A cookie exchange

Is it Christmas without cookies?

That was obviously a hypothetical question. Because the answer is CLEARLY NO.

Since I’m not much of a baker, I love cookie exchanges because I end up with lots of different baked goods for gifts and parties. Plus, I’m always in favor of a party.

The exchange brought together ten guests. Each of us made six dozen cookies – one dozen for the party and 10-half dozens packaged for each other. At the end of the night, we each came home with 10 different types of cookies. All of which I plan to pass off as my own.

I set out a pot of chili, some jalapeno pretzels and veggies and dip to offset the sugar coma.

I labeled each cookie with the type and baker. 

 

And I set up a cocoa station with tips from Caitlin at Desert Domicile. (Mine isn’t so pretty, but it was a fun addition!)

 

 

And in true Kim fashion, I realized that I had no cocoa about 30 minutes before the party. Thank goodness my buddy Michelle saved the day and brought a jug of cocoa powder.

 

Here’s where everyone dropped the cookies. I provided the cute gable boxes (Hob Lob) and aprons for guests. Getting all the cookies was like trick or treating for adults.

 

And I reused the photo props from the HP House Party. They were perfect for photo opps in front of the tree.

 

My friends were good sports.

 

 

And I did force every one to be in a photo. Because I’m that kind of host.

 

It’s not Christmas until you force photos in front of a tree.

And these are the simple aprons I fashioned for guests from IKEA tea towels. I love the design and hope they get lots of use in the kitchen! (Thanks to Michelle and Amanda for being my apron models.)

Let me tell you something awesome about hosting a party for the holidays – YOU HAVE ALREADY DECORATED. This is really the first time I’ve hosted a party for friends over the holidays and it was a lot of fun getting to enjoy the prep and not rush to get decorated. And I’m happy I got to share our holiday home with girlfriends. It was nothing fancy – just cookies, chili, cocoa and girlfriends.

Do you host a holiday party?