How to Host a Thrifty Holiday Cookie Swap Party

A cookie-swap party is a great budget-friendly solution for holiday entertaining. For maximum impact for the least expenditure, plan the cookie exchange around an admission-free event, such as your own tree-trimming, a community tree lighting, carol sing or holiday stroll. The cookie party can be held one to two hours preceding or following the event. Each guest should be asked to bring two dozen cookies, so there will be plenty to sample, as well as a dozen for each guest to take home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• invitations
• cookies
• beverages
• table ware, including plates, platters, cups and napkins
• paper bags

1. Send invitations. During the busy holiday season, issue invitations at least two weeks prior to the event, if possible. To save money, send invitations via e-mail or call guests on the telephone. These are perfectly acceptable options for an informal gathering. Specify that each guest should bring two dozen cookies, preferably homemade. Encourage guests to include a card describing the cookie ingredients, as a courtesy to those guests with food allergies.

2. Buy paper bags. Each guest will need a paper bag to hold cookies to take home. A package of 100 paper lunch bags can be purchased at the grocery store for about $2.

3. Choose table ware. A few days before the party, assemble the plates and platters you’ll need to display the cookies. Use what you have on hand. Have fun mixing and matching. It’s nice to offer dessert plates, but they can be eliminated if you provide plenty of napkins. To save money, use cloth napkins if you have them. Don’t forget cups for beverages. Vintage snack sets—which include matching cup and plate—are great for this kind of party.

4. Select beverages. As party host, you should provide beverages. One hot beverage, such as coffee or hot chocolate, and one cold beverage, such as punch or cider, would be preferable. (My daughter urges hosts to keep milk on hand for the kids.) If you choose to serve a single beverage, make it a festive cider, punch or eggnog. Less can be a whole lot more if presented well.

5. Bake cookies. As host, you could abstain from baking a batch of cookies, but then you should also refrain from keeping cookies baked by others. It's more convivial if the host participates in the fun.

Tips & Warnings

• If not planned properly, a cookie party can be a budget buster—or worse, a flop. If you ask guests to bring a dozen cookies and leave with a dozen cookies, as one HGTV personality suggests, your guests will be left with no cookies to sample at the party. Or if you serve a variety of savory foods and wine along with the cookies, as another lifestyle expert recommends, the cost of the party could climb considerably.

[starchild517]

on 2/2/2009 I love to swap cookies.A great 5 star article!

[MommyBear]

on 12/17/2008 I love cookie swaps! These are so much fun. Great excuse to get together and share the sweets. hee-hee Fabulous article. Thanks! :) 5*****

[scottmitzi]

on 12/16/2008 We are having our swap this weekend. Thanks for the info.

[hopekee]

on 12/9/2008 You're right, this is a great idea on a budget and to make giving more from the heart :) FIVE YUMMY STARS!!

[TeryLynne]

on 12/8/2008 This is so much fun. I only did this once, but I loved it! 5*