22nd • COOKIE EXCHANGE
National Cookie Exchange Day (December 22) encourages people to come together and share their favorite holiday cookies. Cookie swaps were started as a way for people to sample a variety of cookies without baking them all themselves, adding fun and variety to holiday gatherings.
INTERNATIONAL COOKIE EXCHANGE: Try cookies from around the world! Bake or buy cookies like Italian pizzelles, Mexican polvorones, or Swedish ginger snaps. Kids can learn about different cultures through their sweets.
COOKIE-DECORATING CHALLENGE: Set up a decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Kids can create cookie “masterpieces,” and everyone votes for their favorite designs.
COOKIE MATH: Kids will remember the time you used cookies for a fun math activity, such as counting, sorting, or even basic addition and subtraction, especially for younger kids. Use area, circumference, etc. for older kids. It’s a tasty way to sneak in some learning.
COOKIE GIFT BAGS: Have kids make small bags of cookies decorated with ribbons and tags to deliver to neighbors or friends, teaching the joy of sharing and spreading cheer.
MYSTERY COOKIES TASTE TEST: Bake cookies with unusual but safe ingredients (like cinnamon, orange zest, or even a hint of chili) and have kids guess the flavors. It’s a delicious game that gets them curious about taste and spices.