How to Organize a Cookie Swap
What better time to get some friends together and have a cookie swap! This could
also include candy, as well! It is a great opportunity to spend time
with your friends and have some fun all while sharing some great
recipes. It will also get you into the Christmas spirit!
How To Get Started
You will want to start with invitations of course! It would be a good
idea to send these out at least 1 month in advance of the cookie
swap. The Christmas season is usually very busy and the weekends fill
up fast! You could also think about having your cookie swap on a
Sunday afternoon or weekday night. Do whatever works best for you and
your friends. Be sure and state on the invitation a few key rules.
Let’s look at those real quick.
Bring at least 3 dozen cookies
It is a good idea for everyone to bring at least 3 dozen cookies if
not more. You want to make it worth everyone’s effort to come to your
cookie swap. Usually 1 dozen per person invited….example…you
invite 12 people…everyone must bring 12 doz. cookies. To leave
with only a dozen or so cookies would not make it worth it for some
people. You will also need to note on your invitation to bring a dish
from home to transport their goodies back home.
Homemade cookies/candy only
This rule just makes it fair for everyone. You don’t want Sally to
bake all day or 2-3 days on her goodies only to have Betsy show up
with a box of store bought cookies. So, homemade only! It would also
be a good suggestion to bake your goodies 1-2 days in advance of the
swap.
Please R.S.V.P.
I would definitely require everyone to R.S.V.P. if they plan on
attending. This will let you know how many to expect and how much
food to have. Although it is also a rule to expect about half or less
to show up of the ones you invite. If you are doing a cookie swap at
your church or other organization it may be a good idea to post a
sign up sheet for everyone to sign up. You could also share in
bringing the finger foods and drinks.
Tips For The Host
Here are a few tips and suggestions for the host of the cookie swap.
Have some recipe cards and pens available for everyone to share their
recipes. Hopefully everyone will be willing to share. It may also be
a good idea to have some parchment paper available. If you really
want to be thorough you could have a few extra take home boxes in
case someone forgot theirs.
Presentation is Everything
When your guests start arriving have them fill out a card to place in
front of their goodies with their name and recipe name. It would be a
nice touch to have Christmas decorations and the table decorated
nicely and arrange all the goodies creatively.
To begin your swap I would suggest everyone eat and visit for a bit
and then when everyone is done go around the room and have each guest
state what they brought and any story or history behind it. This is
always fun and sure to bring a lot of laughs! You could also do a
prize for the guest who is dressed the most festive.
After everyone has shared what they brought you will need to form a
line and have each guest take about 3-5 cookies from each plate. You
will probably be able to go around 2-3 times until the cookies are
gone. For the most part, it will all come out evenly.
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