by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: November 30, 2010

One of most fun and useful traditions of the holiday season can be the Cookie Exchange Party. It’s and opportunity to get together, have a few appetizers and drinks.  After a little light conversation and laughter everyone gets to take home a variety of cookies and dazzle their family and friends with simple home made variety.

It is important to get the invitations out early.  Things get very busy in the holiday season and this should be early so the guest can use the cookies.  Since each guest will be baking they need time to do that as well.  The invitation should suggest that the cookies be made three days before the party.  They should be kept in an airtight container.

There are a couple of reasons for this timing.  Since they already have baked the cookies three days in advance they are more likely to come to the event.  Cookies travel better after they have time to set up.  Three days is just about right for most cookies and they will be traveling.

Like any holiday party invite many and do not be disappointed when half of the guests show up.  However, if these becomes a tradition, prepare for it to get bigger every year.

As the hostess of the cookie exchange the rule of thumb is make three batches of different unique holiday cookies on the exchange table when others begin to arrive.  It gives the arrangement a good varied beginning. It also ensure some extra cookies if attendance is low.

When the guests arrive, place the cookies on the table and move on to the beverages and appetizers.  After chitting and chatting is done, provide every guest with a cookie tin.

It is fun to customize them with the year and some festive decorations.  They can become treasures and decorations for year to come.

Guests take a wander around the table.  The hostess declares the number of cookies that can be loaded in their tin on each trip around the table. Does everyone end up with the same exact same number of cookies? Probably not. Does it really matter to anyone? Probably not.

The whole goal is to get together, enjoy each others’ company and go home with a variety of delicious home made cookies.

The fun after the party is that each guest gets to share cookies with family and friends in their home.  They have quite a spread to put out and it looks like they baked for days.

Once it gets started it is a worthy tradition.

Learn more about this author, Trenna Sue Hiler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.