UPDATE: Change of venue! Our fearless leader has done it again! Thanks to Jennifer Greene we will be able to use the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellport as swapping central! It is a wonderful place right on the water in Bellport and not only will all of us fit in the building but I think it will be much closer to most of the participants than my house in East Quogue. They also have a kitchen in case anyone decides to bring a party food that needs reheating. Also, since Jennifer G. was gracious enough to let us use her personal day to use the UU free of charge, I am asking everyone to bring $2 to the meet up in order to help Jennifer defray costs for the site. Volunteer(s) to help set up and clean up would be appreciated.

I got this idea from a friend of mine who does this every year with her family. So the idea is this: each participant picks a different type of cookie to bake (because who wants 3 dozen of the same kind of cookie) and will bake three dozen of that cookie to swap. We then all get together with our cookies, have a party and swap!

Please post in your RSVP comments the type of cookie you'll bake. You CANNOT pick a cookie if someone else has already selected it. No duplicates allowed! Also if you want to participate but have an allergy (like nuts or gluten free) please also post that in your RSVP comment.

Now for the rules:
1. As stated above, three dozen of one type of cookie to be swapped for three dozen other cookies
2. Also stated above, no duplicate cookie recipes allowed!
3. No bake cookies are not allowed (I'm not sure if any no bake cookies are vegan but I thought I'd include this anyway)
4. Cookies should be HOMEMADE (i.e. no mixes)
5. All the ingredients MUST BE VEGAN (i.e. no eggs, no dairy, no milk chocolate chips, no gelatin in gummy candies, etc)
6. If any participant lists a food allergy, please make sure your cookies DO NOT contain that ingredient so we can have full participation
7. If possible (it's really not difficult), please make your cookies gluten free. Please be sure to indicate in your RSVP if your cookies will be gluten free or not. If you have any questions, please feel free to shoot Heidi an email.
8. If you don't have time to bake, or have burnt your cookies, but still want to attend, you must go to a real bakery and buy three dozen yummy VEGAN cookies to swap

Be creative and package your cookies for each participant to bring home. You must bring a copy for each participant of the recipe used. Holiday attire is encouraged but not required.

I am also asking that each participant bring a VEGAN finger food and/or beverage so we can have snacks/drinks at the actual swap. Please also list this in your RSVP comment so we don't end up with a bunch of chips and no dip.

Finally, if you need ideas for a recipe, I will be picking up Isa's "Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar" this weekend and I'd be more than happy to share. Good luck and happy baking!!