12 Days of Christmas Cookie Swap and Gift Swap!

Our cookie swap is a big hit every year! It is a fun opportunity to bake some treats and go home with a huge variety! As usual we will also enjoy a gift swap - details below. Please read all of the instructions carefully - each attendee will need something to contribute to the cookie swap as well as the gift swap! I have attached an "invitation" link, also included in the photo section - a 'remake' of the original 12 Days of Christmas for an overview of the fun of the evening! Please take a look :):) OUR FUN DAYS OF CHRISTMAS INVITE!

DRESS - In honor of "5 GOLDEN RINGS" in the 12 days of Christmas song (and noted on the attached invitation), you may come blinged out in SILVER AND GOLD! Anything sparkly will do - clothing, jewelry, or anything silly - you can even wear garland if you like :):):). There may be a "Most Blingy" contest and vote :):). So let's get sparkly!

COOKIE SWAP Instructions:

1. Bake (or purchase if life is busy) 5-7 dozen cookies, candies, or treats. You may want to bake a few extras in case any are unusable, get dropped, or get eaten along the way (haha) just to make sure you have enough.
2. Make 18 packages of 2-3 treats and make sure you have 18 leftover for tasting. If you are putting 2 in each pkg you will need at least 5 dozen. If you are putting 3 in each pkg you will need at least 6 dozen.
3. Wrap each package of 2-3 cookies very simply but securely in small ziplocks, or treat bags. When you arrive, there will be 18 boxes on the table. Put one package in each one. You should bring the remaining treats on a tray or plate, and these will go on the center tables for tasting!
4. On the way out, everyone grabs a box with 18 different little treats.

We are keeping this event at a limited number but please keep an eye in case I change it in the next few wks (which will change the number of cookies).

GIFT SWAP INSTRUCTIONS:
I like to keep the emphasis of the gift swap on the "fun" and not the "gifts". It's more about friendships, hanging out together, and having fun! The gift you give and receive is an extra bonus. Let's keep it between $10 and $20 (ish) so everyone can participate.

Your Gift should playfully fit into one of the 12 Days of Christmas like this:

"A Partridge in a Pear Tree" - Anything 'pear' flavored (tea, jam,...), A "pair" of holiday mugs, socks, etc., Home or kitchen decor with a bird or trees on it :):):)

"2 Turtle Doves" - Home and Kitchen Turtle themed, Dove chocolate gift basket, Dove soap products, anything peaceful, etc.

"3 French Hens" - Ooooh la la anything "French" - Croissants, croissant type mix, cheese, macarons, sparkling cider, French roast coffee, anything with a chicken on it :):):)

"8 Maids a Milking" - Any play on Cow themed gifts, milk themes such as hot cocoa, 'milk and honey' candle, farming themes, etc. :):)

You get the idea! You have to be creative with this one! Here's the instruction - read carefully :)

1. Each person should purchase a gift that fits into one of the Traditional 12 Days of Christmas - the way it fits in can be literal, creative, "punny", or funny if you want! But please take the time to get something that the recipient will appreciate or be able to use and enjoy between $10 and $20ish.
2. Wrap your gift! Please wrap it so we can't actually see the contents. You can add a gift tag or a note inside, to let the recipient know that the gift is from you!
3. There will be a table set up for gifts when you arrive. Place your gift on the table, and we will play a little game to exchange them later!.

RSVP - If you sign up for this event and then realize that you can't make it, please give AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE. If people on the wait list are moved to the "going" list at the last minute, they will not have time to bake and shop. Please double check your calendars!! As a reminder, if you are a "no show" or if you change your RSVP last minute within 3 days of time sensitive events such as this one, there is a chance I may leave your name on the waitlist of the next event to give someone else a chance.

LEAVE A COMMENT: Be sure to leave a comment below with what type of cookie, candy, or treat you will be bringing (so we don't have duplicates), but keep your gift a secret! Again, please do not wait until the day before to comment. We need to hear from you a at least a few days prior so that we know how to plan.

DONATIONS will be accepted to help run this meetup. There is a donation box on the table - $3 - $5 per person is recommended unless you gave me a lump sum for the year. Thank you :) All donations & expenses are tracked here if you want to see what your donations are going towards:[ https://www.meetup.com/Bakers-and-Tasters/money/](https://www.meetup.com/Bakers-and-Tasters/money/)