Church Cookie Swap

I remember my mom going to holiday cookie swaps when I was living at home, but I never attended one myself until last Friday night.  My son asked me to consider coordinating one for the women of our church, so I agreed to do it.

There was just nine of us in attendance.  Four were sick and couldn't come - lots of colds and flu going around right now, but we decided there's more intimacy in a smaller group and a better opportunity to get to know each other - not that we aren't hoping for more ladies to join us next year.

The cookies I made were Kolache or Raspberry Bow Tie cookies.  It was my first time to make them, and even though they turned out okay and tasted good, I don't think I'll make them again - they're too putsy.  Each lady was asked to bring 4 dozen cookies and they got to take 8 cookies home from each of the other ladies' cookies.  

~ My cookies ~

The grand array of cookies [and calories] pictured below.  My favorite was oatmeal scotchies. 1st place prize [a Christmas centerpiece] went to my daughter-in-law who made decorated sugar cookies.  They were beautiful.

The swap began at 6:30, and after we arranged all the cookies on the table, I served hot spiced cider and pizza.

The munchies were a 'Christmas Blessing Mix' that I found online.  It's similar to trail mix, but I opted not to mix everything together and use each one individually for the devotional.  I used my 'lazy Susan' that I got for my bridal shower - first time it's been used in years.

Bugles [far left] represented the joyful message from the Heavenly Host, as they announced Christ's birth.  I couldn't find any scriptural reference to them playing trumpets at Christ's birth, but the trumpet will sound at His second coming.

Pretzels [far right] represented Mary's loving arms as she wrapped her Son in swaddling clothes.  With a little research I learned that pretzels date back to 610 AD when a monk living in a monastery in Northern Italy baked them as a reward to his students for learning their prayers.  The three twists resemble crossed arms, which was the traditional prayer pose at that time, and the three-holed pretzel represented the Trinity.

The center bowl in the lazy Susan was red hot candies - symbolizing Christ's redemption and eternal life.  Holly berries are red representing the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, and because the holly plant is so hearty and endures the harshest conditions, it represents eternal life.  

Pumpkin seeds represented the promise of a future harvest.  A man reaps what he sows, and if we don't become weary in doing good, we will reap a harvest.

M & M's symbolized those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.  Jesus is our greatest guide and teacher.

Hershey's Kisses represented the love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.  On a deeper level, God has adopted us into His family and Jesus calls us His friend.

Candy Canes represent the shepherd's crook used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.  Jesus is our Good Shepherd.    

I had a photo board where I asked each lady to bring a Christmas picture of themselves from their childhood or adulthood.  That's my childhood Christmas picture with my brother and sister.  The board got filled in with other pictures as the ladies began to arrive.

It's the memories that make Christmas meaningful and magical, so I asked each lady to share their most memorable Christmas memory.  Everyone participated and it was wonderful hearing their memories and stories.

Have you gone to a Christmas cookie swap this year?