Who knew thatsaving moneycould be so delicious?
However, the holidays also bring a lot of time and money pressures.
Why not consider a holiday cookie exchange?
It could be a fun, inexpensive and simple way to celebrate the season.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
Each participant makes a different kind of cookie or dessert.
There are a few directions you’re free to go from there.
You could host a cookie exchange party, where all of the participants come and fill up their boxes.
Or, you might box up each dozen and make cookie deliveries.
Its up to each group to set its cookie swap rules.
How Does a Holiday Cookie Exchange Save Money and Time?
Cookie recipes often share basic ingredients eggs, flour, salt and baking soda.
Christmas cookies often have higher-end or harder-to-find ingredients, since they can be gifts.
Getting a bigger amount of the same ingredients likely wont cost as much as getting a variety of items.
Butter cookies, if you use good butter, will cost $3.50 a dozen.
These recipes dont have any special ingredients in them.
Recipes with special ingredients like pecans, mint, food coloring, creme fraiche, pumpkin, etc.
will cost more than plain sugar cookies.
How to Set Up a Holiday Cookie Exchange
Ready to set up your first cookie exchange?
While youre at it, find out if your participants have any specific dietary restrictions or time-based needs.
Cookies can go stale, and not everything freezes well.
Setting a cookie exchange date should happen at the beginning of the process.
Thats totally up to you.
Some people only make a couple dozen cookies for the swap, and others make a dozen per person.
(So if there are eight people participating, then each person makes eight dozen cookies.)
Either way, see to it the expectations are set up front.
Pick Your Bakers
Now its time to invite friends who want to participate in a cookie swap.
When considering your participants, verify you have enough people in case someone drops out.
But remember, too many bakers can be an issue, too.
A cookie exchange can get unwieldy if you have more than 10 people.
A helpful hint is to have the cookie exchange rules on one side of the invitation.
Make the Call: Are You Hosting a Party or Just Swapping?
This might affect who you invite to join the cookie swap, and when and how you do it.
Most people turn a cookie swap into a party.
There are lots of opportunities to spend time with family over the holiday season.
Its nice to have a chance to party with friends too.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Hosting a Party?
Nail Down the Nitty Gritty
Most of the time, people have cookie exchange parties.
Life can be hard and hanging out with friends makes things better.
From there, youll have a few more decisions youll have to make.
But the recipes themselves are just as valuable.
(Plus a few extras if youre hosting a party.)
Keep in Touch
What is the easiest way to communicate with everyone?
You could start an email chain or text group.
Facebook has hundreds of cookie swaps and events, so verify everyone has the right one.
How to Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange Party
So youve decided on a party great!
Here are some tips to set up your cookie exchange party.
(Side note: Wouldnt it be fun to have an appetizer swap?)
Its not necessary, though.
If you want to keep your expenses low, stick to the cookies.
Is that a gingerbread family on your front lawn?
Are those real Christmas cookies hanging on your tree?
you’re free to even make Christmas cards printed with cookie recipes.
Then, set up as many cake stands as you’ve got the option to.
(Feel free to ask your guests to bring cake stands if you need more than you have.)
If there arent enough cake stands, use serving platters.
Youll need to double-check theres space in front of each for recipe cards.
Looking for something more interactive?
Set up a cookie decorating station with some plain sugar cookies.
But guests should bring stuff too.
Be flexible in case a guest forgets to bring any of these items.
Once youve set the stage, have fun and indulge your sweet tooth.
Make It a Tradition
Cookie swap parties can turn into an annual tradition.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you should probably wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
The Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke writes on lifestyle and culture topics.
