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Post by tuva42 on Nov 5, 2014 15:00:08 GMT
Not on topic, but years ago, I was working at a university and a bunch of the woman in our department organized a cookie exchange. Women only. Couple of the guys got mad and started a beer exchange. It became a huge hit, and he quickly invited the women, too. You had to bring 6 beers, and an appetizers. Everybody went home with 6 different beers.
I've been gone from that department for 20 years and I think its still going on.
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Post by littlemama on Nov 5, 2014 15:26:01 GMT
I would still consider that store bought. While you might consider that store bought, if the person doing it didn't say anything then you'd never know because they don't look store bought. I don't think store bought taste anything close to home made, so, yeah, I would know, or at least suspect. Plus, the people who do that usually can't help themselves from telling everyone about it |
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Post by ceepea on Nov 5, 2014 15:33:52 GMT
I actually wouldn't care if someone brought in store bought. If their baking is that bad, I don't want a dozen of their cookies. A long time ago, when I worked in an office, we had a couple single men. We always made allowances for them. Not that they weren't capable of following a recipe, just tried to make it easier for them to participate. |
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Post by maryland on Nov 5, 2014 22:41:35 GMT
I am not the greatest cook, and am so busy around the holidays (3 separate five hour trips to visit relatives Thanksgiving-Christmas). I only have the "know how" to make choc. chip or m&m cookies. So I only participated in a cookie exchange once (with neighbors). It was fun, but I felt bad that everyone had fancy cookies and mine were not fancy. The group goes out to eat, then exchanges cookies. they do 1/2 dozen cookies. They have a lot of fun!
What's wrong with bar cookies? I see that some mentioned bar cookies, so I was wondering what the issue is with them. I have never made bar cookies so I am curious.
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Post by Regina Phalange on Nov 5, 2014 22:47:56 GMT
I think one of the biggest things that needs to be said, is to look at the dates on the ingredients you use. I got a dozen cookies last year that tasted like old shortening. Nothing ruins cookies like using ingredients that are past their prime.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Nov 5, 2014 23:11:53 GMT
We're thinking about doing a cookie exchange at work, but I've never done one before. I can and will google, the basics of how to do one, but does anyone have any tips? What about those that would like to participate, but don't cook? Ask them to bring store bought? pay a fee? (which brings up the question, What do you then do with the funds?) tell them they're SOL?  In all seriousness though, with butter at almost $4.00 a lb here I can't afford to be as generous with my baking as I have been in the past. Thoughts? Since this is at work, is it a social event or a team building event? We have a cookie exchange in 4-H which is much more relaxed than some of the rules mentioned in this thread  I might talk to the group and get a feel for their expectations and wants to see how you want to incorporate some of the suggestions from this thread. For the 4-H club we bag the cookies in 1/2 dozen increments. We know the kids are already pressed for time with school, sports, homework and dog activities. So we want to do a fun social event that isn't also too much work. We don't allow store bought, but we also don't limit the types of cookies. But we are looking for participation and fun, not just cookies they would give to others as gifts. I think the purpose of our exchange might be a little different then others expectations for their exchanges |
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Post by scrappinmom3 on Nov 6, 2014 4:32:37 GMT
I've only participated in one cookie exchange. It was a lot of people so we had to make 1/2 dozen for each person. What I didn't like, is that we brought them on a big platter and then walked around and took one of each until they were all gone. The amount we got of each was all over the place and I ended up with mint cookies mixed with peanut butter cookies, etc. I did like that we all had to bring a copy of our recipe for each person.
