Invitation Ideas

[monika]

Chrisas far as the kids, this is what I put, then the husbands offer to stay home with them.

IN THE MIDST OF HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS DO YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF SO THOROUGHLY OVERWHELMED THAT YOU ARE NOT REALLY ENJOYING YOURSELF? DO YOU SOMETIMES THINK IF YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE ADDS ONE MORE ITEM TO YOUR TO-DO LIST THAT YOU'LL SCREAM? HERE IS A GREAT WAY TO GET HOLIDAY BAKING DONE AND TO RELAX FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS DURING THE HECTIC HOLIDAY SEASON; NOT TO MENTION A VARIETY OF HOME BAKED TREATS TO ADD TO YOUR HOLIDAY ENJOYMENT, ALONG WITH MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS, PLUS A NICE BREAK FROM THE CHILDREN. COOKIE-EXCHANGE PARTIES ARE THE PERFECT WAY TO PROVIDE MOM?S HOMEMADE VARITY WITHOUT HAVING TO CAMP OUT IN THE KITCHEN OR HAVING THE EXPENSE OF BUYING ALL THOSE INGREDIENTS.

[Julie]

Chris! I am having no kids at my first cookie exchange. And Im sending a rules list along with the invitation. Like the one This site has. The best way is to state this.
" This party has no ball game playing , No doors allowed open and shut for the animals ,and there is no mommy's on duty from (time). So please Lets make (date) daddys day out for theses few hours.
You can also recomend them have there husbnds take kids shoping for mommys Christmas presents.
This I feel is not really saying there not welcomed Just that Mommys Need a break to be around Other mommys and Friends.

[Deborah]

I think GIRLS night out says it all on its own... Maybe change it to Ladies instead of girls ...

Maybe put in it .. this is an adult fun time for us to visit without our day to day interuptions.. for us to all just get away ! hope that helps

[Jean Myers]

I just made up my invitations for my first ever cookie exchange. It's printed on decorative computer paper with different colored stockings across the top border. I printed some of the invitations in red ink and some in green. It's all centered on the page and it reads:
(in a script font)

Christmas Time's a Comin' Christmas Time's a Comin'

Mmmmmmm, I smell cookies, and hot cider and coffee punch

.....And, I hear the laughter of friends......

Come join us for a Christmas Cookie Exchange

When:
Time:
Where:

What to Bring: 6 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookie, your Christmas spirit, and a hungry tummy!

Prizes for the most festively arranged cookies and the most festively dressed lady!
RSVP date, phone, e-mail

If you will either mail, e-mail, or call me with the recipe of the cookie you are bringing, I will include it in a recipe booklet for our cookie exchange.

I'm looking forward to seeing your dear face at my very first cookie exchange!"

Sorry, I'm not super computer literate and I don't know how to set it up in this box the way I did in Word, but it looks really cute and the red ink and the decorative paper really make the invitation. I'm very excited and hope my girls will be too!
Jean

[Deb]

Hi Everyone!

I'm hosting my 1st Cookie Exchange this year and I plan to send a cookie cutter wrapped in a clear treat bag and holiday bow to each guest. The invite is the tag attached to the cookie cutter...

Have a nice day!
Deb

[Kate]

Chris said:

I'm hosting my first cookie exchange - I really want to have a "Girls Night". Just can't figure out a nice way to say it in one the invite. Does anyone have a tactful way of saying "don't bring your kids or husbands"?
Thanks!
Chris

Here's what that part of my invitation says:

Leave the shopping, kids and husband behind and share the holiday spirit.
We’ll enjoy light snacks, desserts, and beverages including festive cocktails.
Door Prizes will be awarded to all who attend during our icebreaker session.
WOOHOO prizes!

If you want a copy of my invite in Word form email me!
I'll be happy to share it with you!
[e-mail]

[Kate]

Chris said:

I'm hosting my first cookie exchange - I really want to have a "Girls Night". Just can't figure out a nice way to say it in one the invite. Does anyone have a tactful way of saying "don't bring your kids or husbands"?
Thanks!
Chris

Chris,
Here's the wording I use on my invitations:

Leave the shopping, kids and husband behind and share the holiday spirit.
We’ll enjoy light snacks, desserts, and beverages including festive cocktails.
Door Prizes will be awarded to all who attend during our icebreaker session.
WOOHOO prizes!

[Lia]

I baked up an easy batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and put them in plastic holiday goodie bags. Using the tie that came with each bag, I attached a hand-stamped brown paper tag (bought them in the scrapbooking section at Ben Franklin) with a Christmas tree on one side and the invitation details on the other.

I also attached the "rules" (from Robin's site) to the bag as well. Nothing special but it was cute!


- lia

[Michele]

I am also having my first cookie exchange. To nicely state I only want the ladies to attend, this is how I am writing it:

Appetizers will be served, please bring yourself and your cookies!

