Too busy to bake a gazillion different types of cookies this Christmas?

Why not try hosting a Christmas cookie exchange? Sure, you'll have to bake a few dozen cookies to trade with the others in your group, but it's alot quicker baking one kind as opposed to 6-7 varieties.

All you have to do is find a group of like-minded bakers that can commit to the task, and presto, on a given date, you'll have a selection of baked goods to impress your guests with over the holiday season!

Try not to make it too complicated for anyone by introducing alot of rules. But, the one big area that should be addressed is the type of baking that is going to be traded.

The best cookie exchanges include a well-rounded selection of items. It must also be agreed upon up front that all of the bakers make the same quality of cookies. (It's not fair if someone bakes Pilsbury Christmas Sugar Cookies and someone else makes elaborate Gingerbread people, y'know?)

To determine the quality of the baking, the time and expense of ingredients should be considered. As long as everyone reveals up front what they are going to bake, then the quality problems can be sorted out before the exchange date.

And when it comes to the date of the actual exchange, plan to have a bit of a party with mulled cider and treats. (Have everyone make an extra batch of cookies for this part of the exchange.)

Once you try a Christmas Cookie Exchange you may want to organize one every year.

Believe me, it's a good feeling to know your freezer is full of great Christmas goodies for the holidays!

Have you tried a Christmas Cookie Exchange? Any advice for the rest of us?

Cheers,

- Lesli

(source: google images)