Hosting first cookie swap....need advice

calico77

What food/drinks would you have available if you were hosting a Christmas cookie swap?  I've asked the guests to bring 3 dozen cookies----we'll sample some and swap the rest.  This is a 7 pm event on a Monday night.

 

Coffee/Hot Chocolate/Hot tea?

What else?  More food? 

Paper plates or fine china?

TarHeels&Rebels

Milk seems like a good option to me.

I'd probably have a couple savory bites available.  Cheese and crackers and maybe a spread with crackers too.  Hopefully people will have eaten, but it might have been a crazy day for some people and they only just had a chance to come to your house.

You could do either paper or china, depends on the mood you're setting.  Maybe a compromise with really super pretty paper plates from a stationery store.

jerseygirl09

i would do coffee ..im not sure about the hot chocolate..how would you serve it? For food I would do maybe a fruit/cracker tray? And stick with paper plates but make them Christmas ones then you could just toss them out.

jerseygirl09

TarHeels&Rebels:

Milk seems like a good option to me.

 

this too!

misscarolb

TarHeels&Rebels:

Milk seems like a good option to me.

I'd probably have a couple savory bites available.  Cheese and crackers and maybe a spread with crackers too.  Hopefully people will have eaten, but it might have been a crazy day for some people and they only just had a chance to come to your house.

You could do either paper or china, depends on the mood you're setting.  Maybe a compromise with really super pretty paper plates from a stationery store.

This. Maybe food wise something easy like celery, carrots & dip. Not just for people who are hungry but personally, I would need something to break up all that cookie sampling!

Maybe also some wine or hard cider Yum! 

panda10

I agree with PP. Something that feels light. Maybe some easy snacks, trail mix? I know there are some great apple wines out there too, great for fall!  Sounds like a great idea for a party!

klaus

wine, Bailey's or amaretto for the hot cocoa or coffee, water and soda for drinks.

I agree with the others about adding some savory snacks.

festivegal2008

I like the china idea, unless you're really going casual.  As for the drinks I'm thinking pop is a no-no, only because it's casual.  Coffee, tea, or maybe a mulled cider or cocoa (and like PP's idea of bailey's for the coffee and cocoa if preferred by the guests), then of course bottled water for those who don't care to partake in the hot stuff.

MarriedLady06

Love, love, love cookie exchanges! I have been participating in one for the last three years and considering hosing my first one this year also. We did it as a church activity for the ladies and everyone brought something but we included hearty appetizers like meatballs, I would bring my famous chicken wings and mini cheese cakes, we would have mini sandwiches, fruit and dip, cheese and crackers, ham and cheese rolls, strawberry cake, crab dip and chips, coffee, soda, iced tea. So it is really up to you what type of food you want to have. We do cute paper plates. HTH!

JennyQ1985

I normally serve finger foods and a dessert.  Appetizers include: 2 hot dips, a veggie platter, cheese platter, various chips & crackers.  Then I made a dessert because we don't really sample the cookies.  I am making a Yule log this year.  For drinks I have coffee, milk and egg nog.

I usually do min in the middle of the afternoon though so that is my reason for more food.

I think with yours being after dinner time, the sampling of the cookies is enough.

As far as serve-ware, I usually pick up Christmas paper plates & napkins.