TruBrit

OK this year I just might go along......anyone been to one, what goes on

This years invitation is on Dec 9 and I've to bring FOUR dozen homemade cookies.....still that's better than last years when it was six dozen ffs

So what goes on besides exchanging cookies and to be honest cookies are something I can live without unless they are white chocolate and then the only ones I'm partial to are Millie's Cookies.

Guess my main concern is I really don't fancy tasting cookies or food from homes where I don't know how clean their kitchen is.....and my goodness why four dozen....I know a few neighbours are going and if they each take along four dozen cookies then there's a whole lot of scoffing going to take place between 2 and 5PM, surely we don't come away with doggie bags

BTW for those of you that have been is there generally any alcohol at these do's?

We are to bring the cookies with recipes arranged on a platter or basket and there's a prize for the best....

Jerseygirl

Sorry I've never heard of a 'cookie exchange' before. I'm with you...I don't like eating home baked goods if I don't know where they're from.

When my daughter was about 13 her school had a cookie bake sale. OMG...who knew it would turn out to be a 'cookie presentation competition'. The cookies were displayed on fancy presentation plates, baskets or tins with lots of coloured tissue paper. One girl wrapped 2 cookies in pale blue net and tied the top with a blue ribbon. All her cookies were presented this way and placed on a willow pattern platter...it looked very attractive. My daughter took her cookies on a white plastic disposable plate.

Alcohol...during the day...now that's funny. You'll get the reputation of being a lush.

Dan725

I think it sounds alright. I wouldn't be too concerned about eating other peoples home baked stuff - generally, the people who can be arsed to do this kind of event are usually very good cooks. You'd have more chance of eating something unpleasant with massive production operations full of disgruntled staff.

gruffbrown

Is it like a Telephone Exchange, but without the phones?

britvic

Well I cant help but PMSL at your little pickle or big pickle by the sound of it.

AmerLisa

Went to a cookie exchange this past Friday.....made 3 dozen pumpkin spiced cookies. I threatened to go to the store and buy some Oreos, but ended up baking.

SecretGarden

Hi there,
I'll jump in as a Yank....

Typically a cookie exchange is just that. You go and bring your cookies and come out of there with the same number of plates that you brought, but they came from someone else who attended the exchange.

Personally I have never understood the point of this (I guess it's the Christmas Spirit, holiday party feel, being social with your neighbors, etc.) but I am not a cookie lover and don't make them myself so I've politely turned down most of these invitations over the years. Part of the idea, I guess, is that you come home with cookie platters that you could then give to others on your gift list, but if you already baked four dozen to bring to the party, so why couldn't you just give 'em your own???

IF I was having one there damn sure would be alcohol, even in the middle of the day. I'd be willing to bet there won't be at yours though....so take a swig of something before you head out the door.


I think it's stupid.
~SecretGarden

Irn-bru

You should start your own British tradition of hosting them but they should bring along some beer/alcohol with it. Then see what alcohol goes best with what cookie (at least it would make the cookies palatable!)
And if it doesn't work out you wouldn't be invited back a win win situation

nethead

You could always try swapping your cookies for a few bottles of wine

Can't think why thery don't just exchange recipes myself...

anabella

Sounds like a cookie show off party..

nai_in_av

Is there any way you could modify your cookie recipe to include something alcoholic? or if you were not bothered about being invited again include something like marmite in the recipe and tell everyone its a traditional UK recipe and that the queen eats them that way. Then spend the afternoon laughing at people trying to be polite as they taste your cookies........

SecretGarden

Good idea about the wine!
but see my post.........you're supposed to end up taking home cookies that you didn't bake, 1. just for the fun of it or 2. to give to other people (co-workers, aquaintances, your mailman) as christmas gifts

As I said, I think it's stupid. And I don't like cookies.
~SG

SecretGarden

Rum balls!
~SG

Jerseygirl

Last year my husband took mince pies into the office for his staff....they loved them.

britvic

Did you make them