Remember Cookie Swaps?  Everyone brings several dozen cookies to a party, sets them out in a nice display and then they all walk around and make a big ol’ plate of all different kinds of goodies to take home to their families.  So nice to enjoy throughout the Holiday Season.   I remember Cookie Swaps were all the rage years ago.  We thought it would be fun to take an old (tried and true) party idea and of course, inject it with a fresh approach. 

Guests were invited to bring 5 dozen cookies (homemade, supermarket bakery variety, Oreos…whatever they could muster).  The table should be preset with various cake plates and platters on different levels so that guests can display their goods in a lovely presentation.  Make sure there are plenty of cards and Sharpies available for guests to label their wares.

Keeping with the Cookie theme, we set up a make-your-own Cookie Mix in a Jar station.  You know, the ones you see in the grocery stores.  We found some super cute glass jars (not the mason jar variety).  Simple printed directions helped with amounts of premixed ingredients.  Pretty ribbon tied the baking instructions and a small wooden spoon to the finished jar.  Guests had a blast making them (while others just had a great time enjoying a glass of wine and watching the fun!).  The Cookie Mix could be taken home and stored for later use, given as a hostess gift for the next Holiday Party on the calendar or come in handy in case a last minute gift was needed.

The specialty cocktail of the afternoon was a nod to the “old school” vibe of the cookie swap.  Whip up something in your Mama’s old punch bowl (trust me, punch bowls are the next big thing) like the yummy Chocolate Sangria we served.  It’s like a Tootsie Roll in a glass!  Directions here.

Food was very low key and light lunch fare.  Chicken salad on croissants, deviled eggs, totellini salad, spinach and berries salad and crudites.  Yum.

We had bakery boxes and red twine ready and assembled so that everyone had plenty of room to store all their favorite cookies.

Before guests went home, they were each handed a Holiday Emergency Kit to help them get through the hustle and bustle of the season.  Items included Tylenol, Hand Sanitizer, Vitamin C Drops and chocolate.