It's a Cookie Swap!

Tips to Make Your Party a Hit — David Tsay

Homemade cookies and the holidays go hand in hand. Celebrate the season with a festive party where everyone arrives with one variety and leaves with an assortment. Make your contribution stand out with one of these fun (and yummy) recipes.

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santa cookie_stills

Turn your plain old sugar cookies into Jolly Old Saint Nicholas with just colored melting chocolates, mini marshmallows and M&Ms.

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Santa Cookies — David Tsay

David Tsay

Santa Cookies

Luckily, this Santa won't get upset if you tug at his beard or nibble on his nose.

Try more kid-friendly cookie ideas.

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Melted Snowman Cookies — David Tsay

David Tsay

Melted Snowman Cookies

Kids go crazy for these adorable treats. Use store-bought dough to cut down on prep time.

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Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Trees — David Tsay

David Tsay

Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Trees

Kids will love to help decorate these pretty and festive cookies.

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Slice-and-Bake Chocolate Penguins — David Tsay

David Tsay

Slice-and-Bake Chocolate Penguins

Sweet penguin cookies are perfect on their own or dunked in a cold glass of milk.

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How to Make Sandwich Cookie Snowglobes

Make these clever snack-worthy snowglobes in just a few simple steps.

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Colorful Crinkle Cookies — David Tsay

David Tsay

Colorful Crinkle Cookies

Looking for a quick and easy Christmas cookie recipe that will steal the show? Look no further.

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Christmas Bark — David Tsay

David Tsay

Christmas Bark

This no-bake treat is sure to satisfy chocoholics and time-pressed moms alike.

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How to Make Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

The Naptime Chef, Kelsey Banfield, shows how to make easy thumbprint cookies with jam.

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Tips to Make Your Party a Hit — David Tsay

David Tsay

Tips to Make Your Party a Hit

- Ask friends to say what type of cookie they're bringing when they RSVP so you can avoid duplicates.
- Ask each guest to bring at least four dozen cookies -- a dozen for munching on at the party and the rest for others to take home.

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Tips to Make Your Party a Hit — David Tsay

David Tsay

Tips to Make Your Party a Hit

- Prep a long table or a few smaller tables to display the cookies.
- If any guests have food allergies, be sure allergen-containing cookies are clearly marked.
- Offer treat boxes and tissue paper for your friends to use to carry their cookies home.

Originally published in the December 2013 issue of Parents magazine.

By Karen Tack

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