Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Folgers Perfect Measures. All opinions, delicious coffee, sweet cookies, girl gossip, and FUN was 100% all my own. #FolgersInIndy
5 Tips to Hosting the Perfect Coffee and Cookie Swap
Do you find that with each busy Christmas season, it just gets harder and harder to spend time with your friends and family? I sure do! There’s an annual tradition that I have with my sister, nieces, and some of our cousins. We spend the evening out shopping and then eating an entire boat load of food at some yummy restaurant. It’s our thing, it’s just what we do every. single. year. I wanted to start another fun tradition this year – so we had our first annual Christmas Coffee and Cookie Swap party!
We had entirely too much fun. It was such a great time and it turned out so well, that I wanted to share my tips on hosting the perfect coffee and cookie swap party!
1. Keep Invitations Super Simple
Create a list of people you want to invite…whether it’s for the girls at work, your sisters, friends, extended family, or your church group. Just whatever you do, make sure that you invite someone that has a super cute baby! Cute babies are a MUST HAVE at any coffee party and cookie swap! Create your own invitations, buy some online, or even search for free printables for cookie exchanges on Pinterest…you’ll find lots of great ideas. OR you can keep it as simple as I did – and create a group message on Facebook to invite everyone.
2. Simple Party Foods
Serving something simple to eat is a good idea. Yes, people are there for the coffee and cookies – but depending on the time of day you’re having your party…people may be hungry. Our party was in the evening, so I made a large pot of broccoli cheddar soup and served it with french bread. Chili would be a fun option too, or finger sandwiches and party appetizers. No worries about dessert since there will be a large variety of cookies making their appearance at your party!
3. Perfect Cuppa Coffee Bar
Nothing goes better with a cookie, than coffee! Have your coffee bar prepared by the time everyone is ready to devour the cookies. I used Folgers Perfect Measures coffee varieties for people to choose from and we made a couple of different pots. Everyone made their own perfect cup of coffee. Folgers Perfect Measures are little round tabs that makes making your coffee a breeze. No more scooping and measuring…just drop in a few tabs to make your favorite pot!
You can find the Folgers Perfect Measures in select cities, including Indianapolis and surrounding areas. Check for them at your local Kroger, Kmart, or Marsh! Make sure to grab this $1.50 off Folgers Perfect Measures coupon before you head to the store!!
For extra fun, I had prizes for those that made the best tasting coffee! Their prizes were containers of the new Folgers Perfect Measures coffee!!
4. Winner Winner, Cookie Dinner
A good idea is to place rows of each cookie on a large tray and then give each persons cookie a number. After everyone has sampled the cookies, have each guest anonymously “vote” for their favorite cookie by writing down the cookie number on a piece of paper and placing in a bowl or container. Whoever has the most votes is the Cookie Swap Winner!! Use something fun, like a cookie platter as a prize. TeAnna was the winner at our coffee and cookie swap with her chocolate covered peanut butter filled cookies. NOM!! Third cookie, over from the left in the photo.
(Cassie and Della were going in after the same cookie)
Cassie and Mikki are super duperly posing for this “heartwarming” cookie exchange moment. It was so funny, I had to share it. Don’t let this photo fool you….these two are a RIOT!
5. Swap Cookies…and Don’t Forget the Selfie
After the party is over, let everyone take extra cookies home. I had some extra cookie platters left over that everyone could take their swapped cookies home on. Sooo….Many….Cookies! Another great idea is to ask your guests to have their own cookie recipes handy in case other guests want to swap recipes. Ohh, and before everyone goes home…make sure to take that RIDICULOUS group selfie, or “ussie” whatever you wanna call it! Such a fun way to capture the memory!
Finally, our ridiculously fun group photo! At this point, we had consumed so much coffee and so many cookies.
Have you ever been to a Coffee and Cookie Swap Party?
the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!