Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange

By Jennifer Matthews

The holiday season is typically a whirlwind of activity, and few of us manage to do everything we plan to. One tradition worth making a little time for is a holiday cookie exchange. Before you groan with the thought of adding one more event to your already-packed calendar, consider the following:

• A cookie exchange can actually save you time by taking care of your holiday baking well in advance of the holiday frenzy;
• You can use the cookies you take home for holiday entertaining, gift giving, or just family enjoyment; and
• This kind of fun, casual party might be one of the highlights of the season, giving you a welcome breather from work, school and family events.

There are a number of ways to set up a cookie exchange, and you can – and should – customize yours to suit you and your guests. With that in mind, here are some suggested approaches to pulling off the easiest social event on your holiday calendar.

Invitation guidelines

	Online invites Evite.com has a cookie party themed invitation, or you can design your own on the site.  Or search sendomatic.com, , keyword “cookie,”  for a template you can use to create your invitation.

Each invitation should:

• Be sent well in advance (ideally three weeks to a month prior to the event)
• Time the party for maximum attendance – consider a weeknight, Saturday morning, or even a lunch hour with work colleagues
• Set a start and end time for the event
• Request an RSVP from guests including the cookie they’ll be baking, along with a copy of the recipe (for distribution at the party)
• Be specific about whether or not spouses and children are welcome (typically this is a bakers-only event for maximum fun and relaxation)
• Suggest that bakers be creative – you may want to set rules like “no plain chocolate-chip cookies or Rice Krispie squares”

Bakers’ guidelines

	Cookie recipe sites and sources Christmas Cookies.com Martha Stewart.com Chatelaine’s top 25 Cookie decorating tips: Martha Stewart, and Fabulous Foods (step by step with photos)

Each exchange baker should:

• Bring anywhere from six to 10 dozen cookies (you set the amount in the invitation) plus a few extra for party sampling
• Remember copies of the recipe to share with everyone (or send them in advance to the host or another party guest to assemble into a recipe booklet for each guest)
• Provide their own container(s) to tote cookies home in

Host guidelines

	Some Seasonal Drink Recipe suggestions Holly Berry Holiday Bellini Pomegranate Sparkler try a spiked eggnog, Irish coffee Christmas Champagne Cocktail   See our complete list of Holiday libations »

The host should:

• Set a festive mood with holiday decorations and music
• Provide refreshments (these could be as simple as cheese, crackers and dips for an evening exchange, or a baked egg dish with croissants for a morning gathering)
• Offer a seasonal drink (
• Prepare a large table and manage the arranging of the cookies as they arrive
• Make folding cards with the name of each cookie and its baker to place in front of each cookie batch
• Have extra food wrap and disposable containers on hand in case you run short
• Remember not to fuss too much, as the point of the party is to share cookies and a little downtime in a hectic season

Creative twists

If you want to add a little something extra to your exchange, why not:

• Send each guest home with a little gift, like a holiday ornament or your favorite holiday CD
• Ask each guest to bring a donation for your local food bank or toy drive
• Have everyone bring a $10 wrapped gift to play the Greedy Game (see sidebar)