Post your Cookie Exchange Experiences

[Jodi lee Kaemingk]

I held my first Christmas cookie party last December 2006. I had a mother daughter theme so a few additional rules where added. You HAD to come with your mother and you HAD to make the cookies together.
When the guests arrived, we mostly sat around and shared family Christmas Memories, that seemed to revolve around the cookies we all brought. The cookies brought out the stories of the holidays and the special moments we have all had over the years. It was a wonderful time.
Thank you for your step by step instructions for this party, I am already planning for this year, And it is only july.

Jodi lee Kaemingk
Winnipeg, MB Canada

[Jodi lee Kaemingk]

Response: I invited 22 women. Clearly asked for RSVP providing THREE different phone numbers (next year will spell out "call me if you are coming or not" etc--I'm not sure people understand RSVP!) and got a total of 11 responses. All 5 that stated they would come did so, so that was a blessing. One of the Noes called at 9am and the party was at 10! She's a Chinese national, so I will give her a bye, but geez.

Baking quality: clearly my mom and I are the best bakers! One of the worst was some kind of graham cracker thingy that my BOSS made. When I started my planning, I thought Robin was such a hard-@** about the types of cookies, but I can really see why now. We had:

oatmeal scotchies and snickerdoodles (mine)
russian tea cakes and peanut blossoms (Mom's)
graham cracker things
a bad rendition of the legendary (and ordinarily fantastic!) Mrs Field's cookie
oatmeal raisin
an iced sour cream cake thingy

Its nice to have a variety and, as another poster stated, it's not ALL about the quality of the baked goods but about spending time with friends and family, so I suppose the result wasn't so bad. Plus I got a great ego boost because mine were the best (but then, everyone thinks that, right??)

We played the L/R game. I had initially planned to make salt dough ornaments to pass and paint them all differently so that one could be designated (in a sealed envelope in advance) as the winner...have the guests pick up their ornament in a bag (with name tag, ballot, pen, etc) upon arrival. BUT since the advance notice was so poor I had zero idea of how many to make, so I nixed it and just sent the prize itself around. Everyone really enjoyed this game.

Played xmas trivia and a game that Dell usually calls Spell-a-Thon (how many 4+ letter words can you make from "Merry Christmas" in 5 minutes--no plurals or proper nouns) and I had both of them printed up really cute in advance.

I served:
artichoke dip w/tortilla chips and wheat thins
spinach dip w/crudites
pumpkin roll
coffee (caf and decaf)
coke and diet coke
eggnog (which NO ONE touched!) No one touched the Egg Nog I served either, the apple cider went like crazy.

Let's see...we played trivia then ate then L/R then spell-a-thon then we did the exhange (taking 2 at a time) and that was just right about 2 hrs. It really all went very nicely and everyone seemed to have a nice time (we'll find out next year when they get their invitations, wont' we??)

I would have liked 2-3 more participants but it really wasn't too small as it was. Things that I will modify for next year:

get invites out 2 wks earlier
date party 1 wk earlier
be more explicit in response instructions
find better amusements for my 2 dogs (I had a friend come walk them for the first hour but one of them sat at the back door and whined and barked for the last hour)
I really like Jennifer's "count the bows" game idea, may try that one next year, thanks!



And thanks to everyone on this board and Robin for the site, there are so many great ideas here!!

Merry Christmas everyone![/quote]

[Debbie Hutcheson]

This December will be my 15th year to have my Annual Cookie Exchange. I was looking for invitations and found your website. I need a bigger house for this party!! It started on a Saturday with 6 people for brunch in 1992 and now the tradition has us celebrating on the second Monday night in December. I sent out 90 invitations last year and had 55 friends (women) come.
We drink wine, hot cider or chocolate egg-nog and munch on appetizers and snacks that I have been making for two days . We usually have about 8-10 children that go to the back bedroom and play with the doll nativities,color or watch Christmas videos. We all check on them but they are content to be in their own little world with each other. I get the children a Christmas toy but really like the idea of giving a basket of goodies to the Best Cookie Appeal. I will do that this year.
I supply a recipe card in the invitation that coordinates with the invitation for guests to write out their recipe and put on their platter of cookies. I collect these and email out when requested. This year, I will prepare the third recipe book to give to all that come to this years party with all of the recipes from the previous 14 years: I do this every 5 years. It will again be dedicated to my sweet little Mother who absolutely loved this evening and shared 8 Cookie Parties with us.
The dining room is designated the Cookie Room and I have bags with tissue paper for everyone to put their cookies in to take home. Some years I have handed out tubs, but the bags seem to be the best. I ask everyone to bake 5 dozen cookies and they go home with quite an assortment!
It is a real mixture of women which makes for a magical four hours of friendship and holiday spirit. My best friend drives 4 hours the day before so she can help and we have so much fun. Some guests ask if they can bring a good friend so they can experience "Cookie Night" with them or they have heard so much about it, they ask if they can come; and they too become a permanent name on the invitation list. It takes a lot of time but I absolutely love every minute! Can't wait for Dec 10th this year! Thanks for letting me share our Christmas Cookie tradition which is filled with love, laughter, warmth and Cookies!

