It’s the most wonderful time of the year: shopping, parties, decorating, wrapping, traveling, baking…in other words—it’s also thebusiest time of the year. There’s truly nothing better than the joyful spirit surrounding the holidays, but let’s face it, decking the halls and rocking the night away can leave us rather…exhausted. So why not check off that to-do list twice by hosting a cookie swap party? Not only do you get to enjoy time with your closest friends and family, but you also leave with enough baked goodies to last you through the holiday festivities. Here’s our step-by-step guide to throwing your very own cookie swap bash!

Choose your swappin’ buddies

Depending on the size of your hosting space, a manageable guest list falls somewhere between 6-8 party goers. Aim to send out your invitations several weeks prior so guests are well-prepared. Asking your friends to whip up six dozen cookies is not something we recommend doing last-minute!

Who doesn’t love a good chocolate/cherry combo? If you’re looking to spice up your classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, then these chewy delights are the answer. The heroes in this creation: dried cherries & LorAnn Cherry Bakery Emulsion.

The holiday season calls for crushed velvet slacks and these red velvet snacks. Smothered in a cream cheese frosting blanket, these red velvet bars are a guaranteed hit! What makes these treats oh-so-delicious? Lots of butter and a dash of LorAnn Red Velvet Bakery Emulsion.

What to say when the cookie swap party leaves your waistband feeling tighter than usual? Eggnogrance is bliss. So, indulge in these festive eggnog snickerdoodles! LorAnn Super-Strength Eggnog Flavor gives these cookies that creamy-nutmeg-beverage essence we crave during the holidays.

You could freshen up with a piece of gum, or chew on these mint chocolate blossom cookies instead (we prefer the latter!) Packed with cocoa powder, LorAnn Peppermint Oil, and kissed with a chocolate candy on top, these cookies really pack a delicious, chocolatey punch.

Maybe baking isn’t your forte, that’s okay! Luckily, these walnut bourbon balls featuring LorAnn Super-Strength Bourbon flavor are a no-bake and fool-proof solution. Simply combine the ingredients, roll together, throw them in powdered sugar and voilà, you have a (non-alcoholic) Kentucky flavored cookie that will leave guests in awe of your “baking” skills.

The day of your party, you’ll want to put the finishing touches on decorations, lay out all of your appetizers and drinks, and throw on a festive playlist to set the mood. Once guests have settled in and had a few bites to eat, spark up some activities for guests to interact with each other. Throw in a little competition by handing out ballots and asking guests to vote on their favorites.

Hosting a cookie party is the best way to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays, eat some good food and enjoy time with even better company. So, do a little planning, get creative, but most importantly, have fun!