Country Woman Close-up

A Welcome Exchange

Our cover gal kicks off Christmas cheer with a cookie swap.

It’s obvious to anyone, especially at this time of year—Robin Olson is one smart cookie. She’s come up with a fun way to keep her cookie platter primed and her friendships thriving.

“My cookie exchange party is our ‘girls’ break’ from the holiday rush, a chance to connect with friends and neighbors and get into the spirit,” says Robin, who’s from Gaithersburg, Maryland. “Plus, it’s the 1 day a year we can be kids and grab all the goodies.”
This will be the 18th year Robin has hosted her festive gathering on a Sunday in early December.

“My friends and I love the idea of having dozens of different kinds of cookies to sample, without baking them single-handedly,” Robin says. “On average, we exchange close to 20 varieties.”

Robin Olson and her friends enjoy a bounty of cookies without bunches of baking.

“When friends arrive, they drop off their cookies on the dining room table, and head to the kitchen and den for food, drink and socializing,” she explains. “Every year, I plan games—from Christmas bingo to Pin the Nose on Rudolph. A prize is awarded by group decision to the guest with the jolliest holiday outfit.”

Merry Go-Around

After an hour and a half of eating and chatting, Robin rings her holiday handbell, and everyone eagerly files into the dining room to reap their rich rewards.

“We gather around the table, now loaded with thousands of eye-catching cookies, and stand a few feet back in front of the cookies we baked,” Robin explains. “I thank everyone for attending and briefly review the cookie exchange rules.

“Next, I ask each person to share the story behind their cookies, starting with me and going clockwise. Some are touching histories of how a recipe has been handed down through generations. Others are funny memories of glorious messes we’ve made baking that perfect batch.

Guests arrive at her doorstep bearing oven-fresh offerings.	The ladies gather for conversation, games and a taste of Robin’s appetizing buffet.
On cookie exchange day, Robin’s dining room table resembles a bakery showcase.

“When our stories are finished, we move toward the table with our empty containers, elbow to elbow. Circling the table clockwise, we pick up our allotted cookies. Everyone takes three or four cookies from each platter, and usually by the third rotation, all of them are gone.

“Finally, I get everyone together to pose for our annual portrait.” That photo will join a cheerful gallery of others on a Web site Robin personally designed. It features past exchanges, party and baking tips, recipes and more.

For her sugary soiree to be successful, Robin depends on her family. “Daughter Stephanie, 22, helps me with baking, and my husband, Kim, prepares refreshments and makes a fire in the fireplace,” she says.

“Sons David, 24, and Sean, 15, set up chairs and buffet tables and get the Christmas music ready. Then my understanding family turns the house over to my guests and me for 3 hours. As payment, when Kim and the kids get home, they have first pick of the cookies I’ve collected.”

Judging by the sweet memories that Robin’s cookie swap creates, it’s one homemade holiday tradition not likely to crumble.

Editor’s Note: For more about cookie exchanges, visit Robin’s Web site via our links page.