[Beverly]

I am so glad I "googled" cookie swap and found this website. It is WONDERFUL!!!! Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I'm known as Clark Griswald when it comes to decorating. I put up our first tree halloween night when we get home from trick or treating. I put up 14 trees so I have to get an early start. I usually have everything decorated by Thanksgiving. I have been hosting my annual cookie and ornament swap for 12 years now. In 2003 I had to have surgery and could not have one and I realized just how much I truly enjoy it. Anyway the very first year I did it I only knew 5 people to invite. I had gotten married in April of that year and moved and didn't really know alot of people. I had a grocery store bakery bake me giant (about 12") cookies and then write all the info on them with icing. I wrapped them in clear paper and tied the two ends with red and white gingham ribbon and hand delivered them to my guest. The next year I baked small bite size cookies and put them in small white boxes (about 5 in each box) I wrote the info on the diffrent sides of the box. On the top it had Please join us for some christmas cheer at Beverly"s 2nd annual cookie swap. On one side was the date and time on another side was the address on another was the RSVP info and on the other was info on how many cookies to bring. I tied a plaid christmas ribbon around the box and hand delivered them ( I had invited about about 15 people that year). Over the years my guest list has grown. One year I sent out over 100 invitations and there were about 90 people there. I have children now so I no longer hand deliver the invites so my invitations have not been quite as crafty as before but they are always full of love and cheer. I do tend to spend alot on my invitations but I feel like that is the first impression for the party and I want it to be as grand as the party itself. Two of the original guest from my very first swap still come every year. One of them moved about 5 hours away and she always comes to town for the party. I actually have people start calling me in Oct. to see if I know what day I am having the party on so they can go ahead and put it on their calendar. I always buy boxes of glass ornaments (a diffrent color each year-yes I have repeated the colors a couple of times) and using a gold or silver fine tip paint pen I write Beverly's 12th (what ever year it is)annual cookie and ornament swap with the year on it. I have them in a basket by the front door so everyone can get one as they leave. I always enjoy seeing them on my friends trees when I visit their homes at christmas. All of mine proudly hang on my "official cookie and ornament swap tree" Out of all my trees this one is just about my favorite. Not only are my dated balls on there but I also have actual cookies from my parties over the years. I'm sure you are wondering how I do this well about 9 years ago I was at a local arts and crafts show and came across the cutest little couple selling breads, pastries, and other food items they had treated with some type of clear coating to make it hard so you can use it as decoration. Well I had this light bulb go off in my head to see if they could clear coat some of my cookies. Well they did and I loved them so much that every year after the party I take over my stash and they pick out a few they think would work well and they do the little treatment on them and I pick them up put a tiny little screw with a round hook and attach it to the cookie and I have one precious ornament that has many special memories attached to it. On the back I write the year with a black sharpie and if I by chance remember who bought the cookie I will put their name on there too. I had to upgrade to a larger tree last year. I had a 4 foot tree that was the centerpiece for the cookie table for many years but now it is a beautiful 7.5 foot slimline that proudly sits on top of the buffet. I am looking forward to filling it up. I also have a scrapbook that I have everyone sign. I then go back and put the pictures on the pages. I love reading all the little things people have written over the years. I always get them to sign as they leave so they can share a favorite moment from the evening if they wish. I cannot imagine my holiday season without this wonderful time to get together with friends and just truly enjoy the celebation of christmas. It is so much fun watching a bunch of adult women trying to "steal" the ornament from each other when we play dirty santa. When you look around the room and see all those smiling faces and the twinkle in their eyes you know every moment you spent planning and every penny you spent was worth it because the feeling you get is PRICELESS!!! I wish you all many happy memories of your own.

[sharon]

thanks robin for the great site and inspiration. the event has evolved form a planned once yearly small cookie exchange. to now a planned once a month event. only requirement is must be 13 years old and female to attend. this has become a great way to involve estranged (b/c of seperation, divorce, moved, college, etc.) younger family members in a feeling of belonging. we picked 13 because they would be legally and more emotionally able to attend by themselves without a parent. it has now become officially a sisterhood.

[Sharon]

