Best Christmas Cookie Exchange Ideas + Free Printables & Recipes
Ready to host the most fantastic Christmas cookie exchange party ever? We have free printables, tons of fun cookie recipes, party games, voting cards, and invitations for you to send to your guests!
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It’s that time of year where we are all getting into the holiday spirit, which means baking, friends, and FUN! The cookie swap party idea made it onto our list of best Christmas party theme ideas and we decided to add our free printables too!
If you are hosting another holiday party this year, be sure to see our 90+ best Grinchmas party ideas, and snag over 50 free Grinch inspired printables.
For those who are into DIY and making gifts, you have to see our list 100+ Handmade Gifts for everyone on your list! Plus, we have a big collection of DIY ornaments you can make (these are great for ornament exchange parties too!)
Last thing before we get to the all the details on the cookie exchange. Our printable set includes gift tags to attach to your cookies or goodie bags, BUT I also LOVE our 100+ Trendy Christmas Tags that we are using to jazz up all the presents this year!
The Christmas Cookie Party Exchange Printables can be found by scrolling to the bottom of the post 🙂
🎄Don’t Leave Before You Check Out These Seasonal Ideas!🎄
🎄How Does A Holiday Cookie Exchange Work
Ideally you would like to have at least 8-12 people attending so there will be a wide variety of homemade cookies to choose from, without you the host having to bake extra.
You will want each guest to bring enough cookies so they can try each one while they are at the party and have at least one from every batch to take home with them.
For example, if you have 12 people total that are exchanging, each would make 2 dozen cookies of the same recipe.
👯Inviting Guests
Since there is going to be some baking involved be sure to plan ahead of time! This will help for the RSVP count as well if some can’t attend and the host wants to make another batch of cookies.
✏️Detailed Instructions
On our free printable invitations, there’s a place where you can fill in how many dozen they need to bring.
Since these will be close together, remember to think about food allergies and find out from everyone if there’s something that shouldn’t be brought to the party from a safety standpoint. Be sure to write this on the invite, or send out a group message about it.
It’s also a good idea to chat with each other about about the recipes so you can make sure everyone brings different cookies.
👩🍳Recipe Cards
Our cookie exchange printables includes recipe cards! Send these out ahead of time to the guest list to fill out to exchange the recipes too OR have all your of friends send you the recipe to take the work off of them and make copies for everyone.
💚Voting
In our free cookie exchange printables there are also voting cards to make it a friendly competition. In the past I bought a few small prizes for the winners to carry home with them.
You don’t have to have the contest, but it does makes things a little more fun.
Voting categories are for the best tasting, best all around, most festive and most creative.
Decorating the Table
Use cake stands or tiered trays to make a pretty display. This is also a fun way to go up for space if the counter starts to get crowded.
The greenery underneath is a festive way to add some color but still keeping things simple.
There’s no better way to end the Christmas cookie swap than with parting favors. Attach a cookie cutter to your favorite cookie recipes along with a bulb of sprinkles.
Look at this setup! Everyone pre-packed their cookies into different shapes of containers and packaging, which really adds a festive touch.
🎯Cookie Exchange Game Ideas
The entire party doesn’t have to revolve around the cookie exchange, this could just be one activity. Feel free to grab some of our free Christmas games to make the fun last longer!
Christmas Charades/Pictionary
Get the free printable Christmas charades game that includes instructions on 3 different ways you can play and comes with 72 printable cards.
Printable Christmas Scattergories
If you love word games and trivia, you have to snag Christmas Scattergories! It comes with 5 different versions and makes a fun party game.
Free Printable Name That Christmas Carol Game with Answers!
Grab our free name that Christmas carol printable game that will add so much fun to your holiday season and it’s a great way to test your knowledge of Christmas songs!
Fun Christmas Finish the Phrase Game
Finish the phrase is SO much fun to play with friends! Select someone to fill out the paper first, then everyone will write in their answers based on what they think that person wrote down.
Guess the Flavor
Another fun game that is totally specific to the exchange is guessing the cookie. Save a few extras to the side and blind fold everyone as they go through the serving line and taste to see if they can figure out the type of cookie.
🍱Other Food Ideas + Drinks
Since there will be more than enough on the dessert table, I like to serve a few of our favorite savory appetizers that are simple and that can be made ahead of time or in the crockpot.
Crockpot Little Smokies
All you need are the sausages, grape jelly, and BBQ sauce. Stir together, and put that baby on go! Seriously the easiest and everyone LOVES them! You can also do the same thing with frozen meatballs or hotdogs.
3-Ingredient Cream Cheese Rotel Dip
We literally make this EVERY single holiday and occasion, plus on game days. It’s ready in about 20 minutes and after you brown the sausage you can transfer to the crockpot to stay warm.
