I am planning a cookie exchange this Christmas and I can’t wait to get started. I just love baking and have a few friends and family who share my passion. This Christams we all want to prepare our own cookie boxes, but with some help. So,  I  decided to hold this cookie exchange but I really wanna do it right as last time I the cookie exchange wasn't a success . But now, I have done my home work and have discovered 5 steps to a hassle free cookie exchange!

Step 1 – Firstly, you need to plan the whole function and send the invitations for the cookie exchange a few weeks in advance.

Along with the venue and time the invite should also include specific instructions about how many cookies to bring per person. It is always better to request your friends to bring a dozen homemade cookies for each person and another dozen for the party.  Give them a date in the invite by when they should send the names of the cookies they are going to bring. This helps to avoid duplication of the cookies. You can always ask your friends to bring in their family favorite or traditional cookies. It is simply a wonderful way to learn about others cultures and their ethnic groups.

Step 2 – Adorn your venue with festive decorations and be prepared to play holiday music to set the tone of the occasion. Request your friends and family to be ready to narrate cookie lore or even invent cookie names for the cookies.  This will add to the jovial atmosphere of the cookie exchange.

Step 3 - Prepare the required cookies and just one beverage and in case you have to serve out other refreshment stick to dishes you can make overnight and then reheat and serve the next day. The day of the cookie exchange you should be focusing more on getting the cookie exchange rather than cooking food so here are some suggestions. You can stick to just plain milk for beverage or hot chocolate with cream. The other beverages you can serve are egg nog or hot mulled cider along with coffee, tea, juices etc.  For refreshment, you can serve a casserole like an egg casserole which you have prepared over night. Ensure you have a continuous supply of water as your guests are sure to get thirsty after gobbling down the cookies.

Step 4 – Host your cookie exchange in the morning. This way, your guests can enjoy the cookie exchange and still have the rest of the day to do their holiday activities like shopping, wrapping, decorating and hosting their own parties or attending to other social commitments. It also gives you time to wrap up your day early.

Step 5 - Ensure that your friends bring their cookies on a sheet pan which can be displayed conveniently on your dining table. This way, the exchange can be conducted in an organized way and there will be no wastage. Also, just visualize that dining table with scores of different kinds of cookies!!

With these 5 steps I am sure my cookie exchange will be a success. Why don’t you host one your self now?! To help you’re here are some great cookie recipes.

Tips

You can also include home made candies, chocolate covered pretzels, or other festive sweets as part of the exchange.

Remind your friend to bring a container with separate divisions or containers to store the various types of cookies in. In case they forget, ensure that you have a couple of plastic storage bags or paper plates which they can use.

Request your friends to bring the copies of the cookie recipes with them. This way, everyone will get a chance to have the recipes and it does away with the hassle of collecting and sending a copy on your own. Also, in case any of your guests have any specific food allergies, then they will be able to keep away from the cookies that have those specific allergens.

Image Credits

flickr.com/photos/andovercookiemama/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagwired/