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Post by Lorree on Nov 11, 2004 11:37:03 GMT -5
I was just wondering what they normal protocol is for cookie exhange parties. Do people typically ask their guests to bring extra to eat during the party or do people just ask them to bring cookies and then do the swap without ever taste testing first? I would think that taste testing first would tend to bring out the good/bad cookies and might make people feel bad if theirs didnt get eaten. I am leaning towards not asking guests to bring extras and just having people take samplings of each cookie so that they may do with whatever they want with them at home. Then hopefully there wont be any hard feelings. Any comments?
-Lorree
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Post by Bonnie on Nov 11, 2004 12:29:34 GMT -5
Hi Lorree,
I thought about this with my first exchange but was so glad I decided against it (actually my first I ask everyone to bring 6 dozen and thought bringing more was a bit much).
By the time the exchange comes around I know I am sick of sweets. Actually at my party I normally serve everything BUT sweets.
The last two years there has been at least one tray of "healthy" cookies - meaning made with wheat or wheat germ, etc. and they never look good either. Needless to say there is always more left on that tray. I'm afraid if we tasted them first the ladies wouldn't even bother to take them home. Last year one of the ladies told me later that when she tasted the "healthy" cookie she just tossed them out. I do try to remind the ladies that this is Christmas - a time for eating real goodies. For me this is the only time of year I really bake so when I do it is the yummy kind. Also, let's face it our families don't want to eat "healthy" at Christmas.
Of course, everyone's exchange is different and what works for some doesn't work for others.
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Post by liz on Nov 11, 2004 14:25:39 GMT -5
I vote not to eat the cookies, but rather swap and then eat later. As the host, I'll make appetizers and such, and provide my own cookies for them to try. Usally people have had enough of their own cookies, before they've arrived (who does not try their own before they bring them?) Any you are already asking them to bring cookies to exchange. That is my opinion. Have a great party!  |
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Post by huffjoann on Nov 11, 2004 14:45:11 GMT -5
I do not let them sample cookies. I set up the cookies in the dining room and all the yummy appetizers are in the kitchen. In the 2 years I did this, I don't think I have had one person ask me if they could sample while at the exchange. Sample them all you want when you get home!!
We had some healty cookies the first year too, and they were awful, she came back last year with something much more appealing!
I do not let everyone go around the table and pick and choose cookies, I figure out how many participants and divide that into 72 and let them know how many to get of each kind including their own. If they want to trade their own cookies for someone else's later, that is great, but figured it fairest to do it that way. I know the exchange I have gone to with my mom in years past, the hostess gets glad bags and divides them up and even puts them into the go home containers. I figure whey do extra work, let them do it and that is part of the FUN.
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Post by Robin on Nov 11, 2004 18:40:58 GMT -5
Not only do we not sample cookies, I have never once had anyone ask to sample a cookie! (And I've been doing this since 1988.) Everyone looks at and oohhs and aahhs at the cookie table, but no one nibbles. It's pretty universal... by the time they get to my party... they are sick of cookies! LOL! I always have a lot of party food, the majority of it, NOT SWEET. I always have a pot of spiced cider on the stove, makes the house smell great.... but honestly, wine is the favored drink ....  |
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