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Post by Pam on Nov 17, 2004 23:02:00 GMT -5
how do you have people take the cookies without them using their hands (when you're actually in the process of exchanging them). I've been doing my cookie exchange for 7 years now and have not come up with a good idea. I think people feel awkward (and unsanitary) about touching each cookie they put into their take-home box.
I'm sorry for such a trivial question, but I'm looking for any suggestions.
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Post by Debra on Nov 18, 2004 11:45:29 GMT -5
Hi Pam I have been hosting my own cookie exchange party now for 5 years and usually its the same friends that come every year, so I always know how many will attend, which is 8. What we do is bake 1 dozen cookies for each person attending the party and an extra dozen to share at the party along with other foods and drink. Each dozen is put in a nice tin container(you can get these tin boxes at the dollar store) or holiday sandwich bags or other type of gift bags or boxes. I hope this idea helps. Debradamom1@aol.com  |
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Post by Pam on Nov 18, 2004 15:03:13 GMT -5
Thank you Debra,
The only thing is is that I can have anywhere from 20 - 30 people attending. Otherwise I would definitely do it your way. Someone suggested latex gloves, I guess I could go that route.
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Post by Claudine on Nov 18, 2004 15:34:22 GMT -5
maybe you can use little tisssue paper thingys that bakeries use to grab their baked goods or like Dunkin Donuts uses to grab your donuts. Do you know what I'm talking about??
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Post by Bonnie on Nov 18, 2004 16:06:46 GMT -5
No that's not a strange question - to me anyway. I am a bit of a sanitary type nut. I always say to the ladies as we go into the dinning room to exchange "don't forget if you touch it - it's yours." I have to say everyone is usually very good about this rule.  |
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Post by Pam on Nov 18, 2004 23:21:54 GMT -5
OH I like the tissue paper thingy idea. I will have to find out where they sell those.
Thank you!!!
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Post by Bonnie on Nov 19, 2004 7:43:13 GMT -5
Go to the grocery store you most frequent and ask to buy a box from the bakery area. Usually if you are a good customer they will just give you some. You could also try the Wilton stores. I don't usually see these types of items around much. |
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Post by Debra on Nov 19, 2004 8:00:17 GMT -5
Hi Pam,
Me again, what about plastic tongs like they use at salad bars in resturants. Just another suggestion. Wow, 20 to 30 people. Sounds like you have a great turnout. The most I ever had was 12. Now it has dwindled down to 8. People are just to busy.
Happy holidays, Debra
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Post by Robin on Nov 19, 2004 14:26:08 GMT -5
I think people feel awkward (and unsanitary) about touching each cookie they put into their take-home box. I'm sorry for such a trivial question, but I'm looking for any suggestions. First of all, I consider myself an anti-germ fanatic and I frequently wash my hands. Most of the diseases in the world are spread by people who don't take personal hygiene seriously --But! (There's always a 'but') In my 15 years of cookie exchanges, no one has ever questioned how sanitary or unsanitary swapping cookies is. If I were to judge whether to have the party or not on that condition, I probably wouldn't do it. Sometimes you gotta have faith... for instance, I eat out in restaurants a lot and total strangers are handling my food. At a cookie exchange, you've got 10, 15, 20 different women you know, making the cookies --10,15, 20 sets of hands regardless. They've either pre-packaged them or set them on a serving platter or basket or tupperware for the party. When they get home, they touch the cookies again to serve them to their families. At my exchanges we all move around the table in such a way that no one gets to root through the cookies, aka --'pick and choose', they just grab 3-4 cookies from each platter and move on. We circle the cookie table about 3 times and Viola! the cookies are gone. For the most part people are just touching the cookies that they themselves take. No one has ever reported an illness to me after the party. You could buy a box of disposable gloves (the see through, clear plastic type) and hand them out prior to the swap. Just one for the swapping hand... Give a light hearted cleanliness speech as you hand them out so as not to offend people... |
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Post by Pam on Nov 21, 2004 22:52:09 GMT -5
Thank you for all of your great ideas! |
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Post by Trish on Nov 27, 2004 18:28:55 GMT -5
I have been doing cookie exchanges for the past several years and include this helpful hint on the invitation:
* Pre-package in individual packages of 6 cookies, attaching a recipe card if you like. (You will have 11 packages for exchanging and 1 package for sampling)
What started as a sanitary way to exchange has turned into a competition. Not only do they bake great cookies, but they bring them in wonderful containers that you get to take home. I've had holiday oven mitts,wine glasses,baskets, and beautiful boxes!
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Post by Debbie on Dec 5, 2004 18:12:11 GMT -5
This is going to be my first cookie exchange party. What I have done is this...I am having 12 girls coming. They have been told to bake 12 dozen (one for tasting so it comes on a plate) Then they rest have to come in a dozen in a hard container, be it from the dollar store or those reusable gladware or ziploc containers. That way everyone is getting the same quality container.
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