There’s a simple joy to be had when a group of ladies get together on a warm, but windy spring afternoon to exchange cookies and slice. . .
and sip tea from fine china cups. . .
or perhaps there were bubbles for some.
These are the same ladies who have been gleefully swapping ideas and recipes for weeks . . .
in anticipation of a new venture . . . our first Cookie Exchange.
Of course here in Australia we refer to cookies as biscuits . . . and in a break from the traditional cookie exchange, we also added in the option of slices too.
[Kelly’s peanut butter and almond cookies]
That’s the beauty of organising your own cookie exchange . . . you can decide on your own rules.
We got together over the craft table and made a decision about what we’d like to do for ours.
The rules changed a few times. . . we added, we subtracted. . . and finally we all agreed to an afternoon exchange of cookies (biscuits) and slice.
[Kylie’s Lemon, cranberry and pistachio wreath cookies]
We each brought two batches. . .
One for the swap . . . and one for the afternoon tea.
[Kim’s Jam Drops using her grandma’s recipe]
Can you imagine that table laden with plate after plate of scrumptious yumminess?
I felt like little Willie Wonker at the chocolate factory . . . being tempted by all those sweet and tantalising delights.
And I tried really, REALLY hard not to think of all the calories.
[Jane’s Choc Chip Oreo Cookies]
There was much discussion as we . . .
wandered around the table filling our containers from every plate. . .
and gathering the recipe sheets for each plate of deliciousness.
[Glazed Shortbread Birds]
Afterwards came the most important part. . . we had to taste test everything!!
Remember how hard I was trying not to think about those calories . . . well out of respect for the culinary accomplishments of my gorgeous friends and even the Nigella expectations of another. . . all thoughts of calories and even dinner that night were thrown to the sea breeze that was threatening to blow us away on that warm spring day.
[American Sugar Cookies]
We laughed. . . and ate cookies. . .
we giggled and chortled. . . and ate some more cookies. . .
We got louder . . . then we ate sickly sweet slices. . .
we doubled over with hilarious stories. . . and there may even have been ‘panty tinkles’ as well.
Our first cookie exchange was a huge success and a most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
The bonus of course is the lovely container of sweet treats that will continue to feed my family for many days to come!
I even popped some in the freezer for another day.
I can highly recommend getting together with a group of friends and organising a Christmas Cookie Exchange. This is definitely something our group of friends will do again.
If you’d like more information about how to conduct your own cookie exchange there are heaps of great tutorials on-line. . . or check out these: Simple Mom – how to host a cookie swap and Martha Stewart Cookie Swap
I’ll be sharing my Christmas Cookie Exchange at the link parties this week and with these fabulous friends: French Country Cottage, The Vintage Farmhouse, 36th Avenue, Clean and Scentsible, Live Laugh Rowe, The DIY Dreamer, Transformation Thursday, At The Picket Fence, Nifty Thrifty Sunday.