7th Annual Cookie Swap

[Tracy OConnell]

Hi Robin,

My name is Tracy O'Connell and I posted to your site about a month ago. I was interviewed by Sara Moulton's Exec. Producer in June for my annual cookie swap that I have been hosting for 7 years. I was one of the 10 finalists to be on Sara's Cookie Swap Special this year but because of my geographical location, I wasn't chosen. They told me they are definitely interested for next year's show. I'm in New Jersey and I guess all the others were in the the midwest somewhere. I only caught a few minutes of this year's special on December 4th but I haven't seen the entire show yet.

I am having my 7th annual cookie swap next Friday, December 19th. I have 19 girls participating this year and we decided on 9 cookies each (some wanted to do a dozen and some wanted to do 6 so we picked 9 since it was in the middle). This is my largest cookie swap in 7 years!!!

It started out as a few girls from my old office in 1995 and it grew into my non-work friends, family and friends of friends. I think this is going to be the best year ever!!!

We each take a turn handing out our cookies in individually packaged Christmas containers or decorated boxes (no ziploc bags allowed!!!). There are prizes for the best box or container as well.

I also have an ornament swap for the girls who are interested. This year there are 9 of us participating in the ornament swap and the theme is angels (after my 9-year-old daughter survived a battle with a life-threatening viral meningitis this year, I decided angels were appropriate). Each girl has to buy an angel ornament valued at no less than $5 each. We each take a turn passing out our beautifully wrapped ornaments.

I make Christmas song CDs for everyone who attends and this year I made Christmas & Valentine's Day return address labels for the girls who are participating. I also make color cookie & appetizer recipe booklets for everyone that attends (not just the cookie swap participants). And for a special surprise this year (to a select few winners of games, etc.), I ordered the Gooseberry Patch Cookie Swap book (have you seen that yet on www.gooseberrypatch.com???).

I also give away prizes for the best holiday attire, hardest cookie, etc. There are about 15-20 other people coming to the swap that do not participate, but everyone brings an appetizer to share.

I just recently found your website and I shared it with all of my friends that are coming to my swap this year. You have a lot of wonderful information on your site and I visit it often. Keep up the good work!

I will send you pictures of my swap this year after it takes place next Friday. Thanks for having such a great website to share with all of us COOKIE SWAP FANATICS!!!

Love,
Tracy in New Jersey

[Emily]

Wow - you are AWESOME! I love all your ideas and your swaps sound like a lot of fun. I only wish I lived closer so I could go too.

Tell me how do you put together your recipe booklets? I'm not putting together a cookie swap this year but I do want to make recipe booklets of all the things I've made at parties throughout the holidays that I've shared with friends and family and your idea sounds exactly like what I want to do. Can't wait to hear how your swap goes and see pictures. --EM

[Tracy OConnell]

Hi Emily,

Thanks!!! I put the recipes together in PrintShop this year. I use all different graphics and cute fonts...like if they bring crab dip I use little cartoon crabs, etc. If they make a dip with cheese I use cheese graphics, milk, etc. They turned out really cute. My husband prints them for me on his laser printer at work and I use plastic report covers to bind them together. I have done this for the past 7 years and the girls really look forward to getting them. Any graphics program would work fine. Good luck!!!

[Robin]

Hi Tracy,
I vote with Emily... I want to come to your cookie exchange!

[Brenda]

Hi Tracy,
Are you the one who has the murder mystery/cookie swap? I saw the cookie extravaganza and there is a lady in NJ that does this. I have been trying to find out more information on it.
Thanks,
Brenda

[Tracy OConnell]

Hi Brenda,

No, unfortunately that's not me. Sounds neat though!!! What do they do???

[Brenda]

Well, that is the question lol. I know they had this murder mystery were the gingerbread man was the victim and everyone had a character to play and try and solve who did it. Kind of like the game clue. well i have been trying to figure out what the story line is and have had no luck. i have character and the victim but thats it. if anyone can help me out i would be ever so thankful.

[Pictures of my cookie swap]

Robin was kind enough to post pictures of my cookie swap to her site. Check it out under her cookie swap pictures - Tracy in NJ. Thanks Robin!

[Lisa]

Tracy: I'm going to look at your photo's now of your cookie swap! It sounded like so much fun. What an imagination you have creating such a fun swap!! Good for you! Thanks for such wonderful ideas.

Lisa

[Robin]

Guest-Pictures said:

Robin was kind enough to post pictures of my cookie swap to her site. Check it out under her cookie swap pictures - Tracy in NJ. Thanks Robin!

You're welcome Tracy!