First Timer!!!!

[Regstur]

All -

I am hosting my first cookie exchange on Dec. 9th. Curious as to the actual count of cookies and how this is done? The majority seem to think 6 dozen for folks to bring - then what happens? Everyone brings home 6 dozen? How do you actually split up the cookies?

I know this might seem pretty obvious to most - but I am struggling with this aspect of it!

Also - I am having this with neighbors - many of whom I don't know. Any suggestions??

Thanks!

Regina

[lily]

Regina,

You'll have a blast! I had held exchanges in the past, but had not had one for several years. Last year we had moved, and I held an exchage for the neighbors. It actually was a great way to meet new people. I like to ask my guests to bring their cookies pre-packaged in 1/2 doz. packages. If you know the exact number of people coming, you can ask for full dozens. Some prefer to have the cookies placed on a platter and let everyone take a few of each kind as long as they don't take over 6 dozen. It's up to you.

Good luck!

Lily

[Renee]

Oh you will have a great time. I enjoy having everyone bring the cookies in a basket or platter....I tell them to be creative! My table of cookies looked like a picture out of Food & Wine! It was beautiful! Then I gave everyone a big rectangular heavy plastic tray that I bought @ X-Mas Tree Shops for a $1 and everyone walked around the table and took 4 of each cookie until they were gone! It was a blast fixing up our own platters. Then I took saran wrap and wrapped everyones platter up nice & tight for them to take home! Good luck.....it's tons of fun. My second annual cookie exchange is Dec. 10th! I can't wait.

[lostmymind]

All -
Am hosting my first exchange on the 17th. Have not sent invites yet because this is for the mom's at my kids Montessori school possibly up to 90-100 Moms. Don't think that many will reply but I'm felling alittle overwhelmed. Last "Mom's Night" in September there were about 40 mom's. Anyway - am glad I found this sight. Was wondering if anyone else had done anything like this or on this scale? Suggestions for # of cookies each attendee should bring?? Do you think I should provide boxes (can get relatively cheap cake boxes). Invites will go in kids cubbies on the 27th with sign up sheets at entry to school. The exchange will be held in the rec room of the school and thought I'd include a column in the sign up for "cookie name". Also thought I'd volunteer to put together a "Recipe Book" for anyone who got their recipe to me by the Friday before the exchange. Too ambitious??? Thought we'd do cookie tasting during the exchange but really like the hors d'oeuvres idea. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!! JO

[bonnieb]

I think I replied some on your other post but WOW you are ambitious! It's nice of you to want to put together a recipe book but would they really appreciate it in the end - do you have the time.

A cookie exchange like this is not like a moms night out because it requires some work on their part. A lot of the moms may already be doing a cookie exchange with friends or family so I wouldn't worry too much about numbers. I once had one mom say to me "we don't eat other peoples cooking." I was blown away. Another mom told me after a cookie exchange that she took all her cookies to work for her customers. I got the feeling she felt the same way.

Just make sure the invitation is somewhat specific (like I posted in the other topic) so you don't have problems.

You may even want to consider a Cookie Party instead of an exchange. All the ladies could bring their beautiful trays of cookies and you could also have punch. They could sample a variety of cookies and just enjoy each others company. You could ask for recipes in advance and make a little handout for them as well. Might be easier. I had a friend that did this and it worked out well. It was a little less stress for her because she did not know how many would show up and frankly didn't have time to worry about that and how many cookies each would get and would everyone remember to bring tins or boxes to take home cookies (although she was smart enough to grab a box of gallon size zip locks on the way out the door).

Good Luck and have fun.

[Turena]

Question for the group.....

When swapping the cookies, and going around the table,
do you take YOUR OWN cookie? Most people make extras
at their own homes to keep. I'm thinking this way, maybe
you could get a few more of other's cookies....
What do most people do? Just wondering....