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Christmas: Cookie Exchanges

Source of Recipe

Grandpoohbah


Recipe Introduction

12 Days of Christmas Baking Tips/2002 . . . Day 5

Recipe Link: messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-fdcooking&msg=3870.1



Do you love setting the table with a huge assortment of cookies but can't stand the thought of spending several days baking? Then a cookie exchange party is the perfect party for you! It makes it possible for everyone who participates to take home a gigantic assortment of homemade cookies without putting a lot of work into it.

Interested? It's simple to organize and throw your own party -- we'll walk you through the basics by giving you a handy party-planning checklist and sample invitation, by doling out advice on ways to make the party extra-special, and by loading you up with plenty of Christmas cookie recipes.

The Basics:
Invite a group of your favorite cookie-loving friends over and ask them each to bring a big batch of cookies (estimate 1 dozen multiplied by the total number of guests), a stack of recipe cards for the cookies they'll bring and containers to take cookies home with them. After a period of chatting and snacking, the cookie exchange can commence with all of the cookies organized buffet-style on a table and with everyone gathered around, merrily swapping cookies into their containers. To learn exactly how to throw a Cookie Exchange Party, read our How To Host A Cookie Exchange Party timeline.

Invitation Tip:
Make sure that your guests understand that the cookies they'll bring must be homemade and easily transportable, as the cookies will most likely be combined with a lot of other cookies and will need to hold their form well. Take a look at our Sample Cookie Exchange Party Invitation for suggestions on the best ways to explain the rules of the cookie exchange party.

Variety is the Spice of Life:
You can alter your cookie exchange party a variety of ways to make it extra special. We recommend three favorite ways:
1. Extend Your Circle of Sharing: Add another aspect of giving to your party by asking guests to bring an unopened package of store-bought cookies or canned food. You can then collect the packaged food and bring them to a homeless or women's shelter.
2. Share Cookie Stories: During the actual cookie-swap segment of the party, ask each guest to tell a story about their cookie. It could be a story about the cookie's origin, where the cook learned the recipe or how the particular batch of cookies was made. Story time can be a really fun addition to the party; if you do this, be sure to allot time for it in your party timeline!
3. Create Cookie Recipe Booklets: Our final favorite bit of variety you can consider is to ask your guest to mail (or e-mail) their cookie recipe to you. Collect the recipes, print them out onto cards or sheets of paper and put them together to make a booklet of recipes for everyone to take home with them.

Christmas Cookie Recipes Galore! There is a wide array of cookie possibilities for most cookie exchange parties, but there is an especially wide selection of cookies when it's Christmas time!

Six Weeks Before the Party: 
Decide on a date for the party & send out invitations.

One Month Before the Party: 
Call your friends to collect RSVP's if they have not yet responded.

Make sure no one is making duplicate cookie recipes -- 20 dozen chocolate chip cookies does not make for pleasant variety.

Decide on treats and drinks to serve at the party, and if you wish, ask friends to bring some of the appetizers and drinks.

Three Days Before the Party:
Bake your cookies and store them in an airtight container or freeze them. Alert your guests to the fact that they will need to defrost the cookies before serving them.
Begin decorating the house.

Gather any tablecloth, napkins or tableware necessary for the party.

Begin making appetizers that freeze or store well.

Select background music that you would like to have playing during the party. Write out a time schedule for the party to make sure you leave enough room after initial socializing before the exchange.

ONE Day Before the Party:
Finish making appetizers and drinks. Arrange furniture for the party.

Set up the cookie-buffet table; it should hold a large variety of cookies and be accessible by more than one person at a time.

The Day of the Party:
Arrange food and drinks.
Fix up any last-minute decorations.
Pull out your party timeline, put on some festive attire and get ready to PARTY!

(Sample Invitation for a Cookie Exchange Party)
   
You Are Invited To A Cookie Exchange Party!
When: December 15, 2000, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: 1215 Jones Street, Apt. 204
Theme: Christmas Cookies
Attire: Festive! Dress comfortably and in theme.
The Details: A cookie exchange is no ordinary party! No one arrives or leaves a cookie exchange party empty handed. For this special occasion, you must bring an assortment of things:
1. Six Dozen Home-Baked Cookies: Yes, you read that correctly! Everyone in attendance will bring 6-dozen cookies (baked with the theme in mind) and there will be a swap so that everyone leaves with a large assortment of cookies to bring home to their family. Bring cookies that will hold their shape well. That means: NO soft icings because they are likely to get smooshed in transit.
2. Recipe Cards: Make enough copies of your cookie recipe to give everyone in attendance a copy. Please bring at least 10 copies.
3. Containers: Bring containers to carry your collection of cookies home with you. We suggest airtight, freezable containers.
4. A Fancy Arrangement: Please bring a decorative basket or container to display a portion of your cookies on the cookie table.
Please RSVP! Let me know what type of cookie you will be bringing. I would like to ensure that there are a wide variety of cookies baked, so have more than one idea for the cookie you would like to bake, in case someone has already chosen your first choice. Call me at 555-555-5555.