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Post by ccrysler on Nov 3, 2007 14:55:57 GMT -5
Please help! I'm new to this group. My sister, niece and i have held exchanges for the past 6 years and the last year was so out of control i don't know if we can do it again. We started out by inviting about 12 family and friends and we had a nice lunch and it was great. My niece has since had a great time creating a raffle baking pizza sized cookies and such everyone loves wining them. But last year was so overwhelming we don't know what to do, we invited people and they have to bring a dozen cookies for as many people invited (12 people,12 dozen cookies) and such. But people started inviting people on there own and people just showed up so our count of cookies was so messed up that the original people invited some were shorted cookies and people brought small children I'm not against having kids but this was crazy! Please help. Thanks ccrysler
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Post by christi on Nov 3, 2007 20:56:23 GMT -5
ccrysler...I completely understand your apprehension about having another cookie swap after the disaster you experienced last year. My first suggestion would be to make your rules very intentional. I mail every person invited a list of the Cookie Swap Rules. Most of them I get on this site. I make it clear that if they would like to invite anyone, they need to let me know ahead of time and that their friend has to bring their own cookies. I also list in the rules that no children/men are allowed. I'm sure that you give rules, but maybe by mailing them along with a list of contests (if you do them) people will see them as a definite. I so encourage you try again. Since you said that you have done this for 6 years, there had to be some good years in there! Hold on to them and hopefully you won't have a repeat of last year. Good Luck!!
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Post by bonnieb on Nov 5, 2007 17:27:45 GMT -5
Absolutely you need rules! I remember one of my cookie exchanges where a gal asked if her two daughters could come because they had never been before. Granted her girls were in middle school but no way was I setting that precedence. I just told her sweetly that the ladies look forward to this day - away from family and responsibility to just relax and have fun.
She did not participate in the cookie exchange which was fine with me but she did drop by which was nice. When I host a cookie exchange I put in a lot of planning and long hours (cleaning, cooking, etc.).
I think it is rude for someone else to invite another person to YOUR cookie exchange without asking you first. The invitation should come from you.
If someone shows up with kids just tell them that you weren't planning on hosting children and that there was no babysitter available in your home. Then ask them if they would like to leave their cookies and you would make sure that they got an even exchange.
Boy I just realized I am sounding harsh but again a lot of work goes into hosting and that is something that should not be taken for granted by the guests.
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Post by Barb P on Nov 25, 2007 9:53:03 GMT -5
As for the kids...I make sure to have the following in big bold, red letters in my invitiation: LADIES ONLY – Leave the men and children at home! This is OUR TIME to relax before the holiday rush! I wouldnt mind if people want to bring a friend, but they MUST tell me ahead of time and they have to bring cookies too! I ask everyone for their recipes too because I make little cookbooks as favors for each of my parties. The need for their recipes gives me the excuse to call someone who hasnt RSVPed. I just tell, I didnt want to leave them out of the cookbook my mistake  |
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