A GON Reader Asks

I love your newsletter, thanks! I was just assigned to organize and host a Holiday Cookie Exchange with our condo community. I have never done that before. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

--Maria Sforza

Maria Gracia Responds

Hi Maria,

This is one of my favorite holiday activities, so I'm glad you asked. Here are some tips:

1. Determine the number of cookies each person should bake. I've been to many cookie exchanges. Most of the time, I'm asked to bake three dozen (36) cookies. Let's say there are 12 guests at the cookie exchange. Each person will bake three dozen cookies (ONE variety). Each person will bring those cookies to the event and place them on the exchange table. Each person who attends and brings three dozen cookies, will take THREE (3) of each attendee's cookies...and end up with a lovely tray of assorted treats (3 dozen) to bring home.

I've been to some exchanges of which I was asked to bake two dozen cookies, and I went home with two dozen (2 cookies of each variety). This is less work, but it always seems, in my opinion, like just two of each variety isn't quite enough.

That being said, I've also been to exchanges that require me to bake six dozen cookies. I tend to say 'no' to these, because I don't want to be in the kitchen baking for hours...and I don't need to take 6 dozen cookies back home with me. That's way too much temptation hanging around my kitchen!

2. Determine the Date and Time. Make the date close enough to the holidays to be festive, but not in that last-minute rush at the end. Two or three weeks before Christmas is good.

3. Set the ground rules. Some hostesses are more strict in their rules (for example, requesting that all cookies 'look' like holiday cookies); others leave it up to the guests...which I recommend because you'll get more people participating, and less complaining, if they can just bake what they want to bake. My only rule when I'm hosting: cookies should be homemade, from scratch.

Ask people to let you know what they will bring and ask them to be flexible about what they plan to bake, so you don't get several of the same variety. If too many people plan to bring snowball cookies, ask some to bring something else.

4. Send the invitations with an RSVP by a certain date, so you know who is coming and what they are bringing. By the way, a quick search on the Internet can provide you with delightful cookie swap invitation templates, so you don't have to spend time reinventing the wheel.

5. Swap recipes. Ask your guests to bring the recipe that goes with their cookies...a copy for each attendee. Those recipes should be placed by their cookies on the exchange table.

6. Plan a menu. Usually, when I'm hosting a cookie exchange, I offer hot coffee, hot tea, hot apple cider, wine, or water...along with savory snacks...and I always make an extra batch of cookies for my guests to enjoy as well. Some hostesses ask each guest to bring some extra cookies, one for each guest, to enjoy at the event.

7. Unless you're the Martha Stewart-type... The last thing I want to do after a lovely cookie exchange is to spend time cleaning. I buy pretty paper plates and paper cold/hot cups... that I can simply recycle when everyone leaves.

8. Begin exchanging. I've been to some cookie swaps where each person's cookies are set out on trays on a table. Each guest then goes around the table picking up 3 individual cookies for their tray. The one thing I don't love about this idea is that the cookies are fully exposed. One sneeze, and I suddenly feel everything is contaminated. So, I always ask my guests to individually wrap cookies for each person in individual bags. So, if I'm baking 36 cookies and there are 12 guests, I'm going to prepare 12 bags (I always use clear bags so guests can see what's inside) with 3 cookies each...tied with a pretty holiday ribbon. This is why it's important to know exactly how many are attending the event...you may have to do some math.

9. Don't forget about the take-home carriers. I usually buy cardboard bakery boxes or inexpensive trays (from the dollar store) for people to take home their goodies. But if you prefer, you can ask each guest to bring an empty container of his or her own. Realize though, that one or two people will forget to do this...that's why I just provide this for everyone.

10. Amplify the holiday spirit. Get those Christmas tunes going. A Christmas cookie exchange is way better when Christmas music or Christmas movies are playing in the background.

Have a blast!

Maria