~Cookie Swap~

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I went to my very first Cookie Swap this past holiday season and had the best time. Next year, I am going to host my own cookie swap and have already started planning for it. It is never too early to start planning for next Christmas! *S*

As this was my first time attending one of these, it was also a learning experience. I thought I would share with you what I learned and give you some ideas about how to go about hosting your own exchange/swap.

First of all, plan your exchange and send your invitations EARLY! December is a very busy time for most of us and the sooner we know about something like this, the more likely we are to be able to come. As well, since attending this event requires a little bit of work on your guests part, they will appreciate having the extra time to plan. I am going to send my invitations in mid-late November.

On your invitation you need to include all the necessary information such as date , time and place, but with a party like this, you also need to add a few additional facts for your guests. Be sure to tell them, how many cookies they need to bring, the kind of cookie they need to bring (no No-Bake cookies, as these are almost impossible to transport and if possible they should be some type of Christmas cookie),. that they must be homemade (no store bought, unless they are really desperate and then the cookies must come from a bakery), bring a container to take their cookies home in,and enough copies of the recipe for all guests (optional).

Request that each guest R.S.V.P and at this time, they will need to tell you what kind of cookie they are planning to bringing. You don't want your guests to be going home with 6 dozen Shortbread cookies! Each person must bring a different cookie.

The number of guests you are having, helps to decide on the number of cookies. At the party I attended, there were 20 guests, who brought 3 dozen cookies. So, I came home with only 2 or 3 of each cookie. I have decided for my party to have guests bring 6 dozen, so that people are able to take more home and to make it more worthwhile. Most people have at least one recipe that yields a large batch and if not, they could make 2 separate batches of 2 different kinds of cookies.

The party I attended was held on a Monday evening. This was OK but I plan to have mine on a Sunday afternoon in early December. Time will be from 2-5. No husbands or children are invited. This is an afternoon strictly for the girls. In our little group of friends, rarely do the girls ever get together on their own, so this is our one opportunity to get together and enjoy ourselves.

If possible try to have your house all decorated for the holidays, this just adds a little to the mood. Encourage your guests to waer their Christmas attire. Select a place to have guests place their cookies. A large table is the best place. Cover the table with a Christmas table cloth, add some candles and flowers and you are all set. Also remove the chairs from around the table, so it is easier for your guests to circulate and collect their cookies to take home.

Once all of your guests have arrived and placed their cookies in the chosen place, have them proceed at their leisure to collect their cookies. They can simple proceed to the area with their container, make their way around the table collecting their cookies as they go.

As your guests visit with each other play Christmas music in the background and burn some great smelling candles to add to the mood. Christmas cookie, gingerbread and cinnamon are all wonderful scents to burn during your get together. Before your guests arrive, you might also want to simmer some nice smelling potpourri on your stove to add to the wonderful holiday scents already in your home.

If possible, you might like to make or purchase a special gift for each of your guests to take home. At the party I attended we each received a votive candle. I plan to make a specially decorated gingerbread boy/girl for each of my guests.

Since it is an afternoon or early evening party, you really don't need to serve a whole lot of food. Especially since you will want to have room for cookie sampling! *S* Below, are some things you might want to serve at your exchange/swap.

~Foods To Serve~

Cheese ball with crackers or a cheese tray

Veggie and dip tray

Sausage Rolls

Mini Bruschetta

Cheese Balls

Mini Pizza Bagels

Mini Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Shrimp with Seafood sauce

Wine or Wine Spritzer

Punch or Egg Nog

~Food To Serve After The Exchange~

Fruit tray with dip

Chocolate Fondue

Sample the cookies

Coffee and tea (If you live in Canada, Second Cup, makes a really good blend called "Christmas Blend". I hate coffee but even I like this!

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to our Cookie Swap and that you will consider hosting your own exchange. I will let you know how ours goes.


all mini cookie graphics	all others, aren't they cute