Thursday, December 3, 2009

Holiday Cookie Exchange and Luncheon Tablescape

While I'm away, I wanted to re-post one of my very favorite tablescapes ever! It's the "Holiday Cookie Exchange!" I love all the gingerbread stuff soooo much and it looks even cuter in my cottage kitchen at "The Roost."

Here's the post from last Christmas...

What a fun way to entertain and make it easy for your guests to have delicious homemade cookies for the holidays. Organize a group of your friends and ask each guest to bring their favorite gingerbread goodies (a dozen goodies for each guest, plus a few for the party sampling). Guests should also bring a recipe card for their baked item (one for each guest). In addition to a sampling of the goodies, offer a light lunch and serve plated-style from the kitchen counter. Set up a seperate table just for the baked treats. Since the focus of the day is on baked holiday goodies, you can keep the meal light and easy.
Gingerbread man party invitation and recipe cards

Holiday Cookie Exchange & Luncheon Tablescape

Gingerbread all around the place setting...


Miss Gretel takes the center stage and plays "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"!

Gingerbread people adorn the napkin rings and the flatware...



Cute little gingerbread mugs with hot gingerbread tea & festive gingerbread candles


Cute gingerbread goblets with red gingham bows for the Peppermint Punch*

The gingerbread tree is a nice centerpiece for the cookie station...


Gingerbread cookies wrapped and ready to go...

Cookies ready to sample...


Here's a way to wrap the cookies to go--Get red paper plates and white paper plates. Cut the white plate to a slightly smaller size with pinking shears. Layer the white plate on top of the red plate and wrap with clear cello, a red gingham ribbon and label...voila...holiday cookies to go!


You may also use a trusty take-out box, decorated with a gingerbread ornament and red gingham ribbon.


Be sure to include all the recipe cards with your packages...


The peppermint punch is my "signature beverage" served for this luncheon. It's a delicious drink and very festive for a holiday event!

*Recipe for Peppermint Punch
1 quart egg nog
1/2 pint whipping cream
1 1-liter bottle club soda, chilled
1/2 gallon peppermint ice cream, softened
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Crushed peppermints

Blend the egg nog, whipping cream, club soda, and nutmeg. Add the peppermint ice cream and stir. Garnish with crushed peppermints and serve immediately. (You can use vanilla ice cream and mix it with crushed peppermints instead of peppermint ice cream). Yum, yum!

Thank you for visiting with me today.

59 comments:

Gone said...

What a beautiful GINGERBREAD idea of luncheon-cookie exchange!! Your tablescape is gorgeous.

Thanks for the recipes.

Jen Kershner said...

Wow! It's so beautiful and festive. I had a cookie exchange party a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I keep saying I'm going to do it again but somehow the time slips away from me and I don't.

Suzann said...

I love everything about this post from start to finish. I adore Gingerbread Boys (and girls) for a very sentimental reason. I must try to duplicate this tablescape (and party) somehow. Thank you!

Tardevil said...

Oh what a cute tablescape! Love all the gingerbread stuff & the peppermint dishes. I'm so glad you gave the recipe for that punch! Sounds/looks good! Hope you're getting settled in your new home & liking it!

Bo said...

Hi Miss Janice...this was nothing short of total perfection! From the decor, the plates, the goblets, the mugs, the cookie gifts, the napkin rings, the flatware and even the recipes...FABULOUS! Makes me want to have a party... ;-) Bo

Stacey said...

Oh that is the cutest thing I've ever seen!! I will never look at gingerbread men the same way again. We need to have a party here at my house now!

Rue said...

Good morning Miss Janice :)

Congratulations on your new home! I'm glad you and the hooligans made it there safely ;)

I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with you! All of your tablescapes were wonderful and this gingerbread luncheon is positively darling. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes on each post. I can't wait to try them out.

Have a beautiful day!
rue

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Miss Janice...How absolutely perfect...down to the last detail! I have never seen gingerbread flatware. You must have been prowling the shops for ages to find all of these wonderful things! My sister's friends do a cookie exchange every year. It's a nice way to get an assortment without having to make 6 or 8 different recipes. I loved this post. I hope you are enjoying your new home...Debbie

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

What a cute table! The attention to detail is just amazing! Right down to teh red gingham bows on teh wine/punch glasses.

