17 Dec Tips for Hosting a Cookie Exchange
The holiday season is rife with festive parties, decadent treats, and nights out on the town. One of our favorite aspects of wintertime is exchanging holiday cookies made from treasured family recipes. With each bite, we get to swap stories of hometowns, unique traditions, and indulge in a little sugary goodness during this communal time. If you want to bring your tight-knit community together, meet the neighbors, or host a low-key office celebration, read on to learn more about planning a holiday cookie exchange.
Make an Event Out of It!
Most people opt to throw a traditional holiday celebration complete with white elephant gift exchanges or secret Santa swaps. However, guests often end up walking away with a gift that they may not be able to use. A cookie exchange ensures everyone gets something they want — gooey, rich desserts. The holidays give us an excuse to loosen our belts and go for a second helping of wonderful cookies made by friends and coworkers.
To ensure your cookie swap party is a good time for all, plan it like you would any other party. Pick a time and date, send out email invitations, and set a theme. Prepare appetizers or a crockpot meal ahead of time so guests have something to nosh on in addition to holiday cookies. Serve bubbly beverages or winter cocktails like spiked eggnog or hot gin toddies.
Meet the Neighbors with Community Cookie Swap
There’s no better time to meet the neighbors than during the holiday season. Organize a community holiday cookie exchange and encourage invitees to whip up a batch from their favorite recipe. If you’d like to avoid duplicate offerings, assign each guest a category, like brownies, bars, or no-bake. You may also implement looser guidelines, leaving guests to whip up their favorite sweet treat according to an assigned ingredient — i.e. chocolate, icing, sugar, etc.
Host a Cookie Swap Office Party
Host a holiday party that is BYOC – bring your own cookies! Invite coworkers to bake according to beloved recipes and bring in treats to share with everyone. Organize a contest in which taste-testers vote on their first, second, and third favorites. Ask that participants dress to impress in funny sweaters, festive hats, or as their favorite crazy characters from cherished holiday movies. This type of office party is stress-free and doesn’t demand additional time or money from coworkers. To avoid piling on top of numerous other holiday parties, host a low-key cookie swap at the home or office. Guests will love the laid-back atmosphere during this busy time of the year. Turnpike Shops at ARISTA Broomfield offers a bevy of cafes, retail shops, and eateries to help you prep for holiday parties, gift exchanges, and cookie swaps. There’s a reason why so many new residents are calling Broomfield home — our diverse community, convenient location, and top-quality amenities are unrivaled. Contact us today to learn more!