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Post by Lovebug2867 on Nov 6, 2014 4:37:46 GMT
We're thinking about doing a cookie exchange at work, but I've never done one before. I can and will google, the basics of how to do one, but does anyone have any tips? What about those that would like to participate, but don't cook? Ask them to bring store bought? pay a fee? (which brings up the question, What do you then do with the funds?) tell them they're SOL? In all seriousness though, with butter at almost $4.00 a lb here I can't afford to be as generous with my baking as I have been in the past. Thoughts? Store bought is a big no no. I'd be angry if I brought cookies I worked hard on and got Oreos lol. However if people don't cook why couldn't they go to a bakery and buy GOOD bakery (aka not grocery store bakery) cookies? I've always wanted to do a cookie exchange because while I can decorate a mean and tasty cookie I don't really do many other types of cookies. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:36:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 5:42:46 GMT
While you might consider that store bought, if the person doing it didn't say anything then you'd never know because they don't look store bought. I don't think store bought taste anything close to home made, so, yeah, I would know, or at least suspect. Plus, the people who do that usually can't help themselves from telling everyone about it  That stuff always has a "taste" to it. I have stopped participating in cookie exchanges. I find everyone has their own ideas of what makes a special cookie, and I hate going through all the work to find out that I still need to do more baking because it's not what I care for. I have still participated in a cookie exchange between the inlaws, (but I won't this year) there are 6 of us plus the MIL. But even there, over half wasn't up to my standards. I had made 7-8 dozen Mazapan rolls last year, they're a lot of work. So I felt a little ripped off with what I took home. There were dry and rock hard chocolate chip cookies, baked lemon donuts that were tough and had no flavour, and sugar cookies that looked and tasted gross, and had the bottoms burned. There was only two varieties that were great, the rest got thrown out because none of my kids or DH would even eat them. So this year I'll do it the old fashioned way... myself.  |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 21:36:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 5:45:12 GMT
I am not the greatest cook, and am so busy around the holidays (3 separate five hour trips to visit relatives Thanksgiving-Christmas). I only have the "know how" to make choc. chip or m&m cookies. So I only participated in a cookie exchange once (with neighbors). It was fun, but I felt bad that everyone had fancy cookies and mine were not fancy. The group goes out to eat, then exchanges cookies. they do 1/2 dozen cookies. They have a lot of fun! What's wrong with bar cookies? I see that some mentioned bar cookies, so I was wondering what the issue is with them. I have never made bar cookies so I am curious. I think the theory is that whatever you bring should have taken a good effort, and bar cookies are normally seen as an "easy way out". |
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Post by SunnySmile on Nov 6, 2014 6:17:03 GMT
A scrapbooking friend used to do a cookie exchange every year. She'd tell us she's the "cookie nazi" because her rules were very strict: 1) No store bought 2) No "no-bake" cookies, no slice & bake cookies and no bar cookies 3) No chocolate chip, no oatmeal, and no peanut butter cookies. 4) Recipes had to be submitted, to her, ahead of time to avoid duplicate types of cookies. It was first come, first served and if you wanted to make a certain type of cookie, you'd better hope you are the first to submit that type of cookie or you are out of luck. 5) Cookies pre-packaged, by the dozen, ahead of time in clear packaging so you can see the cookies. 6) Extra dozen baked to share amoungst participants of exchange. For all her rules though, her exchange ran like clockwork. Always a good selection, I can't ever remember anyone being disappointed. Does she yell "No coookies for you! Come back one year!" |
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,926 
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Nov 6, 2014 12:09:46 GMT
A scrapbooking friend used to do a cookie exchange every year. She'd tell us she's the "cookie nazi" because her rules were very strict: 1) No store bought 2) No "no-bake" cookies, no slice & bake cookies and no bar cookies 3) No chocolate chip, no oatmeal, and no peanut butter cookies. 4) Recipes had to be submitted, to her, ahead of time to avoid duplicate types of cookies. It was first come, first served and if you wanted to make a certain type of cookie, you'd better hope you are the first to submit that type of cookie or you are out of luck. 5) Cookies pre-packaged, by the dozen, ahead of time in clear packaging so you can see the cookies. 6) Extra dozen baked to share amoungst participants of exchange. For all her rules though, her exchange ran like clockwork. Always a good selection, I can't ever remember anyone being disappointed. Does she yell "No coookies for you! Come back one year!"  No but if you don't obey the rules you are not invited back. She's hardcore....one and done. |
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by bethany102399 on Nov 6, 2014 15:41:21 GMT
you can come trade with us! I love to bake, but can't STAND cutting out and decorating cookies. Seriously. I make gingerbread dough and send it and the kids over to my moms for decorating memories with grandma. She doesn't mind the mess and I get homemade gingerbread. Win win in my book.
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In all seriousness though, with butter at almost $4.00 a lb here I can't afford to be as generous with my baking as I have been in the past. 
That stuff always has a "taste" to it. 
No but if you don't obey the rules you are not invited back. She's hardcore....one and done.