How to Host a Cookie Exchange
This past weekend I hosted my first cookie exchange! I have wanted to host one for years, but have never actually pulled the trigger. So last week I asked some friends if they would want to participate and then invited them mid week and viola on Sunday we had ourselves a party!
Here is how I hosted my first cookie exchange!
It was planned on super short notice, but I was able to gather decor items from my home along with some holiday items from TJ MAXX and viola a beautiful holiday setting. I hit it big at TJ MAXX and picked up some white platters and cute holiday plates that everyone was loving! Best part all of my holiday platters were only $4.99-$5.99!!
Like my runner? It was wrapping paper from my TJ MAXX spree. Such an easy and cheap idea! I already had the blue tablecloth at home, which I knew went with my color story, but didn’t scream Christmas. A runner or picking up fabric to inject some holiday cheer would be too pricey. The paper was perfect. It was $5 and I only used a small amount so I can use the rest to wrap gifts.
One of my favorite finds was this Burberry plaid inspired vase for only $7.99!
I then went to my local super market and did a candy cane theme with red, white and red/white carnations.
For a cookie exchange you typically ask each guest to follow these rules:
- No cake or cookie box mixes or ready made dough.
- Guest must let you know before hand what they are making so that there are no duplicates.
- Typically you make one dozen cookies per guest and then an extra dozen for the actual party so that everyone can taste them. When you have a large amount of guests only request each guest to provide half a dozen (6 cookies) per guest and then the exact amount of cookies of guests for tasting at party.
I had all of the platters already on display when guests arrived and left little kraft tags on each one. This way each guest could pick the platter they wanted to showcase their cookie on and then jot down the name of their cookie and who baked it.
Now you can’t just have cookies! You also need a drink station. I had wine available on my bar cart, but had an additional drink station for hot cocoa.
Last detail that you must take care of? To go containers so that your guests can bring home all of their new cookies!
Now what’s a cookie exchange without a little friendly competition? We decided to vote for best looking cookie and best tasting/overall amazing cookie.
Jenn’s sugar cookies won her best looking cookie and this adorable apron!
Best tasting/overall cookie was won by my sister, Daniela! It was her first time baking and she made us peanut butter chocolate chunk gluten free cookies and they were AMAZING! She won a $50 gift card to Marshalls.A big thanks to Marshalls for providing us with the gift card.
Everyone enjoyed the party and for me as the host it was pretty easy to set up. I think this is going to become a yearly tradition.
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Gluten-free for the win! Still so proud! Thanks so much for hosting, it was so much fun, I also just ate a million cookies for breakfast.
I have a ton of white platters from TJ Maxx, I use them for soaps in the bath, candle holders, and of course food. I’m putting a note on my calendar to start planning a cookie exchange next year. Good idea and I love the contest where winner wins a cute apron!
Any chance your sweet sister would like to share her recipe? My mom can’t eat gluten & I would love to make her some of those!
Hi Jessie,
Sorry for the delay. Here is a link to the recipe for the super easy super yummy gluten-free cookies that won the cookie exchange:
http://www.averiecooks.com/2013/01/peanut-butter-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html
It was my first time baking gluten-free, and they were really easy to make. Hope your mom enjoys them.