Sweeten Up Your Holidays: Host a Cookie Exchange!
Reading Time: 7 minutes Listen to the podcast version:
Buddies Bond Over Baked Goods – A Sweet Get-Together!
The holiday season may mean cookie platters. Whether you have them available for your family or give them away, it can be a herculean task to make a variety of goodies. Hosting a holiday cookie exchange is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with friends and family while sharing your favorite homemade cookies. This also enables you to make just one kind of cookie! Whether you’re a seasoned cookie enthusiast or a first-time host, this guide will help you plan and host a memorable holiday cookie exchange.
Step 1: Plan the Event
To host a successful event, it’s important to start with a solid plan.
Here are some key things to consider when planning your holiday cookie exchange:
* Determine the date and time of the event.
Make sure it doesn’t conflict with any other major holidays or events in your area.
Weekend afternoons or early evenings are often ideal for cookie exchanges.
* Decide on the theme or focus of the party.
Will it be a traditional cookie exchange, or will there be a specific theme (such as gingerbread or chocolate) that guests are encouraged to follow?
* What type of exchange will you host?
Remember the reason you are hosting a holiday cookie exchange.
Are you doing this to have a fun get together and get a variety of cookies for your family?
Or are you using this incredibly fun event as an excuse to make some yummy holiday gifts for the neighbors?
Depending on the reason, will determine how many cookies you tell your guests they need to provide.
* Consider the number of guests you expect to invite and make sure you have enough space for everyone to mingle and enjoy the cookies.
* Finally, create a detailed schedule for the day of the event, including when guests should arrive, when they can drop off their cookies, and when the party will begin.
Step 2: Create Invitations
Craft digital or physical invitations that reflect the festive spirit of the event.
When it comes to hosting a holiday cookie exchange, the key to success is having the right guests.
* Start by making a list of friends and family members who would enjoy such an event.
Consider inviting neighbors or coworkers as well.
The more people you invite, the merrier the party will be.
* Mention the date, time, location, and any special instructions, such as dietary preferences or cookie theme ideas.
*Include a deadline for RSVP’s. I know many people do not respond.
Explain that it is important that everyone walks away with a full platter of cookies and you will need to know the number to expect.
Step 3: Choose a Location
Depending on how many people you are expecting, you can host the exchange in your home, a community center or clubhouse, or even a restaurant.
*Size: You are going to need enough room for everyone to lay their cookies out and for people to walk around with their platters and take a few from each selection.
* Parking: Think about the accessibility of the building and parking availability.
*Decorate: if you have the holiday flair and creativity in you!
It is always more fun to have a holiday cookie exchange in holiday surroundings!
Add music that “sets the mood!”
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Step 4: Cookie Selection
In order to host a successful holiday cookie exchange, it’s important to prepare the cookies ahead of time.
Since cookies are the focus of the party, let’s spend a little time on them.
*Have sign up with what kind of cookie (fudge, candy, etc) they will be bringing when they RSVP.
This way you do not have “repeats.”
*It is up to you, will you have cookies that accommodate dietary restrictions?
If so, make sure you have people indicate if they are bringing nut-free, gluten-free, or sugar free.
Step 5: Packaging and Presentation
When it comes to hosting a holiday cookie exchange, one of the most important things you can do is provide everything so that your guests just “show up” with cookies.
*Presentation Table: Set up a designated table for guests to display their cookies before the exchange
*Packaging Supplies: Provide packaging supplies like festive cookie boxes, tins, paper, and labels to ensure everyone’s cookies go home in fun containers. ( I just have holiday paper plates and green or red plastic wrap.)
Step 6: The Cookie Exchange
Yeah! It is finally here.
Time to have fun.
*Welcome Guests: Greet your guests with warm drinks like hot cocoa or cider to set the mood.
*Cookie Display: Have guests arrange their cookies on the presentation table.
Make sure to include a label with the cookie name and a brief description.
*Cookie Swap:Establish an order in which participants can choose cookies.
This can be done by drawing numbers or using a fun game.
I like to make this as uncomplicated as possible.
I want each person to have 6 of each type of cookie.
This goes back, however, to the type of exchange you are doing.
I make my life simple.
I want a holiday cookie exchange so that I can make three platters, one to keep and two to give to neighbors.
This way, if they want to make up 3 platters with 2 of each cookie or 2 platters with 3 of each cookie, or however they want to configure it, they have options.
There is also no need to make “choosing” the cookies a “thing,” everyone gets the same number and type of cookies.
What it does mean, however, is that you need to know in advance how many people will be there. If you will have 12 people, each person will need to bring 6 dozen if you want each person to get 6 of each type.
That is a lot of cookies. People may not want to bring that many.
You will need to establish the method that works best for you.
If you are doing the simple fun get together, each person can bring two dozen cookies and everyone can get 3-4 of each cookie for their individual holiday cookie platter.
Step 7: Entertainment and Activities
Your holiday cookie exchange can be more than a cookie swap.
*Cookie-Themed Games: Keep the holiday spirit alive with cookie-related games, like a cookie decorating contest or a guessing game about the ingredients in each cookie.
I do not do this-although it can be a lot of fun, because I like simplicity.
The holidays are complicated enough, in my opinion.
Plus, I have found that when you get a group of women (I invite my gal pals), we are never short on entertainment just chatting together.
*Recipe Sharing: Encourage guests to share the recipes for their cookies.
You can compile these into a digital or physical cookbook to distribute after the event.
Again, you can make this easy by simply having a google document where everyone uploads their recipe to share.
* Enjoy the Party!
After all the hard work of planning and preparing, it’s finally time to enjoy the party!
Take pictures and make memories that will last long after the event has ended.
Yup, it is Facebook and Instagram time!
Remember, the goal is to create a joyous atmosphere where everyone can come together and celebrate the holiday season.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the party!
Step 8: Clean-Up
*Packaging Station: Set up a station where guests can pack leftover cookies to take home.
This is a great idea, just so you know, we have never had left overs.
The kids usually come in and go through the “left overs” and take care of it.
*Clean-Up Crew: Enlist some help to clean up after the event.
I also do not have a formal “clean up crew” but you may want help afterwards.
Especially if you are having this event in the evening and you are usually drained at night or if you are an introvert and being around a group of people for a couple of hours, while fun, has left you empty.
Step 9: Follow-Up
*Thank You: Send thank-you notes or emails to your guests for attending and participating.
Also get comments and feedback.
Who is interested in participating next year?
Does anyone else want to host? (My favorite question!)
Are there any changes anyone would make?
*Share Recipes: Share the compiled recipes from the exchange with all attendees.
Or, if you are super smart and good at tech, have that google doc so that you did not have to do a thing!
Hosting a holiday cookie exchange is a delightful way to spread cheer during the holiday season while enjoying a variety of homemade treats. By following these steps, you can create a memorable and festive gathering that your friends and family will look forward to year after year. Happy baking, exchanging, and savoring new flavors!
“Rainbow drops – suck them and you can spit in six different colours.”
Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory