Host an Around-the-World Cookie Swap Party

Bring friends together to kick off the holiday season with a cozy, international-inspired cookie swap party. Take inspiration from holiday dessert traditions from around the globe and incorporate natural elements like pinecones and conifers into the decor to keep the atmosphere perfectly seasonal.

Deck the halls and create a decorative detail that can be enjoyed year after year by transforming ordinary mini pinecones. Simply dip the edges of the pine cones into white tempera paint and allow to dry. Then string onto red twine and hang above the buffet, around the Christmas tree or on the mantel.

With just a few coats of white spray paint, these miniature bottle-brush Christmas trees get a wintry makeover and make the perfect decorative centerpiece for a Christmas table or, in this case, a cookie buffet.

Spread holiday cheer by setting out cookies for guests to enjoy, along with the recipes to re-create them. The best part? Each guest brings a batch of cookies, keeping hostess duties to a minimum and allowing everyone to feel involved in the planning. Then take turns taste-testing each batch.