cookie exchange

Ask guests to make a big batch of small cookies so everybody gets to sample them all at the party without getting too sick. That also makes more leftovers to take home and enjoy later.

Serve coffee and ice-cold milk for dunking and sipping, and put out Chinese food containers or gift bags that guests can take home cookies in.

To avoid a table stacked with a sea of identical cookies, ask guests to choose a cookie category: bars, cookies, truffles, bark, cutouts. If you think your guests may be intimidated or uninspired by choosing a cookie, include a link to a recipe website on your invitation.

Feeling extra thoughtful? Ask everyone to email you their recipes before the party, and put them all into recipe books to give to each guest.

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