Blogger Christmas Cookie Exchange

on December 9, 2010
in All Posts

I was so excited for the Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon! I wrapped up work as soon as possible, munched on some toast and hummus (spinach flavored!), and ran 3.0 miles. 

IMG_6660

Then, it was time to go to my very first Cookie Exchange!

 

Brittney was kind enough to host the event at her house.  She put together quite a spread for dinner.

DSC_9950

IMG_6677

I grabbed some veggies, tomatoes and mozzarella sticks, bruschetta, pita chips and nut pate, hummus, and more.

IMG_6682

Plus, homemade soup from Katie!

IMG_6683

I also had a glass of vino!

IMG_6678 

And I tried to dognap Clyde.  Hello, teeny tiny dachshund in a sweater!

We listened to Christmas music and circled the table.  Finally, someone suggested we all dig in!

IMG_6724

I guess there are a few ways to do Christmas exchanges:

 

1) Everyone brings a few dozen cookies and swaps batches.

2) Everyone brings a few dozen and everyone takes a few of each batch.

3) People bring raw dough and cook the cookies at the hostess’ house.

4) People bring pre-packaged little bags of a few cookies and swaps those.

 

We opted for Option 2… well, first we taste-tested them all.

IMG_6692

IMG_6695

And THEN we circled the table and filled up our tupperwares.

IMG_6673

(The Salted Choco-Caramel Cookies [above] were my favorite)

IMG_6674IMG_6675 

IMG_6676

IMG_6693 IMG_6700

IMG_6710  

My stash:

IMG_6728

(PS – Is it true that Sesame Street is rebranding the Cookie Monster as the Veggie Monster?  I really hope not!)

{ 71 comments }

 

  • Baking 'n' Books December 9, 2010, 10:22 pm

    This is such a good idea! I so want to do it! But what was the best cookie? 🙂

  • Alyssa December 9, 2010, 10:25 pm

    Yum!

    Totally unrelated to delicious cookies, but when do you find out about that video contest thing you made the top 10 or 25 for to win $10,000? I can’t remember what it’s called 🙁

    • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 10:36 pm

      On Monday!!

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations December 9, 2010, 10:28 pm

    What a fantastic concept!!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) December 9, 2010, 10:28 pm

    How fun! 🙂 This seems like it would be a GREAT thing to do with my friends! 🙂

  • Annie December 9, 2010, 10:31 pm

    “A cookie is a sometimes food now” according to Cookie Monster 😉
    Not toniiiiiiight! Everything looks delicious.

  • stew December 9, 2010, 10:31 pm

    i just ate 10 (estimation) of your jam cookies and my head exploded. they are amazing. thank you.
    -stew (tater’s boyfriend)

    • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 10:37 pm

      hahah thanks stew!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) December 9, 2010, 10:36 pm

    I would LOVE to do this!

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine December 9, 2010, 10:38 pm

    My mom used to host these when I was a kid, but it’s been ages since she’s done one! They’re so fun!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) December 9, 2010, 10:39 pm

    Fun!! Those twisty candy canes look awesome. What a stash you’ve got.

  • Annette December 9, 2010, 10:40 pm

    Nice work! What a great idea….what are you going to do with all those cookies? 🙂

    • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 10:41 pm

      Freeze them 🙂

      • Katie (Sweet Tater) December 9, 2010, 10:57 pm

        eat them 😉

        SUGAR COMA. i shall pass out now.

  • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 10:41 pm

    He’s already rebranded at carrot monster… CRAZY!!

    The cookies look amazing, love the blog (and you have a great name =D)

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete December 9, 2010, 10:44 pm

    That would be so sad if they changed Cookie Monster 🙁

    I have a cookie exchange party to go to on Saturday — I can’t wait! I love getting such a good variety of cookies!

  • Lauren December 9, 2010, 10:47 pm

    It’s a rumor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_Monster. That also might be the most ridiculous wikipedia page ever.

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:07 am

      You just made my life so much better with that Wiki page.

  • jenna December 9, 2010, 10:48 pm

    that is soo cool!

  • nicole December 9, 2010, 10:56 pm

    I want to do one now! Off to bake some cookies.

