Hosting the Perfect Holiday Cookie Swap

This year, I hosted my very first cookie/ornament swap! For me, a cookie swap is the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season. It's a time for family and friends to get together in a festive setting over cocktails, chit and chat and cookies! Wanna host a cookie swap of your own? Invite a group of family & friends to your home and have each one bring 2 dozen of their favorite homemade cookies or treats. At the party, sample the treats, then trade and package them as gifts. The goal: Everyone leaves with finished gifts and plenty of new recipes.

Send out your invitations: Set the right tone for your cookie swap with stylish invitations. I got mine on zazzle.com. Make sure you send them out at least 1 month in advance.

Create a beautiful display: Set out several platters and cake stands. Put folding place cards out for guests to write the name of the cookie they brought.

Set Up a Packaging Station: Stock the station with sticky labels, ribbons, twine, cardboard boxes, tissue paper, scissors, and other trimmings.

Prepare for the Swap: On the day of the party, have plenty of drinks available. Including warm spiced apple cider, champagne, & ice water. Be sure to have some salty snacks like popcorn and chips to balance out all the sweetness. Start sampling, swapping, and packaging cookies. Most importantly, have fun!

DIY Mr. Potato Head Busy Board

Keep the little ones busy while they learn about their 5 senses. This Mr. Potato Head busy board is simply made with felt. Remember, felt naturally sticks to itself so the fun and possibilities are endless! Stuff You'll Need: - felt in various colors - scissors - hot glue gun Directions: 1. Cut a large potato-shaped body out of light brown felt. 2. Make your eyes, ears, nose, mouth and arms. You can make additional fun accessories like a hat, shoes, bag, etc. Get creative! Here's Mrs. Potato Head! Emma and her masterpiece!

DIY Fruit-Inspired Easter Eggs

A fun alternative to dyeing Easter eggs, these fruit-inspired painted paper mache eggs are festive and incredibly easy to make! Stuff You'll Need: - paper mache eggs (Michaels) - acrylic paints in yellow, red, pink, green (Target "Handmade Modern" ) - paint brushes - black Sharpie (for pineapple leaves & watermelon seeds) - gold metallic Sharpie (for strawberry seeds) - green felt (for pineapple leaves & strawberry leaves) - hot glue gun (to attach felt leaves) Paint eggs and allow to dry for at least 1 hour before drawing on seeds and attaching felt leaves.

DIY Felt Ice Cream Truck Quiet Board

I'm constantly finding new ways to entertain my little tot while I try to get work done. This adorable felt ice cream truck quiet board will keep the little ones busy, plus they can work on their counting skills, colors and building skills. And remember, felt naturally sticks to itself so the fun never ends! Stuff You'll Need: - a 20" x 15" foam board - scissors - box cutter - hot glue glue - white felt - felt in assorted colors for your truck accessories and ice cream treats Directions One: Two: Three: Cut out an ice cream truck canopy, window, truck divider & wheels out of felt (in your choice of colors). Four: Glue all the above onto your felt-covered board using your hot glue gun. Five: Create your ice cream treats! This is the fun part and the possibilities are endless. Here's Emma's "Menu" of ice cream treats I've made: happy creating! xo

crafted by jen

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