people being offended, etc...

[Jennifer]

I should have posted this months ago but after three deaths in the family, being a full-time graduate student, traveling out of the country twice and having a three-year old and one on the way, I just haven't found the time! Anyway, here goes.

My good friend and I planned a great cookie exchange early last December. We had three grand prizes--the golden spatula for 1st place cookie, and blue and red for the following prizes. We also had a few door prizes, an RSVP prize (in this part of the country, people do not RSVP!) and various other great themed prizes!

Funny though, that we got a few complaints about not allowing sugar cookies or other 'lunch box' cookies. One woman thought that was so limiting! We then explained that the point was to be creative and try something fun and new and besides, who wants to exchange 6 dozen sugar cookies for another 6 dozen sugar cookies!?!?!?! This is the only issue regarding our rules for the exchange but you know what, the most unique cookies won the prizes while the fill-in-the-blank chip cookies did not receive one single vote! The woman who complained the most brought the most boring cookie that did not score and she just had to come up with the excuse that she didn't have time to be creative because she had a job and kids!!!!!! She's an excellent cook and not working now so I know her submissions will be amazing this year!!!!!! People are already asking about this year's party!!!!! That made me very happy!

This is a great tradition--people love this and more importantly, it's something to carry on for decades!

I have a beautiful brand new home and new furnishings this year so my party will be extra special this year--that and I'll be able to show off my new baby!!!

Jennifer in Oregon

[Robin]

Hi Jennifer, I love your idea of a "golden spatula", is this a spat you painted or can you buy this somewhere?

Good Luck in your new home with your next exchange and congrats on the new baby!

[Jennifer]

Hello! When my friend and I went shopping for the gifts we found brightly colored spatulas at a gourmet specialty store. The rubber part is colored and the handle is either stainless or something like stainless. I don't remember the brand but we found the spats at Kitchen Kaboodle but I've seen them at William-Sonoma and Sur La Table--all have websites. FYI--they are pricey. The super large spats can run around $20-30 each! We budget around $150.00 for the party--split between two a great party runs $75.00 each! NOT BAD!

We're already shopping for prizes for this year's party. FYI--Hallmark has a series of cookie-themed ornaments, Creative Memories (scrapbooking) has cookie-themed scrap supplies and the May Co. and their stores had great cooking utensil ornaments last year. I do not work for any of those companies nor does anyone in my family so I'm not trying to sell anything--just sharing info!

[Robin]

Thanks for sharing your resources.