First Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange + Easy Recipe!

A few weeks ago, my good friend Denise and I were texting. We started talking about getting together to bake for Christmas, and that somehow evolved into holding a Christmas cookie exchange with our friends instead. We decided to co-host this event together, and put out some statuses on Facebook to see who might want to come. We ended up with a really huge response, so I thought I’d share a little about how we did it and what worked. I also wanted to share some pictures and just talk about it a bit because it was SO MUCH FUN and I want to keep all these memories!

The first thing we did after we had some people show interest was to create a Facebook group instead of an event. This works really well because since it wasn’t an event with a set date that would end (thus expiring the event), we can keep the group open and use it again for future Christmas cookie exchanges. We had such a great time that we plan on making this an annual event, and we will most definitely re-use the group. Everyone is already in it, and we can refer back to posts and pictures.

Once we gathered everyone together in this virtual group, we put up a poll with several dates. We chose dates for the poll that were toward the end of November / early December, because we figured that the closer we got to Christmas, the busier people would be. Everyone could then vote on the days that they could make it. There was not a SINGLE day where everyone could come, so we chose the date that had the most votes. It sadly meant that two people couldn’t make it, but we invited them to still participate by making cookies and dropping them off with us, along with an empty tupperware to fill. Both girls took us up on this offer, and I’m so glad they did because they were still able to partake in some way, and still got the same amount of cookies as everyone else.

We had 11 ladies in attendance, with the additional two who made cookies but couldn’t attend. Some people made a variety of cookies, so we ended up with a total of 15 different kinds! Denise came to my house a bit early to set up, and brought a folding table. We placed that in my kitchen for snacks and drinks, and then set up the cookies on my dining room table.

Snacks and appetizers

We asked everyone to bring at least three dozen cookies, an empty container for their take homes, an appetizer or snack, print outs of their recipes, and a thermos if they wanted (I made homemade hot chocolate). We also served some cheap wine (I don’t drink) and had some water bottles. The main beverage though was the hot chocolate bar that I set up in my kitchen. I usually make crockpot hot chocolate every year for Christmas Eve, so I whipped some of that up, and set up an adorable hot chocolate bar set that I found on Facebook Marketplace from a girl who makes holiday crafts. I absolutely love how it turned out! I plan on leaving it out all winter long. To the right of the set up was the crockpot with hot chocolate, whipped cream, and mugs that I set out.

Hot chocolate bar!

Once all the girls arrived, we had to carefully maneuver cookie containers to fit on the table like delicious puzzle pieces. It was a BEAUTIFUL sight for this cookie monster. Our initial plan for dispersing the cookies was for us girls to all get in a circle around the table. We’d take one from each container, then keep circling the table taking one at a time until they were all gone. We quit this idea after one lap because we were WAY too cramped trying to circle around my small dining room. After this epic fail, we decided to sit in my living room in a circle (I had moved all the dining room chairs in there earlier so we’d have enough seating for everyone). Denise then grabbed a container from the table, and we passed that around the circle, each person taking one cookie at a time, and passing it along the circle until the container was empty. We then repeated this 14 (!!!) more times. It was really fun and worked out well. Any time there were an extra couple of cookies that wouldn’t make it around the circle another full lap, we just kind of held them up and yelled “extra peanut butter cookie, who wants it?!” kinda like a fun little bid for cookies.

After the cookies were all swapped up and packed, we all just hung out, ate some delicious snacks, and chatted for a bit. After everyone left, Denise and I packed everything up and tidied a bit. Luckily, we primarily used paper cups and plates, so clean up was minimal.

I had an absolutely AMAZING time, and have been enjoying a huge variety of delicious treats since the weekend. My anxiety usually kicks it up into high gear when I’m in large groups of people, but I had no anxiety at all! I was amongst friends and was just having so much fun that I had zero worries at all. YAY! Caleb and Holden also entertained us for the evening. Holden, my little piggy, sampled tons of cookies, and Caleb was busy flashing everyone his booty when I asked if he had pooped his pants and he wanted to prove that he didn’t. Lord, help me.

I already can’t wait to do this again next year, and the next and the next. Perhaps we’ll do a Christmas in July event if everyone had as much fun as I did! We had such a cool variety of treats and no repeats at all. We’ve also been posting in the group still to share recipes that weren’t printed, and to swap pictures and stories of cookie-stealing husbands (HA!).

I ended up making cracker toffee, as I do every single Christmas. It’s always a huge hit with everyone, and I wound up making a double batch since we had so many girls coming. I’ll include my recipe below if you’re looking for something that is addicting and simple to make!

...and there you have it! Our very first Christmas cookie exchange. This will easily count as one of my very favorite things I’ve done this year. I look forward to hosting this event annually and am already looking forward to Christmas Cookie Exchange 2020!

My cracker toffee! 

Cracker Toffee Recipe

Ingredients:

• Saltine or Club Crackers
• Chocolate Chips (1 bag)
• Butter (2 sticks)
• Brown Sugar (1 cup)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil, then spray with cooking spray.
3. Line the pan with crackers
4. Melt butter and brown sugar together on medium heat until combined
5. Pour mixture over crackers
6. Place in oven for 3-5 minutes, until mixture begins to bubble on the crackers
7. Pour chocolate chips over the top, and spread when melted (use as much as you want!)
8. Place in fridge or freezer until cold
9. Break into pieces and enjoy!

My Notes:

• Keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve. Remove from the refrigerator a couple of hours before you plan on serving it. 
• Best to eat at room temperature, but tastes fine cold too.
• You can also top it with Heath bits, nuts, etc. if you want to add a little something else.