How to Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange Party

Hosting a Holiday Cookie Exchange is one of the easiest ways to gather friends for an evening of sweets and fun. Not only does it give you a chance to spend time with your favorite people during this busy holiday season, but it also provides the added bonus of getting to try a bunch of different yummy cookie recipes. 

After years of hosting our annual cookie swap, I decided to share my favorite tips to help you host an extraordinary holiday cookie exchange party of your own! 

It’s no secret that I love including personalized details to make mu parties feel extra special.  I can always find a fun selection of personalized napkins, cups and drink stirrers from Two Funny Girls. Every one of their products can be personalized in a variety of ways, from create-your-own monogrammed koozies, personalized cups and napkins to waterproof bottle labels and tote bag, they have so many creative ways to make your party extraordinary!  

There is still time to bring everyone together to creatively package up homemade treats for holiday gift-giving.  Here are my tips for making it an unforgettable celebration.

Invitations

Every good party starts with a captivating invitation.  Get creative and send out all the details for your cookie exchange party with a mini rolling pin or cookie cutter.  

Make sure you include all of the important details, like how many cookies each person should bring.  I always encourage guest to bring copies of their cookie recipe so everyone can recreate the yummy treats at home.

Cookies

The best part of a cookie exchange party is getting to sample all of the delicious goodies.  Be sure to tell the guest to bring one dozen cookies for sampling at the party, in addition to the 1-2 dozen cookies for the exchange. This way everyone will go home with a variety of cookies to enjoy or share.  Some other tips to consider include:

• Sturdy cookies are best (thin delicate cookies don’t pack well)
• Create display cards to label each variety of cookies and who brought them
• Provide a few tables for sampling, swapping and packaging cookies
• Award prizes for the best cookies, most creative packaging, ect.

Packaging Essentials

All those tasty cookies deserve a cute container to go home in with your guest.  Be sure to have lots of packaging essentials like festive boxes, tins, and ribbons on hand so guests can package up their cookies in style.  Use simple ribbon, tissue paper, washi tape, and tags to glitz them up.

Drinks and Snacks

A cookie exchange party is a wonderful way to enjoy friends and family, and of course try a delicious variety of cookies!  Even though the baked goods are the stars of the party your guest will appreciate having some drinks, appetizers and light finger foods to enjoy while they swap cookies, recipes, and holiday cheer. 

• Create a Hot Cocoa bar with all the fixins’ to warm up your guest
• Consider asking guest to bring a signature drink that goes well with their cookie
• Keep non-sweet snacks on hand so partygoers don’t OD on all that sugar

 I hope you have as much fun hosting a cookie exchange party as we do! Maybe it will become one of your favorite holiday traditions too!