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Post by Susan on Nov 2, 2006 15:40:00 GMT -5
I write on my invitation: "This is a Ladies Only event. Please make your childcare arrangements early so you can enjoy your day out." I think that is self explanatory. Except for my cousins newborn who was still nursing (who slept the whole time), I've never had anyone bring kids. But then... last week, I had a dream that a few people brought kids and husbands along to the swap. Phew! Glad it was a dream!  |
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Post by Kaari Jacobs on Aug 28, 2007 18:14:43 GMT -5
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Post by Elizabeth 2 on Nov 3, 2007 21:27:20 GMT -5
I stole this idea from a friend. My daughter is having her 1st cookie exchange this year. For the invitation, I bought red tin platters from WalMart. We're printing the invitation at home, attaching magnets to the back and placing them on the tin platters. The platters will be hand delivered; the invitations can go on the fridge (hence, the magnet); the tin platter returned to the party with the cookies; we bought really cute Christmas tins (again, from WalMart...not expensive) to send the cookies home with each guest; the red platters will be washed and we can use them again next year! I bought a bunch of extra platters to cover the girls who are invited, but don't come and to cover any new friends who are invited next year. The take-home tins we'll change each year.
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Post by Kelly M on Nov 11, 2007 17:20:34 GMT -5
Evite.com Evite.com Evite.com
Best way to send out invitations for ANYTHNG!
Like someone else said - easy to view RSVPs, everyone can see the cookies claimed, no excuses for the people not to reply... unless they are just ignoring it once they view the invitation!
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Post by Kay on Nov 16, 2007 22:20:34 GMT -5
Here is an invitation that I am using for my neighborhood Exchange this year - feel free to use it, too:
PLEASE COME TO A CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE
‘Tis a month before Christmas when on our fair street,
There are still many neighbors whom I have yet to meet.
With our weekends very full, I’m hoping you’re still available
To bring some festive cookies to set out the table.
We’ll get the day started with a little fun and some treats;
Then you can trade with some others and take plenty home eat.
Just mix up some batter and a colored sprinkle or two;
Drop by in the morning for a visit and a warm brew.
Bring 5 dozen cookies on your favorite holiday platter.
(If you don’t celebrate “Christmas,” shoot…that doesn’t matter!)
Since it’s for just us gals, please don’t wake kids or the spouse
Alas the party takes place at my little “mouse house.”
If you simply can’t make it and still want the sweets
Drop off your exchange cookies to later receive your platter of treats
You’ll receive take-away bags to pack up some tasty goods.
Do come festively dressed and we get to know the neighborhood!
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Post by Lydia on Nov 18, 2007 18:35:37 GMT -5
I made up a poem this year for my party. Used a nice font on printing and Christmas paper from Dollar tree. iI have not proof read grammer. Here it is...
Holiday Cookie Exchange
Its time once again to let the baking begin, well have a cookie party to get the season started.
Yule bake for a day but don't be dismayed, your hard work and effort will surely be repaid. So get out your butter, sugar and vanilla, mix them together and make a sweet treasure.
Your must know it's not just one or two dozen, last year remember... It was a dozen dozen!
Here are some rules they are not meant to be cruel but without them you see... there won't be much glee.
No store bought or no bakes no these just won't due. The point is it's Christmas so lets see what you can do.
So bring a family favorite or try something new, call with your recipe so we won't have two.
The count must be perfect so no one is left out, so please call with your answer so the word can get out.
Bring your dozens all packaged to go . Place them in a tin or a bag and a bow.
Please attach the recipe, that would sweet, so when we get home your recipe we can repeat.
No husbands or children please leave them at home; if you all brought them I would need the Super dome.
( Add time and day and RSVP info.) hope this helps. Lydia
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Post by Barb on Nov 24, 2007 19:18:47 GMT -5
Here is my invite from last year....It actually looks a lot nicer since I have lots of holiday clipart, colorful text, etc...but you get the idea...
You Are Invited To A Cookie Exchange Party!
Sunday, December 17, 2:00PM
Barb’s House, 284 Carpenter Ave, Newburgh
A Cookie Exchange is no ordinary party!
No one arrives or leaves a Cookie Exchange Party empty handed!
LADIES ONLY – Leave the men and children at home!
This is OUR TIME to relax before the holiday rush!
Brunch and drinks will be served!!
