Hi Robin,

I posted to your message board recently about my 7th Annual Cookie Swap. It was this past Friday night, December 19th. There were 17 girls who participated in the actual cookie swap but a total of 40 girls showed up to "party" with us! The girls who participated in the cookie swap each brought 18 dozen cookies individually wrapped in decorated bags, boxes and containers (17 dozen plus the extra dozen for the "tasting tray"). We each took our turn walking our containers around to every person as they loaded them into their shopping bags. All the girls also brought an appetizer (most were homemade). The other girls who came also brought appetizers. We literally had food in every room of my house!

Mom, Me, Brianna

Our menu consisted of:

Appetizers: Cheese Ball, Chicken Enchiladas, Christmas Punch, Cucumber Bread, Cream Chipped Beef Dip with Scoop Fritos, Hot Crabmeat Dip, Hot Feta Artichoke Dip, Hot Taco Dip, Mini Frittatas with Ham & Cheese, Sausage Balls, Spinach Balls, Shrimp Dip, Spinach Dip, Stromboli, Stuffed Mushrooms, Warm Broccoli & Cheddar Dip, Pepperoni & Cheese, Salsa, Shrimp, Vegetable Tray and Rice Pudding

PLUS
17 dozen different kinds of cookies - Oatmeal Butterscotch, Oatmeal Raisin, Kiffles, Cream Cheese, Spritz, Chocolate Chip Biscotti, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Peanut Butter Crunch, Chocolate Covered Cherry, Chocolate Chip with Walnuts, Snickerdoodles, Coconut Macaroons, Mint Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Snickers Cookies, Gramma's Cinnamon Rolls & Meltaway Cookies.

As people came in, I pinned a picture of notorious person on each of their backs. They were allowed to ask "YES" or "NO" questions to see if they could guess who they were wearing. It was a great ice-breaker game to get everyone talking.


Avis, Tracy, Karen

As our swap was taking place, I had the "non-cookie-swappers" act as judges and I gave out 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes for the best boxes, bags and containers and also for the best holiday outfit. I gave out the Cookie Swap booklets from Gooseberry Patch plus some note pads, mugs filled with candy, etc. The girls were so excited about the prizes they said they were going to start next year's boxes in AUGUST!


Lisa, Ellen, Sandy, Dawn, Amanda and Tracy

I made color recipe booklets including all of the cookie recipes and appetizers. I gave them to everyone after we were finished the swap. I also gave everyone a Christmas CD including a compilation of all of my favorite Christmas songs. My 10-year-old daughter made cinnamon/applesauce ornaments last week so we also gave them out to everyone.

Kelley, Tracy & Barb
Dawn, Allison		Kathy, Linda

I have attached a few digital pictures that I took that night. I took the group photo in my family room and there were so many girls I couldn't even fit everyone in the picture. My daughter took a group photo (with me actually in the picture) with my "real" camera so I will e-mail that to you when I get them back. I am in a few of the other pictures which I have attached - I'm the one in the black Christmas tree sweater!

Jessica, Debbie, Kerri


Lisa, Avis, April



Pam, Michelle, Angie, Dawn

Everyone had a great time and they are already looking forward to next year's swap!

Thanks for your wonderful web site!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. My friends want me to start a web site now!!!

Tracy in New Jersey