I also appreciate the recipes...thanks for including them in your posts!

Anonymous said...

OH MY.THIS LOOKS LIKE A DREAM.SO THOUGHT OUT.EVERY DETAIL ATTENDED TO.GEESH...ANN

A Hint of Home said...

How beautiful and fun at the same time. The gingerbread houses are just darling.
Thanks for the recipes.

JudyBug said...

I read your profile first and thought...wow, we have a lot in common both likes and dislikes. And then, I looked at your table. GASP! I adore gingerbread themes and this is the most gorgeous ever! WOW again!

Carol said...

Hi Janice,
How delightful! I love the gingerbread collection, beautiful!
Carol

Kristens Creations said...

Janice, I love your tablescape!! It is so cute. I have a lot of gingerbread and peppermint decorations too. You just gave me an idea, I'm glad I came to visit you. I hope your enjoying your new house. Kristen

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Beautiful and charming tablescape! I love gingerbread decor and you have carried it out in a fabulous manner! The "napkin rings" are my favorite little touch! Great post! :) ~Rhonda

Lori said...

Hi Miss Janice. Your tablescape is fabulous. It's eye candy! The theme is great and the food looks yummy. What a fun thing to do!

Lori

Salmagundi said...

Too cute!! Cookie exchange parties are always fun. You had some great ideas for wrapping up the cookies. Sally

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Tell me you didn't just move across country, get your house all set up, and then set up this beautiful party! Love all of your gingerbread treasures. The candles on each plate are absolutely adorable. Everything is just perfect! I'm going to have to go back and look at your pictures again. So much inspiration here. laurie

Glenda said...

The whole post is wonderful. My two favorite things are the barber pole candle and the peppermint swirl plates.
Your centerpiece is very interesting and the gingerbread mug is very cute also.

Lana G! said...

L-O-V-E this idea! So stinking cute! I would love to do this and the wheels are spinning! Thanks for posting.

Nancy Rosalina said...

Hello Miss Janice, WOW! This is so beautiful and perfectly done! I hope you are enjoying your new home. Nancy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Oh, it is darling, darling, darling. And then I got to the Gingerbread plate stand...oh my goodness. As my son would say...that rocks!

ellen b. said...

Oh my oh my look at how darn cute that table is! I love it. What a lot of great gingerbread goodies you have. The swirled plates are fabulous...

Bev said...

How very charming! You've thought of every detail.

Should we all expect invitations?

Unknown said...

I love it. Love the whole thing. I wish I could come to the luncheon. mishelle

Unknown said...

Can i just tell you ( again) the attention to detail is so wonderful. The silverware, the napkins, this is absolutley my favorite tablescape for Christmas. I just really love it. I want it.... mishelle

Lady Katherine said...

Wow! Wow! Its so darling!! I just love it! I used to do the cookie exchange in my home for years, so much fun. Nothing that could touch your taplescape! I want to come! I love the plates the gingerbread, just all, nothing else could be needed. Its just wonderful! Its such a happy tablescape, you just have to smile! Cheers!

Teresa Jane said...

humph! All I had at my cookie exchange was a bag of cookies.
Teresa Jane

Kathleen Ellis said...

Cute, cute, cute! What a great, fun theme! I'll bet your cookie exchange is eagerly anticipated!
The punch sounds wonderful...I'm going to try it!
:-)

Melissa Miller said...

One word...A~dor~a~ble!

playsdolls said...

Nothing to say but awesome,as usual.You set the most wonderful table scapes,and have the cutest party ideas.The Ginger Bread People are just wonderful.

With Love from New Orleans said...

I just forwarded this to my family and friends. You are amazing and I love your ideas! I would love to hop over to Fl and just pick your brain for new hosting ideas!

Gypsy aka Tam said...

Oh I love the gingerbread theme and you executed it to perfection. How adorable is this?
Thank you for the inspiration. Have a wonderful day,
Tam

Pug1 said...

Wow is your tablescape BEAUTIFUL!!!!!GREAT JOB!!!! CHEERS! Michele

Sandra said...

