10 Ideas for Hosting the Best Cookie Exchange Party Ever

Nothing brings people together like food — and who can say no to a party all about baked goods? Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange party as part of your holiday festivities or hosting a cookie-centric celebration for a birthday or fundraiser, this guide will help you plan the perfect event. Get ready to host the ultimate cookie exchange with these top tips (and delightful invitations) that are sure to excite your guests.

What’s a Cookie Exchange?

A cookie exchange is a party where each guest brings their own cookie creation. From snickerdoodles to classic chocolate chip cookies and beyond, the focus is on getting everyone to sample a bunch of yummy creations. Plus, you get to share your favorite recipes — perhaps some that have been handed down through generations. 

Cookie exchanges are popular holiday party ideas and often have a Christmas-inspired flair. But that doesn’t mean you can’t host a cookie exchange year round. Cookie swaps are perfect for fundraisers and casual gatherings with loved ones. Some cookie exchanges also double as cookie decorating parties. Guests bake simple cookies like sugar cookies and the host supplies decorations like frosting and sprinkles.

5 Cookie Exchange Party Tips for Easy Planning

Want to throw a cookie exchange party, but not sure where to start? Here we’ll show you a step-by-step guide to pulling off the perfect sweet and savory event. From making a guest list to picking out cookie recipes, this guide will make sure you don’t miss a thing.

1. Create Your Guest List

As with most celebrations, party planning starts with drafting a guest list. Most cookie exchanges are small, with anywhere from 8 to 15 guests. Naturally, you can plan a cookie exchange for larger groups, but keep in mind it’ll take more planning and coordination.

Consider who you want to invite to the event. While some people may love baking and jump at the chance to whip up their favorite cookie creations, others may not. To ensure everyone’s comfortable, you can offer the option of buying cookies to share as part of the exchange.

2. Send Your Invitations

About one month before your cookie exchange party date is a good time to send out your invitations. Around the holiday season, you may want to send them even earlier since schedules tend to get booked quickly during that time of year. 

Your invitation should include the following:

• Basic party information: The date, time, and location of the cookie exchange
• How many cookies people should bring: One to three dozen is the standard for this type of party
• Any rules for the cookies: Do they have to meet a certain theme (like Christmas cookies)? Should they include a main ingredient (such as candy canes)? Do they have to be homemade cookies? Are there allergens people should avoid?
• Other party planning tips: Will you provide platters, cookie boxes, and cookie tins or should they bring their own?
• RSVP Information: Ask guests to let you know what type of cookies they’re bringing when they RSVP so you can avoid having duplicates. If multiple people RSVP with the same cookie type, you can send them a quick message via your digital invitations to request they switch to a different cookie.

Greenvelope makes it easy to send out entertaining invitations. Choose from hundreds of designs curated just for you by artists from around the world. You can personalize each invitation by changing the color palette, typography, and adding elements like music and personalized stamps.

3. Choose Cookie Recipes and Other Food Items

When planning a cookie swap party, you can choose to share cookie recipes with guests for inspiration — or you may want to browse recipes for your own contribution.

For holiday cookie exchanges consider some of the following popular Christmas cookie recipes: 

• Linzer Christmas cookies
• Sugar cookies
• Gingerbread cookies
• Shortbread cookies
• Peppermint thumbprint cookies
• Pfeffernusse (snowball Christmas cookies)

For a cookie exchange at other times of the year, consider these kinds of cookies:

• Peanut butter cookies
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Cranberry pecan cookies
• White chocolate macadamia cookies

While cookies are the main event, you’ll have a much more well-rounded celebration if you offer a few other savory items to snack on. You can’t go wrong with appetizers and finger foods like cheese and charcuterie boards, crudite and dips, and fresh fruit. You can also serve refreshments like hot chocolate for a winter event or lemonade and flavored sparkling water for a summer cookie exchange.

4. Set Up the Decor

Balloons and streamers are an easy way to dress up any party. For a cookie exchange, you’ll also want to set up a cookie display table where guests can put their creations. Use cake stands or boxes covered with fabric to create multiple levels for the cookies. 

It’s also fun to create on-theme labels for the cookies. For instance, if you’re having a holiday cookie party, you can use snowflakes and snowmen to adorn the labels for a festive touch.

5. Arrange Entertainment

Mom always told us not to play with our food, but we’ll make an exception at a cookie exchange party. Add to the entertainment by playing cookie-themed games. You can blindfold guests and have them taste test cookies and guess the ingredients. You can also have the cookies displayed anonymously and ask attendees to guess who brought what.

Chances are you’re not going to have live music at your get-together, so simply make a playlist to coordinate with your theme. For a holiday party, play classic Christmas tunes. For another cookie exchange party, consider coffee shop playlists or French tunes for a little Parisian glamour.

5 Delectable Cookie Exchange Party Invitations

When it’s time to send out invites, look no further than Greenvelope. Here, you’ll find plenty of designs, including cookie-themed options. Take a look at some of our favorite cookie exchange party invitations that you can customize in a matter of minutes.

1. Holiday Cookie Swap Invitation

Design: Paper Raven Co.

Invite guests to bake cookies and share their special creations with this charming digital invite. Featuring four holiday-themed cookies, it’s the perfect way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year.

2. Festive and Geometric Invitation

Design: Erika Firm

Invite guests to a cookie-themed event with this modern invitation. Choose a holiday color palette for a Christmas cookie exchange or opt for a different color scheme for a birthday party celebration or other theme.

3. Cookie Swap Plate Invitation

Design: Annie Holmquist

Ring in the Christmas season with this holiday-inspired cookie invite. Featuring a large cookie plate and sweet treats with sprinkles and chocolate, it’s the perfect way to ask guests to share their secret cookie recipes.

4. Festive Cookies Invitation

Design: Lisa Travis

Ask guests to bust out the cookie dough and their best cookie exchange recipes with this fun and festive invite. The hand-illustrated cookies are so realistic you can almost taste them! Make this event part of your holiday traditions and guests will be anxiously awaiting your invite each year.

5. Fall Bake Swap Invitation

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

Cookie exchanges are an easy last-minute idea year round. Plan a seasonal cookie exchange with this fall-inspired invitation. Ask guests to bring along their best fall-themed cookies with ingredients like maple syrup, pumpkin, and apples.

Plan the Perfect Party With Greenvelope

Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange for your holiday party or another event, this guide will help you pull it off without a hitch. When you’re ready to send out evites, turn to Greenvelope where you’ll find customizable designs to suit your soiree.

Need more party planning tips? Continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find tips for all types of celebrations — from holiday fetes to birthdays and more.