How to Have a Cookie Swap

Cookie swaps are a fun way to bring your friends together and enjoy good food. Although they can be a bit overwhelming for people with small sweet teeth, they're a hit with most people and are tons of fun. Before you hold a cookie swap, however, make sure you follow these preparatory steps. They'll help you throw the best, most delicious party possible.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Limit the number of guests you invite to the cookie swap. Groups of five or six are too small and limit the party's variety, but crowds of 20 or more are way too large. Aim for somewhere between 10 to 15 close friends.

2. Plan out what kinds of cookies you and your guests will bake before the swap. It's a good idea to break the baking duties into general cookie categories, such as chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin.

3. Encourage your guests to bring more than one kind of cookie. Homemade cookies and old family recipes make especially enticing additions to the standard cookie flavors and give your guests something to chat about at the swap.

4. Provide personalized or themed cookie trays for each of your guests. Not only does this give them an easy way to carry their swapped cookies home, but it also creates a lasting memory of the party.

5. Consider attaching each cookie's recipe to its tin. Your guests will like the personal touch and appreciate being able to enjoy their favorite cookies for years to come.

6. Serve plenty of refreshing beverages at the cookie swap. Hot chocolate, coffee, egg nog and other seasonal drinks are good, but don't forget the milk--nothing else goes quite as well with a mouthful of crumbly, sugar cookies.