Entertaining Ideas
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Cookie Swap Party, help
I remember my mom going to cookie swap holiday parties when I was young and I loved it when she came back so many different cookies for the holiday season. I have decided to host one this year (my mom has passed away so I can't ask her about the ones she went to), but I am not sure what I need. I plan to make some cider (one with alcohol and one without). Do I need food there? The party is from 7:30-9:30pm. Also, should I have holiday plates for people to put the swapped cookies? A little help would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
Re: Cookie Swap Party, help
I think having some apps (cold) would be good. Veggie platters, olive and pickle trays, bowls of nuts and dried fruit and the like.
Having plates would be a nice touch. You could also get some holiday decorated disposable tupperware (I got some adorable penguin ones from Target). Also, just plain plastic treat bags would also work. You can get them at Michaels. If you're really ambitious you could hand paint/decorate the bags.
I don't think that you need food, as it's after the dinner hour. I might have some little appetizers, but nothing big or fancy.
I would have plates for them to put their new cookies on, but usually everyone brings a tray with their cookies on them, so they can load up their own tray with the other cookies and take that home.
I would serve light appetizers. You don't need to provide a full meal, but something to munch on. I might sample a cookie or two, but generally I'll bring them home.
I like to provide decorative tins that the guests can fill and take home, but they aren't necessary since everyone will be bringing a container or platter with them anyway. I just think it's a nice touch. You can buy these in the holiday section at walmart and they are pretty inexpensive.
I like cider, but I associate it more with fall (although I admit I do enjoy drinking at any time). I like the idea of having hot chocolate with a variety of liqueurs (peppermint schnapps, bailey's irish cream, chambord, and/or kahlua). If you like you can also have whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, and/or chocolate covered spoons as well. Additionally, you might want to server wine, as well as some other non-alcoholic option (punch, soda, etc).
Good luck!
I'd have a few desserts since it's after dinner time and the party is all about sweets anyway.
Michael's has some adorable little Christmas themed boxes. I'm not sure what the regular prices on them are, but I know with sales and coupons I got similar (non-Christmas) ones for about $1 each a couple months ago.
Crap...I Mean Crafts
The ones Ive been too were held later in the evening. Im not sure Id put too much out, b/c the stars are suppose to be the cookies.
But you definitely neeed MILK. Milk and cookies are simply classic.
Id look for foods that will cut through a sweet, so maybe some lighter cheeses, salty chips, crunchy popcorn with no toppings, things like that.
If you look in my blog, I have several posts about hosting a cookie exchange party. Mine is next week! I am serving five different appetizers.
You can check out my invites and everything on my blog too! Link below!
Like pps said, I'd definitely have snacks and tupperware/tins/boxes to put the exchanged cookies in.
You might also consider asking your guests to bring or email copies of their recipes for everyone.
Our Share of the Harvest:How a couple cooks from a CSA share. Pick Up Day Week 15
I'm hosting my annual cookie exchange this Sunday and will be having some appetizers available. It's from 1:00-3:30pm so I figured light apps work. Here's my menu:
APPETIZER MENU:
Spinach Phyllo Triangles
Mushroom Phyllo Triangles
Lamb Wonton Rolls
Chorizo Wonton Rolls
Truffle Artichoke Dip w/pretzels & veggie crudites
Artisan Cheese Board w/assorted crackers & dried fruit
DRINK MENU:
Assorted Sodas
Hot Cocoa w/homemade marshmallows
Coffee w/condiments
Hot Teas
Peppermint Candy Canes
Pirouette Cookies
Caramel Sauce
Vanilla Syrup
Hazelnut Syrup
Irish Cream Syrup
For my cookie exchanges I always provide containers for folks to pack up their cookies so that they don't have to bring an extra one on top of what they bring their cookies in. You can view my previous cookie exchanges here:
Holiday Cookie Swap 2007
Holiday Cookie Swap 2008