Holiday Cookie Bar and Favorite Things Dinner Party
The Cookie Station
Hosting a cookie station is one of my favorite holiday traditions! Here’s a simple game plan to make it fun, stress-free, and memorable:
3-7 Days Before
Batch-make your cookie dough when you have a spare moment.
Freeze the dough to keep it fresh, and thaw it the day before baking.
1-2 Days Before
Bake all your cookies.
Save the decorating for the day before or the day of—it’s the most fun part! If you have friends who love decorating, enlist them to help.
Day Of
Prep a light snack board. I always go for a charcuterie board filled with easy, stackable goodies.
Make a seasonal cocktail for an extra festive touch—something fun and celebratory.
Set up the cookie station. I used acrylic markers and brown boxes for decorating.
Create an example cookie box to inspire your guests—sometimes people need a little nudge to get creative.
Cut parchment paper to line the bottom of the boxes for that perfect finishing touch.
Play a cozy holiday jazz album to set the mood. My go-to is A Charlie Brown Christmas—light, cheerful, and warm.
The Favorites Things Party
I stumbled across this idea online, and it’s quickly become a must-do for the holidays! It’s cozy, fun, and a great way to celebrate the year’s best finds.
How It Works
Each guest brings two of the exact same item—something they loved from the past year.
Everyone takes turns explaining why the item is their favorite. It’s always interesting to see what sparks joy for others!
When it’s time to pick gifts, draw numbers from a hat or bucket to decide the order.
Guests pick in this sequence: 1-2-3, then reverse for the second round (3-2-1). This way, the last person in the first round gets to go first in the second round—fair and fun!
Why It’s a Hit
It’s interactive, personal, and gives everyone the chance to try or learn about new things.
Plus, it’s always fun to see what items your friends can’t live without!
These ideas are perfect for creating magical, low-stress gatherings that your guests will talk about for months to come.
Happy Holidays and With Lots of Love,
Cristina