How to Throw a Holiday Cookie Party

Here's some advice from HGTV regular Sharon Anderson and Theresa Henn on how to throw a holiday cookie exchange party. Learn how to make recipe card invitations, a garland of gingerbread men and how to trim the Christmas tree for the party.

• Invitations not only announce the party, but they also serve as recipe books. Include blank recipe cards and have guests write some of their favorite recipes on the cards. At the party, guests can exchange cards and collect recipes in their invitation books.

• Create a tasty decoration for the party by baking up a wreath of gingerbread men cookies. Use a drinking straw to punch holes in the hands of the cookies before baking.

• After baking, string the cookies together with a ribbon and hang them from the fireplace or other area.

• Make a centerpiece for the table by decorating a small artificial Christmas tree with miniature cookie cutters and kitchen gadgets. The miniatures are available at most craft stores.

• Send guests home with a unique and tasty treat this year, and give them a head start on preparing for next year's cookie party, by making cookie-cutter fudge favors. Buy large copper cookie cutters in the shape of Christmas trees and other holiday favorites, and place the cutters on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Fill the cookie cutters with a favorite flavor of fudge, and decorate the fudge while it's still warm, using candies and other toppings.

• After the fudge has cooled, wrap the cookie cutters in cellophane and give to guests to take home. Then they can use the cutters to make cookies to bring to next year's party.