Holiday Cookie Swap and Gift Swap!

Our cookie swap is a big hit every year! It is a fun opportunity to bake some treats and go home with a huge variety! As usual we will also enjoy a gift swap - details below. Please read all of the instructions carefully - each attendee will need something to contribute to the cookie swap as well as the gift swap!

COOKIE SWAP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bake (or purchase if life is busy) 5-7 dozen cookies, candies, or treats. You may want to bake a few extras in case any are unusable, get dropped, or get eaten along the way (haha) just to make sure you have enough.
2. Make 18 packages of 2-3 treats and make sure you have 18 leftover for tasting. If you are putting 2 in each pkg you will need at least 5 dozen. If you are putting 3 in each pkg you will need at least 6 dozen.
3. Wrap each package of 2-3 cookies very simply but securely in small ziplocks, or treat bags. When you arrive, there will be 18 boxes on the table. Put one package in each one. You should bring the remaining treats on a tray or plate, and these will go on the center tables for tasting!
4. On the way out, everyone grabs a box with 18 different little treats.

This cookie numbers are for 18 participants. If the number of participants changes, please keep an eye for changes in the number of cookies.

GIFT SWAP
I like to keep the emphasis of the gift swap on the "fun" and not the "gifts". It's more about friendships, hanging out together, and having fun! The gift you give and receive is an extra bonus. Let's keep it between $15 and $30 (ish) so everyone can participate.

Our Gift Swap theme this year is BREAKFAST and BRUNCH gifts. I chose this because it's not only a unique theme but also because breakfast and brunch food has been a favorite in this group! Please keep it creative and keep it special!

BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH GIFT IDEAS

Artisanal Fruit Curds such as passion fruit or blood orange curd from local makers or specialty brands
Flavored or small-batch specialty nut butters like salted maple pecan butter, cinnamon roll almond butter, or dark chocolate espresso hazelnut spread
Unique fruit jams or compotes like fig-lavender, black currant, or sour cherry preserves paired with a pretty honey dipper or spreading knife
Fancy compound butters or sweet honey-butter crocks designed to melt over warm biscuits
Scone or Biscuit Mixes + Finishing Sugar such as blueberry-lemon or rosemary cheddar biscuit mix paired w/ sparkling sugar or clotted cream
Gourmet Cinnamon Roll Kits, High-end skillet cinnamon roll mixes or brioche French toast kits that include a fancy glaze
Infused syrups like bourbon-barrel aged maple, cinnamon vanilla syrup, or lavender-infused honey
Artisanal Finishing Salts, Jars of flaky Maldon sea salt, truffle sea salt, or smoked salt to elevate scrambled eggs or avocado toast.
Specialty brunch sauces
Gourmet pancake/waffle mixes
Pure maple syrup or specialty flavored syrup in decorative glass
Artisan granola and Gourmet biscotti such as Dark Chocolate Cherry Pecan, Maple Tahini Sea Salt, Cardamom Pistachio Orange, or Honey Rosemary Almond
A ceramic or stoneware pancake warmer that keeps pancakes, waffles, French toast, or crepes hot
A reusable stoneware or painted terracotta egg crate
A pretty dish for French toast casserole or quiches, or a single serving cast iron skillet or egg cooker, or a beautiful brunch platter for serving
Gourmet candied bacon and glaze kits featuring specialty brown sugars, maple-bourbon glazes, black pepper crusting rubs, or spicy cayenne mixes formulated specifically to bake candied bacon
A bacon press

Or….something else “brunchy” :) Use your creativity! Any of these gifts can include a breakfast or brunch recipe inside that matches the gift!

GIFT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Purchase a gift! Please take the time to get something that the recipient will appreciate and enjoy between $15 and $30ish.
2. Wrap your gift! Please wrap it so we can't see the contents. You can add note inside to let the recipient know that the gift is from you!
3. There will be a table for gifts. Place your gift on the table, and we will play a little game to exchange them later!

RSVP - If you realize that you can't make it, please give AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE (at least a week but more is better)

LEAVE A COMMENT: Be sure to leave a comment below with what type of cookie, candy, or treat you will be bringing (so we don't have duplicates), but keep your gift a secret! Again, please do not wait until the day before to comment. We need to hear from you so that we know how to plan.

DONATIONS $5 per person. Thank you :) All donations & expenses are tracked here if you want to see what your donations are going towards: https://www.meetup.com/Bakers-and-Tasters/money/