Hosting a Cookie Swap

Three full days in the kitchen and five extra pounds come each year in December as I bake my heart out to provide my family with a variety of cookies. Let me tell you about a much simpler solution to all the baking that I discovered a few years ago. Host a cookie swap. Hosting a cookie swap can be simple and useful in saving precious time and pounds around the holidays. I have provided all the details you will need on hosting a cookie swap with links and solutions to make your party a success.

First, you must know how it works. You being the host will determine the numbers of cookies each person will bring to swap. I have found that six dozen works well because it gives each person enough for their own families and some. Smaller families may choose to use them as gifts or as the dessert at a party they are hosting or attending. Each guest will bring the designated amount of cookie in one variety. Then each visitor will take home that number of cookies in a plethora of varieties. Once that decision has been made it is time to set the date and send out invitations.

Invitations for any party can be one of the more time consuming parts so try using Evite.com when hosting your cookie swap. When you use Evite you eliminate printing, stamps, and addressing. Just click and send with all the information that your guests will need. This service is free and even provides a map for your guest. Evite is capable of printing invitations off as well in case you need one or two for a guest who may not be computer savy. Evite also provides a simple way for guest to RSVP.

Party preparation is the last step. Make these details simple. Provide a simple punch or hot apple cider served in plastic or Styrofoam cups so you won't have any dishes to clean. Purchase a veggie tray at your local food store to serve it on festive paper plates. Don't worry about any other foods there will be hundreds of cookies if anyone gets a sweet tooth. Let your already Christmas decorated house display itself. Hosting a cookie swap should be fun and simple. When it is all over you can think about the great time you had and the time you saved by allowing other to bake for you.

**If you need help figuring the math based on number or cookies and number of guest just follow this is simple math and always remember to round down. Number or cookies brought by each guest(not dozens)/ number of guest. Example, 72 cookies (6 dozen) / 12 guests = 6 cookies of each variety.