My Cookie Party!!

4th Annual Cookie Party 

It all started with a love of baking. My friends and I share a common joy of being in the kitchen. Okay, most of us, and a few who are still learning the ropes. {Look how far you've come K!}  It's always a hectic time of year, but if you can't take some time and enjoy it with people who really matter to you, then what is the point?  My good friend Ann lives 2 1/2 hours away, so the weather has always caused an issue with whether or not she can make it. This year, not only did she & her two kids make it, they were able to spend the night with us too!  Joey kept them busy roasting marshmallows in the fire place, playing Playstation 3, and hide-and-go seek in the closets!  

This year I was really able to put some more time & thought into the party because I'm home.  

Some of what I planned included:
Snacks:
Cheeseburger Soup

Olives/cheese tray

Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip

Sun Chips

Pretzels

Portobella Dip (Ann's)

Mimosas & wine

Sparkling water

My Dining Room Decor

 Christmas Dishes from Kohl's

Fun Sparkles/Shine from Target

 Festival of Trees Scentsy

&

I love holiday dishes, but they're kind of silly.

You can't see the pretty decor once the food goes on!

My Party Table:

Tins for guests to take cookies home ($1 store)

Name cards for cookies/who made them

Jar & slips of paper to vote on 'best cookie'

Parting/thank you gifts for guests

Just a simple manegtic list pad, candy cane & silver jingle bell.

Thanks for coming!

Some table shots:

 Tip:
I pulled the chairs away from the table, which allowed people to sit/snack

and yet let others help themselves to nibbly bits & cookies!

Fancy ribbon & recipe paper to match--Stacey!

We've come a long, long way, haven't we ladies?!

 2008-

Everyone made their cookies here.

Worked out fairly well, there weren't too many of us.

The next year, it was a bit too much baking for one kitchen.

Everyone baking caused a bit of a back up in the oven.

 This time, everyone brought their cookies baked, EXCEPT

for my step-mom who made the dough at home.
We roll it, 

cut it out,

bake, 

& frost together.

{This is why I still call it a party} and not just an exchange.

Grace, Alison, Tricia, moi, Aunt Phyllis & Kristin

 And just a few snapshots of yesterday:

Remember when we made these aprons awhile back?

All inspired by Kristin's!

Aunt Phyllis, Kristin, Maria{MIL!} and moi

Holly's a bit-too-small-party dress

{last year it was too big!}

Lauren, Aaron, Jax, Ann

Girl talk!

Stacey, Lauren, Kristin

 Busy bakers!!

I don't have the final "group shot" on my camera, but when I get it, I'll be sure to post it.

It was such a fun time with lots of great cookies!

The 4 winners LOVED their coffee cozies from Etsy: Pink Gasoline

and K won 1st place with a $10 Starbucks gift card.

I think there were about 15 of us total.
It pretty much doubled in size this year!

I made those 7 Layer or Magic Bars.

I had full intention of making gingerbread truffles,

however Sadie decided to jump onto the table and lick the gingerbread as it cooled.

Hence, no balls.
Maybe next year!

Cookies:

• Mexican Wedding Cakes
• Egg-nog filled Snickerdoodle 
• Several different meringues
• 5 Spice Gingersnap
• Meatball
• Nickolinis
• Molasses Crinkles
• Cardamom Butter Sqaures
• Peanut Butter Blossoms
• Sour Cream Sugar Cookie cut-outs

If you'd like any recipe, let me know. 

They were delicious!
Did you attend any cookie exchanges this season?