How to Throw a Cookie Exchange Party & Enjoy Our Fabulous Recipes!
I will bet all of you would agree that one of the best things about the holidays is the wonderful smell of Christmas cookies. While it may be a tradition for many families, it is also one of the most time-consuming. Have you wanted to discover a new holiday tradition that helps this dilemma, but keeps the fun of baking in your family’s life? Well now you can by hosting a cookie exchange!
Moms are crazy about cookie swaps this time of year. There are a few simple steps to make your party a hit.
- Invite your friends to bring their favorite cookie recipes to share (preferably at least a dozen, depending on how many people are planning to arrive). Ask them to bring a container so they can bring some cookies home.
- Have a large table available to arrange the beautiful colors and assortments of cookies. Be sure to have enough plates and maybe even some Saran wrap in case they forgot to bring a container.
- Once everyone has socialized a bit, lead them to the room and have each person introduce themselves and which cookie they baked; and perhaps even where the recipe came from (I.e.: family recipe, Internet, cookbook, etc.)
- Swap til’ you drop. Slowly go around the table and grab your cookies!
- If you would like, you can even do a contest. Place a voting box with a few pencils and scrap pieces of paper by the cookie table and let people vote! The person with the best cookie gets a prize. You can do anything: a gift card, a bottle of wine, or perhaps even a cookie cookbook!
Tip: Number the place cards that labels what kind of cookie they are, in case there are duplicates. It’s also good for those with food allergies.
There are also some important Cookie Exchange planning tips to remember:
1. Send invitations early. December is a busy time for everyone.
- If you need some help designing a few Cookie Swap party signs, check out how to get a free printable collection, which include: 5 X 7 invitations (with customizable text fields), cookie labels, a sign to use as a centerpiece, 3 X 5 recipe cars, and 2” circle tags. Visit here to find out more.
2. Inform everyone to bake their cookies at least two days in advance (the biggest reason people don’t show is that they didn’t have enough time to bake).
If you don’t have the perfect Christmas cookie recipe to bake for your Cookie Exchange party, here are a few ideas.
Peanut Butter Rudolph Cookies- Here is a holiday cookie your kids will love to help you with! These Peanut Butter Rudolph Cookies have chocolate pretzel antlers and red M&M noses. You could even make gingerbread cookies instead of peanut butter. Click here to learn how.
Christmas Tree Sandwich Cookies- These cookies are perfect for the moms who don’t feel they are good at baking. Right side up or upside down, there’s a cute Christmas tree shape on both sides to these easy cookie sandwiches. All you need are Pillsbury cookies, icing, and some sprinkles. Click here to find out more.
Melted Snowman Cookies- With the recent cold days followed by even colder nights, this recipe could really liven’ up your holiday spirit and put smiles on those chilly faces. All you need are a sugar cookie mix, icing, and marshmallows! Find out how you can bring your whole family together with this fun, easy, and sugar-filled activity.
White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread- Bring some color to the holiday table with these delicious cookies. The red and white colors will brighten your home, and the delicious taste will bring smiles to all your guests’ faces. Click here and learn how to make these beautiful and delicious cookies.
Christmas Cake Pops- Have a delectable Christmas with some fun and new Cake Pops. You can make all different designs such as reindeer, Christmas trees, and even penguins! These take a little more time, but they are totally worth it when they melt in your mouth. They are great for kids as stocking-stuffers too! Click here to find out how to make some festival pops!
Snowman Cookies- This is another great cookie you can make with your kids. All you need are Nutter Butter cookies, almond bark, M&Ms for the buttons, orange tic-tacs for the “carrot nose,” and icing for the eyes and mouth. Click here to begin a fun baking experience with your little ones!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies- Christmas baking doesn’t have to be unhealthy. If you’re gluten-free or just want healthier options, these cookies are made with almond flour and low glycemic coconut sugar. Go here for 10 healthy Christmas cookie recipes from Elana’s Pantry.
Have you ever hosted a cookie exchange? Do you have any favorite recipes?
I just did those melted snowman ones last week- they were a TOTAL hit with kids and parents!! And not too hard if you like decorating with icing.
I totally want to make them!
I have hosted one and will never do it again! But chocolate krackles are always a hit.
Here’s my opinion on them: I LOVE the concept but if everyone isn’t going to put forth the same effort to bring quality cookies, it’s a bust. I’ve been to a couple of them where I SLAVED over my cookies, only to show up and have other people bring store-bought or sub-par offerings. Love these recipes included!