Things I Like To Make: A Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

Hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange is a great way to kick off the holiday season and get you and your friends in the holiday spirit. I love to host them because it combines some of my favorite things - baking, eating and getting together with friends. This year I held my second annual Christmas Cookie Exchange for my British neighbors and friends, and I loved getting to share a wonderful American past time with them while learning about their own holiday traditions.

My invitation:

The party format:

Dinner plates and serving plates were placed all around my dining room table, so when each guest arrived they could displayed their cookies on the table.
Guests greeted with "holiday" drinks and gathered in sitting area for "chit-chat" until everyone arrived.
Guests did a go-around introducing themselves, shared what cookies they brought, why they picked to make them, where the recipe was from, and any changes they made from the original recipe
Guests did a second go-around sharing a favorite Christmas tradition they or their family have
Guests get up and go around the dining room table with their "take-home" container to gather up a few of each kind of cookie plus a copy of the recipe
Everyone grabbed a plate to nibble on savory goodies and visited for the rest of the evening

The holiday drinks:

Sparkling Pomegranate Punch (alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions)
Cooked No-Alcohol Eggnog (a friend of mine brought this because it is her favorite!!!)