Christmas guide
How to host a Christmas cookie exchange
A cookie exchange is a party where each guest bakes one kind of cookie and swaps for a variety to take home. Everyone bakes once and goes home with many kinds. Here is a simple plan and the rules most hosts use.
The swap math
Decide how many guests you will invite, then ask each person to bring enough cookies to share with everyone plus a little extra for tasting. A common rule is a dozen for each guest, so with eight guests each person brings about eight dozen. Smaller groups can ask for fewer.
Choose a number of guests that fits your space and your bakers. Six to twelve works well for most homes.
Simple rules to share in the invitation
- Bake one kind of cookie in a homemade recipe.
- Bring the recipe, printed, for every guest.
- Bring a plate label that names the cookie and lists the main allergens such as nuts, eggs, dairy and gluten.
- Bring a container to carry home the swap.
- Tell the host if you cannot come so the counts stay right.
Running the party
Set out the cookies on a long table, each on its own plate with its label. Give each guest a container and let them walk the table and fill it with equal amounts of each cookie.
If you want a bit of fun, add a tasting ballot and a few small awards, such as best flavor, best looking and most creative. Keep the voting light and kind.
Keep a first-aid mindset for allergies: put nut-containing cookies on a separate plate and label them clearly.
After the party
Send everyone a thank-you and a copy of the recipes. Save the recipe cards in a binder so next year you can bake your favorites again.
Want it ready to print?
More Christmas guides
- 24 advent activity ideas for families
- How to run a fair white elephant gift exchange
- Christmas Eve box ideas by age
- Christmas dinner table setting checklist
Free printables: Christmas activity cards, gift and budget pages and more on the free printables page.