Throwing a cookie exchange party? Here's 6 tips that will help you plan a successful and simple party you and your guest will love! Check out the end of the post for the winning sugar cookie recipe!
HOW TO HOST A HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE
My mom, the inspiration for this blog, used to have a Christmas Cookie Exchange with her girlfriends every December. I've always wanted to host one and this was the year! I know I just had a baby, but really, having a Cookie Exchange party was just about the simplest party I've ever hosted. My cute neighbor gets the credit, too. We both needed a girls night out and this was a perfect excuse to get together with friends and party after our kiddos were asleep.
6 TIPS TO MAKE YOUR COOKIE SWAP AMAZING
1) SEND INVITATIONS EARLY.
Most cookie exchanges happen between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You are not limited to this time to throw your party, but if you do plan to do a holiday cookie night, be sure to invite your friends early before their calendar becomes too full.
Invitation Ideas:
- Send a real invitation or drop one off at their house.
- Attach a cookie cutter, spatula, or holiday hot pad to your cookie party invitation.
- Use an online invitation service like Evite or Paperless Post to send out your invites.
- For text invitations, use Hub Nub.
No matter what type of invitation you choose, be sure to get the word out at least a few weeks before your party date. You can send a "Save The Date" text and then a real invitation when it gets closer to the party date.
The holidays season fills up fast, so the sooner you can invite your friends, the better chances to have a good turnout.
2) USE EASY-TO-CLEAN DECORATIONS
Thus, use a basic patterned or holiday wrapping paper to cover your island, kitchen counter, or table with. In your home, especially if you have soft and shaggy rugs, you may need to protect them from dirt by covering them properly. When it comes time to clean up, all you have to do is roll up the paper with all those cookie crumbs and toss. Easy peasy!
3) HAVE YOUR FRIENDS LABEL THEIR COOKIES
When your guests arrive, have them fill out a cookie label. Some cookies don't need an explanation, but some are hard to tell what they are just from looking at them. So make sure everyone says what type of cookie they brought.
Your cookie labels can be simple like these ones: (just a folded index card with a circle-punched paper taped to it).
Or use these cute cookie labels from the Cookie Exchange party pack here.
Have the labels and markers or pens where your guests can see them. 
4) HAVE GUESTS VOTE ON THEIR FAVORITES
Everyone likes a little friendly competition, amiright? Have some simple voting cards so that everyone can pick their favorites.
We chose 4 categories: Best Looking, Best Tasting, Most Festive, and Best All-Around. You could pick other categories, too!
We had some simple prizes for the winners.
5) LET YOUR GUESTS PACKAGE UP COOKIES TO TAKE HOME
We had each guest bring 2 dozen cookies. After sampling them at the party, there were still lots leftover. So we made sure everyone took a variety home to share with their families.
Be sure to have paper plates and plastic wrap or cute cookie boxes for everyone to take their holiday cookies home.
6) KEEP THE ENTERTAINMENT SIMPLE
Guests will welcome a night spent eating cookies and treats, drinking hot cocoa, and chatting. Don't stress too much about other entertainment for the night.
COOKIE EXCHANGE RULES
- Make sure everyone brings the same amount of cookies to the party. On the invite, tell everyone how many dozen cookies to bring.
- If you plan to send everyone home with lots of cookies to give to friends and family, have everyone bring about 5 dozen.
- If you plan to just eat cookies at the party and take home a plate for later, then have everyone bring just a few dozen.
POPULAR COOKIE RECIPES FOR COOKIE EXCHANGE
Here's a roundup of some of the most popular Christmas Cookie Recipes. So if you're not sure what to make at your cookie exchange, don't worry! These recipes are classics that have stood the test of time!
First up, these Winning Mini Star Sugar Cookies. These cookies won best all-around at our Cookie Exchange. First, their super festive and they are not your ordinary sugar cookies! You've got to try them. Here's the recipe.
Everyone loves Oreos, so why not make them extra festive by just dipping half of the cookie into white chocolate and sprinkling festive sprinkles on top? These are so easy, but so fun!
Corn Flake Wreaths won the most festive cookie at our party. Here's the recipe:
Santa Hat Cookies are another really easy, but festive Christmas Cookie that would be fun for your party!
The Best Homemade Oreos are perfect for your holiday party! Make this easy recipe extra festive by turning the frosting red or green for Christmas!
MAKE IT A TRADITION
Hosting a cookie party is one of the easiest parties you'll ever plan. So make it a tradition that all your friends will look forward to!
>> GRAB THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE SWAP PARTY PACK IN OUR {CHRISTMAS MADE EASY KIT} HERE! <<
PARTY SUPPLIES:
- Jumbo confetti- JustSimplyL
- Polka dot wrapping paper- IKEA
Natalie says
I did one of these parties at Valentine's day. I bought little boxes for the cookies to go home in. Each box was around $0.75 and i got them from orientaltrading.com. It made the cookies much easier to carry home!
Melissa says
What a great idea!