Ask any home baker about favorite Christmas traditions, and an annual cookie exchange—aka cookie swap—just may top the list. These parties save you time in the kitchen (you only have to bake one type of cookie!) while offering a chance to gather with family and friends. Hosting a cookie exchange is easier than you might think, thanks to these timely tips (these, too!) and handy timeline to keep party planning on the right track.
- Make it convenient. Weekday evenings or weekend afternoons work well because people may be less busy. Schedule the party to be about 2 hours long so guests aren’t required to set aside a lot of time. It’s the holiday season, after all!
- Remember: the more, the merrier—and the more types of cookies and candies you’ll get. Invite 8 to 12 people. You might also encourage them to bring an extra dozen for sampling at the party.
- Ask what each person is making to avoid duplicates. There’s no point to the exchange if everyone arrives with sugar cookies.
- Stock up on storage containers. If the gathering is small, guests may want to bring the batches already individually wrapped.
- Keep your menu to a minimum by focusing on the sweet treats. Simply serve a selection of beverages and the extra cookies and candies. Of if you prefer, offer a few hot and cold appetizers.
- Display all the goodies on a long table or counter, leaving enough room for folks to walk around. Label the containers with the recipe name.
- For party favors, gather all the different recipe cards into bundles, tie with festive ribbons and hand them out as guests leave.
Cookie and Candy Exchange Timeline
Four to Six Weeks Before:
- Send out the invitations. Ask each person to bring 8 to 10 dozen of the same cookie, copies of their recipe and large containers in which to take cookies home.
- As guests RSVP, keep track of who is bringing what so there are no duplicates. Remind them to bring copies of their recipe to share.
Two to Three Weeks Before:
- Bake and freeze your cookies. These make-ahead cookies freeze like a charm.
- Plan your menu.
The Day Before:
- Make any food you plan on serving. Gather plates and napkins.
- Set up the table where the cookies will be displayed.
The Day of the Party:
- As guests arrive, have them set their cookies and copies of the recipe on the display table.
- Serve food and beverages, and enjoy the company!
- Near the end of the party, have guests fill their containers with a dozen of each kind of cookie and candy.
Stumped on what cookies to bake? This'll help.
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Peppermint Meltaways
This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I often cover a plate of these peppermint cookies with red or green plastic wrap and a bright holiday bow in one corner. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
Cherry Snowballs
A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
Silver Bells
My mom and grandma are known for their signature Christmas cookies. I decided to create my own, inspired by one of my favorite Christmas songs. Edible shimmer dust gives them their iconic shine. Look for the dust in the cake decorating section of craft or grocery stores. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Peppermint Puff Pastry Sticks
I wanted to impress my husband's family with something you'd expect to find in a European bakery, and these chocolaty treats are what I came up with. The flaky pastry melts in your mouth. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Baking peanut butter kiss cookies to share doesn't get much easier than this. Stir together four ingredients. Bake. Top with a kiss. Done! Your family will love this Hershey's peanut butter blossom cookie recipe. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona
First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me for some, too! I especially like that this macaroon recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don't care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho
Basic Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies
This recipe evolved from several different recipes that I combined into one. I've never received so many compliments on my baking!—Denise Hufford, Midland, Michigan
Snowy Mountain Cookies
I was so excited to bake these with my mom after coming home from studying abroad in Germany. They remind me of the Swabian Alps I could see from my room there. Be careful not to overheat your white chocolate; it’ll lose that attractive shine. —Stephanie Bouley, North Smithfield, Rhode Island
Flourless Peanut Butter Thumbprints
I had been searching for a dessert to make for my brother's girlfriend (who is gluten intolerant), and I came across a naturally gluten-free dessert—a flourless peanut butter cookie. After tweaking the recipe a bit and adding Nutella and a sprinkling of sea salt, I finally found the perfect cookie for her. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida
Mom's Buttermilk Cookies
I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California
Chocolate Mint Creams
This recipe came from an old family friend and is always high on everyone's cookie request list. I make at least six batches for Noel nibbling and give some away as gifts. —Beverly Fehner, Gladstone, Missouri
Triple Nut Snowballs
This super-crunchy, not-too-sweet cookie is a fun update on the classic snowball. I used cashews, macadamia nuts and pecans, but you can mix and match other nuts to your liking. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Cathedral Cookies
Children love the colorful marshmallows in these festive confections, which look like stained glass when they're sliced. They practically light up the room from the serving platter at our holiday parties. —Carol Shaffer, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies
Rich, buttery sugar cookie cutouts like these never last long at a party. They're one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri
Holiday Meringue Miniatures
My kids love these light, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and have fun making them. These were always on our Christmas cookie plate when I was a kid, and now the tradition continues. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Nuts-About-You Cookie Sticks
These cookies make a fancy meal finale that couldn’t be quicker to whip up. Start with purchased Pirouette cookies, dip in a rich creamy chocolate and peanut-butter coating, and dust with nuts or sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cream Cheese Cookie Cups
Need a quick dessert? Try these yummy cookie bites. For a pretty look, use an icing bag to pipe the filling into the cups, then top each with mini M&M's. —Rachel Blackston, Mauk, Georgia
Frosted Gingerbread Nut Cookies
I received the recipe for these soft ginger cookies from a dear lady, who has since passed away. A comfortng classic like this always satisfies.
