How to Host A Christmas Cookie Swap.

A festive, cozy, and deliciously fun holiday tradition! There’s something magical about gathering friends around a table filled with homemade cookies. A cookie swap brings everyone together for a night of celebration, delicious cookies, and easy entertaining. Below you’ll find simple tips, cookie recipes, and a no-stress dinner menu so you can host the ultimate holiday cookie swap this season.

When it comes to Christmas, I think we all know… this is my time. It’s not just Christmas Day for me — it’s the entire month of December. It’s the season! I truly believe every day is worth celebrating and that we can bring a little holiday magic to everyone around us.

I really do believe it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

This season, I asked the people around me what they love most about the holidays. My cousin Maggie had the best answer! She told me that one of her favorite nights of the year is the annual cookie swap she and a few girlfriends do every December. She hosted last year, and this year her friend is hosting.

When she walked me through the details, it sounded like such a simple, fun, cozy night. I knew I wanted to recreate the party myself and share the idea!

Bringing this to life was so much fun — and surprisingly easy to pull together. I put together one of my favorite holiday dinner menus, picked a few go-to cookie recipes, set the invite list, and the party came together instantly.

Sharing everything I did below! I hope this helps you plan your own cookie swap this year!

1. Set the Mood

Create a cozy, warm, and festive night

• light candles, turn the fire on, or use soft twinkle lights
• put on your favorite holiday playlist.
• set the table with a mix of simple dinner plates and holiday plates
• use cookies as your centerpiece

2. Invite Guests to Bring One Cookie Recipe

Ask for:

• one or two dozen cookies per guest

• tell guests if they’d like to share the recipe to either print it out or email it. Make it easy for everyone. If they use store-bought cookies, that works too!

3. Create a Pretty Cookie Display

Use:

• Cake stands
• Trays (1, 2, 3) and boards
• Small bowls or plates for candies and sprinkles
• blank labels or festive cards so guests can write which cookie is theirs

Fun Idea: Holiday Card Notes

Set out a stack of pretty holiday cards and invite each guest to write a short, heartfelt note for everyone at the table. It’s like a tiny love-letter circle — thoughtful, festive, and filled with Christmas cheer.

Have guests tuck their cards into the take-home cookie boxes, and tell everyone to read them once they’re home. It’s the sweetest surprise and adds a little burst of holiday magic to end the night!

holiday cards

4. The Dinner Menu

Winter Pomegranate Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts

Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath

Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Peppermint Espresso Martini

Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath

Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Peppermint Espresso Martini – sharing this recipe soon! 

5. The Cookies

Chocolate Pretzels

Frosted Gingersnaps

Chocolate Pretzel Toffee

Holly Jolly Santa Cookies

Christmas Monster Cookies

Soft Gingerbread Latte Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

Salted Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Truffles

Salted Caramel Pretzel Snickerdoodles

6. Offer Take-Home Packaging

Set out:

• pastry boxes, tins, bags (another option), parchment, or wax paper sheets (options 1, 2, and 3)
• festive ribbon
• name tags

Guests can build their own cookie boxes to take home

6. Offer a fun Take Home Gift

Recreated my Christmas Cookie Decorating Kit as a fun take-home gift for the girls! This might be the cutest little party favor, and it’s honestly so simple to put together. And I definitely don’t expect you all to be gifting stand mixers! The idea is that you can create the Decorating Kit itself — it’s easy to assemble, festive, and everyone loves it.

Final Tips for a Fun and Festive Night

• Prep your cookie(s) the day before
• Set the table + packaging station early
• Make the dinner menu simple and comforting
• Have fun—this is meant to feel easy and joyful!

Everyone made this special holiday evening come to life!

Photography by Johnny Miller

Props by Sarah Smart

Creative Producer/Styling by Jess Damuck

Wardrobe by Caitlin Harvey