MAKE IT CUTE

Spread the word

When it comes to cookies, the more the merrier, I say! Cut out circular invites and decorate ‘em to look like your favorite crunchy treat. On the back, write out the details of your party. Ask each girl to bring over a couple dozen scrumptious cookies. Any kind will do, but its best when each girl brings a different variety. Passing around a cookie sign-up sheet once you’ve got your attendees squared away will keep ya organized.

Get bakin’

Just ‘cause you’re hosting doesn’t mean you don’t have to bring some goodies to the party. But—lucky you!—you get to pick your recipe first, so make it a good one. Choose a family favorite or pick one from GL’s sweet treats recipe vault.

Lay out your spread

Unless you wanna send your besties home with tummy aches, you need to have some not-so-sweet nibbles on hand. Before your guests arrive, you can whip up some tasty finger sandwiches. Peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, tuna salad—whatever you want will work. Cut off the crusts to make it super elegant, and serve it along side some fresh fruit and veggies.

How it works

Ready to get down to business? Set aside a dozen or so of each type of cookie your buds bring—more or less depending on how many girls you’ve invited. These are the sweets your free to eat all night long. There will be enough of each type of cookie so that every girl can try one if she likes…and Mom and Dad can have some nibbles, too.

The rest of the cookies are meant to be swapped and brought home. Supply each of your buds with an extra plate—durable paper works just fine—and let them choose the cookies they want to bring back to their own houses.

Kick back ‘n’ relax

When the cookies are snugly wrapped in plastic on their new plates, roll out your sleeping backs and settle in for a rousing game of truth or dare, a couple of favorite holiday movies or some old classics. Try pulling out Monopoly, Sorry, Trouble, Chutes and Ladders and the like for some childhood fun.

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016