[jennifers399]

Well, I broke down and sent out save the date cards today! I hosted two exchanges last year and they both sucked! I posted about it but can't find the link--sorry!

What inspired me was a friend saying she couldn't wait for this year's exchange!!!

Wish me luck--last year was just so awful!!! Someone actually brought burnt cookies!!!!!

Jennifer

PS--I have new baby, too!!! ;D

[bonnieb]

Good Luck Jennifer. This year might just surprise you. I hope everyone appreciates all the effort. I think sometimes we forget how hard it is to host a cookie exchange or any party for that matter.

[sheila]

I am so excited about this time of year the fall weather finally arriving, Thanksgiving & Christmas and of course the Cookie Exchange.

My friends who attended last year have talked about the party all year long and told so many other people I literally have strangers coming up to me asking me about the party and if they could attend...the more the merrier I say! I read that someone had sent out Save the Date cards and so today I did just that. Great Idea!

I have been planning my 2nd Annual Cookie Exchange now for 2 month. Many thanks to Robin for getting this party started for so many of us, I can't wait to purchase a copy of her new booklet well make that 2 copies I can use one as a gift.

Good Luck to everyone this year! I can't wait to read about everyone's get together and see the photo's.

Ciao!

[jennifers399]

Oh my! Almost everyone is attending this year, and a few are bringing friends! We are going to have over 25 people at this one!!!!!!! This is funny--everyone has started their own challenge, booze seems to be the focus this year, so everyone is bringing a type of liquor infused cookie in addition to another simple cookie!

I must finish painting the house! We've been here three years and still haven't painted the entry or office!!!!!

I'm really excited! And to top it off, my cookbook should be completed soon! YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!

[strembiski]

This is my first post. I discovered this website last year while planning my first Cookie Exchange (my mom and I have had them before in my hometown, usually with her work friends, but this was my first on my own).
First of all, THANKS Robin, for the website. ;)It gave me great ideas, especially the Rules.
Here's what I did last year:
I put up a notice at work that I was hosting a cookie exchange. I asked everyone to take a "Info Package" home, either for themselevs or their spouse, so I don't have an exact number of people I invited, but I did make up 15 packages. In the package was the Invite itself - the what, where, when of the party. I also included a list of Rules. No doubles, no 'no-bake' cookies, no store-bought, etc. In my exchange, each person brings one dozen cookies per person in the exchange (minus themselves). Therefore, if there are 12 people in the exchange, you bring 11 dozen cookies, and you go home with 11 dozen different cookies.
We didn't have any problems at all. There were even a few 'last minute' RSVP's, and when I called everyone to make sure it was okay, absolutely no one had a problem making the extra cookies.
We had tins of fudge, trays of butter tarts, and tons of cookies.
I served a hot crab dip, a spinach dip, baguettes and breadsticks for dipping, a veggie tray with ranch dip, a smoked meat/cheese tray, and trays of hot hors d'oeuvres. For desserts, I put out mini-cheesecakes, mini-brownies, gingerbread men, and various bowls of nibbles (maple candy almonds, etc). I also made sure I had pots of coffee on the go, tea, soda pop, wine and ice water.
No games last year, most everyone congregated in the kitchen area and just chatted for hours.
I gave out 3 prizes, one for Best Dressed, one for Best Packaged Cookie (one girl bought wooden boxes and spent hours decorating each one), and one for Best Cookie. Last year the prizes were: a Christmas Cookie Cook Book, a Cookie Jar, and a bottle of wine.

