How to Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange
Hello, fellow cookie enthusiasts! Thinking about hosting a festive cookie-filled extravaganza this holiday season? You’re not alone–Christmas Cookie Exchanges are a favorite seasonal tradition. If this sounds like a fun way to spend the afternoon with your favorite sweet tooth peeps but aren’t sure how to go about it, this post is for you!
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Gearing Up for the Cookie Swap Bash!
Invite Your Sweet Tooth Squad
Let the good times roll! Send out invites packed with holiday cheer to your cookie-loving pals. Include information about the date, time, and other important information to make the afternoon festive and fabulous! Participants will want to know if there are any cookie guidelines to follow, such as how many cookies each baker should bring and if there are any dietary restrictions to ensure all participants can enjoy the goodies without worry. And don’t be afraid to ask bakers to bring those top secret cookie recipes with them!
Looking for the perfect invite? Check out the fun and festive editable cookie exchange invite below that can be found in my Etsy shop, Inviteabilia.
Theme It Up or Not
Creating a theme for your cookie exchange can really make things interesting, but it’s totally optional. Be sure to consider what sort of impact a theme may have on your guests before deciding to put one into play–will a winter wonderland theme exclude your Aunt Vivian’s famous cranberry and orange cookies she loves to bake every Christmas? That being said, I think a winter wonderland theme would be fabulous… maybe Aunt Viv would be willing to sprinkle some powdered sugar on top!
Other possible theme ideas include:
- Childhood Favorites
- Special Ingredient to be Incorporated
- Chocolate Overload
- Holiday Song-Inspired Cookies
Cookie Extravaganza Prep
Deck the Halls
Cue up those holiday tunes and add some sparkle with twinkling lights! It’s time to get into the holiday spirit and transform your home into cookie-central with fabulous holiday decorations.
Determine how bakers can showcase their cookies for sampling. Find a way to label the cookies. Below is another editable printable that matches the invite above.
Elevate the Fun Factor
Let the cookie games begin! Plan some fun and lighthearted activities for your guests, including how they will sample and judge the cookies. Looking for an adorable cookie score card? I just happen to have one in my Etsy store–imagine that!
If you’re planning to incorporate cookie decorating into the day’s festivities, create a space for that as well.
Consider using signs to designate various stations. Check out the ones below.
Lay out whatever supplies you want to contribute, whether for decorating or packaging up the cookies. It’s a DIY cookie boutique! Below are some fab supplies to get you started.
DIY Cookie Station Supplies
Decorating
Packaging
Winding Down the Event
As the party winds down, consider gifting your guests some parting tokens or sweet thank-you notes. Because spreading holiday cheer is what it’s all about!
