{ Last years Christmas Tree }

While pulling out the decorations for this year, I was thinking how my Christmas tree has changed over time. I'm posting a few photos of our tree from last year. Taken on Christmas Eve~

I love this photo, so romantic with just the lights from the tree. I left off some of my most precious glass ornaments with two young cats in the house I didn't want to take any chances.

Same photo, with a flash. You can see the decorations better. The angel on the top of the tree is one like we had on my childhood tree. The original one was damaged. Thankfully I found another one on Ebay =) My two sisters each bought one too! Just to have memories of "home".

So what is special on your tree?
MaryAnn

{ Family surrounds us at Christmastime }

At Christmastime, we can't help but think of Christmases past. Both sets of our parents are gone. To have them as part of our Christmas celebration now, we decided to make photo ornaments of them to hang on the tree.

I found the two matching frame ornaments at Michaels. I knew they would be prefect. So simple, my Honey just printed out small wallet size photos. Cut them to fit the frames, insert and they were done. The hardest part was picking out the photos!

Now they hang on our tree~

My Parents- taken on their 25th wedding anniversary

My husbands Parents- my favorite photo taken when they were dating

At Christmastime, my heart longs to have those I love all around me~

Christmas Blessings,
MaryAnn

{ Cookie Exchange - FREE recipe card }

(Sample shown smaller than actual size. Will print sharp and clear)

The next item to check off you list is recipe cards. Continuing along with the theme of the cookie exchange, I drew up this cute recipe card. You could use it to print for you own recipes that you share or if you have extra time, use it for all the recipes shared at the party. Recipe card can be used for other times also because it's not specifically Christmas

A little giftie for you~
Printable Gingergirl recipe card. Prints out two 4 x6 cards on a sheet of card stock. Enjoy!

Use link to download JPEG file. Do not reshare.
DOWNLOAD HERE
For personal use only. Mouse drawn graphics by MeMeAnn's. Do not claim design as your own or use in any way for sale.

Is it time for the party yet?
MaryAnn

Linked at:
Inspiration Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Potporri Friday
Wow Us Wednesday

{ Roll out Cookies }

Roll out Cookies

1 C. butter, soft 1 C. sugar 1 lg egg Cream together top three ingredients. Add: 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp baking powder 3 C. flour Beat after each addition DO NOT CHILL DOUGH. Divide the dough.Cover with plastic. Roll out dough on flour to 1/8" thickness. Roll out so the dough is slightly thinner than the cookie cutter. Before cutting, put flour on the dough and on the cookie cutter. Decorate with sprinkles. You can re-roll the dough. Bake on undreased cookie sheet on the top rack in the oven. 4-7 minutes until just slightly brown on edges. Store in air tight container

{ Cookie Exchange- The Invitation }

I decided to use a gingerbread man (actually girl) theme for my cookie exchange. Starting with the invitation:

Send out your invitations as early as possible. Follow up with a phone call or email if you haven't heard back from someone. You need the total number of guests that will be attending your party. You will need to provide this information to your guests before the party, so they know how many cookies to bring. =)

This invitation is 4x6 in size. Perfect for mailing. Comes two on a sheet for printing. JPEG file. Print out on smooth heavy cardstock for best results.

This invitation is for personal use only. Not for reposting or sale in any form.

To download this file please click: HERE

Graphics are all mouse drawn by me in PSP. From MeMeAnn's Country Graphics

Have you ever been invited to a cookie exchange? Do you have a favorite cookie you bake? What fun thing do you remember about the party?

Happy Baking,
MaryAnn

Cookie Exchange Series:
Cookie Exchange Check List

{ Cookie Exchange - Party Check List }

Having a cookie exchange is a fun way to get together with family and friends friends that you may not see during the busy holiday season.

What is a cookie exchange? A group of friends getting together for a few hours to share cookies, recipes, an see your pretty house decorated for Christmas~ =) Each person brings one dozen prepackaged cookies to share. One for each guest and one to taste at the party.

Tips for your Cookie Exchange:

Schedule your date early in December

Invite your friends as soon as possible, December is a busy month

A pretty postcard invitation would be a nice surprise in their mailbox

Keep the guest list on the small side, I would suggest no more then 10 guests. Remember guests are supposes to bring enough cookies for each person plus one to share during the evening.

Pick out your cookie recipe, maybe try a new one!

Call each person or email them to collect their recipes and to tell them how many guests are coming so they bake enough cookies.

Gather all the recipes together to print out on recipe cards or simply on pretty paper with your printer

Decide on your menu. Cookies are sweet... sometimes you need something salty like pretzles or popcorn to tone down all the sugaryness =)Tea and coffee.

Think about how you will package your cookies for giving

A cute party favor would be extra special to remember the day

Gift bags needed for each guess to take their goodies home

Your camera, to take lots of photographs

Cookie Exchanges are one of the most fun holiday parties. When you get home you have an assortment of cookies to keep for Christmas (if you hide them) or a bunch to share with your family. Also wonderful new recipes to add to your collection.

What do you thing about having a cookie exchange?

Watch for more posts in this series to help you plan for your party~

MaryAnn