  • Janene Giuseffi December 9, 2010, 11:00 pm

    I’m taking notes this year on all the parties I’ll be throwing next year. So far, I’ll be throwing a 21st Amendment party, a classy Christmas soiree, and now a cookie swap. December 2011 is already swamped.

  • Sarah for Real December 9, 2010, 11:05 pm

    I did a cookie exchange like that back in high school. It’s such a fun way to get a whole variety without doing hardly any work!

    I hope they’re not changing the Cookie Monster either! They could make a whole veggie monster character. Or just use Cookie Monster to teach lessons about eating too many cookies. Everyone feels like a Cookie Monster at some point, we might as well own it.

  • Carrie @ TV and Dinners December 9, 2010, 11:16 pm

    Ooooo…what’s the layered cookie with the crushed peppermint on top? It looks yummy!

  • Andrea@Thin Thighs & Sweet Potato Fries December 9, 2010, 11:53 pm

    Hey Caitlin! It was so nice meeting you tonight! Look forward to seeing you at another “blogger get-together” soon!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:08 am

      It was super nice to meet you too!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now December 10, 2010, 12:09 am

    I doubt the “Veggie Monster” thing is true. That rumor has been around for a few years now.

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks December 10, 2010, 12:12 am

    Those cookies all look amazing! What a brilliant idea! 🙂

  • Sarah@sarahnotsoplainandtall December 10, 2010, 12:40 am

    Cookie swaps are such a great idea!!! I love being able to sample a variety!

  • Lauren December 10, 2010, 12:40 am

    Sounds like a fun night! I made pomegranate chocolate cookies tonight, I wish I could exchange them for some of those chocolate caramel cookies!

  • Wei-Wei December 10, 2010, 12:45 am

    Man. I’d binge… but I guess it’d be a binge on love. ;P

  • Amanda (Eating Up) December 10, 2010, 2:07 am

    I tried to host one of these, but I didn’t get my act together in time. It looks so fun!

  • Heidi - Apples Under My Bed December 10, 2010, 3:02 am

    Ah how fun, I love this! No idea about the cookie monster. I loved him! & I’m fine 🙂 I don’t think he’s the problem…surely they can focus their efforts elsewhere???
    Heidi xo

  • Wawa December 10, 2010, 3:28 am

    Sounds like a fun party. Those cookies all look delicious, I like to taste-test them all.
    My mouth is wtering. Off to grab some cookies.

  • Lauren December 10, 2010, 6:51 am

    Cookie Exchanges are soooo much fun!

  • jen December 10, 2010, 7:14 am

    I’m going to a cookie exchange tomorrow, I can’t wait!!! I’m baking 7 dozen buried cherry cookies today 🙂

    Jen

  • Erika @ FoodFitnessFun December 10, 2010, 7:21 am

    Every year my family has an impromtu cookie swap with my aunt, but I like the idea of a party! PS – Those Salted-Choco Caramel Cookies look to die for! 🙂

  • middleagedrunner December 10, 2010, 7:26 am

    holy cow! Those cookies look amazing!
    Cookie monster being reborn as veggie monster would be fully absurd in my opinion. Fingers crossed that that never comes to pass!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 10, 2010, 7:29 am

    I LOVE cookie swaps! Thank you for sharing this one! It brought back so many good memories!

  • Katie Carso December 10, 2010, 7:35 am

    wow I wish I had a cookie exchange to go to! All those cookies looks so yummy!!!

  • Emily December 10, 2010, 7:48 am

    That looks like so much fun:) I’ve never been to an exchange, but my grandmother lives in our house so she, my mom, my aunt and I do our own bake and exchange between our three kitchens…I love Christmas cookies!!

  • Tiffany @ Conor & Bella December 10, 2010, 8:18 am

    Cookie swaps look like a lot of fun! Sooo many cookies.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 10, 2010, 8:32 am

    Ahh, I think I need to organize one of these with my group of friends! Such a good idea! 😀

  • Paige @Running Around Normal December 10, 2010, 8:38 am

    How fun!! I’ve never been to a cookie swap, but the idea of it sounds fantastic!

  • ashley nicole December 10, 2010, 8:44 am

    this looks like such a blast!!!

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing December 10, 2010, 8:46 am

    I saw those Salted Caramal Chocolates when she posted them and they look even more delicious here! Love love love cookie swaps.

