How to (Safely) Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange This December
Cookie swaps are genius: You get to try a ton of different types of Christmas cookies without having to make them all, you can sneak in a little baking therapy to de-stress yourself, and you get to show off your decorating skills to friends, family, and neighbors. But what’s the best way to go about it? It's especially hard to know how to host a cookie exchange this year, but with some thoughtful planning, delicious and festive cookie recipes and a big pot of hot chocolate (and maybe even some Christmas cocktails and Christmas appetizers!), you can pull it off easily. "I love making Christmas cookies, and usually do it on a day when I’m making an assortment for cookie platters," says Ree Drummond, who's one of the judges for Food Network's Christmas Cookie Challenge this year. "When I make an assortment of Christmas cookies, I try to make sure each cookie is different. Christmas cookies should be a celebration of color and texture!"
When planning your swap, think outside the box this year: You might want to do a drop-off cookie swap, or you could do a small family cookie exchange. You could even have a fun outdoor swap—get your fire pit going and hand out Christmas desserts to close friends. You may also want to ask guests to bring their treats individually wrapped: Not only is this extra safe, but it keeps your cookies from taking on the flavors of the other treats in the cookie box! Read on for helpful tips and ideas on how to host a cookie exchange that everyone can enjoy. Find out how many cookies you need, what to serve and how to package up everyone's haul. What better way to close out the year than with a whole bunch of cookies?!
What kinds of cookies should you bake for a Christmas cookie exchange?
Here’s the beauty of a cookie swap: You can't go wrong! If you have a personal favorite that you want to share, a family recipe that you think people will enjoy, or even a cookie that you’ve been dying to try, go for it! Just keep in mind that the cookies should be easy to transport—you don't want something super fragile that will break or crumble the minute someone tries to take it to go. If you’re a real planner and want to get ahead of the game, choose a slice-and-bake cookie recipe, freeze the dough, and bake the cookies fresh the night before the swap. To avoid duplicate kinds of cookies, ask family or friends to let you know what they plan on bringing so that you have a variety of goodies to swap. (Don’t forget to ask if anyone has a food allergy, like nuts, in case you need to accommodate their needs!)
Here are a few of Ree Drummond’s favorite holiday cookies—they’re all great for swapping!
How many cookies do you need for a Christmas cookie exchange?
Some people bring just one or two cookies for each guest, while others make a full dozen for every person! This is totally up to you, and it really depends on how many people you’re having and how many cookies you want everyone to leave with. Just make sure to give your guests a clear number ahead of time so that they all know exactly how many cookies to bake.
Should you serve food at a Christmas cookie swap?
You want guests to leave with their cookie loot—not just eat it all!—so it’s a good idea to have some little noshes and bites. Put out some savory appetizers or set up individual cheese and cracker plates. You can also go super casual and fill up a basket with snack-size bags of chips, nuts, or pretzels.
What about drinks?
Cocktails can make any party more fun, but it’s also a good idea to have some non-alcoholic beverages or mocktails for your guests. Make sure to have enough water and/or soda for everyone to sip, plus a fun festive drink like winter sangria or mulled cider to get in the holiday spirit. (You may also want to have a big pot of coffee brewing once everyone starts digging into the sweets.) You could also choose a signature cocktail to serve—just make a big batch ahead of time so that you’re not mixing drinks the entire party.
Do you need to decorate for a Christmas cookie swap?
Chances are that your house is already decorated for the holidays, but make your home even more inviting by lighting some Christmas candles and turning on some Christmas music to set the mood. If you're doing the party outside, a fire pit and some Christmas lights should is festive enough! No matter where you set up your space, be sure to clear an area so that guests have a place to set up their cookies as they arrive.
What should you package the cookies in?
You'll either want to ask guests to bring their own container, or you can provide boxes or tins for everyone. (Even if you’re asking guests to BYO, it’s a good idea to have some supplies on hand just in case anyone forgets.) Stock up on zip-top bags, tins, or bakery boxes, plus some ribbon and fun tags so that everyone can put together their own portions. Visit a local craft store, order your containers online, or check out Ree’s cookie storage containers!
What’s the best way to share the cookie recipes?
One of the best parts of a cookie swap is getting to try lots of treats—which means you may find a new favorite in the mix! Ask each of your guests to print out or email you their cookie recipe ahead of time, then make copies so people can take them home as a party favor. (You can also email the recipes to everyone the day after the event as a “thank you” for coming.) If your cookie swap is an annual tradition, assemble a small cookbook to keep the recipes in one place year after year. You’ll enjoy looking back on them for many Christmases to come.