—Karyn Rogers, Hemet, California
Slice & Bake Coconut Shortbread Cookies
Light and buttery, these delicate shortbread cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good. The coconut flavor makes them extra special. —Roberta Otto, Duluth, Minnesota
Coconut Cranberry Yummies
When my husband came home from the grocery store with six bags of fresh cranberries, I launched a full-scale effort to creatively use them all. Bursting with tart and sweet flavors, these cranberry coconut cookies are my favorite result from that experiment. —Amy Alberts, Appleton, Wisconsin
Old-Fashioned Gingersnaps
I discovered this recipe many years ago, and it's been a favorite among our family and friends since. Who doesn't like cookies during the holidays? —Francis Stoops, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Scottish Shortbread
Scottish settlers first came to this area over 150 years ago. My mother herself was Scottish, and—as with most of my favorite recipes—she passed this on to me. I make a triple batch of it each year at Christmas, to enjoy and as gifts. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba
Joe Froggers
Large, soft and chewy, these cookies are made to munch. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second day. Your family will definitely ask you to make them again!, soft and chewy, these are a great snack. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second day. Your family will definitely ask you to make these again. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Holiday Cornflake Cookies
I can't seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths around the holidays. The cookies firm up quickly, so you'll need to place the Red Hots right away. —Kathleen Hedger, Fairview Heights, Illinois
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Here's proof that peanut butter and chocolate just belong together. These peanut butter blossoms are an easy family favorite and never fail to make my children smile. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Crinkle-Top Chocolate Cookies
When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Poppy Seed Thumbprints
My oldest son is a huge fan of these thumbprints, so I make sure they're on my baking list every Christmas. Lemon zest and poppy seeds help give this crisp cookie fantastic flavor. —Kelly Pember, Wheeler, Wisconsin
Chocolate Peppermint Spritz Cookies
I love to make spritz cookies. Each year I make several varieties of cookies and then deliver them to friends. I love to watch them crack a smile when they see a plate full of cookies. —Margaret Otley, Waverly, Nebraska
Jumbo Brownie Cookies
These deeply fudgy cookies are a great way to make a friend. A little espresso powder in the dough makes them even more over-the-top. —Rebecca Cababa, Las Vegas, Nevada
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
These golden cakelike cookies are my favorite, especially around the holidays. They disappear quickly from my dessert trays. The subtle pumpkin and cinnamon flavors pair nicely with chocolate chips. —Tami Burroughs, Salem, Oregon
Fudgy Mint Cookies
Chocolate lovers will get a double dose when they bite into this cake-like cookie. The cookies are especially popular served alongside a big scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream! —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
Cherry Kiss Cookies
Topped with a chocolate kiss, these cherry-flavored cookies look super cute on a dessert tray. Share them with family and friends. —Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin
Creme de Menthe Cheesecake Cookies
Some say these are the best cookies they’ve ever had! Such a cinch to put together with just five ingredients, and so easy to vary. Stir in your favorite baking chips and change up the decorations to suit any holiday. See why they’re the best? —Sheila Sporn, Houston, Texas
Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies
I make this cookie every Christmas with my family. It’s a fun twist on a classic peanut butter blossom because of the cinnamon in the batter and the caramel kiss on top. We love the cinnamon-caramel combination, but you could switch out the kiss with a different festive flavor. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Lemon Slice Sugar Cookies
Here's a refreshing variation of my grandmother's sugar cookie recipe. Lemon pudding mix and icing add a subtle tartness that tingles your taste buds. —Melissa Turkington, Camano Island, Washington
Gluten-Free Snowballs
No one will miss the flour in these crumbly, nutty balls of goodness. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture will make them the hit of your cookie exchange. —Joan Sarge, Asheville, North Carolina
Snow-Capped Mocha Fudge Drops
Everyone loves seeing chocolate on a cookie tray. My version is fudgy with a hint of mocha. If you’re serving these at the holidays, add red and green colored sugar or sprinkles for a festive touch. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Candied Fruit Cookies
These no-fuss candied fruit cookies are both nutty and fruity, so they're always a hit at holiday time. —Florence Monson, Denver, Colorado
Spiced Toffee Cookies
I bake these cookies for family gatherings because my crowd likes cookies thin and chewy with a crispy exterior. The toffee bits make a happy surprise.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Raspberry Cream Sugar Cookies
We make sugar cookies and fill them with a tangy raspberry cream cheese. They taste best after they've been refrigerated for at least 45 minutes.—Heidi Farnworth, Riverton, Utah
Popcorn Cookies
It's so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They're definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
Cream Cheese Spritz
A hint of orange and cinnamon highlights these Christmastime classics. I like to add colorful sprinkles before baking them. The recipe is from a booklet that came with a cookie press in the 1950s...and I still have the press! —Sarah Bedia, Lake Jackson, Texas
Peanut Butter Cookies
It is amazing how much flavor these simple peanut butter cookies without brown sugar have. I make them very often because I always have the ingredients on hand. —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Dotted with cranberries, orange zest and vanilla chips, these cookies are so colorful and fun to eat. They look lovely on a dessert tray and would be a great addition to your Christmas cookie lineup. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
Butterscotch Toffee Cookies
With its big butterscotch and chocolate flavor, my cookie stands out. I like to enjoy it with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. It’s my fallback recipe when I’m short on time and need something delicious fast. —Allie Blinder, Norcross, Georgia
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
These big soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
Every time I make these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors. —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah