Christmas Cookie Swap 

Who can resist a holiday party where the guest of honor is a scrumptious cookie? Any and all varieties you can name are invited. The more people come, the more cookies there will be to enjoy. This Christmas, invite all of your girlfriends over for a cookie swap night. Here are a few tips to help make the most of your sweet and yummy get together.   

Decide when you will hold your cookie swap night.  If the party is planned for the week of Christmas, invitations need to be sent out at least a month in advance.  This lead time gives the guests a chance to plan the swap around other holiday obligations.  They’ll have plenty of time to fit the party into their schedules and decide which type of cookie they will bake.  You don’t want to run into the problem of duplication and giving plenty of time for changes when necessary will allow everyone a chance prepare a different cookie. 

Planning the party the weekend before Christmas will ensure that the cookies are still fresh.  They can be dessert for Christmas Day dinner or a snack to be enjoyed with hot chocolate on Christmas Eve night. 

The final cookie menu needs to be finalized no later than a week before the cookie swap.  An email can be sent or a quick phone call made to each person with the list of the cookies.  Tell each party participant how many people will be coming.  It’s a good idea to make at least six cookies per guest.  This will allow guests to take home plenty of cookies.  To limit the amount of baking, a party of twenty is plenty for a successful cookie swap. 

Each guest can bring their cookies already separated and labeled as to the kind of cookie it is.  The host can also have sandwich bags available to separate the cookies at the swap just in case.  Don’t forget to purchase plates and plastic ware if necessary.  Each cookie swap participant needs to make copies of their recipes to be handed out at the party as well.  One way to make this easy is to include one recipe with each bag of cookies. 

Cookie swaps that take place in the afternoon will need some type of refreshments.  Since the guests will be bringing the cookie treats, you can provide the festive punch and some small appetizers.  The host is not required to make a cookie for swap, but you can make a tray of cookies to be enjoyed at the party if you’d like.  Try to bake a batch that is different from the cookies that the guests are bringing. 

For a cookie swap later in the evening, you can go heavier on the appetizers.  Have a great chick flick ready to put into the DVD player and some popcorn as well.  Another suggestion is to play games or just sit around and enjoy some fun girl talk in place of a movie.   

No matter when you hold your cookie swap, be sure to have fun and enjoy not only the goodies, but one another’s company as well.