How to Throw a Holiday Cookie Party

Start With Invitations

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.

Decorate With a Cookie Theme

• 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.
• Attractive cookies can double as party decor. Create a stained glass effect by cutting a shape from the center of store-bought or homemade sugar cookie dough and adding bits of crushed hard candy. Use a toothpick to punch a tiny hole at the top of the cookie; you can hang these on a tabletop tree using licorice threads to create edible ornaments.

Don't Forget Party Favors

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.