I actually just sent out my Warning Order (I'm military, so I sometimes use military terms...) about the date of the next one. Because we go to minimum manning at work and so many people leave for home at Christmas, my party is early (December 01st).
I've already had a 3 responses, and its not even end October!
This year I'll cut the prizes down to two (Best Dressed and Best Packaged - it was too hard to decide Best Cookie without hurting someone's feelings). Menu still to be decided, but I like having a variety of hot munchies and some non-cookie desserts - I always tell everyone that their family should be in on the cookie-eating.
I've been debating having games, but, we'll see. I like the idea of having a Worst Cookie Ever story contest. I think I'd win though - one time I used pancake mix instead of flour (by accident). I keep them in their original packaging now...

Can't wait for December!!

[Beth]

Last year I hosted a cookie exchange for my 9 year old daughter and all her friends. It was a Mother/Daughter Brunch/Cookie and Ornament Exchange. It was so fabulous. Everyone brought something to share for brunch so we spent the first part eating and visiting. Then we did the ornament exchange. Each girl brought a wrapped ornament and I read the story from your website under the games and had the girls pass them right and left until the story was over. We played the candy cane/don't say cookie game and gave a prize. We had the cookie exchange - all cookies were set out and mom's had brought a platter. We had the moms do this part to keep all little fingers out of it. I didn't do all the rules, with so many working moms and busy schedules, I really didn't care if they made no bake or whatever. It was all about the fun. One of my daughter's best friend's mom just doesn't bake and we weren't about to leave her out. And actually probably the cookie that I make that is the most popular is a no-bake style cookie. Anyway, 13 girls showed up with their moms and we had a fabulous time. We're hoping to make it an annual event. Thanks for the great ideas!

[Joyce Lande]

When you had 25 guests, did you ask each quest to bring 25 dozen cookies? If no, how did you break it out?

[anitap]

Joyce
I'm new to this website.
But we are doing our 25th Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange this year.
We all make 3 dozen cookies.
It isn't how many people that determines the amount of cookies baked.
If you bring three dozen, you take home three dozen. The three dozen that you take home are an assortment of all the cookies that are there.
So if 15 people participate and bring 3 dozen each, there will be 45 dozen there. Each of the 15 people will take home 3 dozen cookies. You are exchanging cookies, not dozens.

[Jackie]

I am getting ready for my 30th annual cookie swap. I have everyone bring 8 dozen cookies~ 7 dozen for swapping and 1 dozen for eating. When I started doing this I prepared lots of food but everyone seemed so eager to taste the cookies and not much was eaten. Now I prepare a couple of non-sweet things and put out a dozen of each cookie. I also serve punch (just sherbet and 7 Up but someone always asks for the recipe!!!) and coffee and I put out a pitcher of water. We eat and talk and then everyone uses the container they brought and we go around the tables collecting our cookies. Some years the cookies are very good and some years they are not but it is always a lot of fun.

[geojan]

Hi, long before I ever seen this website, I started a cookie exchange probably 21 years ago. What I do is different. I have holiday shopping gift bags (large) for every person with their name on the bag. Each person is required to have 6 cookies for each guest (again no store-boughts, etc.), and each set of 6 cookies is packaged nicely. As people come in, they drop their 6 cookies into each other person's shopping bag. We socialize (which means eat alot of good stuff) and play games with prizes. Then I take my shopping bag where each guest has dropped their cookies into my bag and spread out the cookies so we can vote on who did the best/most unique packaging. That person gets a prize. When the guests are ready to leave, they simply pick up the shopping/gift bag with their name on it and go home with their cookies already packaged up.

So this is just another idea for you cookie partiers out there!

[bonnieb]

GREAT IDEA!

[adnerb]

I'm so bummed. My exchange party is next Sunday and not one RSVP since mailing out the invites 2 weeks ago. Do I go ahead and prepare for the party and hope for the best or do I send out a letter of cancellation? I could just cry.

[Robin]

adnerb said:

I'm so bummed. My exchange party is next Sunday and not one RSVP since mailing out the invites 2 weeks ago. Do I go ahead and prepare for the party and hope for the best or do I send out a letter of cancellation? I could just cry.

Dear Adnerb,
Be proactive before you decide to cancel...

Don't be too discouraged... if this was a first party, you might consider phoning each person to explain the concept... not all are familiar with the cookie exchange. Also, if you sent the invitations 2 weeks ago... some may not have seen the invite until a week ago. Also, did you put an "RSVP by..." date?

Definitely email people... take advantage of technology! Send recipes, baking tips... an overview... flat out just ask if they are going to come. If they say "I have plans, ask if they want to remain on your invitation list for the future or be removed. No point in sending to people that never plan on coming.