Christmas Charcuterie
Mix and match fruits, cheese, veggies, and meats to make a festive charcuterie board that is perfect for snacking!
Merry Mimosa Bar
As for drinks, create a DIY mimosa bar using different winter faves like cranberry and grapefruit.
Coffee and Hot Cocoa Bar
This is the perfect idea if you have a Keurig and get the different types of pods so guests can choose what they would like.
Gingerbread Martini
For something a little more fancier looking, try these beautiful Gingerbread Martinis.
🏠Packaging the Cookies For Take Home
Now that guests are leaving with all of these yummy cookies, there are going to need something to put them in! Depending how you are hosting the party, some may have prepackaged them before they came versus serving individual cookies at the party, which is fine too.
You can also have them take their cookies on on the trays they initially brought with them to the party. Here are some cookie boxes you may like.
🍪Best Cookie Exchange Recipes
I know you may have your classic favorites when it comes to homemade treats, but you may want to check out these new recipes. They are perfect cookie exchange ideas and I don’t know about you, but during the Christmas season I find it a lot of fun to test out new baked goods.
Pecan Sugar Cookies
You’re going to love these pecan sugar cookies for your Christmas cookie exchange party! The brown sugar blends perfectly with molasses, maple syrup, cinnamon, and more, creating a rich and delicious flavor in every bite. If you’re searching for melt-in-your-mouth cookies to share this holiday season or simply adore sugar cookies with a nutty twist, this recipe is sure to be a hit. You won’t regret bringing these to the party!
Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies
These chewy chocolate peppermint cookies place candy cane kisses on top of a fudgy chocolate brownie cookie base to create the ultimate Christmas cookie recipe.
Chocolate Cherry Crinkle Cookies Recipe
This cherry chocolate crinkle cookies recipe is perfect for anyone who loves the combination of cherry and chocolate! Plus, these adorable red and white cookies are super chewy and festive for your holiday exchange!
Easy Cake Mix Sugar Cookies Recipe
Easy Cake Mix Sugar Cookies Recipe uses 3 simple ingredients to create the perfect holiday sugar cookie. These make a great base for adding other things to them like sprinkles, icing or candy. Your kids or santa will love these!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe
This Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe are rich and fudgy and perfect for your holiday cookie tray. Chocolate cake mix is mixed with a few simple ingredients and topped with powdered sugar to create a decadent treat.
Chai Spiced Snickerdoodles
Everything you love about this classic cookie, but taken up a notch with warming chai spices! It’s the cookie for the chai lover!
Chocolate Marble Cookies
These chocolate marble cookies combine rich cocoa and vanilla swirls in every soft, buttery bite, creating a treat that’s as stunning as it is delicious!
Soft Baled Snickerdoodle Cookies
Soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookies that can be made without cream of tartar yet still taste amazing!
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
These Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies have a beautiful chocolate flavor, are packed with gooey marshmallows and have a slight kick of heat. The perfect holiday treat!
Lemon Raspberry Cookies
These Raspberry Lemon Cookies are delightfully soft, fluffy, and packed with the vibrant flavors of fresh raspberries and zesty lemon. They’re buttery, easy to whip up in no time, and a hit with everyone who tries them!
Irresistible Butter Toffee Cookies
These yummy easy to make chewy butter toffee cookies are made with heath bar pieces to elevate the flavor!
Salted Caramel Cookies
These salted caramel cookies are chewy, soft, rich with browned butter, and dripping with golden caramel. Flaky sea salt (or kosher salt) gives it that extra flavor boost, creating an extraordinary cookie!
Lofthouse Cookies
Made with a secret ingredient, these Lofthouse cookies are extra fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and topped with a sweet buttercream frosting for a truly decadent soft sugar cookie dessert. Whip them up for birthdays, holiday parties, and more!
Chocolate Stuffed Cookies
What’s better than a stuffed cookie? These Brown Butter Chocolate Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies! They are chewy, decadent, with a gooey center that is filled with Chocolate Hazelnut spread. These cookies are made with brown butter, chopped hazelnuts, chopped chocolate, and a healthy amount of chocolate hazelnut spread. They’re the ultimate gourmet cookie, and they’ll please just about any crowd!
Biscoff Stuffed Cookies
These Brown Butter Biscoff Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are chewy, decadent, and filled with Biscoff Cookie Butter. The brown butter adds notes of nutty and caramel-like flavors, and the Biscoff Cookie Butter enhances those warm flavors. They’re every Biscoff lover’s dream cookie!
Coffee Cookies
Coffee Cookies are the perfect snack for an afternoon break, or anytime! They combine the delicious flavors of coffee and chocolate into one decadent treat!
Blueberry Lemon Cookies
Blueberry Lemon Cookies, a cross between muffins and cookies, are light and fluffy and combine the delicious flavors of blueberries and lemons!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Fall in love with the taste of autumn with these delightful pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. A fun and festive activity for kids of all ages, these cookies are a must-have for Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations.
