How to host a cookie exchange

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I love attending cookie exchanges. They are fun way to knock out your Christmas baking too! I have attended several in the past and helped organize many too! I wanted to share some cooking exchange tips with you. After you exchange cookies you could consider boxing them with a pretty ribbon and giving them as gifts. A great idea is this DIY Cookie Gift.

How to organize a cookie exchange:

First of all start by asking your friends if they would be interested in participating. Depending on how many cookies you want to go home with will determine how many cookies each guest should bring. For example if there are 10 guests attending and you want to go home with 10 dozen cookies then each guest would bring 10 dozen cookies. Normally we don’t want to go home with that many so a number that we are happy with is 3 – 6 dozen. Always take into consideration that you will be sampling the cookies as you exchange so you may want guests to make more 🙂

Ask your guests to sign up for their cookies in advance so that you don’t have repeat cookies at the exchange.
Be sure to be prepared for allergies if anyone is allergic to a specific ingredient.
Suggest to your guests to bring their cookies on a platter as it makes an easy time for exchanging.
Ask your guests to bring an airtight container to take their cookies home in. I would suggest guests bring wax paper for layering the cookies or that could be something the hostess would provide.
Ask you guests to bring photocopies of the recipes so that everyone will know what ingredients are included. Also this is a great way to grow your recipe collection.
Provide beverages for your guests but keep the exchange simple. Pitchers of ice water are great.
Provide paper plates and napkins for sampling.
Play Christmas music, have fun and enjoy!

Beverages I like to serve include:

Crockpot Apple Cider

Hot Cranberry Punch

Crockpot Hot Cocoa