Dear Robin,

Since moving to Colorado from California last year I was concerned about how my Christmas cookie exchange would do in my new local. It turns out that this was my biggest one yet -- I had 19 guests plus two women who sent their cookies to trade because they had to work and were unable to attend! I also had a few who brought their kids this year which was another first. I even remembered to take a few pictures and managed to get a group photo this year (I'm the one on the far right with the gingerbread apron on).

I was very impressed with everyone's efforts in making a variety of good looking and yummy tasting cookies (especially since I don't have everyone tell me in advance what type of cookie they'll be bringing)! We ended up with three different chocolate dipped peanut butter balls but each one was slightly different. Other cookies present were: M&M Colorful Carmel Bites, Double Trouble Chocolate Chip Cookies, Crunchy Finger Cookies, Clarice's Spritz Cookies, Potato Chip Cookies, Heavenly Fudge, S'Mores Fudge, Honey Sand Balls, Chocolate Crinkles, Southern Halian Pizzells, Aunt Stella's Butterscotch Prickles (variation), Chocolate (coconut) Balls, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Pinwheels, O'Henry Bars, Swedish Christmas Cookies, Cream Wafers, Gingerbread Men, Miniature Chocolate Eclairs, and Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies.

Before we swapped the cookies, we enjoyed egg nog, hot spiced cider, Christmas punch, and coffee along with cheese, sausage, and crackers; a baked Chicken Holiday Wreath; apples with fruit dip; sweet 'n sour lil' smokies; veggies with spinach dip; and a pumpkin cheesecake. After the swap everyone left with a goodie bag (which included a gingerbread kitchen towel and gingerbread chap stick).

It was another successful Cookie Exchange and I'm already looking forward to next year's party! Thanks for your helpful newsletter and website Robin. It's so much fun to see pictures from and read about what others are doing at their parties -- all over the world -- keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Christine Harpel
Fort Collins, CO