During the Christmas season we really tend to get our money's worth for our ovens. There's so much baking to be done that they seem to be running non stop. And so are all of us! This year consider having a cookie swap and get yourself out of the kitchen for a little while. Show-off your awesome hostess skills by following our step by step guide for a great party!
Step 1 - What's A Party Without Guests?!
You should send out your invitations 2 to 3 weeks ahead. That should give your guests
ample time to RSVP and decide what kind of cookies they want to bake. Ask your guests to make a dozen cookies for everyone in attendance and an extra dozen for sampling. That will send all your guests home with a healthy amount of tasty treats. It's probably best to keep your guest list to between 6 and 8 people (including yourself). Have each person bring along copies of their recipe. Use the invitations to set the tone of your cookie exchange. When your guests RSVP be sure to ask them what kind of cookie they're going to bring so you can be sure not to have any duplicate recipes.
Step 2 - It's All About The Presentation
The best parties are the ones that look fantastic! Choose a theme for your cookie swap. The simplest themes to pull-off are ones that are based on a colour scheme. Be sure to fit
all of your decor elements into your theme, including the invitations you sent out. For
example let's say your theme is 'Tea Party Cookie Swap'. A tea party should be elegant but
simple. Think 'white' and pale colours. Drape the cookie presentation table with a white,
cotton tablecloth and possibly a pale or muted overlay. Create some display cards for the various cookies that will be in attendance. Be sure to include the name of the contributor. Writing a cookie menu is also a nice touch. Print one for each guest. Adorn your table with various serving dishes and cake stands. That's where your guests will place their sample cookies when they arrive and it will encourage a beautifully tempting display of treats. Set-up a packaging station too. Consider stocking it with white boxes, sturdy paper plates, ribbons, bows, tissue paper, tags, tape, cellophane wrapping, scissors and anything else you think your guests might enjoy wrapping their treats with. Finally, have a third table ready to accept all the dozens of cookies meant to be swapped.
Step 3 - Preparing for your Guests Arrival
Shortly before your guests are due to arrive brew a pot of coffee and begin steeping some tea. In keeping with our 'Tea Party' theme, get out your finest tea cups, saucers and dessert plates. Consider offering your guests cotton napkins instead of disposable ones and have some music playing in the background. Some of your guests may not want tea or coffee so it would be wise to have some punch ready too. If you'd like to offer them something other than the sample cookies to eat keep it light and simple. Finger foods would be best.
Step 4 - Trading Time
Once all your guests have had time to sample all the cookie varieties it'll be time to start swapping. Give your guests trays or containers to compile their cookies then have them circle the cookie swap table until they've collected all the cookies they would like to take home with them. Next they can take turns taking advantage of the packaging station you created. Here they can simply box them to take home or they can separate them into gifts for others. A box of cookies makes a great gift for teachers!
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