8th Annual Cookie Exchange!
It's almost here.
December 4th to be exact.
Each year my sister, daughter and I host a crazy cookie exchange.
It's not your normal bring a few cookies and call it good type of deal...
It's out of control..
It's crazy...
It's really fun...
Here's the secret to an out of control, crazy, fun cookie exchange...
Make it a contest!
Oh yeah...
We have categories for the following:
Best Tasting Chocolate
Best Tasting Non-chocolate
Best Presentation
Best Recipe Card
Best Tasting Under age 18
Everybody gets to vote for their favorites.
The first year was simply for the Best Tasting cookie. End of story. Things seemed to have morphed and taken on a life of their own.
It's out of my hands. These categories have created themselves
over the years...
One year I went over to my mother-in-laws house to ask her for something. She stopped me at the door, threw a towel over the cookies she had been slaving over all day then invited me in! I loved it. Such commitment, such passion, such competitive secrecy...
Another year my sister-in-law Nancy, was awarded a prize for the most tested recipes. She tried eleven different cookies before settling on one!
My friend Laurie's husband has already been been trying to sell me her secret recipes for $50 bucks a piece (btw...she's won several times)... hmmmm...
Last year we invited friend and professional baker Kimberly Koch of truly scrumptious boutique bakery
to cast her favorite vote. The winner was JoAnn Taylor, owner of Camas Antiques! JoAnn won Kimberly's vote and best tasting non-chocolate with a recipe from Romancing the West cookbook which was written by another friend, Fran Gillette! The love just goes full circle doesn't it?
The winner of each category gets a fabulous prize. Usually cooking related. It sounds a little crazy and it is. But we all have so much fun browsing through recipes, planning our displays and watching each other enjoy the cookies we've put so much thought and preparation into.
Here's a little inspiration...
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| it's a cookie pie... does that count? |
Hosting a cookie exchange is a great way to start off the holiday season with friends and family. If you've ever considered hosting one, I would encourage you to try it! You won't regret it. If you need any tips let me know...
7 comments:
Yay, I'm so excited! I really need to try a few more recipes... You know this is a big deal when I'm willing to come home THREE WEEKENDS IN A ROW. I might be a little irritated still.
I haven't made cookies since my older life in Norway!
Well, you almost (...A L M O S T) make me want to bake a batch of cookies.... BUT which ones????
Love this post!
Hugs,
Sylvi
I was going to add in the email I just sent you, "must be your cookie swap time soon, eh". And then i thought I'd check you blog first before typing it... and here it is!
Ok, NOW the holiday can officially begin!
That sounds like such fun! Great idea but I don't cook or bake unless there is a dire emergency or I am made to feel guilty :>)
Annette
I've tried four recipes so far...it gets harder and harder every year to find something original. I did find one that's promising...but am still tweeking it. Can't wait! Love you!
Great post! I'm planning a cookie exchange as I type - I better send out the evite soon - just wondering how many cookies do you ask each person to bring? Thanks :)
Belle ballade chez toi.
Bonjour de France.
Manon
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