How to Host a Cookie Swap or Cookie Exchange

Get ready to sprinkle some joy and swap some treats with our essential guide to hosting a fabulous Cookie Swap or Cookie Exchange Party! Perfect for a girlfriend's holiday party or for anyone looking to add a twist to their holiday traditions, this guide is your ticket to organizing a delightful Cookie Exchange Party that's sure to be the talk of the season.

As the ultimate host, you'll kickstart the festivities with our custom-designed, downloadable invitations and day-of essentials, including charming cookie name place cards, whimsical voting cards, and celebratory awards. These printables are not just a breeze to use—they're your first step to wowing your guests and setting the tone for a day of sweet indulgence and festive fun.

Wondering which cookies to bake? Our curated collection of holiday cookie recipes promises to tantalize every palate, featuring everything from rich chocolate delights to fruity favorites and timeless shortbread classics. So preheat your ovens and get ready for a batch of baking bliss!

The holidays are synonymous with cookie baking, but let's face it—whipping up multiple batches can be daunting. That's where the magic of a Cookie Swap comes into play. It's simple: you and your friends each bake your signature cookies, and then trade them, leaving everyone with a delicious assortment without the hassle of baking them all.

Top Tips for a Cookie Swap

Invitations: Opt for our downloadable Cookie Swap Party Invitations or, if pressed for time, e-vites are great too. 

Plan ahead: Ask guests to RSVP 10 days before the party, giving you and them enough lead time to plan and bake. Mornings or afternoons seem to be the best times to host an exchange. That way, you won’t have conflict with other holiday events. Also, double-check with your attendees to ensure there are no food allergies to be considered.

Sharing is Caring: Each guest should bring three dozen of one type of cookie. Two dozen cookies will go home with each guest, and the remaining dozen will be shared during the party.

Variety is the Spice of Life: Ask everyone what cookies they'll make to avoid duplications. Also, ask everyone to include a recipe card for their cookie recipes – enough that each person will go home with one. If doing digital invites, you can ask guests to send you the recipes and send them all at once as a follow-up and thank you for attending the party.

Display Creatively: Prepare a table where guests can place their cookies and recipe cards. Decorations can be as simple as a table runner and some ornaments. Use cake stands, tiered trays, and festive platters to display the cookies appealingly. Height and levels add visual interest to your table setup. If you're feeling extra festive, you could decorate with a cookie theme in mind—think cookie cutters strung up as garlands, centerpieces with stacked cookie boxes, or even cookies hung on the tree.

Spread the Word: Print these festive Cookie Place Cards and let each guest label them with their name and type of cookie. 

Sampling: Provide a large platter or basket and ask each guest to place 12 cookies in/on it for sharing.

Give it a Name: Ask guests to label the outside of their disposable containers for easy identification.

Refreshments: Let the party take over while your friends sample the treats. Serve some savory appetizers alongside the cookies to balance the sweetness. Festive holiday beverages like our Sparkling Cranberry Fruit Punch, Eggnog, or Apple Cider are perfect for your Cookie Swap party. Looking for a more adult beverage? Try this Red Sangria or Merry Mojito. Or, if you are feeling extra festive, you can set up an Iced Coffee and Syrup Bar or Hot Cocoa Bar and let your guests get creative. 

Festive Tunes: A holiday music playlist can set the tone for the party and keep the atmosphere merry and bright.

Don't Forget the Details: Have pens and labels available so guests can label their cookie containers, which helps to avoid any mix-ups when it's time to go home.

Packaging Station: Set up an area with boxes, bags, and ribbons so your guests can pack up their assorted cookies to take home in style. It's good to have have gallon-sized plastic bags or foldable clothing boxes on hand in case your guests need extra room to take their cookies home.

Parting Gifts: It can be a nice touch to send your guests home with a small memento, like a cookie cutter or a spatula, to remember the event.

Storage Tip: Remind guests that they can freeze their cookies for later to use at parties, events, or they can wrap them up for teacher gifts, etc.

Extra Fun at the Cookie Decorating Party

Don’t want the fun to end? Looking for cookie swap party games? Go beyond the swap with these fun ideas to keep the fun times rolling along:

Blind Tasting: Have a blind taste test with the cookies and ask guests to name three ingredients they taste in the cookie (salt, butter, flour and sugar don't count!)

Cookie Awards: Have a voting contest (and print out these cute award winner cards!) to determine the yummiest cookie. Give a festive prize like a bottle of champagne, a nice holiday tea towel or a cookie spatula. Print prize cards to label which cookies get awards.

Give a Little: Hold a white elephant gift exchange during the party after you’ve tasted the treats.

Ornament Exchange: Ask everyone to bring an ornament to exchange with their cookies and draw numbers to open ornament presents.

Get Cozy: Have everyone wear their Christmas PJs – guests are instantly comfortable at a party while wearing their jammies.

Movie Night: Watch a holiday movie and take a bite of a cookie or a sip of eggnog every time you hear holiday words. Have a score sheet: Christmas, holiday, season, Santa, presents, gift, reindeer, eve, etc.

Storytime: Take turns sharing and talking about your recipe. Is it a family favorite? Did you used to make it with your mom? Is it a family tradition? Why is it special?  

What are the Best Cookies for Cookie Exchange?

If you’re still pondering over which cookies to bake, look into our Best Recipes for a Cookie Swap. Plus, don’t miss out on our free cookie swap printables for an extra touch to your Baking Party. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these baking and decorating tips for beginners will have you swapping like a pro! Happy swapping! 

PIN IT NOW