Hi Ladies,
I live in a fairly new neighborhood ( 2 yrs young) and was thinking to have a cookie swap party as a way of getting to know the neighbors better. So figuring out who to invite, should I include everyone? That was my original idea but that adds up to 25 women. Do you think this is too many? I know it is not likely that everyone will come, but I have to consider it could happen. Should I mention this in the invite? I am not sure how to handle this. Is it a bad idea to even try to do a cookie swap and get to know you all in one? Or would it be fun? I originally thought it would be fun, but to warn everyone of the potential of needing 300 cookies.... will it turn them off alltogether? Thoughts PLEASE!! Thank you so much!
Hi L.,
I have been to a cookie swap that has a slightly different way of doing it. We make about 4 dozen, and then put them in bags with 4 cookies each-recipes attached. We then put them on a large table and basically circle the table taking a bag of each cookie-great at the holidays-you can serve a bunch of different flavor cookies, without buying and baking all the different kinds!
Good luck!
M.
Oh my goodness honey, why do you need three hundred cookies?
All you need is one batch of cookies, which is usually about twenty five....a large pot of coffee and a big tea pot. Only each lady who comes can bring her favorite cookies.
Change from cookie exchange to favorite cookie tasting recipe swap and tea/coffee party , yes?
Have packet of recipe cards and some pens at hand.
Its a lovely idea. I used to have tea parties, asked all the ladies to come dressed to the inth..it was so much fun!!!
And it is a lovely way to get to know your neighbors.
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Oh, yeah, if you all get inspired LOL THEN you can have an actual cookie SWAP, in which case you would need lots of zip lock bags.
Can do favorite thing with pies and cakes too.
Maybe have a potluck once a month with hubbies and kids taking turns at homes. Taking turns with paper plates, bread, cups, plasticware.
A united neighborhood is a wonderful lovely place to live.
In my day I was raised in a town of 350 population. We had a town potluck once a month from September thru May. Think we skipped Nov. and Dec tho.
I wish you the best and God bless.
Grandmother Lowell
I agree with the the 3 other responders. 25 women, bringing 2 dozen cookies sounds very workable. A dozen cookies, times two is a great idea.
If some want to make more as samples, even better!
I see that you live in CT. Sorry I can't be part of your cookie swap due to distance, but if there are any women around the Ashland/Framingham area who'd like to do this, count me in.
I am putting in my 2 cents on this one. I have to agree with both ladies who previously posted. Both are good ideas. I love baking cookies and sharing them, so 2 dozen is really nothing to whip up. I say take your chances, send out the invites,and have a blast! Good Luck!
L.- I think it's GREAT that you're reaching out to your neighbors. I'm always one that gets a bit stressed out about throwing get togethers, but love to do it and it is ALWAYS worthwhile. I think, as the other posters said, limit the # of cookies to 4 dozen- I go to a swap every Christmas and the host says to bring 4 dozen- some people do 6 or 8 dozen and then they're allowed to take that many...it always seems to work out...
Hi,
At our swap we have those who love to swap, those who cook a little, and those who don't cook. Everyone is invited to come for the socializing and snacks. Each person packs any cookies she made in bags of 6, bringing as many bags as she wants. Then folks take away as many bags as they brought! It's very comfortable for all.
Have a great swap.
I would invite everyone and ask them to bring 2 dozen cookies, in two ziploc bags, one dozen in each bag. Then, each puts her bags in and gets to pick two bags to take home. That way it is all neat in bags already and there are no miscounts, dropped cookies, etc.
I bet a lot of people won't end up coming because not everyone can pull together cookies to exchange so I wouldn't be overly concerned about the numbers.
I also like the previous responders suggestion to have people bring the recipe to share.
I really havent been to a cookie swap, but I have some idea how it works. What about inviting everyone for the cookie swap and ask they bring 2 dozen, plus a few extra cookies in one tray. At the swap, you hand out little baggies, and have tongs on the trays and everyone can load their bags with one of each kind of cookie, and go home with 2 dozen like they came with? You could even ask if some were up to it, to include the recipe on cards (hopefully they can do on the computer) so that everyone could go home w/ 25 different cookie recipies too?
