Xmas Cookie exchange party

**englishcottage1** · 09-14-2009, 01:00 AM

Have you ever hosted one?

Apparently I have been elected by my friends and neighbors to host this cookie exchange party at Christmas. We were looking for something new and cheap to do this year. But I haven't a clue on how you do this?

How many cookies do you make?
Do you have something playing in the background, like a movie?
What should I have ready for everyone to take their cookies with them? Something crafty and cheap.

What have you done?

**mauimagic** · 09-14-2009, 01:22 AM

What a great topic!! Have never hosted one, but have read articles in Family Circle, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, etc. I think that everyone brings a dozen cookies for each participant and an extra dozen for munching on at the party. Cannot wait to see what others have to say!! Lucky you!!

**Debbie-cat** · 09-14-2009, 02:23 AM

Yes, I have participated in one of these before. Let me try to explain to you how we did it.

Let's say there was 5 people (including yourself) in the cookie exchange. Each person makes two different types of cookies.... each type, make 5 dozen so total you would make 10 dozen cookies, that are two kinds....I hope you are following me so far.

Then you meet up for the exchange at one person's house. Have some wine, cheese, munchies, playing Christmas music in the background and we would just visit.

Then you would give each person (including yourself) 2 dozen cookies (1 doz of each kind). And each person would do the same. So you would end up with 10 doz cookies (just like you made) but 10 different varieties.

It turned out great and then each person also supplied the recipe, written on Christmas recipe cards and each person would wrap their cookies in whatever they chose. Some chose Christmas paper plates with ribbon, others baskets with cellophane and ribbon and others those hard plastic Christmas plates with ribbon.

We always exchanged the cookies before we started drinking the wine...just in case on of us got a little tipsy.

**mauimagic** · 09-14-2009, 02:35 AM

Too bad we all didn't live closer together so we could do this too!!

**Palooka** · 09-14-2009, 04:38 AM

This sounds like it would be lots of fun!

**Michelle** · 09-14-2009, 06:45 AM

[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11396"]How to Throw a Cookie Swap - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

**shoiji** · 09-14-2009, 01:50 PM

Yes this does sound like a lot of fun. Wow, could you imagine if all the frugalvillage participants got together for this? Lots of fun!

**northernmom2boys** · 09-14-2009, 02:20 PM

We could a cookie swap but groups of two could swap???

**beks37** · 09-14-2009, 02:27 PM

Wow that seems like a lot of cookies! I'm sure you could lower the amount you make to 5 doz and you still are bringing home 60 cookies, 6 of each type!

Sounds like fun!

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-14-2009, 02:50 PM

I used to go to one every year, we made 1/2 dozen cookies for each person because a dozen was just too many cookies -but there were about 10 people.

Everyone just wrapped however they wanted, usually in holiday ziploc bags, and bought them to the party already wrapped. They would get laid out on the table at the end off the party, and everyone would go around and pick up one of each, and put them in the bag they brought their own in.

**frugalfranny** · 09-14-2009, 03:07 PM

Sounds like fun.

The amt. of cookies sounds a little 'overwhelming'.....think I could go for less cookies. Maybe even 4 or 6 of each.

If you do it; let us know how it goes.......and post us some recipes!!!

**gapeach** · 09-14-2009, 05:32 PM

I've done these before and my group decided to include fudge and divinity as well. For the first couple years we did a dozen per person but found most of us just didn't want that many. So we lowered the amount to 6 per person. Each baker wrapped them with the recipe card and the hostess would provide a "carryhome" bag/box/stocking. I always enjoyed them and got a lot of delicious treats and recipes!

**wwe11** · 09-15-2009, 08:15 AM

It does sound like fun.

**mom2bobsarah** · 09-16-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by englishcottage1

Have you ever hosted one?

Apparently I have been elected by my friends and neighbors to host this cookie exchange party at Christmas. We were looking for something new and cheap to do this year. But I haven't a clue on how you do this?

How many cookies do you make?
Do you have something playing in the background, like a movie?
What should I have ready for everyone to take their cookies with them? Something crafty and cheap.

What have you done?

I love hosting cookie parties, and I do have some advice as a friend of mine does them too and I think she does not quite get the hang of it. Personally, I make a couple different kinds of cookies since I am the host, in addition I also put out a spread of appetizer type snacks and soda, some prefer to do a potluck and ask their guests to each bring something, whatever makes you comfortable. I also make sure to have a platter for the cookies. Depending on the amount of people you expect, you can then gauge how many cookies you want people to bring. I usually only have about 10 people or so over, so I ask each person to make a dozen cookies for each other person. While it may sound like a lot, it really isn't. Think about how far 12 cookies goes in a house of 5 (an example since we are a family of five here), this way everyone in your family has a chance to enjoy each kind of cookie, also be sure that they bring an extra dozen (or however many people you have coming so you cna put them on the "tasting" platter. You can ask people to package them up before they come to your house, I wrap each of my "sets" of cookies in plastic wrap or ziplocks, something like that. You could also ask people to bring their own Tupperware, tins, etc. if you prefer. Now, my friend does not designate to people who many cookies to make or how many people are attending so it is hard to know what to bring. Also, when at the party guests are not sure how many of each cookie to take, too many you are being rude, too few and the host ends up with a ton and her guests not so much, kwim? Lastly, I ask people what they are planning on making when they RSVP, and try to plan accordingly. Most people will ask "what kind should I make"? and if you have any idea of what everyone is planning, you don't end up with 8 people making chocolate chip cookies. Hope this helps.

**mom2bobsarah** · 09-16-2009, 10:24 AM

I forgot to mention that you ask each person to write copies of their recipe too. Also, my suggestion as a host, if you want to give something, maybe nice reusable totes (like from Target) to carry home the cookies in, they are only $1 each and are fantastic to use for all sorts of things. Or you can provide boxes (like cake boxes from a bakery) or tins for your guests.