  • Ali December 10, 2010, 9:07 am

    This looks like so much fun!! I’ve never been to a cookie swap but know I’d love it. (Mostly because of my sweet tooth) 😉

  • Sarah @ EatRunGarden December 10, 2010, 9:07 am

    I love this idea. All the cookies look so good, but really how can you go wrong with cookies.

  • Gillian December 10, 2010, 9:23 am

    Haha – I got to work this morning and read this post to see that you are wearing the same dress that I have on at work today! H&M??!!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:31 am

      from H&M?

      • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:35 am

        haha yes!

  • Keri December 10, 2010, 9:24 am

    So.many.cookies! Now THAT’S a party 😀

  • Helen December 10, 2010, 9:52 am

    You made out like a bandit!

  • LindsayH December 10, 2010, 11:02 am

    Be sure to keep any peppermint-flavored stuff in a separate container, or else everything will taste like peppermint! Same with ginger.

  • Jessica December 10, 2010, 11:47 am

    How fun! They sure look tasty! I wanted to let you know that I just finished Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi and it made me think of you and Operation Beautiful. I’m so glad you started it! Negative self-talk and poor body image are too prevalent. It’s so important for girls and women to have positive influences in their lives! So, thank you!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 12:23 pm

      I read an segment of that book and it was great.

      Thank you so much 🙂

  • Heather December 10, 2010, 12:07 pm

    looks like so much fun! so many cookies!! It is making me hungry. What a great way to have a fun Christmas party!

  • Amber K December 10, 2010, 12:14 pm

    I’m going to my first exchange in a week and a half. A completely gluten-free cookie exchange! It’s very small, since I don’t know many gluten-free people, but should be fun!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 12:23 pm

      What a fun idea 🙂 I’m sure you will have a blast!

      • Amber K December 10, 2010, 1:40 pm

        I hope so! Oh and by the way, I just made your cheeseless pasta bake and posted a blog about it. Yum!

  • Lisa December 10, 2010, 12:50 pm

    This looks like a very dangerous place for me to be! I’d eat one of everything!!!!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 10, 2010, 1:05 pm

    That is the best idea EVER! 🙂

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous December 10, 2010, 1:57 pm

    Ok, so I know this is a weird thing to say, but I seriously love your life. This looks like a great time and I love that the spread looked so tasty, but healthy too! I guess you gotta balance out the cookies 🙂

  • Kaitlin With Honey December 10, 2010, 2:49 pm

    Oh my gosh,those Salted Choco-Caramel cookies look insanely good!

  • Lindsey December 10, 2010, 2:51 pm

    The cookies all look amazing! Yum! You might already know this, but it will help the cookies keep their own flavor if you seperate them into ziplocs or tupperware. If not, everything will end up tasting the same after a day or two.

    Good luck with GOTR!! I’ve looked into volunteering here in Dallas after reading all of your posts.

  • Halley(Blunder Construction) December 10, 2010, 3:42 pm

    What a delicious spread! I think the candy canes look sweet, but I would go for the chocolate bars 🙂 I loveee holiday cookie-fests!

  • Lulu Goff December 10, 2010, 6:00 pm

    I can tell you how many memories of Christmas @ Mom’s in Santiago, Chile , she always made the most delisiosos cookies ever, until today i feel like Christmas and cookies just go so well toguether and some tea or hot coco..

  • Lacey @ Lake Life December 11, 2010, 8:50 am

    My family has a cookie exchange every year (ours is today and I made Cornmeal Jalapeno Jelly Thumbprints http://keukalace.blogspot.com/2010/12/pepper-jelly-cornmeal-cups.html). We do option #4 but there’s never wine served and the spread is never that nice! 🙁

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 11, 2010, 11:10 am

    Veggie Monster!!!?? Way to ruin all the kids fun hey!

  • Lindsay December 11, 2010, 4:10 pm

    I had sooo much fun! You’re cookies were yummy – Thomas loved the ones that I brought home. After scrolling through the comments, I’m glad to see a few links suggesting that Veggie Monster is only a rumor. I hate twitter for lying to me 😉

    Linds

  • Ffion December 14, 2010, 8:06 pm

    I now have the biggest craving for some cookies!

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point