Christmas Cookie Swap & Tea Social

Because it's been so hectic and I've had little time to post

 I am putting two parties into one blog post to share this before

Christmas. Not much longer now, is it?

I hosted my annual Christmas Cookie Exchange

 followed a few days later by having a large

"Tea, Coffee and Cookies Social."

There's always such fun and clever ways my friends and family

 find to package their cookies up for easy swapping.

These are both easy-to-host parties because the cookies

are the main attraction, and when you do a swap

you get lots of kinds to share with very little effort!

Let's just say by the time I hosted the Tea Social

the raspberry thumbprints and the ginger snaps

were GONE........hrm, seems Mr. Finch Rest has his favorites!

We always have a gift exchange at my cookie swap.

I think my favorite this year was made by my youngest daughter.

It was a cute pedestal snowman themed mug

with a couple hot cocoa mix kits inside

with really cute decorated marshmallows

and little wooden stir sticks with chocolate & peppermint!

Handmade gifts are always so special to receive, aren't they?

The evening cookie swap consisted of ten ladies 

and the informal tea a few days later was held mid afternoon. 

I ended up having about 20 gals

 from my civic women's club for the social.

I made it as easy as possible simply just stacking holiday

teacups and coffee mugs

and provided a help-yourself area for hot cuppas:

Holiday tea bags

Coffee

Egg Nog

Mulled Cider

Lemon Water

And all the cookies you cared to eat!

Here's the glass mugs above, up close. 

We had cookies, and fruit bars and candies, too this year.

I swear I am gaining weight just posting about them!

SOOOOO yummy!!

My only wish is that YOU could have joined us!

Then you could have smelled the pine and mulled cider,

seen all the candles flickering, and heard the sounds of

the soft holiday music and laughter....

setting the tone for a very happy Christmas....

Because I wish you the very best!

I shared my pine cone decor yesterday and still hope to show my tablescape,

trees and mantle this week. I am behind, but when there's a will there's a way!

As always, thank you for your visit!

♥

~Michele

Linking:

Tea Time Tuesday   *   Tea Cup Tuesday   *   Tuesday Cuppa Tea