I think we will be having your punch!!!! Everything is so darlin'!!

Anonymous said...

Your holiday cookie exchange ideas are truly inspired. I am going to encourage our Sunday School group to take a peek at your post and possibly use your ideas for our annual Christmas party. You are so very kind to share such inspired ideas and wonderful recipes! We will toast your health with peppermint punch!

Lady Katherine said...

Miss Janice, I borrowing your gingerbread recipe. Can I just borrow the whole taplescape for my home!!Thank you.

Lady Katherine said...

Hi, I am back again! My grandchildren came in, i told them this is what Granna wants for Christmas. They squeal and laughed they were so excited over your tablescape, just as I am.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful table! Your punch looks yumo! My husband loves egg nog...would he like this? I just love this table. I have to go back and study it! : )

~Liz~

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Janice, I would LOVE to attend one of your parties...this just completely felt like a fantasy land! I have to write down the punch recipe....sounds sooo yummy! I'm hosting a cookie party this year, too. :-) Your table was wonderful...I could just get lost in wonderment at all the amazing details...love it! Susan

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is truly a child's dream come true - mine too! What a lovely little table with all of the gingerbreadness! I do love cookies exchanges but I have to admit, I've never seen the hostess go all out like you!! This is marvelous. Hope you're getting settled in your new home.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia;)

Tardevil said...

Miss Janice, I'm coming over to drop off a little "tag" for you. Come over to my place, when you get the chance & pick it up. It will be posted later today.

Anonymous said...

Morning Janice! I have been trying to collect gingerbread items for the last few years as I adore them so needless to say I love this post! Very fun! Sincerely, Jeannette

CIELO said...

Beautiful table and decorations... everything looks so festive, and ready for the Christmas celebrations...

Have a lovely day

cielo

The Raggedy Girl said...

Thank you for sharing your Peppermint Punch. I cannot wait to try it. Your table is wonderful.
Roberta Anne

Lady Katherine said...

Thank You so much, for in the information! I see if I can talk hubby into lunch at the CB. I deleted it for you. Have a great day.

Amy said...

I LOVE this!! So cute and creative. This truly puts me in the holdiday spirit.

Amy

Jenny said...

Cute! I love it all!

DairyQueen said...

what fun! I'm bookmarking this so hopefully we can do this next year!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely display! Very CUTE!

momof2 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
momof2 said...

Hi Miss Janice,
I loved this entry!! You are a women after my own heart. I do a Gingerbread theme in my kitchen and adjoining family room for the christmas season.

can you tell me where you found those adorable gingerbread flatware and GB goblets? ive never seen nothing like 'em. very festive indeed.
thanks so much!
camerlini@aol.com

Kay said...

I adore your site. Please share your source where you got the peppemint plates. I am an avid gingerbread and peppermint lover. I also admired the gingerbread plate holder...never seen that one either.

Thanks
Kay

Miss Janice said...

Kay, I don't have your e-mail address or blog, so I hope you see my reply:) The peppermint plate holder and peppermint plates all came from Cracker Barrel...if my memory is correct! Cracker Barrel has great seasonal tableware!

Anonymous said...

That table is so sweet! Excellent idea for a get together.

I'm going to try making that punch on Christmas Eve.

Thanks for sharing it with us!

janie said...

Would you share your recipe for the cheese straws and and you piminto cheese recipe as well. Thank you! janie in KY

Miss Janice said...

Janie,
I don't have your e-mail address, so I'm responding to your question here. I posted a recipe for "Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches" in a post on April 8, 2009--"Tee Time at the Augusta National." The "Cheese Straws" that I featured as my December 2009 "Friendship Gifts" were from company in Thomson Georgia--refer to my previous post! You may certainly e-mail me for more information at Miss Janice {at} Miss Janice {dot} com.

Lori said...

Miss Janice
That was truly a fabulous holiday event! I would have loved to have been there. What a talent you are! Lori

Scarlet said...

This is Kay again. I found the peppermint dinnerware at JC Penney; however, they are sold out...locally and onlne. If you happen to see them, please let me know. I am also looking for a peppermint stripe tablecloth.My Email address is scarletcsa@gmail.com. I wish you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!