Dear Robin,

I came across your FANTASTIC cookie exchange web site a few years ago while getting ready to host my own. I think I've finally gotten my pictures together and hope that you will enjoy seeing another variation.

Every year I try to have a Gingerbread Man theme, I hand-make my own invitations, and hold my party on the second Saturday in December at 11 a.m. (so that people can still go shopping and attend other evening parties that they may have at this time of year).

I serve finger-foods and beverages as well as give favors to each guest at the end of the party. I provide nice platters for everyone to display their cookies on and provide plates for them on which to take their cookies home. It usually works out for each person to take about three cookies of each kind and we tend to have overflowing plates by the end of the party.

This year I had 13 guests (the most so far) and some of the cookies that people brought were: Reese's Chewy Chocolate Cookies, Rocky Road Clusters, Earthquake Cookies, Fudgy Chocolate Cookies, Oatmeal Cookies, Orange Cranberry Drops, Pecan Puffs, Gingerbread Men, and Peanut Blossoms.

I live in California and the weather was so warm last year that we had the windows and doors open and everyone seemed to go for the punch vs. the hot cider!

Thanks again for all of your creative ideas and suggestions for hosting a great cookie exchange party and good luck with your house remodel!

Sincerely,
Christine Harpel
Covina, CA