Looking for a unique way to celebrate the holidays that’s fun for all ages? Whether you’re big on baking or haven’t turned on your oven in ages, there are a number of ways to host a cookie party. Pre-teens might enjoy making a gingerbread house from scratch, including all the village pieces. If you’re hosting young children and their parents, opt for cookie decorating. And if you want to spend less time baking and more time talking—say, for a group of adults—consider a cookie swap.
Whatever route you take, Minted makes it easy to be creative with planning and entertaining. Here’s a step-by-step guide for organizing a great holiday cookie party, including ideas for picking a theme, recipes, day-of preparations, and take-home gifts for all your little (and big) bakers.
There are so many clever ways to host a cookie party, and we’re here to help you get the creative sprinkles flowing. Consider centering your cookie party theme around particular baked goods, your favorite holiday songs and movies, or all of the above. Here are some ideas:
If you can dream it, you can do it. For visual inspiration, scroll down for design themes in our collection of holiday aprons, mitts, and more.
Before you send invitations, plan ahead and think through logistics, such as the amount of space you have and whether children need adult supervision. Whether you’re throwing a small party for family or a big shebang for your child’s entire classroom, make a list of everyone you’d like to invite and pick a date and time. Also think about whether you want a set beginning and end time or if your party will be a drop-in open house. If you’d like to send paper invites via snail mail, allow for shipping and RSVP time. Prefer to manage correspondence online? Send guests a Minted online invitation; we offer a number of designs in cookie party themes. You can even upload your address book to make the process a cinch.
View Minted’s Holiday paper party invitations here. Minted Online Invitations are free for a limited time. View cookie-theme holiday party online invitations here.
For a classic gingerbread house, we love this Food Network recipe; keep in mind a gingerbread house takes at least an hour and a half to bake and assemble. If you need an easier activity for younger kids, invite them to make snowmen out of marshmallows and candy. If you’re hosting a cookie decorating party, we recommend that you bake the morning of the party to allow for cooling time before decorating. We love this classic buttery cookie recipe from Martha Stewart. As for frosting and toppings, if you want to make icing from scratch, Martha’s cookie recipe includes simple icing instructions. Have fun selecting colorful sprinkles, sugars, and candies for everyone to decorate to their delight. And of course, you can always skip baking altogether and purchase pre-made cookies from your favorite bakery.
Regardless of your pastry cheffing skills, everyone can make like a baker and wear a stylish apron. Minted’s collection of aprons come in several fabric patterns, ranging from festive for the holidays to statement-making any time of year. Minted aprons make great gifts for your adult guests and kids alike; they’re made from 100% durable cotton, and kids’ aprons come with free personalizable embossed leather tags. We offer “mini” me aprons sized for kids 4 and up. View our collection of aprons at minted.com/aprons and minted.com/kids-aprons.
San Francisco* apron by Kristie Kern
* other cities available.
Before everyone arrives on the day of the Great Cookie Party, set up everything you need, including bakeware, cookie cutters, utensils, and beverages. To make cleanup a piece of cake, cover your table or baking station with white butcher paper.
If you’re a devil for details, we offer beautiful table linens in prints that coordinate and complement aprons and mitts. View luxe table linens here.
A cookie party is not complete without our final tip: Have fun!
Minted Address Book app
Stay connected with contacts and manage your addresses with ease.
Minted Address Book app
Stay connected with contacts and manage your addresses with ease.
