1st cookie swap

[cookiecrazy]

Hi, getting ready for my first cookie swap Dec. 6th, 2008. I am so excited. My husband will be serving us ladies with all kinds of good food wearing his jammies (everyone is coming in jammies)and a santa apron, he is a real trooper also taking video for me. My husband and I made a cookie trophy to award for best tasting cookie and a larger one for me to keep so each year I can add the winners name to it. I made place card holders for all the cookies to be displayed. I wrapped squares of wood with xmas paper, drilled a hole in center of each and hot glued a plastic fork into it. I placed a bow at bottom and hung a mini ornament from the tines. the tines hold my card that names the cookie. I will post pictures after my party. Everyone will bring 1 dozen cookies displayed creatively and the other 5 dozen in 10 separate decorative bags with 6 cookies in each bag ( these will go home with the guests. I even bought pieces of decorated coal to give out for last person there and another game so even the loser gets something. I have all recipes ahead of time and i have put them on recipe cards (with the picture of the cookie)for everyone to take home. We are all going to have so much fun I can hardly wait. I'll let you know how it turns out, wish me luck.[/glow][/font][/color]

[Vickie]

I'm hosting my first swap on Dec 6th as well! I'm so excited about it and want it to go well. I have just gotten started so i have alot to do but it's fun! This site has so much information and such good tips and guidelines that i don't feel overwhelmed, just looking forward to making the memories!

[Robin]

Hi cookiecrazy,
Can you take pictures of your cookie trophy and send them to me? I'm sure the Newsletter list would love seeing that!

And your hubby serving you gals in his jammies!!

I want to give him a trophy ---> "Husband of the Year!"

Good Luck with your first cookie party!

[Susan in PA]

Robin, I am also in the process of planning my first cookie swap (couldn't do it without your site!). When sending out my invites, I was very nervous about the rules, and was afraid I might run someone off. That being said, I included them anyway, because I TOTALLY can understand the reasoning behind them.

I wanted to let you know that one the first gals to RSVP actually THANKED ME for including the rules! She has participated in swaps in the past that have allowed "no-bakes", store-bought, and things that have tasted like they've been frozen since last Christmas! She puts a lot of time and effort into her baked goods, and appreciates that others will be doing the same!!!

[Robin]

Hi Susan,
Thank you for sharing your friends response, it's quite common, actually. People do appreciate having parameters to work with. I know I do. Furthermore, I have never excluded anyone from my invitation list based on known baking habits, even if they've brought cookies that were less than perfect. I just hope that next year they follow the rules better.

My group started out mostly as NON BAKERS. Some still say they only bake for my party because they want to come. I'm pleased to say that nobody has died as a result of having to exert effort to come to my house.

What I've found is that some still ignore the rules and bring some item that I wouldn't want HOWEVER, since the majority of people brought good cookies a few less good ones can get lost in the shuffle without consequence. Also, every year I tried to add a few new faces, and I cut them a lot of slack.

It's when it becomes 50/50, that when the problems start and you'll lose your best bakers.

Everyone is busy in December, including me. I realize the effort everyone made to follow the rules and get to my house and I always start out by thanking the group for their efforts.

[cookiecrazy]

Robin,
i am new to this site how do i post pictures?