2011 Sweet and Savory Holiday Edible Gift Exchange

On December 10, 2011, I hosted the first annual Sweet and Savory Holiday Edible Gift Exchange to include some wonderful friends. It was a spin off to the traditional cookie exchange with a balance of sweet and savory gifts. This year I really wanted to focus on frugal but amazing gift giving ideas so this party was dedicated to that purpose and of course, just a reason to celebrate every day life. The twist was in the attire-Ugly Christmas Sweater:)

The soiree was a success and guests are anticipating an annual event. Here's how I did it:

Planning the event:

• Send out Save the Date notifications one month in advance
• Indicate the details of the party to include date, time, place, theme and guidelines for the edible gifts guests will bring.
• Guests were asked to specify what their edible gift idea was to avoid duplications-no one wants 10 dozen chocolate cupcakes right? This is a very important detail.
• Ask guests to package their goods as if they were giving it as a gift. Let them know that prizes will be awarded for various categories such as presentation, creativity and taste.
• Create an online group through Evite or Facebook group email to stay in touch with all invitees for updates.
• Ask guests to bring enough individually packaged gift for the number of guests in attendance and extra for the sample table.
• The host can decide on a pot luck or catered meal. We prepared all the foods for the guests but kept the menu simple with finger foods.

Be sure to scroll down and check out the whole blog with photos and more inpirational ideas.

These were my hostess gifts. Chocolate covered prestzels, spiced tea, rolling pin ornament with a tag that read "This is how we roll" and a mini whisk with a kiss and tag that read "We whisk you a Merry Christmas".

Part of the dessert/sample table.

"From the Kitchen" inpired handmade tree ornaments with help from my Cricut Expression of course.

The Ugly Sweater wearing ladies. Monica won but Laurie still feels that she should have won.

The whole gang missing a few.
This is the set up of all the edible gifts everyone brought. So beautiful.
These are my spiced tea packaged in a jar accompanied with a cute little teaspoon.
Louise's pumpkin rolls, Mary's Godiva chocolates and Monica's special bisquits.
Audrey's famous sandies-thee best in the west, east, south and north:)
Michelle's chocolate covered pretzel rods.
Mary's Godiva Chocolates...I bet this one was hard to make;)
Party favors-rolling pin. This is how we roll.
Mini whisk with a kiss. We wish you a Merry Kissmas!
Laurie's peppermint mallows and hot chocolate kit.
Close up of the spiced tea.
Darlene's Grog-yumminess for your coffee.
Party favors.
Debbie's strawberry shortcake.
Laurie's Mallows.
Ed's delicious cheese, meat and fruit platter.
My cranberry turkey pin wheels, Thanksgiving in a wrap.
deviled eggs-you can never go wrong.
A glance at the buffet table.
My Chicken apple salad bites.
another look at the edible gifts.
Coffee is served. I used snowmen peeps for drink garnish...how adorable.
Michelle's special house punch.
What's the Holidays without eggnog?

Pasta Salad with feta cheese.

Beautiful, I must say.