Hosting A Cookie Swap

Congrats to Cheryl from The Lucky Ladybug & Marcie for winning the prize packs from Rubbermaid & Wilton!

I’m hosting another party and this time it is a cookie swap!  I am having 8 ladies over to swap cookies for the holidays.  We are each baking a dozen cookies for each participant plus an extra dozen for tasting.  The party is tomorrow and I’ve been busy all week doing a few things each night after Judah goes to bed.  I wanted to share what I’ve been up to so if you want to host a cookie swap (or other party) you might get some inspiration! It is ALL about the details, so plan, plan, plan!

First, I picked a theme -winter wonderland.  I’ve decided to do everything in navy blue and white.  Then, I surveyed what I already had that I can use.  I had navy cloth napkins, a long white table cloth, a navy blue topper for the table, and lots of white serving dishes, and white cocktail plates.

Then, I decided how we would swap, package, and take home our cookies at the party.  We discussed having everyone package the cookies at home, but decided we wanted the packaging to be the focus and the fun of the party.  So, I decided to provide all the packaging and just told guests to bring their cookies on a big platter.  The table above is the wrapping station.  It has all the packaging I have for my guests.

First up, I have lots of cute Wilton cookie boxes.  There are so many to choose from and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  The ones I have will hold about a dozen cookies each.  Each package came with about 3 identical boxes along with printable gift tags and stickers for closure.   I also have super cute gingerbread man parchment paper for using inside the gift boxes. These gift boxes are adorable and are perfect for my guests to package at the party and then give to their friends, family, or coworkers!

Of course for every store bought item I have a handmade one! So, my next set of packaging materials are Rubbermaid Take A Longs (these are super cheap and available almost everywhere).  I decorated them with a silver Sharpie paint marker with lots of different snowflake designs to match my Winter Wonderland theme.  I got ideas for designs by googling images for snowflake clipart.   I think they turned out super cute!  I worked on them while I watched T.V. with my husband at night.  Again, my guests can package some of their cookies at the party this way, and they are perfect for gift giving later!

And finally, I needed a way for my guests to take home the rest of their cookies, so I opted for large bakery boxes. I bought them at a local cake supply store for about $0.65 each.  Then, I decorated them with Kraft paper, navy blue and silver ribbons, and a snowflake punch-out.

After I had all the packaging squared away, I decided what food I would make for the party.  We will be having appetizers (chicken salad sandwiches, chips and dip, veggies and dip, Melted Brie with sesame sticks, and homemade mini quiches).  I checked my cabinets for serving dishes and laid them out on the table to make sure I had something to serve each item on.  We’ll also be serving hot tea and hot chocolate with homemade snowflake marshmallows.   The marshmallows will last a week, covered, so I made them earlier in the week.

The only thing left to do was purchase the few items I didn’t have.  Before buying though, I borrowed!  I borrowed the cute snowman table cloth for my wrapping station from my mom.  I borrowed tea cups from my sister in law (who is co-hosting this party).  Then, I purchased silk  flowers for my vase, cookie cutters ($1 a piece) for prizes (we’re giving awards – also homemade – for best tasting, most gorgeous, and most original) and ribbon to tie around the cloth napkins and silver ware.  I also purchase the snowflake hole punch.  I used it for the decoration on top of the bakery boxes, and I punched a bunch of them to place on the food table. So, as you can see, I didn’t have to spend a bunch to throw a terrific party, I just had to do some good planning and a little pre-work each night (this way I am not totally exhausted when it is party time!).

Stay tuned!  I’ll be sharing party photos next week!  I can’t wait to show you what the cookie table will look like and some of the other details!  I will also be sharing a few fabulous recipes, including the very fancy, but not too hard marshmallows!

Want to throw your own Cookie Swap?  It isn’t too late!  Baking is fun all winter long!  And I’ve got just the thing to get you jump started!  I’ve got not one, but TWO give aways for you!

First, Wilton provided me with all the cute items you see in the top picture and one of you will be getting the very same package!  It includes the cute packaging plus some cookie decorating items!  You’ll be all set and well on your way to a fabulous party.  (Or keep them all for yourself and put your little helpers to work packaging homemade baked goods for giving this season!).

Second, another reader will win a fabulous package from Rubbermaid & Sharpie (what woman doesn’t LOVE those two brands!?!).  You’ll receive a box of Take Alongs plus a ton of fabulous Sharpie markers in all shapes and colors to decorate them with!  Have fun… I did!  (And, if you have kids that this is age appropriate for, you can let them help decorate!  That would make a fabulous teacher gift!).

Are you Excited Yet?
Ok, here’s what you need to do to enter:

Each counts as one entry – please leave a separate comment for each one.

• Leave a comment about what you’re theme would be if you were hosting a Cookie Swap (need some ideas, visit Wilton.com for inspiration!)
• Follow @Wilton Cakes, @Rubbermaid, @Centsible Sawyer & tweet this give away!  Need help?  Tweet this:  Enter to win 1 of 2 prize packs from @Rubbermaid or @WiltonCakes from @CentsibleSawyer here: http://tinyurl.com/27x2awm
• “Like” Wilton on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/wilton.cake.decorating
• “Like” Rubbermaid on Facebook here:  http://www.facebook.com/RUBBERMAID
• Subscribe to my feed – so you don’t miss out on anything – and so you’ll hear the announcement when winner’s are chosen!

This give away will end Friday, December 17th at 11:59 pm EST.  The winners must live in the United States.  Winners will be chosen at random using random.org.

This is a sponsored post.  I was given product from Rubbermaid to review in exchange for this post as well as product from Wilton in exchange for this post.  This post is also part of Walmart’s How to Plan a Party series from the Walmart Moms!  Participation was voluntary.  Be sure to check out all the other girl’s blogs to get more ideas on how to host a party and for other party ideas!  I’ll be posting another post in this series when I follow up next week!  The opinions here are my own, they always are.  I’m a honest gal!