The wonderful ladies in our neighborhood held their annual Cookie Exchange...and gift exchange! This year, the cookies were absolutely incredible!!! Traditionally, we all vote on the best tasting cookie and the best presentation. It was really tough this year...
To make this event even more challenging, we chose a theme...
"Sea-son's" Greetings. The theme was originally meant for the gift exchange, but many of us carried it into our cookie presentations...
Here are some peeks at the tables...
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| Margaret's treasure chest is filled with cranberry shortbread "coins" |
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| Clam shell with Ginger "Sea Stars" and Pecan Sandie "Dollars" (these were my contributions) |
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| Cindy and Kim are sampling the cookies...and toasting the evening. |
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| This was one of the winners...Sherrie's gorgeous sugar cookies were a labor of love! |
My sweet daughter-in-law, Catherine, joined in the fun. She made the most wonderful German cookies...from her grandmother's recipe. And her display was lovely!!!But the absolute HIT of the evening was actually just a part of the winner's display...
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| These Snowman Stirrers were presented in a cup filled with sugar. They accompanied a tray of Gingerbread people...girls, boys, and babies and Jam Thumbprints. They, too, were resting in a tray filled with sugar. Adorable!!! And Melanie, the creator, shared the directions for her snowman stirrer... SNOWMAN STIRRER... For the head: Cut a slice off the top of one large marshmallow and squish to make smaller. For the face: The eyes are chocolate sprinkles and the nose is a slice of an orange gummy fish (any "gummy" will do). Poke holes with a wet toothpick before applying the face. Fit snowman base (a large marshmallow) on a 6-inch skewer, pushing pointed end of skewer out of the top and place the head (skewered about a half inch of so) on top of the marshmallow base. Place a Hershey Kiss or Junior Mint on the head for a hat. ( Use a dab of frosting or glaze to hold it in place.) |
Can't you just picture this accompanying a mug of hot cocoa?
And...as promised...here is my gift for the exchange...
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| A Christmas wreath...with shells from my daughter-in-law's wedding. |
Jane
ps...Be sure to check out Foodie Friday at designsbygollum.blogspot.com. There are sure to be some wonderful recipes this week.
Wow! These all look delicious. I love the way the cookies are displayed in the box. Thank you for sharing how the Snowmen Cookie Stirrers were done. Happy Holidays! hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteThis is a SEASonally perfect post! I love how clever everyone was in sticking to the theme and Jane, your wreath is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful displays of yummies. mmmmm
ReplyDeleteI was thinking my snowman would take a dip in my hot cocoa, head first! :D
Sharon
Wow, you live in a really fun neighborhood if this is what you do every year to celebrate the coming days of Christmas...nothing like a great cookie exchange that challenges the bakers and also does a gift exchange!!!! Thanks for sharing, Jane.
ReplyDeleteYour little snowmen are precious. Thank you for sharing and you have a great week end!
ReplyDeleteEverything was so beautiful. I loved the snowman stirrers.
ReplyDeleteJane,
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat exchange!
Have a delightful Christmas!
Can't believe it is almost here,
d
Jane....your wreath painting is fabulous. What a great post and how creative you all were.
ReplyDeleteEverything is so cute! What a fun party. I would love to make those snowman stirrers. I think all ages would love them!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, your blog is making me hungry! What yummy looking treats. I must get my bake on soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting my blog today. Glad you enjoyed my holiday decor!
Happy Holidays,
Kelly
Hi! Jane, Just beautiful! Merry christmas!
ReplyDeleteNIce neighborhood you live in. What a fun thing to do. And the snowman stirrers are awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI want to be your neighbor! Everything looks so good! Your wreath painting is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat talented friends you have! The cookies look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteOMG...what a wonderful party!!! Love the SEA sonal theme...and now I'm so mad I'm just now getting to catch up on your blog....my daughter in laws spent the night last night and those stirrers would have been perfecto in their bailey's laced hot chocolate this morning!!
ReplyDeleteNot to worry,,,they'll be back next week...and I WILL have some then! so cute!!
and your painting? awesome!
Awww, those snowman stirrers are JUST adorable!! I've never seen something like that before and I saved the photo for us to do some winter fun. LOVE LOVE them. :) I get excited when I see new inspiring things like that. The entire party looked fabulous. Thank you for your recent email too. It made me extra happy, truly! It warms my heart to have real friends met through blogs. <3
ReplyDeleteThe cookie exchange looks and sounds like it was a fabulous success! All the cookies look great! I love the cute little snowman stirrers and may make some for my beverage station this year. I absolutely love the wreath you created. I may need to comission one for Christmas next year!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Tracy