so you don’t end up with too many duplicates.
3. Request that each guest bring copies of their recipe to share. You know that everyone will be asking for copies of their favorite cookie recipes after they have sample the cookies so save everyone some time and just have them ready to hand out the day of the party.
4. Don’t forget to have everybody bring containers to take their cookies home in. It would be a good idea to have a few extra containers on hand in case someone forgets. Providing parchment paper is a good idea to keep cookie layers from touching!
A cookie exchange can be held at any time of day – pick a time that works best for your group of friends. Don’t forget to consider hosting your swap in the morning if it works for your group. Mornings often work well during the holidays so your guests can have the remainder of the day free to finish their other holiday activities.
Prepare a large table or counter space for everyone to set out their cookies. Spend a little time making this area look festive. Spread out a tablecloth or a holiday table runner and provide a tray or basket for each guest to put out their cookies for sampling. When it’s time to trade, set out he remaining cookies and let each person go around the table and pick their share of each.
Even if you haven’t finished all of your holiday decorating, be sure the party room has plenty of decorations. Play some Christmas music to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Plan to serve simple refreshments such as fresh brewed coffee, tea, and of course, milk! You might want to offer eggnog or hot mulled cider. You could also make an evening cookie exchange part of a festive, holiday cocktail party and serve a few light appetizers. That’s all there is to it. Easy!!
Lori is a content writer for Discount Party Supplies. Lori is married with three kids and hosts many family gatherings and parties. In her free time, Lori enjoys taking yoga classes and in her secret life she likes going to heavy metal concerts (but don’t tell the other soccer moms!).
