Last night I attended a cookie exchange party. At first, I didn’t really know what to expect. I know the hostess in a roundabout way, but I haven’t seen her in years. But I decided, what the heck. I love to bake holiday goodies and I’m always up for a night out.

Wow. Was I in for a treat!

So, I baked 12 dozen treats (I made chocolate peppermint bark). But then I thought they were too small, so I added a dozen chocolate-dipped pretzels (that I also made) to each. Being new to the group and wanting to impress, I wrapped ‘em up all pretty in festive goodie bags with lovely red ribbon bows. I piled ‘em all in a box and headed out for the long drive to Debbi’s.

When I arrived, I saw that all the other guests had taken the exchange even more seriously than I did! There were several different cookie tins, mini paint cans, even chinese take-out boxes full of baking. The hostess even presented her goodies on a gilded platter topped with a red satin bow holding a large, brass cookie cutter. Oh, so very Martha! I felt somewhat cowed by the length (and expense!) the others had gone to. I’d briefly considered the mini paint cans myself, but figured the $2 price tag was too much; who spends $24 on a cookie exchange, anyway? Now I know who! Read the rest of this entry »