Christmas Cookie Swap

Annabelle76

Hello Ladies!

I am usually on H&F, but wanted to ask something of this board.  I usually throw a Holiday Party every year, but because we decided to think of ourselves and go to NYC for the weekend that we would normally throw our holiday party, I have decided to have a Cookie Swap.

I have done my research and I am getting excited for it, but I would like to know if anyone has done this and what has worked for you as the hostess or a guest.  I personally dislike party games, but I have a Holiday Trivia game that would be fun to play.  I am thinking about just popping in a Rankin Bass DVD compilation and maybe give ornaments as favors.  What else works for a good time...besides obviously food and swapping the cookies.

TIA!

spiritenergy

I have been to a few.  Make sure that everyone brings or you provide ziploc bags to put each variety of cookie being swapped in a seperate bag.  You don't want a coconut cookie mixing with a chocolate frosted cookie.  We also had everyone print their cookie recipes on notecards.  The host usually provided nonsweet appetizers, milk, and coffee.  I have never been to one with games.  We just swapped cookies and mingled.

flowerpower3

My mom and I threw one a few years ago.  For favors, we used the "poppers".  They're the things you make with toilet paper tubes.  You put some sort of small prize (we did a bunch of Avon stuff...like lipstick and stuff) inside the tube, wrap it, and then the person has to twist it to open it.  I'll try to find the link on how to make them.

flowerpower3

Here's a link w/ a video tutorial:

http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-make-christmas-crackers

starletcarly

I think voting on the best cookie is fun.  And maybe making sugar cookies and letting people decorate them (if you have space/supplies). 

Have you seen Martha Stewart's info on Cookie Swaps?  She has great ideas!

Lawrence0820

I went to one last year and the hostess also asked everyone to bring a christmas ornament.. we did a white elephant (or whatever that game is called) with the ornaments.   She also had bought christmas platters (like the decorated kind you get at walmart or whatever) for us to arrange our cookies on.  it was the first i had gone too and thought it was really cute. 

OUKatie

I host one every year for work. I set an RSVP date and then I let everyone know how many cookies to make the day after that. I've always had a good turnout (I had 16 people last year) so we just do 6 cookies per person. Everyone brings their cookies bagged or boxed for giving, then I arrange them on the dining room table (all chairs removed to another room). We just go around the table and everybody takes one bag/box of each cookie type in a bag that they bring (though I keep a few extra handy for anyone that forgets). Easy peasy.

I don't bother with favors. With that many cookies, they aren't missed. I make savory appetizers for snacking, wine, mulled cider (brandy optional), and iced tea for drinks. We don't do anything special, just mingle. We always have a great time. Since it's with work people, I have it on a workday and everyone is gone by 7. It's one of my favorite holiday parties!

pugznploons

I've hosted one the last 2 years, usually have at least a dozen guests so we make half a dozen per person to save on time/money.  Everyone brings them already bagged in ziplocs or whatnot and we walk around the table/kitchen and each take one and put it in a shopping bag to take home.

I usually provide non-sweet snacks/drinks and we chat/catch up for an hour or so.  

This year I am not going to host one, instead I am throwing an afternoon holiday party for some friends that will be a "cookies & coffee" party.  I am going to make quite a few different holiday treats for people to enjoy and have bags/boxes for people to take some home.  Whatever is leftover I will give to my neighbors.  I love making desserts, especially special holiday treats.  So I decided to throw a party to indulge my love for baking and sharing them  

hudysgirl

I went to a cookie party last year, and what you listed, even the ornaments as a favor was done. Most pp covered the other things -- nonsweet appitizers, making sure everyone brought their own tubberware to take the cookies home plus ziploc bags to separate different types, and bringing your recipe printed enough for each person at the party to get a copy.

We mainly just mingled, but we did have small contest which I really enjoyed. Each person explained why they made the cookie they did. Some people made it because it was a family recipe that must be made every year for Christmas, some because it was the easiest recipe they could find, and some had an interesting family story that makes the cookie special to them, and some it was their favorite holiday cookie. We then voted on the cookie with the best story and the winner was able to choose their ornament first. (The ornament favors were all hung on a mini tree. They were all different and very unique, so getting to pick first was a great prize). Then we also choose the most unique cookie, and that winner picked second.

BLM10

I have hosted several Christmas cookie swaps, and it takes a few times to figure out what works best for your group. Here is what I have tried and what I find works best...

1. I ask that everyone bring 1-3 dozen cookies of their choosing, depending on the size of the guest list. That way, everyone gets to try some of each. Limiting it to less than 1-2 dozen is silly to me... no cookie recipe makes 6 cookies or 8, but 12, 18, or 26. If they are going to make a whole batch, they may as well bring them all and spread them around. I also don't ask (after the first year) that people RSVP with their cookie type to avoid repeats... few people have the same ideas about what a good Christmas cookie is, and even similar ones can taste totally different.

2. I provide a pretty, reusable way for guests to transport the cookies home. In the past is has been decorative platters from the party store, or plastic buckets painted with holiday themes. Last year I splurged on the Martha Stewart bakery boxes from Michael's (something like 6 for $13?! look for coupons). They are very pretty bakery boxes that come with matching parchment/tissue paper (for separating cookies), ribbon, and to/from stickers. They come in a variety of themes and look classy. I got enough so that each guest could take home a box for their family, and a second for a gift for the boss, neighbor, etc. I am doing the same this year. No sense in everyone taking 6-10 Ziploc bags to separate and tote cookies.

3. We no longer play games. The second year I did a "fill in the blank" song game with Christmas tunes, and gave out oven mitts and other small kitchen items with a snowflake theme. Games just don't fit well into the flow of our gathering, so I nixed them. If you want to do a game/contest of some sort, I would suggest you do a "best cookie" or "most festive attire" award that all guests vote on.

4. We also don't swap ornaments. Home decor styles and tastes vary more than cookie preferences, and there is no real fair way to do a swap for this... someone will always end up with the glittered pinecone while another person gets that collectible Swarvski. Yes, you can put a price limit on ornaments, but it still puts pressure on people to come with the righ ornament, and they have to make an extra trip to the store to find one. The only gifts my guests take home are from me, all identical, usually small candles or lotion.

5. Food depends on the time of day, as with every event. The first swap I had was a wine party, or atleast I planned it to be. For the second, I picked up a few pizzas. The third was sit down soup and salad. My group is content to have cheese and crackers, quiche, and lots of milk to go with the cookies, even though I would prefer to have more substance. This year's menu is very likely the last few year's favorite appetizers.

Hmm, I think I have covered all the bases. Oh! Make sure everyone knows to bring their cookies already baked. You won't have time or space for anyone to make theirs at your house, I promise. I tried (once). And don't ask for recipe cards. It's very likely only 1 or 2 people will bother.