Merry Christmas! I just had my fourth cookie swap and it went very well! We had nine bakers total and a great assortment of cookies and recipes. Now that everyone 'has the hang' of the cookie swaps (including myself), the cookie displays get prettier and the games and prizes become more fun. I give out first, second, and third prizes for 'Best Tasting Cookie' (my husband was the judge and I didn't even win?!) and 'Best Presentation' (our children judged so it was fun for them as well!).

I give out festive prizes like Christmas scented candles, mugs with candy, festive room sprays, ornaments, etc. This year, one of the first prizes was a 'faux dessert' display. It was a Christmas plate with three 'faux' Christmas cookies to display and a 'faux' mug of hot cocoa with whipped cream and cinammon stick. I found it at a Holiday Shopping Day in our neighborhood that a local woman has as her home-based business. I try to give out prizes I know I would enjoy receiving!

I took some ideas from your handbook and we played the 'Right Left Exchange' game with a wrapped Christmas fleece blanket. This worked out well since two women had to literaly 'toss' the blanket to each other at various points in the game, so there was no risk of breakage! We also played 'Pass the Stocking' and everyone enjoyed trying to figure out what was inside. Some of the answers were quite interesting!

As always there were appetizers, beverages and desserts for all to enjoy. I have wonderful friends who always bring some yummy additions to the appetizer table! This year's favor was a picture frame ornament for the Christmas tree and a package of hot cocoa for all my friends to enjoy with their new cookies.

Of course, no cookie swap is every successful without the wonderful friends who attend every year! Thanks to you all!

Thanks for all your help in making our cookie swaps the best they can be!

~ Patti Fox, Jackson, NJ