Large Groups

[SuePatt]

I am inviting a lot of people to my annual cookie exchange this year. Long ago, I went to a cookie exchange where she used some math formula to decide how many each person would take. We drew numbers, and made several passes through, taking a different number or cookies, or x# of our favorite 3, or whatever. Then the line reversed so the end of the line people didn't only get broken cookies.

We've since moved away and lost touch with this hostess. Any chance anyone knows how to do the math for this? I am hoping to ask them to only bring 5 or 6 dozen cookies. But what do you do if you have 20 people? Or an odd number that isn't easily divided?

[suz]

I have 20+ people at my cookie exchange and I ask each person to bring a package of 4 cookies for each participant. It has worked out well for a large group. That way, people get a sample of each cookie (and the recipe) so they can make more if they like it.

[Robin]

I just ask for 6 dozen cookies and keep it simple. In my book, The Cookie Party Cookbook I layout every possible method of swapping, the pros and cons of each and instructions on how to do it.

The Cookie Party Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Cookie Exchange

www.cookie-exchange.com/the_cookie_party_cookbook/index.html

Good luck with whatever your decision is on the method.