This year the cookie exchange was held on Thursday night, Dec 17th from 7-10 pm.  About 30 people were invited and 16 people rsvp'd YES.  There were 13 bakers and 3 people to bring appetizers.  Unfortunately my wonderful friend Ilene woke up very ill the day of the exchange and could not come. She did send a picture of her wonderful cookies that we would never have the pleasure of tasting.

 

The day before the exchange I sent out a little twist on 'Twas the Night Before.... to hopefully de-stress some of my bakers (see attached  and below to share with other hostesses).

 As was the case last year, there are always enough cookies to go around for everyone to enjoy and this year was no different.  So nice when all can be shared.  My friend, Julie, baked dog cookies & brought them beautifully packaged to share with all attendees.  Very sweet.

The cookies arrived and were all put on display for voting to begin. 

This year we had prizes for 7 different categories:  Coolest Recipe Card, Best Cookie Packaging, #1 Yummiest Cookie, Most Creative Cookie, Best Decorated Cookie and Best All Around Best Cookie plus Best Holiday Spirit Attire.

Here I am with Brooke, our youngest attendee this year.  Her Mom, Tina was one of our bakers.

 

Maria, with the Santa cap won the prize for Best Holiday Spirit Attire and she won for the Coolest Recipe Card.  Maria is standing with Barbara and Bobbie.

JoAnn, Karole and Julie

JoAnn and Julie baked together and won Best Decorated Cookie and Most Creative Cookie.

 

Lorri won two categories:  #1 Yummiest Cookie and  All Around Best Cookie.  Lorri was thrilled to win in both categories.  I think this was her first cookie exchange.

It was a wonderful evening with great friends. Merry Christmas to you and your family and Happy New Year too!

Candy Giard 

'Twas the day before the cookie exchange, when all through the house

the smells of baked cookies consumed the whole house!

The oven is sighing and each baker near crying,

In hopes that her baking will soon come to an end.

The cookies are cooling and stacked to the ceiling

12 dozen cookies are needed and all the same kind;

Next they'll be packaged then decorated with imagination

all in the hopes of winning a great prize

Tomorrow will be here when we all can relax

You can look forward to meeting new friends and old friends at last

Share baking stories and nosh on some food,

Sip some wine and begin to enjoy this holiday time.

The baking behind you, no need to do more

You will leave with 12 dozen cookies to eat and explore.

Now go take a rest before you collapse

I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow at last.

"Now, Julie & JoAnn, Lorri and Dottie! Now, Tina, Maria and Sandi!

On, Ilene, Barbara and Karole! On, Pat, Maria and Bobbie!

To the top of dough! to the top oven!

Now bake away! bake away! bake away all!"

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Get the Word doc file Twas_the_Night_Before_the_Cookie_Exchange.docx