A Holiday TRADE-ition
Cookie exchanges: Perhaps you have heard of them; perhaps you grew up in a family that participated in them; perhaps this is an intriguing new term to spark your cookie cravings.
Cookie exchanges are thought to have been a part of holiday traditions since the Middle Ages, though not in their modern form. Though sources disagree on dates, it is believed that as cookies became more intricate, including relatively exotic ingredients like spices and dried fruits, they also became too expensive for everyday consumption and were relegated to holiday/special occasion baking. In simpler times, those baked treats were then gifted to family, friends and neighbors.
As society advanced, so did the ideas (and rules) behind the exchanges. It can be argued that the practice of the holiday cookie swap—where guests exchange different types of cookies to widen the variety of their subsequent giftings—really excelled in the early 20th century and gained traction with the advent of the butter cookie tins and the classic chocolate chip cookie.
While popularity of cookie swaps has waned recently, perhaps in part due to pandemic precautions, it might be time for a resurgence—but with a twist. Here we have gathered some tips for hosting a low- (or zero-) waste cookie exchange in the hopes that this could be the year of the cookie. December 22 is National Cookie Exchange Day, but don’t let that limit your party dates.
PICK YOUR GUESTS. While many cookie party prescriptions suggest up to 12 guests, in the time of COVID six to eight participants is a bit more realistic.
PICK A HOST. Is it you? Or is there someone who has a better space for gathering? A great way to handle gatherings these days is to have one person offer a location, while another offers to do the detail work. Work to each person’s strengths.
PICK A DATE! Plan ahead, as holiday schedules fill up fast. Try to pick a weekday evening, (Monday or Tuesday will give guests time to bake on the weekend before gathering), and keep it short. One to two hours is plenty of time to gather, exchange goodies, and share a drink, an appetizer and a good time. Give about a month’s notice in your invitation. And to make it zero-waste, use evites.
RSVPs. Confirm guests two weeks in advance to give baking numbers to attendees. When confirming guests, find out the types of cookies they plan to bring, any family history or stories and the recipes. This way, you can head off duplicates before they occur and also prepare for a sweet gift for your guests.
GUEST RESPONSIBILITY. Guests should bring one dozen cookies to sample plus another dozen per guest. Each guest should bring tins or jars to collect their received cookies. Cloth napkins also work.
ZERO-WASTE GIFT. Using the information you gathered, make a digital flip book with all the recipes and stories of the cookies, making a special note of allergy information in each treat. Share this at the party or just before. (There are many free flipbook options online.)
TO SERVE. There will be lots of cookies to sample during the party, so it is good to offer some healthy options to balance the sweets. Vegetable crudité or charcuterie platters are a win. For drinks: coffee, mulled cider, herbal teas and, of course, wine are all great options.
- The following cookie recipes are shared with us by Chef Julia San Bartolome, owner of Sweet Arleen’s in Westlake Village and three-time winner of “Cupcake Wars,” who we figured might know a thing or three about sweet treats.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Julia San Bartolome owns Sweet Arleen’s bakery in Westlake Village and is a three-time winner of the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.” She has a passion for all things food related and holds a degree in pastry arts from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. She is now head chef at Oak Grove School in Ojai.
