How to Host a Cookie Exchange

Hosting a Cookie Exchange is not a new concept–people do them all the time and lots of different ways.  But since it’s the holiday’s and I recently hosted one with some of my family, I thought I’d go ahead and share the basics of how ours roll.

1. Create your guest list and let everyone know exactly what they’ll need to bring. (i.e. how many cookies to make, extra Tupperware to transport home, whether you want recipe/name cards, etc.)  All the details!
2. Specify how many cookies to make.  You typically want everyone to leave with 4 or more of each cookie so do the math depending on how many people will be there and make sure you look at how many cookies your recipe will yield.  One batch may be fine, or you may need to double/triple depending on how many it will make.
3. I’ve been to exchanges before where they ask you to print the recipe of the cookie you made, but we do not do that for our family exchange.  Though it is helpful for people to know what ingredients are in each cookie, especially if there are any allergies. It’s also helpful if someone really loves a certain cookie, they can just take the card and be done.  What usually happens with my family is I’ll say, oh I got the recipe on Pinterest, I’ll send it to you.   Then forget!  So the recipe cards are helpful. 🙂
4. Name display cards with the types of cookies are also very helpful, and is something we’ll definitely do next year.  I can’t even tell you how many times we asked each other, what kind of cookie is this?  Which one is mint? Where is the lemon? Who made this one?  Hahaha.
5. Always ask your guests to bring some extra Tupperware to store their goodies.  But as a backup, it’s always good to have some Ziploc baggies on hand to give out as needed.  They even make super cute holiday themed ones now.  So fancy!
6. When it’s time to exchange, we all just gather around the table and go around clockwise.  Taking just 2-3 of each cookie to start, that way there is enough of each to go around, and then we’ll go around a second or third time depending on how many are left.  That’s been the best method for my parties!
7. Every party is different, but since mine is with family, we also incorporate in some snacks and drinks, a thieves Christmas and usually end with a game or two.  We make an entire afternoon out of it. 🙂 It’s hard for everyone to get together these days so when we do, we make it count!  And it’s so much fun!

A cookie exchange is a fun and festive way to get people together.  Again, ours are pretty low-key and nothing super formal, kinda like a cookie.  Not formal like a cake…just a simple little circle of fun and deliciousness. 😉

Also, in case you are wondering what I made….here are all the things from cookies, to snacks, to a boozy little treat.  Happy Holllllaaaadays!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Frosted Cookies – If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen me making these on my stories over the weekend.  I could not get over that you made everything in a sauce pan with a FORK. Craziness. But these cookies were amazing you guys. AMAZING. Possibly one of the best cookies I’ve ever made. The frosting just sends it over the top delicious.

Oreo Magic Bars – I actually make Magic Bars, or 7-Layer Bars as a lot of people call them, every year for my Dad because they are his favorite.  This time I decided to switch up the graham cracker crust with Oreo crust because I mean, when is that ever a bad idea! The turned out so good–I’m not sure I can even go back to the graham cracker.  I topped mine with some holiday colored sprinkles for fun!

Hot Black Bean & Corn Dip w/ Tortilla Chips – My first time making this dip but it was a HIT! Just the right amount of heat from the Rotel and spices.  I’ll definitely make this again!

Crockpot Meatballs- I’ve made these a zillion times, yet it had been a while since I had them.  They are usually a party favorite so I thought it would be an easy appetizer option. You just dump some frozen meatballs in the crockpot with some chili sauce and grape jelly.  Cook through for a few hours and that’s it. Sounds weird, yes.  But they are good! These can also be made on the stove top.

Boozy Cherry Bombs – I came across these while looking for cookie recipes and thought they’d be a fun little additional to the party! They were tasty, but a leeeeettle bit strong from soaking in all that vanilla vodka.  But I’ll say this, there weren’t any leftover…so you know they were good!

Tell me about your favorite holiday treat?