I always recommend to send the invitation a whole month in advance... That extra week really helps. I don't think it's a coincidence that my lower attendance parties were times I sent the invitations out late.

For next year... start talking about the party to people at any time of year... even a 4th of July party!

In September, email friends and ask them to SAVE THE DATE. Email again in Oct. with ideas or themes. You can always think of reasons to communicate about your party.

There's a lot of ways to build interest... so work on that for next year. It's not always going to catch fire on the first go.

Good Luck!

[kristina]

I had my first cookie exchange this afternoon, and it was a huge hit. I invited 11 women, and 9 said that they were coming. I did have to call a few of them for their RSVPs. I sent my invites about 4 1/2 weeks in advance, and I think that was perfect.

I had two women cancel this morning, one due to the weather, as she lived 90 minutes away, and in the mountains, and had a lot of snow. Another one got the flu last night, and didn't want to get us all sick.

No one brought kids, which I stated on the invitation, and everyone brought fabulous homemade cookies. I had everyone email the recipe before hand, and I made recipe books as favors, along with a cookie cutter.

My theme was red and white polka dots, and I was able to find goodie bags, paper plates, place cards, and cellophane bags with polka dots on them.

I had an appetizer buffet, and served:
Cheese ball
Veggie Platter
Seven Layer Dip
BBQ Smokies and Meatballs
Bruschetta
Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sun Chips
Chicken Salad Bites on Puff Pastry
Stuffed Mushrooms
Hot Apple Pie Cider
Peppermint Punch
Rocky Road Fudge

Everything was a big hit, and I was asked for many of the recipes. I bought 1/4 of the food, and prepared everything 1-2 nights before. I had everyone bring 4 dozen cookies, which was plenty.

I did intros, we ate, and then on to the games. We played "I Never" as an ice breaker, and then "Guess the Carol" by looking at pictures, and then the Left/Right game. For the prizes for these games, I gave a full size lotion from Bath and Body works, along with their really soft socks, and bath confetti. The first person opened theirs, and then everyone else said that the game was on!

We then voted for Most Festive Cookie and Best Tasting Cookie. My prizes were a cookie jar, cookie magazine, box of mini cookie cutters, a cookie scoop, and measuring cups in the shape of Santa heads.

I forgot to have everyone tell the story of their cookie. Everyone brought their own container, and then we swapped! I had everyone take 6 of each cookie, which worked out perfectly, and then we went back around, as several people made extra.

It was so much fun, I got a lot of compliments, and I am definitely planning on doing it next year.

Robin, I made your Egg Nog Logs, and they turned out great! Thanks for the great website!

[Robin]

Hi Kristina

It sounds like you had an excellent first cookie exchange! Kudos to you.

I have a question for you....
Did you use the Egg Nog Log recipe from my site or the one from Country Woman Magazine? CW slightly altered the recipe I sent them and since I did receive a complaint about their altered version, I'm wondering if you made theirs or mine.

I love that cookie and have a hard time stopping at just one.

Thanks for sharing. My party is tomorrow!

[kristina]

I saw the post on the site about how CW added the salt. I used the recipe that you posted on the thread, and they turned out well.

I did find that they tasted much better the next day, as the night I made them they were a bit dry and bland. But by the next morning, they were quite soft and it seemed like the flavors were stronger.

[2sweetnfl]

I found your website by accident while surfing the internet looking for a great sugar cookie cut-out recipe. I am glad that I found it too! It was great seeing the number of people that participate in cookie exchanges all over the United States. What a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season.

Our group has hosted a cookie exchange for 23 years. It is held on the first Saturday in December, just in time for cookies for the holidays. We are a group of about 20 ladies (on occasion past members come as guest and we sometimes have other guest to come, at least 50% of the group is original members).

A themed invitation is sent out in early November. We bake 10 dozen cookies (use to be 20 dozen) to exchange in containers that are crafted around the theme. Thus everyone will get 20 containers with a half dozen cookies in each. We dress in most often elegant holiday attire and at the party we have 2 or 3 craft projects (theme related), entertainment, a dinner buffet (hosted in homes, bed and breakfast and the 20th at a Beach Resort), the judging of the best cookies and best container. This year’s theme was “Hats Off to Christmas”.

We are looking forward to our 24th year and have a special event in the works for the 25th Year celebration. I have attached a few pictures from this year’s gala.
;D