Creme Brulee Cookies
Creme Brulee Cookies are a delightful holiday treat. Indulge in a new twist this season with these simple drop Christmas cookies!
Chocolate Turtle Cookies
Turtle cookies are based off the treat made with a super chocolatey dough packed full of more chocolate, pecans and gooey puddles of caramel.
Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies
What is it about grandmas that make them all such great bakers? I don’t know, but what I do know is that my grandmother, Ethel Eynard, made the best thin and crispy oatmeal raisin cookies I ever had.
Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Ginger molasses crinkle cookies are soft, chewy, and extra moist. We packed them with warm spices, candied ginger, and blackstrap molasses for big flavor and a gorgeous, glimmering crinkle top.
Orange Sugar Cookies
If you’re planning a Christmas cookie exchange party and want a cookie with a zesty twist, these Orange Sugar Cookies are the ones to make! Packed with fresh orange zest in every part—from the dough to the sugar they’re rolled in and even the glaze—they deliver the best citrus flavor. For an extra touch, sprinkle the tops with a bit of leftover orange sugar. These cookies are bright, cheery, and a unique addition to your holiday cookie lineup.
Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Strawberry shortcake cookies are a delightful choice for your Christmas cookie exchange party! These chewy cookies are packed with freshly diced strawberries and topped with a buttery crumble, offering a berry-licious twist that’s sure to stand out. Even though they’re perfect for summer, their fresh flavor makes them a refreshing treat for the holiday season!
Andes Mint Cookies
These delectable Andes Mint Cookies are a must-have for your Christmas cookie exchange party! Slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, they’re topped with the rich taste of Andes mint candies.
Lemon Curd Cookies
This easy lemon curd cookies recipe is perfect for your Christmas cookie exchange party! These shortbread cookies filled with tangy lemon curd are fun to make and even more fun to eat. Whether you choose to make the lemon curd from scratch or use store-bought, they’ll be just as delicious. These cookies will add a bright and zesty touch to your holiday cookie spread!
Christmas Monster Cookies
Get ready to jingle all the way with these Christmas Monster Cookies! They’re packed to the brim with all the goodies—oats, peanut butter, M&Ms, and more! It’s like all your favorite treats had a holiday party and jumped into one cookie. These are the ultimate Christmas treat to whip up this holiday season!
Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are a lovely addition to any cookie exchange. These raspberry filled shortbread cookies can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Pecan Sandies
Pecan Sandies are the holiday classic you didn’t know you needed! Think of it as a homemade twist on that old-fashioned Keebler favorite.
Macaroon Kiss Cookies
These Macaroon Coconut Cookies are the ultimate cookie for any Holiday tray or gathering! Freezable, easy to make, and a tasty addition!
Thumbprint Cookies with Icing
Old-fashioned thumbprint cookies with icing and sprinkles are the holiday treat that never goes out of style! And the fun doesn’t stop there—you can mix things up with buttercream or chocolate icing, and swap in nuts instead of sprinkles for a little extra crunch. The best part? The thumbprint cookie filling is totally customizable, so you can make them just the way you like!
Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are the best easy Nestle butterscotch chocolate chip cookies and the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie exchange party! The base is also customizable for oatmeal or peanut butter.
Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious balance of sweet and tart that are made with real cranberries! Perfect holiday cookie idea!
Coffee Cake Cookies
These tender and light coffee cake cookies are a must-bring to your Christmas cookie exchange! Topped with a crunchy streusel and drizzled with a sweet glaze, they’re perfect alongside a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies
Bring some charm to your Christmas cookie exchange with these cherry blossom cookies! They’re not just adorable; they’re also incredibly delicious and festive!
Best Pizzelle Cookies Recipe
These traditional Italian cookies are not only beautiful but also incredibly simple to prepare. A cherished family recipe, passed down through the generations, it’s perfect for creating delicious pizzelle and treasured memories.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars
These Gingerbread Bars are soft, chewy, and so easy to make. We love making these for holiday get-togethers and cookie trays because this recipe makes 24 servings!
Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
This cut out sugar cookie recipe makes soft sugar cookies that can be cut into any shape and decorated for any occasion.
Cardamom Butter Cookies
Get ready to fill those Christmas cookie tins with these melt-in-your-mouth cardamom butter cookies! They’re a joy to bake, especially with the kiddos joining in on the fun. These tender, buttery bites have just the right hint of cardamom spice, making them the perfect match for a cozy cup of hot cocoa or coffee.
Peppermint Kiss Cookies
These delightful peppermint kiss cookies are a cinch, yielding a generous batch of 48 treats perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, and gifts.
Cookie exchange parties are so much fun to host and to go to! You definitely won’t leave with a sweet tooth that’s for sure, and everyone always has such a good time.
