How to Host a Cookie Swap in Seven Easy Steps
Cookies - one of the world’s most favorite desserts. Perfectly proportioned. Easy to take on the go. Fairly easy to make. Tons of varieties. How can you go wrong?
According to Boost.com, 95% of Americans eat a cookie at least once a month. Due to their popularity, there’s even a National Cookie Day - December 4th.
When it comes to the holidays, cookies bring a sense of nostalgia and comfort. In our family, there are certain cookies that I only make at Christmas. To make them at another time of the year somehow diminishes how special they are.
I like to bake a variety of cookies. Arranged on a platter, they make wonderful gifts to give to neighbors or to bring to a party. It takes a lot of time and effort to bake several different kinds of cookies though. If you would like a variety of cookies but don’t have the time or energy to bake dozens of different kinds, perhaps this holiday season, you might want to consider a Cookie Swap.
It’s a great way to gather with friends, share recipes and discover new favorites. Plus, there’s the advantage of making only one batch of cookies and going home with a variety.
Here are seven easy steps to hosting a super fun Cookie Swap Party. You can make it as easy or elaborate as you wish.
Invitations
Advance Notice - Give your guests advance notice of your party before their time is booked with holiday events. Plus, it provides enough time for your guests to think of a cookie recipe, buy the ingredients, and make the cookies.
Paper or Email? - Decide if you will print and mail the invitations or if you’ll want to send an invitation by email either in a letter form or through an online invitation site like Paperless Post or Evite.
How many to invite - If 10 people attend and everyone brings 3-6 dozen cookies, that means that each person brings home cookies with enough variety (10 different kinds)..
Guidelines
Establish the rules about the cookies themselves. How many should each person bring? Should they all be homemade or are store-bought cookies okay? Does fudge or candy count? How about mini cupcakes?
The recipe - If the cookies are that good, everyone will want to know how they can make them at home. Plus, for those with allergies, it’s comforting to know the ingredients. If you’re ambitious, guests can email their cookie recipe ahead of time. That way the host can print copies and have them available to all.
Advance notice? - Do guests need to confirm the type of cookie they are bringing so that there are no duplicates?
Theme
Establish the decor. Establishing a theme helps with decorating. Perhaps, it’s a snowflake-themed party or a nutcracker-themed event. Wearing your ugliest Christmas sweater may contribute toward a theme.
Food and beverage guidance. Choosing a theme may guide your food and beverage choices. For instance, if it’s an afternoon swap, perhaps a tea party theme might be nice. Providing various types of tea, small sandwiches, and using fancy tea cups would complement the event. Maybe the swap is held during the evening and you want this to be a very sophisticated event with all guests wearing their finest. You could ask guests to bring an appetizer in addition to the cookies and serve champagne or wine.
Games
Add a Yankee Swap game before the swap begins.
Incorporate a book swap. Guests can bring a wrapped book and some cookies. See details about a Book Swap party in this article.
Vote on the ugliest sweater with a prize to the winner.
Set the Stage
Cookie Display - You’ll need a long table or countertop to showcase all of the cookies. Decorate with a tablecloth or table runner in the theme of your choosing.
Platters - To create visual appeal and save space, incorporate footed cake stands and platters of different sizes. That way, your guests can choose the platter that best works for the cookies they bring. For a cohesive look, keep platters the same color. I prefer white. Perhaps, you want to go for a more eclectic look with varying platter colors and patterns.
Cookie Identification - Include a tent card with a marker so guests can write the name of the cookie and place the card in front of their platter.
Serving Utensils - Include enough tongs or serving utensils so that guests can use them to make their selections without touching the cookies.
Ambiance - Having music playing in the background adds to the ambiance.
Prepare Snacks and Refreshments
Something savory - It is a cookie swap, so there will be plenty of dessert, but it’s always nice to have some savory items prepared. It could be as simple as a cheese and cracker display and some nuts. You could prepare a number of appetizers, have a cold cut platter, or even prepare a meal if you feel ambitious.
Something to drink - Considering serving a beverage that compliments the food and cookies, whether that is wine, a specialty cocktail, or tea and coffee.
Takeaways
Containers - Provide boxes and festive twine or ribbons for guests to package and take home their cookies in the event they do not wish to use the container they originally came with.
Favors - If you’re ambitious and have received the recipes in advance, a nice package of printed recipes makes a great favor.
Your reward, besides an evening of festive fun with your friends, is a beautiful platter of homemade cookies that you can keep for your family or gift to a senior center, neighbor, or your local police or fire department.
For a curated collection of Cookie Swap items to create your party, click here.
Do you have a favorite cookie that you make only during the holiday season? Share in the comments!