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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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 molasses cookies make 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
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 cookies 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
Salted Caramel Fudge Drops
These cookies, which start with a mix, are unbelievably decadent! I like to use caramel-filled Dove chocolates. It’s nice dough to make ahead, roll into balls and freeze for up to 3 months. Then just bake the cookies as you need them. —Carole Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
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
Ginger-doodles
My brothers like snickerdoodles, and I like gingersnaps. My grandmothers taught me how to bake, so I knew how to combine the two. Now everyone’s happy. —Becky Toth, Havre, Montana
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
Peppermint S'more Tassies
Graham cracker cookie cups brim with a luscious peppermint-milk chocolate filling, sweet marshmallow creme and crushed peppermint candies. Santa (and his elves) will look forward to these! —Edwina Gadsby, Hayden, Idaho
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
Snow Day Cookies
Clear your pantry to make these chocolate chip cookies loaded with goodies. We add oats, M&M’s, pretzels and even potato chips. —Brittney Musgrove, Dallas, Georgia
Quick Coconut Macaroons
These are truly the best macaroon cookies I've ever tasted. The short list of ingredients makes them especially appealing to busy cooks. —Nancy Tafoya, Ft. Collins, Colorado
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
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