Christmas Cookie Exchange Ideas

How much to bake?

The amount of cookies each person needs to bake isdetermined by the number of people participating. For that reason, it is sometimes easier to wait to divide up the number of cookies. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the number of guests by a dozen, and then add another dozen.

If, for example, you are expecting 8 people, each participant should make 9 dozen cookies for swapping. Ask everyone to bring an extra dozen of his or her cookie for sampling.

The bulk of the cookies, after all, will be taken home. This "sampling" will be the most likely hit of the party!

Recipes:

Part of the fun of sharing cookies is adding to your own recipe box.

Each guest can provide a copy/copies of their recipe to be distributed during the party.

Divvying up/Packaging:

One great Christmas Cookie Exchange idea, is to have guests bring the cookies in prepackaged packages of a dozen each.

Either way, guests can gather their cookies as they go around the goodie-laden table, buffet style--either grabbing pre-wrapped dozens or gathering their share of loose cookies, using large paper plates, lined shoe boxes, zip lock bags or their own Tupperware.

If these Christmas cookies are pre-wrapped by your guests, the swap part of the exchange is accomplished so much easier. If cookies are not prepackaged, guests should bring a container, or two of the quart or gallon sized zip lock bags to take the cookies home.

The advantage to arriving with prepackaged cookies is ease of collection/swapping. On the other hand, bringing cookies loosely requires less prep time for busy bakers, since the packing for the trip home can be done during the swap.

No-Shows:

Assume that there will be a missing person or two despite RSVP's and have a plan of remedy in advance. For this reason, sometimes it is best to hold off on the "dividing" calculations until the party is underway, based on how many guests actually showed or contributed.

If someone has diligently baked her cookies and finds that they can't attend due to a scheduling conflict, sick family member, etc. Suggest that she drop the cookies by your home before the party. Better yet (in the true spirit of friendship), offer to pick them up, swap the cookies for her during the party and then deliver them back to her.

Atmosphere: Put on the holiday music, light the Christmas Tree or Menorah, make the punch, lay out the snacks and sit back and enjoy your guests!