Doing my first exchange - need MORE info!

[MissyC]

Hi - I'm doing my first cookie exchange on Dec. 9th at my house. I've talked to 8 girls and they are all planning on attending. I am going to use EVITES for my invitations. I just want to know exactly how the party works - I'm not sure what kind of timeframe to use (starting at 6:30 on a Sat. night) and how much time to allow. I've read Robin's great site, I'm just wondering how everyone feels about how the evening should go. I'm planning to serve wine, pop, and a couple of appetizers. How many games are played normally? I just want a general overview on how your exchange went. I'm very excited and built a gingerbread house as a display with my boys this week (yes it took several days to complete). Tonight I made the dough for my cookies for the exchange and froze it (danish Christmas cookies - red and green cherries and walnuts in a glazed sugar cookie type delight YUM!).
Advice please! Also, how soon should I sent out invites? Like I said, everyone said they will attend. Dec. 9th. Thanks!

[bntmama]

Hi Missy!
We are doing our second exchange this year. Our first year turned out great, I used the ideas on this website along with some of my own. I set it from 3-6 last year and I got input from others that an earlier time would be preferred so I am hosting it from 1-4 this year. I gave snowman soup as party favors last year and I put everyone's name in a bag to draw names for 4 prizes. The prizes were Bath and Body Works antibacterial soap and a Christmas towel. This year I am having everyone bring a $5 wrapped gift to play a game, I think I will play the left right game with it that is mentioned on this site. My party favors are items that I bought on clearance after Christmas last year, I am short on the favors since my party has gotten much bigger than I anticipated. I served wine, pop, coffee, appetizers, and some jello desserts. No one really ate the cookies during the party since I had so many other things to eat. We also went around and told stories of why we chose the cookie and funny baking stories. I think we went around the table to exchange our cookies 30 mins before the party was to end. Good luck and have fun, I know we all enjoyed ourselves and I was worried because it was my first one to exchange.
Vanessa

[MissyC]

Thanks! I think I'll do the $5 gift idea too....I want to make sure things keep 'going' . I have had requests to do an evening party, so I'm going to list the time as "6:30 - 8:30 or " just in case anyone wants to stay a little later! Looking forward to it. Thanks again, Missy

[MissyC]

Ok - one more question - for the 'left right game' - do you just pass the gifts left or right according to the story that is read? Is it that easy? Thanks!

[NicksMommy]

yep--it's that easy.I gave everyone a wrapped gift,read the story as they passed the gifts left or right depending on which word I said-then at the end of the game the gift they had was the one they kept. I know some people only do it with one gift and that gets passed around--and the person who has it at the end of the game keeps it. I found alot of gifts at the $1 store(ornaments)and a store that was closing out in the mall, so I got alot of nice stuff cheap. That's why I gave everyone a gift instead of using just one. Entirely up to you. I know by the end of the game everyone is laughing because they can't keep up with my reading and it's one of the best games I have at my exchange.

[MissyC]

Thanks for the info! I think that sounds really fun. I asked in my Evite for everyone to bring a $5 wrapped gift for that game. Hopefully everyone doesn't end up with the same thing they brought!! ;D Either way, I think it'll be fun. I also bought some adorable Santa decorations for parting gifts for everyone, as well as a gift for the candy cane necklace game. Can't wait!

[francinenj]

just remember,you must do it all so pace yourself,if anything doesn't go perfectly like you thought-no on knows that. start out w/ 2 appetizers(then ask people if they'd like to bring something to share next year).the most important thing for all is to have fun & get great recipes! remember after everyone leaves ,you should sit back try to jot down new ideas for next year. you & your friends will be anxiously wawaiting next years party.
if you keep it casual & go w/ the flow(don't get freaked out & be stuffy) to get your feet wet,everyone will relax & have fun.there's always next year to make it bigger & better.
i just had my 17th cookie exchange on sunday. it was great.i try to keep it between 8 & 14 people;this year i had 11 +3 people left their cookies w/ me to do their exchanfe. goo luck & have fun!
francine in nj

[bonnieb]

Every exchange is different. The first year my party was small so we played some games and I had gifts. The second and third year I had a much larger crowd so I just let them enjoy each others company and have a nice relaxing time. A few hours into the party I announce it's time to exchange cookies. Some ladies stay after and some leave.

Last year I was invited to a cookie exchange and got another invitation this year so I won't be hosting (which I actually miss). We are doing the White Elephant exchange again. It can be fun but not my thing really.

[Pam]

Hey all:

I love this website!

I am hosting my first exchange on Tuesday night Dec 12. I have "corralled" my daughter in law and best friend as co-hostesses but it will be at my house. We are inviting about 16 women, so I figure if at least 9 or 10 show up we will be good to go! We picked a week night b/c weekends are crazy with holiday schedules now. I asked everyone to bring 6 dozen cookies plus some extra for sampling. I hope that was not too vague? I guess the sampling cookies will be left in the 6 dozen or should they be set out separately? I put on the invitation to bring your cookies in a basket or platter and I will provide carry home containers.

Also, if you only played 1 or 2 games, which ones would you play? The left to right game with just 1 gift? I don't want to ask people to bring a gift, since this is my first party. Most of my friends are teachers and I am afraid to overload them with too many games.

I guess from reading on this website, in addition to the carry home containers, I also need to provide a small party favor to everyone as well?

A little nervous in SC......
Pam

[Billie Linder]

I am having my third Cookie exchange and what I have found to be very helpful is my cookie exchange note book. I bought a 2 inch binder and some files and sleeves. In it I organized my game pages, the recipes for my menu for the party, my guest list, a copy of the cookie exchange rules, and on the very first page I have my cookie exchange agenda which sums up the order in which my party will go , the games and the prizes to be given for each game, my menu, and the craft we will be doing.
My parties are usually pretty elaborate so I need this to keep me organized and on target. It also keeps everything in one book so your not searching for different books with recipes, games, etc.
Hope this helps, Have fun! -Billie

[Michelle]

;D
Ok, So I am doing my first exchange on Dec 10 at 4pm.
I did get some prizes. I invited 16 people and had everyone make 9 dozen. We each get a 1/2 dozen with 1 dozen for me to display and sample. I am giving a prize for the best prepackaging. I bought bags at Wal-mart that are like take-out bags for people to place their cookies in. Since all the cookies will be prepackaged, I thought this would make it easier than containers. Also, since my pre-packaged cookies can't win a prize, i got clear cellophane bags with snowflakes on them and am attaching a cookie cutter for everyones gift to take home. I was going to give a prize for best tasting, but didn't want to hurt anyones feelings, (i have some of those coming to the party) So, I took some advice on this board and am just going to draw names. I bought such things as a Christmas Kitchen Timer, Christmas potholders and spoonrests. So, hopefully, everything will go well. I am also having appetizers and a champagne spritzer and a flavored coffee recipe I have.
Good Luck to us all!
Michelle

[Debbie]

My first exchange is this sunday (12/10) from 2-5. I'm so nervous. I invited 30 gals, I have 10 showing up and 2 sending cookies to exchange. The left right game sounds like alot of fun. And I'm going to do a trivia game. I'm worried that I may have planned too many appatizers. Hadn't planned on having a sampler sections for the cookies, good idea.

Question: when dividing the cookies, do you tell everyone to take ___ many of each kind or do you just tell them to take 72 cookies? I have some gals bringing the full 6 doz. in just one kind and a couple bringing 2 or 3 different kinds to make the 6 doz.

[NicksMommy]

What I do at my exchanges is see how many people show up with cookies and how many you asked them to bring. Say for instance you have 12 people show up,including yourself and they bring 7 dozen cookies...it would be 84 divided by 12. So they would get 7 cookies off each persons tray. I tell them to take 7 cookies off each tray or until they get to 84-which should be the same thing. Of course some people seem to bring more and some don't always bring enough. I always make sure I go last in case there is a shortage of something. Hope this helps.

[Tara Haggard]

Hi Debbie!!
I see your party is the same day as mine. This is my 3rd and I always worry I won't have enough appetizers so your fine. This year is the biggest with 20 ladies coming. I had them all e-mail me the recipes & made cookie books for them to take home. My party favor is a mug with hot coco & a Christmas candle. When we do the exchanged I have them draw numbers to see who goes 1st & so on. We go around the table only picking 1 dozen at a time of any cookie they choose. We make 6 dozen, therefore we go around 6 times. By then, that's when we start sampling. My games are the right left, gift wrap take 2 & a guess the song game. I'm trying this year to have a gift exchange for those who want to participate. I also have raffle tickets that they earn & then they can't say "cookie" or a ticket can be taken away. I give a prize for bet display and best dressed. It starts at 12:30 with no end time which could be a bad thing but no ones complained yet. It's whatever works for you. Good luck and have a wonderful time. Your ladies will be expecting you to do this next year!!!!

Tara