Julia M. Usher - Cookie swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year

Ive had a long love affair with cookie swaps. From what my mother tells me, my infatuation began in 1965. I was a young child, and the scene was my fathers company Christmas party on a snowy New England eve.

From the very start, the hot pink daisy-shaped spritz cookies called out to me. Their color was captivating, and their formso wondrously regular, so pretty and polishedwas completely uncharacteristic of the gingersnaps and chocolate-nut wafers that Mom always made. Better yet, they were sitting at the edge of the table, well within my reach. Not sure how long the coast would stay clear, I lunged toward the daisies and began a rapid cycling of hand to mouth. A few minutes later, I was in heaven, telltale pink crumbs clinging to my ear-to-ear grin.

Somewhere around my fifth or sixth fistful, my dad approached me with a plastic-wrapped plate of daisies, patted my now rumbling tummy, and told me not to worry. Honey, he assured me, at this party, youre expected to take home what you cant eat here. A great sense of relief came over me as I digested the significance of what he said. Not only did this party boast cookies never before seen in my house, but the trading of them meant I could savor them as long as I wanted without any rush. Amazing cookies. No empty stomachs. Plenty for all to divvy up and enjoy. This party was clearly special in so many ways.

Forty-plus years have since passed, and to this day, the pink daisy-shaped spritz cookie remains one of my cookie-swap favorites. By baking and sharing it with others, I keep the memory of my first cookie swap exactly where I want itclose to my heart. (Youll find the recipe for Pink Spritz Daisy Cookies .)

Over the years, Ive often wondered why the cookie swap has been relegated to Christmastime when it is one of the most gratifying and easy-to-plan parties around. Truthfully now, who can say theyve ever received an invitation to a cookie swap in the summer? And who can give me one good reason why not? Anyone familiar with the party concept knows that the simple act of documenting and sharing prized family recipes sets this celebration apart.

But a cookie swap is more than warm and fuzzy. It is plain smart. As a specialized form of potluck, a cookie swap has all the same traits that make a potluck so effortless to host. Guests share in the baking and cost burden by bringing their favorite recipes. Music, games, and other activities can be minimized since the swapping of cookies is entertainment all by itself. The exchange of treats leads to more variety with less work. And, armed with goody baskets or boxes, your guests are sure to spotlessly clean up. The pluses are seemingly endless.

So why, then, do we reserve most of our entertaining for the holiday season when our calendars are already quite full? Or try to pull out all the stops, all by ourselves, when a cookie swapa far simpler solutionwill delight just as well? One thing is clear: its high time to put the kibosh on this senseless Christmas-only cookie-swap trend.

In the pages that follow, Ive assembled eight themed cookie parties that are designed to do precisely this. With a party for every seasonand occasions as diverse as kids birthdays and bridal showersthis book will show you how the joy of a special cookie swap can transcend the month of December to be shared with loved ones at any time of year.

Although a cookie exchange is inherently easy to pull off, some ingenuity is required to plan one that will be unique and exciting. Hosting a swap in an atypical season such as spring, summer, or fall is a sure way to catch guests attention. And once youve got their interest, its not as difficult as you might think to hold it rapt. All you need is a little time and an eye for detail to push your swap over the top.

Should over the top make you anxious, take a deep breath. I do not mean lavish or expensive. I simply mean that your party should contain some elements of surprisean uncommon recipe or two, or a creative cookie display or design featurethat will dazzle partygoers without breaking the bank or tethering you to the kitchen. Over-the-top swaps are also high on handcraftedand often inexpensivetouches. Perhaps your touch will be an invitation made from old family photos, or a decoupaged box filled with keepsake recipes? Over-the-top touches can come in many forms, but they have one characteristic in common: they always spring from the heart.