For this special occasion, you must bring three things:
1. 10-Dozen Home-Baked Cookies: Yes, you read correctly – TEN DOZEN of one kind of cookie – your favorite recipe! Everyone bring 10-dozen cookies and everyone leaves with about the same amount to bring home to their family. NOTE: Bring cookies that will hold their shape well. That means NO soft icings. They do not transport well…and NO regular chocolate chip cookies – everyone makes chocolate chip!
2. Give Me Your Recipe: Let me know what you are making and email me a copy of your recipe. Everyone will receive a recipe book!
3. A decorative plate or basket with 2 dozen of your cookies for display and samples. The rest can be in anything you choose to transport them.
So, CHECK YOUR CALENDARS before they get full and email me at bpatterson@hvc.rr.com or call me on my cell at xxx–xxxx THE SOONER THE BETTER!!
PLEASE RSVP ASAP!
*** Let me know what type of cookie you will be bringing so that we do not have duplicates. (First guests to respond get to choose what to bake!!)
Happy Baking!
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Post by Lurah on Nov 29, 2007 23:12:20 GMT -5
For ladies with daughters, 8 to teenage, why not try hostessing a cookie exchange with the girls included. Do you realize that one of the fastest growing trends is young women not knowing how to cook, entertain or act in public with adults? I would suggest that by including our daughters in such of the finer things in our lives, perhaps they will also come to appreciate them also. We probably all know our daughters' friends mothers well enough to add them to our guest list.
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Post by Mommy Can I on Dec 10, 2007 14:34:49 GMT -5
...About the husband and Kids... I left my open because I always have things planned for kids and sometimes at this time of the year most moms can't find any childcare. i have 3 kids of my own and the people who I usually get to watch my kids will be at the cookie exchange, you really do not want to leave any one out. I use my bunco night as a ladies only thing.
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Post by Lillian Metcalf on Jan 8, 2008 20:07:52 GMT -5
I'm a scrapbooker so i some of my supplys to make my invatation. I made a small file folder and decorated it with a gingerbread boy some ribbon and other embleshments and wrote the message on the inside enclosed some file cards tolde each person to put their recipe on the cards and decorate anyway they would like told them to bring their invite and cards with them and we bound them together with ribbon and when they were done we had mini cook books to take home with us
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Post by mrsnepa on Jul 23, 2008 11:30:30 GMT -5
Last year our invites were on cardstock that was tied to one of those little Chinese takeout containers that was a Christmas print. One side of the cardstock had the invite and the other had the rules. Inside the container was a cookie cutter.
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Post by mom2one on Jul 24, 2008 22:54:19 GMT -5
:) You ladies are awesome! All your wonderful ideas sure do take the stress out of planning this exciting event. Thanks!
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Post by Amie on Nov 3, 2008 21:32:35 GMT -5
I am hosting my first exchange this year and I sent out cute Save The Date Magnets I made at home about a month ago the response I got was overwhelming everyone was excited and can't wait.
Several have already told me they know what cookie they are bringing etc.
Just had to share with you all I found the cutest gingerbread scented cards at Wal-Mart this evening and they have Christmas Cookies all over the front, I am using these as my invite and I will also use evite to manage the RSVP's (love evite use it monthly for Bunko)
Anyway just wanted to share the cards they are cute and perfect for the occasion!
