How Do I Organize A Cookie Exchange?

We recently had a virtual cookie exchange here at the Hillbilly Housewife website, which was a huge success, but I’ve also participated in and hosted my share of actual cookie exchanges. They are a lot of fun and a great way to add variety to your Christmas Cookie Collection. Here are some tips on how to organize a cookie exchange of your own.

Invite 5 to 10 of your friends and ask each of them to make a big batch of their favorite cookie. I like to limit each person to one type of cookie to make things simply.

You may ask each person to let you know ahead of time what cookie they are planning on bringing. This will allow you to suggest something different if you end up with 4 different sugar cookies. Have them bring their cookies on a platter, ready to serve.

I also like to ask each person to prepare a recipe card for each person attending the cookie exchange.

On the day of the cookie exchange, make sure you have plenty of bags to take cookies home in available, some plates, napkins and a big pot of coffee. I also keep some small index cards around. I fold them in half, write the name of the cookie and the person who made it on it and place it in front of the cookie platter.

Now comes the fun part. Just sit down, relax and have a nice chat with your friends as you enjoy a good cup of coffee and of course sample all the cookies. Before it’s time to leave, divide the leftover cookies up and put them in bags for each woman to take home to her family, along with a stack of recipe cards.

Happy Holidays!