Cookie and Candy Exchange....?!
Cookie and Candy Exchange....?
What is something fun to do as the host as an exchange? This is my first and not sure. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Answers:
Here's a few ideas...
HGTV Holiday Cookie Party
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_entertaining...
Those are fun and you get good stuff you've never tried before. Dirty Santa is fun too. Or an ornament swap
I think a food exchange sounds wonderful.
Swap recipes, too: Remind your friends to bring copies of their recipe to share! It's frustrating to taste a melt-in-your-mouth Mexican wedding cake or a sublime rum ball and then not have the means to go home and duplicate it yourself.
Serve easy party fare: Your menu is a matter of individual preference. I've been to cookie exchanges where the hors doeuvres were unbelievably elaborate and others where the only thing served with the cookies is coffee. I like to put out cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, and maybe some salted nuts. Then after everyone has arrived and has sampled the non-sweets, we get to the main attraction: the cookies! With them, it's nice to offer hot cider and cocoa, plus tea and coffee.
Try a theme: For variation, consider asking everyone to bring a cookie that's typically made in their country of origin. (Since I am Scottish, I often bring shortbread.) You could also have a party featuring cookies kids love, or cookies that are rolled into a shape and then creatively iced and decorated.
Play some games: It's also fun to plan some games, like Holiday Jeopardy. For instance, a sample question might be: This well-known, indispensable reindeer accompanies Santa on his sleigh each year and has a very red nose. The answer would be: Who is Rudolph? Telling guests in advance that you will be giving a prize for the most original (or funniest, or prettiest) holiday outfit encourages guests to come festively dressed.
Make it moms only: I think a cookie exchange works best when it's girls only. It's better not to be distracted by children and husbands. If there's any grumbling, tell your family (with a straight face, please!) that you need to try out all the cookies so you can recommend the best ones to them. They'll have plenty of time to taste later.