Hi Robin,

I held my First Cookie Exchange on December 18, 2009. We had such a good time that everyone is already asking me when will I have the Second Annual Cookie Exchange!

I invited friends from church, the neighborhood and two old friends from my "teaching school days." We played Holiday Trivia, Two Truths & a Lie, Best Cookie Story and exchanged personal stories. Although several people had not met before, everyone was "best friends" when the party ended.

I am sending some pictures. Sharon took Cookie Girls 1, so she is not in the pix. Same for me in Cookie Girls 2.

Cookie Girls 1 = Back Row: .Peggy, Lonni, Yvonne, Nancy, Patsy, Judy. Front Row L-R Joan, Jean, Sally.

Cookie Girls 2 = Back Row: L-R: Sharon, Peggy, Yvonne, Nancy, Patsy, Judy. Front Row seated L-R: Joan, Jean, Sally.

Sally won Best Christmas Attire. Patsy won "Best Cookie Story. By the time the party ended--(I had awards for all sorts of silly things)--everyone had won something! I had fun collecting the prizes--all came from several trips to the local Salvation Army Thrift Store! That's where I found great Christmas candy dishes, candles and cookie plates for $1.00 or less. Once wrapped, they were perfect! Having prizes to open added to the suspense which added to the surprise which added to the excitement! Everyone likes to win, and all did!

The table looked great--I'm sending pictures so you can tell what an awesome day it was!

I need to get some better ideas about putting together a cookie recipe book. Some brought their recipes; others did not. I'd like to organize a Cookie Exchange Cook Book--what is the best way to go about doing that?

Thanks for all your help! I could not have done this without you!

Love from St. Charles, Missouri!!

Lonni Steele