Tis the Season…falalala lala LA

It’s that time of year, you know the time. Your pants get to tight, the cashiers are grumpy, the kids are acting like hooligans and the same obnoxious Holiday Carols are playing in every store you go! Ok, all grumpiness aside (for the moment), I’m gonna help you stir up some holiday joy! I’m talking friends and/or family and COOKIES!!! Let’s plan a holiday cookie exchange!? Seriously, what could go wrong?

Step One:

Read this entire post, make notes, grab ideas and get ready to get happy!

Step Two:

The “rules” or rather guidelines of engagement are: Everyone brings a big batch of (preferrably homemade), cookies to distributes roughly 6 – 12 cookies each to the other guests. Which will either result in a tummy ache or a grand assortment of delicious cookies.

Step Three:

Invite friends, family, co workers, neighbors, the possibities are endless. But, don’t over do!

Remember, you’ll be baking enough cookies for every guest to take home. Shoot for eight to 10 people who like to bake and will have fun spending an evening together.

AND…if you get ambitious, you and your group are, you could incorporate a Secret Santa gift exchange. If you decide on that option, have everyone bring a baking-related gift  under $20. Of course, this is going above and beyond the “traditional” cookie swap, however, besides really yummy cookies, you could end up with a really cool spatula! Or measuring spoons (that would be what I’d like, if I were to get a baking related gift). You may even want to have the guests print off their recipes so they can become your next favorite cookie!

Next:

Determine How Much Everyone Should Make

Usually, guests bake a dozen cookies for each guest (that is why we don’t want to invite the entire neighborhood) or you could do a half dozen per guest if you decide on 10 or more guests. Don’t forget some of your treats for sampling.

Also:

Set Ground Rules

It is a “party” however, if you are a cookie artist and go to extreme lengths, you may not be happy if someone shows up with Oreos (still in the package). Let’s be fair though, should you want to go all out, go for it! Just don’t expect fancy cookies from the others, unless, those are the friends you invited. Then I would suggest Cookie Wars! The “rules” should be simple; cookies should be made from scratch and/or holiday-themed. Also…please! Ask guests to let you know of any food allergies so you can make everyone else aware.

What’s Next?

As the date gets closer there are some things YOU should be doing.

First:

Check RSVPs and Ask Who’s Making What

You really don’t want three different people making (almost) identical sugar cookies or everyone bringing chocolate cookies (which, let’s be honest, that may not be such a bad thing). Should you have a few duplicates you could, tactfully suggest someone switch if there’s an overlap. Picking the most experienced baker or may be the best idea and won’t be someone who gets frazzled by changing their plans.

Second:

Decide on What Cookie You are Making and Shop for Ingredients

Remember, this isn’t a competition (unless you go the Cookie Wars route) and you definetly want to make cookies everyone can be happy to receive.

Also:

Figure Out a Menu of Other Snacks and Drinks

Consider non-sweet dishes like vegetable dips, cheese balls or finger sandwiches. You could also request guests to bring a small contribution of the non sweet kind to help out.

And:

Designate Your Largest Table

For this, you will need to find your dining room table, or throw together some folding tables. This is going to be a long buffet where the guests will show off their wares. Grab a decorative table cloth from the dollar store, borrow one from the neighbors or cover the tables in wrapping paper, this is to help eliminate or reduce the chance of any damage to your tables.

It’s getting closer. Hopefully, you have heeded my advice thus far and followed everything to a T. Or you can be a renigade like me and fly by the seat of your pants! However, should you choose to be organized and prepared, here we go!

One week before –

1. Gather Serving Trays –

Make sure you have platters to display the cookies or let the guests know to bring their own. Kicking up the displays of goodness might include a festive basket, a holiday themed tray, a decorative box or inside a gift-wrapped box.

2. Buy Extra Plastic Wrap and Storage Bags –

You know there will be at least one guest who forgets to bring a container to take home their cookies, so… have supplies, like a box of 1-gallon plastic bags, simple gift boxes or throw away trays on hand. Again, the dollar store would be a great place to get these!

3. Bake Your Cookies –

If you’re cutting it close to find time to make the cookies, bake them when you have a day and then freeze them. Some recipes, you can even prepare the dough well in advance, some up to three months in the freezer.

Stress is setting (ok, maybe that’s just me).

The Day Before:

Set Up the Room

  • Decorate the table with a festive tablecloth or a holiday centerpiece.
  • Push furniture aside so it’s easier for people to cruise through the cookie buffet.
  • Have the non-cookie food in the fridge ready to go.

Thaw Any Frozen Cookies

If you baked ahead and froze the cookies, set them out to bring them to room temperature overnight. OR…If you haven’t baked them yet, now would be a great time!

Finally!

The Day of the Party

Set Out Food and Drinks

  • Have cocktails, mocktails, hot tea or coffee ready
  • Make appetizers available early in the event.
  • Turn on the Holiday Music (softly!)
  • Have the guests choose a spot on the buffet to place their cookies
  • Have index cards and pens available in case guests want to ID their cookies

I am NO Betty Crocker or Miss Manners by any stretch of the imagination, so here are some other ideas to help the party go smoothly

Welcome Guests and Direct Traffic

Ask for the group’s attention and thank them for coming. Go around the room and give everyone an opportunity to name their cookies, tell where they got the recipe, and describe why they love them. (No pressure: They can say, “Taste and see for yourself!”) OR…they can add that information to the index cards as well.

Then it’s ready, set, and go!

Enjoy, Relax and Have Fun! Make Memories and don’t forget the photos!

I’ll be back soon with cookie ideas

Cookies!!! Umm num num num num!!! (Cookie Monster)

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DK