by partysugar 9

People normally host cookie exchange parties around the winter holidays, but since it's National Cookie Month, I thought it would be fun to host one now! This way, when holiday season arrives, I will have a bunch of new cookie recipes to experiment with and choose from.

At a cookie swap, you invite friends to make a couple batches of cookies to bring to the party. If you've never been to one, use my plan to host your own! Select a panel of judges and have them taste all of the cookies and declare one the best. At the end of the party give everyone containers to take home as many cookies as they like.

Sound exciting? To get things started, make a fun little invitation with recipe cards included. To see how I made my booklet invite, read more

To make an invite like the one seen here, you will need the following supplies:

• decorative paper
• cardstock in vibrant colors (I chose a Halloween color scheme of orange, black, and white)
• small envelopes
• recipe cards (I downloaded mine from Martha Stewart)
• gluestick
• scissors
• decorative tape, optional
• computer & printer

1. Start by printing out the recipe cards. Cut down to size. I mounted mine on black cardstock, but you could also print them out on a thicker paper. If mounting, glue to the backing and cut down to size. Set aside.



2. On your computer create a new Word document. Type the details of the party. I used Cooper Black text in size 12 to write the following:
   

   Join me in a baking extravaganza!
   Saturday October 6th, 2007
   8:00 pm
   PartySugar’s House

   Please bake & bring a couple batches of cookies for the cookie contest.

   May the best baker win!!

   At the bottom of the page I wrote It's Cookie Time. I will later use this as the front of the invite. Print out on a test sheet of paper and check for grammar or spelling errors. Once satisfied with the text, print out on the cardstock. Set aside.



3. Cut the flap off of the envelope.



4. Glue the envelope to the text cardstock. Cut the invite down to the size of the envelope.



5. Glue the decorative paper to the back of the invite. This will serve as the cover to the invite. Cut down to size.



6. Fold the invite in half.



7. Cut the It's Cookie Time out and glue to the front cover of the invite.



8. If using the decorative tape, use it to decorate the inside of the invite in an attractive manner.



9. Slide the recipe cards inside the envelope. Guests should write the recipe to their cookies on these cards and bring them to the party.



10. Put the entire invite in an envelope addressed with your best handwriting and send.