How to Host a Christmas Cookie Swap

Reduce stress, have fun, and score lots of delicious cookies this Christmas season by hosting a cookie swap. It’s a fun way to reduce baking time and money spent while still enjoying a variety of homemade treats.

Here are a few tips on hosting a successful cookie swap.

Inviting Guests

1. Decide how many people to invite. This will determine how many cookies each participant needs to bring. Remember that too few participants yield only a few cookie choices, but too many makes more work for both the guests and the host. 

2. Assign a number. Once the guest number is chosen, assign that many dozen one-recipe cookies to each guest (including yourself) plus one more dozen for sampling. In other words, if six people are attending (including you), each person brings seven dozen one-recipe cookies to share.

3. Send invitations. Give plenty of notice, at least two to three weeks in advance. The holiday season is busy and calendars fill up quickly. Consider hosting your exchange the first week or weekend in December. Ask guests to bring their special recipes for the other participants. 

4. Set cookie rules. Each guest makes only one cookie recipe to share. This reduces both the need for many different ingredients and time in the kitchen. Ban the usual cookies: chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, and oatmeal. This event is for special holiday recipes only.

5. Request an RSVP. When guests get back to you, ask what they are bringing to avoid recipe duplication, and remind them to bring their written recipe to share. Request they bring containers for all the goodies they’ll be taking home.

Swapping Cookies

1. Sample the goodies. Display the extra dozen cookies each guest brought so that everyone can taste the delectable creations. 

2. Provide beverages. Make sure you have milk available for your cookie-nibblers. Consider providing holiday beverages such as spiced cider, hot chocolate, or Irish coffee. A salty snack or two is also a welcome contrast to all the sugary goodness.