We held our 2nd annual Cookie Exchange on Saturday morning, December 13. My 2 wonderful daughters came to help me along with my 3 year old granddaughter as well as my new step-mom.

I had 20 people in attendance and one baker who didn’t get to make it because of illness. We had a wonderful time and everyone claimed it was even better than last year! I began the festivities by taking individual pictures of each guest and her tray of cookies, which I gave to them at a later date.

I then gave them each a name tag with their Christmas name, exp. “Nancy Noel” or "Angel Ann". As we began the party, I explained why I had chosen that particular name for each person.

Then each guest was given a piece of paper that they were to write down 3 gifts that would be on their Christmas wish list, if money were no object. After a lot of wishful thinking, their wish lists were handed to my 2 elves and they were read off while we tried to guess who wished for what.

We then visited the refreshment table where we dined on bacon waterchestnuts, mini muffaletta sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, pastry shells with chicken salad, spinach & asparagus dip, bacon & tomato squares, fresh veggies with dip, assorted mini quiches, mini cheesecakes, a chocolate cheeseball and 2 kinds of punch.

After everyone had eaten their fill, they checked the bottom of their plate, where 1 of 4 reindeer’s names were written. This was the team assignment for the upcoming reindeer games. As each team took center stage, each member was given a pair of pantyhose and the entire team a bucket of balloons.

Each team member had to blow up balloons to stuff in the pantyhose, put it on their head like antlers and the entire team sing Jingle Bells. It was so much fun! We did it in heats so everyone could watch.

Each team member on the fastest team got an assortment of goodies that I had packed in decorated drink boxes.

We then posed for a few quick pictures and awards were given out for the best display, best tasting cookies and most festivly dressed.

Everyone really outdid themselves this year. I passed out buckets for everyone and around the table they went to collect their share of cookies! With this being the 2nd year, everyone knew what to do. At the conclusion of the party I handed out the cookie recipe books I had made and a little tin that contained a cookie cutter and Almond Roca candy with a handwritten note that said “Thanks for coming. I am glad we were “cut out” to be friends! Karen”.

It was a wonderful party and I cannot wait until next year.

Karen Binder, Ballinger, Tx

PS - Thank you for having such an awesome site. I love looking at eveyone's parties!