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Post by halsley on Dec 2, 2005 11:51:03 GMT -5
Hello Ladies, I am hosing my 3rd annual cookie exchange TOMORROW (12/3) and just thought it would be fun to get little prizes for the best cookie, most festive, etc.. I can't come up with good categories or prizes to go with the category so I am coming to you for help. Anything you can give me I would appreciate it!  |
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Post by 2girlsmama on Dec 2, 2005 12:58:51 GMT -5
I have seen a lot of post about catagories and prizes. I think that best presentation, best tastes are two good ones. I like getting gift cards in small amounts ie: $5.00 to your local coffee shop or ice cream store are good prizes.
Good Luck!
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Post by Bonnie on Dec 2, 2005 19:51:56 GMT -5
Even a $5.00 blockbuster card is good.
I think best presentation is a good category for sure. Some ladies bring beautiful platters.
You could also have a category for most creative cookie or most decorative cookie. One year I had a guest bring those candy cane cookies and they looked so beautiful. I definitely thought she had put in the most work.
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Post by NicksMommy on Dec 4, 2005 16:58:16 GMT -5
Halsley--I'm running into the same problem as you.I plan on doing the left right game so I have the wrapped Christmas Santa ornaments I bought for that. I also have a prize for the raffle I saw on this site(1 point for Christmas attire,2 points for RSVP,etc...most points wins a prize.)I also stated on my invite that I would have a prize for most creative cookie. My prizes consist of:the 16 Santa ornaments(game),scented candle(raffle),and Most Creative Cookie(waffle tea towel embroidered with "Cindy's 2nd Cookie Swap-some decorated with gingerbread men and some with mixing bowls/spoons.) My "problem" if you could call it that, is I have more gifts to give, but not sure what to give them for. I figured because everyone is getting a Santa ornament in the left-right game(they are all different) that I wouldn't give a parting gift to everyone as well. I have more embroidered tea towels, more scented candles and 2 boxes of Gevalia flavored coffee. I just don't know what to give them for. We aren't tasting cookies so best tasting cookie is out. Hubby says I have too many "prizes" and because I am doing food as well, it sounds fine with what I have and I shouldn't stress over it. I have 16 ladies confirmed and another 5 that are possibles.
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Post by lizcraig on Dec 5, 2005 11:46:08 GMT -5
I am now using the cookie exchange to movitate other to think of others. Like the post before mine (it could have been me As part of my invitation I "reward" guests with tickets for 1 ticket for Rsvping, (2)wearing holiday attire, (3)sharing stories, (4)Singing a Christmas song solo or bringing canned goods for a pantry and (5) tickets for bringing an unwrapped gift for toys for tots. I then have a basket of goodies: ornaments, small jams, note cards, candles, christmas salt & pepper shakers, candy and such and they "earn" these by me choosing their ticket from a basket or answering trivia questions. If anyone earns ALL the tickets I have gift baskets and gift certificates that I give away. From $10 bath & body G.C., Mikasa christmas tray, christmas baskets, whatever. I buy these after Christmas at great discounts, and this is also my way of giving them a christmas gift from me. As far as too many prizes, I like to make sure everyone leaves with something.... I will definately do the candy cane game listed on the web site, that sounds good! I don't do categories, I think this may cause hurt feelings. I want people to leave the exchange looking forward to the next years exchange, and they usually ask by mid October when the next exchange will be. |
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Post by SHARON on Dec 5, 2005 11:53:52 GMT -5
FOR PRIZES I LOCATED INEXPENSIVE GLASS CANDY JARS (MASON JARS WORK TOO) SECOND I DECORATED THE JAR WITH THE PARTY THEME (GINGERBREAD. I GLUED CUT OUTS OF GINGERBREAD WE USED FOR INVITATION TO IT)
THIRD I ADDED DIFFERENT THINGS INSIDE EACH JAR
1. CANDY
2. AN INEXPENSIVE ORNAMENT INSIDE.
3. DISH TOWEL AND POT HOLERS ANGEL.
4. IN ONE WE PLACED THE INGREDIENTS FOR COOKIES ( A COOKIE IN A JAR )
5. A CHRISTMAS STRESS RELEIF KIT (EAR PLUGS, EYE MASK, CANDLE VOTIVE, BUBBLE BATH MINI, TRASHY NOVEL)
FOURTH THEN I COVERED THE LIDS WITH FABRIC AND RIBBON TO STAY CLOSED.
