Since I had a small gathering this year, I was able to thoroughly enjoy myself and relax like a guest. Some years are large and some years are smaller due to last minute cancelations, like sick babies, burnt cookies, real estate open houses, other last minute commitments, etc.

Each type of party has its pros and cons. Large parties are fun, boisterous, lots of activity anda lot more variety of cookies. As the hostess, I go around and try to talk to everyone for at least a couple of minutes. I  rarely ever sit down and am usually wiped out when its over!

This year with eight swappers (including myself) I was able to relax and have fun like a participant. We all sat in a circle in the family room, with Christmas music playing and a roaring fire, drank wine and chatted. We played the Left Right Game Ornament Swap game. I was able to play, too, as I read the story, Joyce held two gifts each move.

For parting gifts I went to the dollar store and bought these beautiful fabric bags made of shiny material in colors red, green and gold and found some really cute gingerbread ornaments at Bombay that were 50% off. I love a deal and everyone loved their ornaments.








Also, I gave Debby Griffith a special prize for  for nearly perfect attendance --over the last 10 years, she only missed one exchange because she went out of town.  

Debby's gift was a Gingerbread Corkboard with candy cane key hooks.

Donna won the best cookie prize, a gourmet chocolate gift basket for her Apricot Almond Thumbprint Cookies.

Here's the recipe, simple and delicious!

Apricot Almond Thumbprint Cookies
1 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
2 cup flour
Ground Almonds
Apricot jam or jam of choice

Cream butter, sugar & extract together. Add the flour. Shape into teaspoon size balls. Roll in ground almonds. Indent centers and fill with jam. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes at 350F. Yield - 4 dozen.  (See photo below)