Hi Robin,

I found your website by accident while surfing the internet looking for a great sugar cookie cut-out recipe. I am glad that I found it too! It was great seeing the number of people that participate in cookie exchanges all over the United States. What a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season.

Our group has hosted a cookie exchange for 23 years. It is held on the first Saturday in December, just in time for cookies for the holidays. We are a group of about 20 ladies (on occasion past members come as guest and we sometimes have other guest to come, at least 50% of the group is original members).

A themed invitation is sent out in early November. We bake 10 dozen cookies (use to be 20 dozen) to exchange in containers that are crafted around the theme. Thus everyone will get 20 containers with a half dozen cookies in each. We dress in most often elegant holiday attire and at the party we have 2 or 3 craft projects (theme related), entertainment, a dinner buffet (hosted in homes, bed and breakfast and the 20th at a Beach Resort), the judging of the best cookies and best container. This year’s theme was “Hats Off to Christmas”.

We are looking forward to our 24th year and have a special event in the works for the 25th Year celebration. I have attached a few pictures from this year’s gala.

Best regards and holiday greetings,

Valerie Williams
St Petersburg, FL