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Post by kristy on Aug 3, 2006 8:34:01 GMT -5
Hello. Cookie cutters! What a great prize. They can use them for next year's exchange. Good luck. Check out: www.foosecookiecutters.com |
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Post by mbguba on Jan 9, 2009 16:06:41 GMT -5
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Post by Marguerite Kennedy on Sept 1, 2009 11:57:15 GMT -5
This December 6th will be my 8th cookie exchange. Every year I give a prize for the best presentation, actually I give first, second and third place because I always have such a big crowd. This year I am also doing a prize for best decorated sweet. I also have a theme every year..this year is Mrs. Clause..having the ladies wear holiday aprons and slippers and then I will give a prize for the most creative outfit. My prizes are usually holiday related. Cookbooks is always a good prize especially if its a cookie cookbook or a recipe holder
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Post by Susan in PA on Sept 1, 2009 13:01:40 GMT -5
Hallmark has a cookie tray ornament (first in a series) that I picked up already. It's like $10 or so, so that will be a big prize (maybe most festively dressed, or best cookie presentation?). I also saw some peppermint foot cream at Ulta that I plan to pick up ... maybe pair it with some holiday slipper socks?
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Jenny
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by Jenny on Sept 17, 2009 14:44:57 GMT -5
Most of the ladies who come to my party are into reading, so last year I found a paperback mystery book called "The Christmas Cookie Murder" by Leslie Meier. The main character in the book hosts a cookie exchange. I used it as the prize for the first person who RSVPed. I recently did some checking around on the internet and found another book "The Christmas Cookie Killer" by Livia Washburn that I'll probably use this year. There are lots of other books with a cookie theme that would be fun too. Just go to one of the bookstore websites like Amazon.com, borders.com, etc. and search for keywords like christmas cookie, or just cookie, and there are a bunch. |
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Post by susanpa on Sept 17, 2009 20:37:47 GMT -5
Jenny, what a fantastic idea! I just to barnesandnoble.com and found several titles, all in paperback. I think I'll have to order a couple! Thanks!!! |
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Post by hopeshaw on Sept 22, 2009 11:20:58 GMT -5
I have found cookie sheets to give as a prize, i thought that was approiate, also I really like the 5$ gift certificate to coffee or sweet shops idea. Cracker Barrel also has hoilday cookie stuff. Watch for sales. Good Luck finding what you need:)
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Post by jennstra on Oct 27, 2009 19:33:35 GMT -5
I have ben doing exchanges for about 14 years, we award the Golden Spoon for best tasting, best packaging and best of show.
We simply spray paint a wooden spoon and have the attendees sign it with a sharpie at the party. The winners take the spoons home that night.
Very little cost and everyone wants to take home the golden spoon.
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Post by Robin on Oct 28, 2009 11:18:26 GMT -5
Jen,
Re: Golden Spoon
AWESOME idea!!!! I just turned my manuscript in, but may have to send that tip to my editor to add in... Very creative and cost effective. Kudos to you.
It reminds me of the Alfredo's golden spoon, which is a big honor to use.
Robin
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Post by pookie on Nov 12, 2009 6:38:34 GMT -5
Joann fabrics has on sale these really cute cookie flavored shower gels and lip balms. they are gift sets of 7. I plan on separating them and using them as prize gifts.
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Post by cookiezenmilk on Nov 21, 2009 22:11:27 GMT -5
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Post by Christi on Oct 9, 2010 19:35:32 GMT -5
This year I am awarding:
First to RSVP with a recipe (maybe first 3)
Most Creative Display
Most Creative Cookie (Ingredients, look, method, not taste)
Cookie with most ingredients
Winner of 2 truths and a lie
Winner of a memory/guessing game
And a numbers guessing game
Prizes are a pan/carry case for baking, large candle, cookie spatula and knife in an oven mitt, 3 smaller candles for the prizes not voted on, and then the container (a glass pumpkin) that holds whatever the guessing numbers game is--thinking maybe marshmallows!
I like the idea of a second place for the voting ones, and have 2 other small candles. Thinking I may use them for Creative Display and Creative Cookie second places!
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Post by susieq on Oct 11, 2010 7:29:21 GMT -5
Someone mentioned cookie cutters for prizes. Michael's usually has a big container of them at Christmas time and with the 40% coupon, they are very affordable. You can fill each with fudge for an added surprise. At our party, we give prizes for several categories...."Martha Stewart Award" for the best cookie display; "Betty Crocker Award" for the best cookie that looks like it tastes good (because we don't taste them) and "Sandra Lee Award" for the most creative cookie recipe. We individually package the cookies and leave one cookie out for judging and give each a number. Then each lady votes anonymously for their choice. Votes are tallied and prizes awarded toward the end of the evening. Some displays are quite elaborate. One year a lady made acorn cookies and her hubby came dressed as a squirrel holding a plate of them. Most people don't go to that extreme, but it's always alot of fun to see how creative people can be.
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Post by Tina Sponsler on Dec 5, 2010 22:54:53 GMT -5
Do you let your guests know ahead of time that there will be prizes?
Especially for like the "first to RSVP with recipe" prize?
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