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.
Holiday Cookie Exchange??
Has anyone ever thrown or been a part of a cookie exchange? I've heard of them before, inviting your friends/neighbors over and everyone bakes their favorite recipe. And then everyone exchanges it. Is this a good entertaining idea? Our neighborhood is fairly new and no one really knows or interacts with eachother. 
Makes me sad! I'd like to get to know the neighbors better and am in need of entertaining ideas... all are welcome! Thanks!!
Re: Holiday Cookie Exchange??
Too funny, I was getting ready to post this too!
My friend suggested we do one this year and it's going to be at my house. So far we have 7 people who are interested, so we'll do a half dozen cookies for each participant, but I think some of us are going to give a half dozen of 2 different kinds. I'm baking gingerbread men, eggnog cookies, coconut bars and fudge this year; I'm going to give the 2 cookies to my guests but I'll put the fudge and bars out on a tray for everyone to try when they come over, and I'll include the recipe for everyone as well.
I think that is a great idea to get to know some new neighbors! We did a cookie exchange at work last year. There were 10 of us participating, and we did a dozen cookies for each person. We all packed them up in cute cookie bags (one girl even stacked hers up in coffee mugs for everyone) and went around to each cubicle dropping them off like Santa!
You could put invites in your neighbors' mailboxes (maybe with a cookie or 2 attached as a nice touch). My MIL goes to a big exchange party every year and always comes home with a great variety. It's nice because you only have to buy one set of ingredients for your one kind of cookie. I would just make sure that you tell everyone to include a recipe or ingredient list, in case there is anyone with a food allergy.
I really like this idea! It'd be a great way to meet your neighbors
)
I actually think it'd be good for any type of gathering or party. I'm totally stealing this idea and having a cookie exchange for me and my friends! Woohoo, thanks.
I host a small Cookies and Cocktails Christmas party every year. It's actually pretty casual as far as what each person bakes, i.e. I don't tell them any set amount. Each guest usually makes at least two types of cookies, which we discuss beforehand, to avoid duplicates.
I provide heavy apps and the drinks, usually wine and a signature cocktail. We gossip, eat, drink, and at the end of the night everyone takes whatever cookies they would like. I make sure to have cute holiday tupperware on hand so that everyone has something to carry them in.
For a crowd of less than 10 ladies, this works pretty well. Any larger crowd, you would probably have to designate a specific amount to bake.
Henri and Charlotte, Christmas 2012
I am actually attending my first cookie exchange this year! Our church (we are new) aparently hosts one every year. We have a fairly large church, but this is what they do:
Everyone brings 4 dozen cookies:
1 dozen to share at the event
3 dozen to trade
They also tell everyone to bring their own container to bring your cookies home in. I'm excited! I love trying new cookies. Plus, my coworkers will be happy because I'll have enough to share since it's just DH and I.