How to hold a Cookie Exchange

I held my third annual cookie exchange this year. I was really brave when I moved from Jefferson City to St. Charles and decided to host a Cookie Exchange in my new town, after having lived there for only six months. I had a few people attend. I had a lot of fun and I met a couple of new friends. Last year, I was brave again, and held it in a house I had lived in for less than a year. More people came and that was a lot of fun, too. This year, though, was so much fun!

First, I selected a date and sent out a Facebook invite several weeks in advance to a group that I know likes to cook/bake/eat. I asked for Rsvps and I had five who responded quickly. I held the invite open a few more days, but I ended up with five, six counting me.

We decided to bake a dozen cookies for each of us plus a few to share. You needed to pack them in some kind of container so that they could be easily carried home.

Second, the menu. For the first time I decided to have a soup and salad supper with the ladies I invited. My husband prepared the food. We attended a cooking class a few weeks prior and had pumpkin soup and a harvest salad. With a little changing, we created our own soup and salad recipes, inspired by those at the Dierberg's Cooking School. My husband created a great cocktail using the Blood Orange Soda from Aldi's and a bottle prosecco. Delish.

Third, I chose what cookies I wanted to make. I found these red and green chocolate chips, so I made a sugar cookie with the chocolate bits stirred in. Very festive cookies!

Fourth, clean, decorate, cook and set the table! We spent the evening just talking and discussing our families and holiday plans. Such a great time!