Hosting a Holiday Cookie Party!

This year marked our 4th annual "Catch a Gingerbread Man," holiday cookie party.  Each year, I make gingerbread men, invite all my friends with kids, read the kids the traditional Gingerbread Man story, and then let the kids decorate a couple of cookies to eat.  It is a lot of fun and everyone looks forward to it every year.  This is something you could do for any holiday during the year.

So here's instructions on how to host your own holiday cookie party:

1.  Pick a theme and a date.  I picked the 'Gingerbread Man' because it is a generic holiday theme that already has cookies.  You could also do Valentine's Day hearts, St. Patrick's Day shamrocks, Fourth of July flags, etc.  I usually have my cookie party the Saturday before Thanksgiving because it is before people get too busy with holiday plans.

2.  Invite your friends.  Tell them you'll provide the cookies and frosting if they bring a candy decoration to share with everyone.

3.  Make your cookies and frosting ahead of time.  This way they'll be done and ready to be decorated.  My gingerbread dough needs to chill, so I usually make the dough the night before, and then bake the cookies in the morning.

4.  Read your story, color pictures, or do whatever activity fits in your theme.

5.  Give each guest a plate, plastic knife, and a dollop of frosting (this way if they eat it, they won't be sharing germs).  Put the candy in dishes and set at the table.

6.  Let the kids be as creative and messy as they want!  My kids always have a great time and can't wait until next  year!

Can you see the cookie under there?