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Post by Cheryl on Nov 8, 2008 17:37:41 GMT -5
Hi - I am planning my 5th annual Christmas exchange party and am very excited! Thank you everyone for your ideas! I have about 15 people each year, we bring 7 dozen to swap. I wanted to share a few invitation ideas I have done in the past. Last year I bought those cheap wooden mixing spoons. I attached a bow with several ribbons, red or green, whichever...I think I did a mix...hanging down right where the spoon attaches to the handle. On each ribbon, I wrote something about the party (date and time, rules, etc.) The ribbons were about 1/2 wide. On the concave side of the spoon I wrote "4th Annual Cookie Exchange" and on the back of the spoon I drew a map to my house. They were soooo cute! The year before I printed out my invitation on a small piece of really pretty paper...maybe 5x7...rolled it up and put a beautiful gold or silver ribbon around it so it looked like a scroll. That was a big hit. I also used the Christmas Carol poem (found elsewhere in this post) and it was pretty cute. I also liked the idea of a writing on a clear glass ornament and putting confetti inside. This year I think I may use the recipe idea with the party info looking like the ingredients. Advice to those just starting out: If I could start over from the first year, I would make a scrapbook or scrapbook box of some kind with previous years invitations, recipes, games, food served, ideas and maybe notes to myself about the party. For one thing, just to remind you what you did the year before so you don't have to think everything up again every year.  (Everyone wants the recipe to the drink I served the first year and I have no idea what it was exactly!) One popular subject at the party is what happened in previous years and my memory isn't what it used to be. It would be great to put it out every year for people to look at. Last year I did put out the recipe books from previous years and that was a hit. (I get the recipes from everyone early and print out booklets to give to everyone at the party.) Good luck everyone on your party and God bless you! |
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Post by Jessi on Nov 15, 2008 15:12:23 GMT -5
This will be my first Cookie Exchange and I am really getting into it! For my invitations I made little gift bags out of Christams scrapbook paper and pasted the printed invitation to the front side. I rolled the rules up and tied it with a ribbon, placing it in the gift bag. I included a small bag with 3 or 4 spritz cookies in it (to get everyone in the cookie mood!) and tied a tag to the gift bag with each lady's name on it. They were easy and fun to make!
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Post by Becky D on Nov 16, 2008 16:54:44 GMT -5
Hi, I've enjoyed reading everyone's suggestions and thought I'd put my 2 cents worth in. Over the years, I've always tried to get together with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, or anyone that wanted to get together to bake holiday goodies. I moved into a new area almost 3 years ago and became the "party planner/giver" of the neighborhood. ;D This year will be my 3rd cookie/goodie exchange. I invite all of the neighbor ladies, 25 in all. I ask everyone to bring 10 doz. goodies, PLUS 20 copies of the recipe (each on a 1/2 sheet of 8 1/2 x 11" paper) and a take-home container. I have some goodies for everyone to snack on as well as some hors d'ourves, coffee, and cider. I hold the party on a Sunday from 1-3pm. This gives us enough time to chat, exchange goodies AND we each create a take-home mini recipe booklet of everyone's recipes. I supply the covers to the booklet (red, green and dark blue card-stock paper), holiday items for everyone to decorate their own booklet, and holiday ribbon to fasten all the pages and covers together (I have a hole puncher available too). I didn't state any "rules" on my invitations, other than to bring the 10 doz. goodies. All the guys know it's for us gals. I've never had anyone bring their kids, but I understand there were a few of the gals that couldn't come because they didn't have a baby-sitter. I guess everyone knows it's just for the ladies. One year one of the ladies had a stroke, so we put together an extra plate/container and took it over to their house plus the mini recipe booklet too. Everyone is already excited about this year's. I would suggest selecting the same day each year so everyone can keep that day clear (ie: the first Sunday in Dec., etc.). Good luck to all! ;D Sure is nice to look forward to isn't it?
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Post by cbomba on Dec 5, 2008 22:10:42 GMT -5
This will be my first cookie exchange and I invited people by way of www.evite.com. You can create your own online invitation and it can be emailed to your family and friends. Replies are posted for all who are invited to see and people can RSVP what cookies they would like to bring at the same site. It saves many stamps! |
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Post by blessed4life on Dec 12, 2008 20:50:39 GMT -5
I was just on Hallmark.com and they have these really cute ecards for a cookie exchange! I wanted to share.
Thanks
.
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Post by maryemc on Jul 23, 2009 14:27:55 GMT -5
Hi Folks
I really enjoy all the wonderful tips and ideas that I have found on this site. My family and I are also enjoying the many recipes found here as well ;D
I'm planning my first cookie exchange for 12/13. I know that it's best to send the invitation out one month prior to the event but I'm unsure about when would be a good time to send the "save the date" out. I'm thinking of making magnets.
My thanks to all.
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Post by Robin on Jul 25, 2009 14:51:00 GMT -5
Hi Mary, Send the Save the Date in September!  Robin |
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(Everyone wants the recipe to the drink I served the first year and I have no idea what it was exactly!) One popular subject at the party is what happened in previous years and my memory isn't what it used to be. It would be great to put it out every year for people to look at. Last year I did put out the recipe books from previous years and that was a hit. (I get the recipes from everyone early and print out booklets to give to everyone at the party.)