10 invitation ideas

1. foam shapes (available at craft stores and dollar stores now).
2. 2 pieces of shapes cut from felt with a window pocket to show info. use page protector cut up for window. glue shape together on 3 of 4 edges. slide in info printed on paper.
3. colored construction paper cut into shapes
green- tree or wreth
white- snowman or dove
brown/ tan- gingerbread man or gingerbread house
red- stocking
red and white striped - candy cane or peppermint drop
yellow- stars
4. cutouts from an education store with info printed on back.
5. blank index cards print info on one side cover design on other. cost less to mail.
6. chrismas post cards made from recycled christmas cards
7. a cookie tin with info printed on paper inside with cookies.
8. favorite mini or small christmas book with invitation glued on inside or as a page marker.
9. white lunch bag stamped with christmas theme inside is invite on index card stock. may include decos for cookies, cookie cutter, chocolate, use something relating to the party theme. use a gift tag to lable for person.
10. booklet invitation:
first fold red contruction paper in half
second decorate the front cover. i bought gingerbread notepad from educational store used double sided tape to attatch one gingerbread page to a card. on the front taped the paper cut out with decorative scissors that said cookie exchange party (printed from computer) used a paint pen to make raffia squigle lines around perimeter of front half fold cover. used puffy paint to write name of receipent inside gingerbreadman.
third print the party information and information for the cookie exchange on a recipe card.
forth place recipe card and extra cards to write recipe on inside of invite. punched a hole through alll. the invite cover, recipe cards info, and extrras.
fifth used ribbon to attatch recipe card pile to cover.
used greeting card envelopes to mail those not hand delivered.
inside said
what: the 1st annual family name here sisterhood cookie exchange
Where: who's house and the address
When: sunday, december 18, 2005 3 to 5 p.m.
what to bring:
- no. # dozen of homemade baked cookies to exhange
- on colorful decorated platter, box, or basket be creative
- extra containers to take home your goodies
attire: christmas prize awarded for most festive
hostess:
rsvp: with type of cookies and any questions by december 8th and then our phone number
reminder: this event is only for females 13 and older

[Shelly]

I'm about to host my first "Girlfriends's Great Cookie Exchange" I figured if I wrote it like this maybe just "girls" will show up. Most are my close friends and are looking for some "girl" time anyway. I printed mine on white paper with some Christmas clipart around this poem Christmas cookies and happy hearts this is how the holiday starts Come sit at my table and share iwth me warm gingerbread cookies and cinnamon tea You're invited..... Hope it helps.
Shelly

[Fran]

My idea this year for my invite was to make them on magnetic paper(found at Wal-mart). They came out on business size pieces and I cut them individually with scalloped scissors. I bordered the magnet with colored xmas lights and put a small gingerbread man in the corner ftom the computer. The invite read...."Please save the date for our anual cookie exchange. Date time and place included. Also added" start looking for your favorite cookie recipe and shopping for that favorite ornament for our ornament exchange."

[CincydC]

I cut my invitations out of brown paper bags to look like gingerbread men, painted the edges with "white out" & wrote the details on the middle of his body. Drew a face & painted some decorations w/ the white out. Punched a hole in his head & strung w/ raffia. Hand delivered! They look good enough to eat![/fon ;)t]

[Cheryl]

I had my first Cookie Exchange this year and it was great! (if I may so myself). I do scrapbooking, so I handmade each invitation on 5x7 cards. I kept the pictures very simple, such as triangles for trees with little circles for bulbs, a square package with ribbon, large circle ornaments. I used a gold glitter pen to write on the front "You're Invited to a Cookie Exchange". Then on the inside I glued in my computer printed languate and bordered them with red marker. I also included ruled index cards with a small holiday sticker in the corner for the recipes to be written on.

[Cheryl]

I hosted my first Cookie Exchange this year, and it went really well, if I may say so! I do scrapbooking, so I handmade the invitations. Each one was different and everyone loved them. I bought blank white cards and put simply-shaped Christmas pictures on the front. I used plain triangles in different sizes to make a "forest" of trees, used squares to make packages and added ribbon, plain stars on gold metalic paper, etc. I used gold glitter pen to write on the fronts and outlined the shapes. Then I printed the inside text, cut them smaller than the card, glued them in and bordered them with a thick marker (red or gold). A lot of work, but I enjoyed it! I made 10 of them. Maybe next year I'll make Christmas cards

[Cheryl]

p.s. I also included ruled index cards with a small sticker in the corner for everyone to write their recipes on.

[BonnieP]

I always make my invitations. Last year was my fourth exchange and the invite was the cutest - the idea came from Paper Crafts magazine. The invites were in the shape of gingerbread houses and decorated. I put my own spin on the idea from the magazine by customizing the invite.
I have also created an invite that included a photo of everyone with their cookies from a previous year's exchange.

[Robin]

I received an email from a gal named Meri who wanted to share the invitation she created for her 2005 Exchange. It's cute. Thanks Meri! (She gave me permission to share this with the board.)

Twas a month before Christmas and all through the room

Drifted the smell of cookies which lifted my gloom

I tiptoed to the kitchen to get a glance

Where I saw Meri and Leah in their cookie making stance

I watched in wonder as the cookies did appear

Fresh from the oven as I edged ever so near

I grabbed a cookie and into the other room I ran

Where everything was decorated for Christmas...so grand!

The appetizers and punch were laid out with care

I knew the other guests would soon arrive there

Come join us for the cookie exchange party this year

For good food, good friendship, and for good cheer!

So put on your wackiest Christmas attire and join us for fun

Bring four (4) dozen baked cookies and if you want....sure...some rum

If you are dressed in the craziest Christmas outfit that day

You will win a prize .....so don’t delay..

Pull out your favorite cookie recipe and get ready to conjure up sweet treats

And don’t forget to bring an empty bowl for the cookies you get to keep



You are invited to Meri and Leah’s 2nd Annual Cookie Exchange Party on:Saturday, December 3, 2005

at 6:00 p.m.