Last Minute Christmas Party Favors

A week or so ago I hosted a family Christmas gathering. Something small, just to see everyone before the holiday madness. I wanted to send everyone home with a little gift but I thought about it too late and had to come up with something last minute.

I found these super cute advent calendar mini bags at IKEA and ended up using them as party favor bags.

I wrapped up some of my gingerbread cookies and added one in each bag.

Then I filled some mini plastic bags with a single portion of my homemade hot chocolate mix (I'll be sharing the recipe soon so make sure to check back later!), labeled them with pretty handwritten tags and added those too.

I also added a few mini chocolates and a little candy cane. Nothing fancy, but I totally enjoyed the homemade touch.

“What kind of little trinkets would you like to receive in party favors?”

Make Your Own Cookie Gift Wrap Using Wax Paper

It just isn't Christmas without yummy gingerbread cookies.

I had so much fun coming up with my own gingerbread cookie recipe that I made a few extra batches to give away as party favors for Christmas. I didn't want to put naked cookies in bags because that's just boring. Any chance I have to get creative, I accept the challenge!

I didn't have any fancy bags or boxes so I came up with something super cute using wax paper, markers and ribbon.

MATERIALS

Wax paper
Permanent markers
Scissors
Baker's twine

STEPS

1. Cut the wax paper into squares.

2. Draw a simple pattern (or whatever your heart desires) on the wax paper using permanent markers.

3. Flip the decorated paper upside down and place your cookie upside down onto it.

4. Fold the paper to wrap the cookie.

5. Add a pretty string or ribbon.

There you have it! Such a quick and simple way to dress homemade cookies for a cute gift. You could use this for colleagues, friends or even your neighbors. Hope you enjoy wrapping up your home baked goods! :D

“Do you have any fun way to wrap up single cookies?”

Easy Gingerbread Cookies (Egg Free)

Christmas time is in the air and nothing screams Happy Holidays louder than gingerbread cookies.

Can I just take a minute to say how much fun I had with this photo shoot. I'm getting so much better at styling my photos and using daylight (although challenging with babies) to my advantage.

Oh, and also, I discovered that I have absolutely no self control. I ate every.single.cookie. Every last one of them.

I'm so happy that I finally have an egg free gingerbread cookie recipe... and just in time for our Christmas Tree decorating party!

Do you have any cookie recipe you make every Christmas?

Ingredients

5 cups Flour
1 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Molasses
1/3 cup Plain Yogurt
1 tsp Baking Soda
3 tsp Ginger
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Ground Cloves

(makes about 75 small cookies)

Steps

1. Mix the dry ingredients together.
2. Add the wet ingredients and mix.
3. Roll dough and use cookie cutters to make pretty shapes.
4. Carefully place each cookie on a platter and bake at 350F for 9-10 minutes.

I have to be honest, the gingerbread cookie, in my opinion, is all about the molasses. A brown molasses will make a milder tasting cookie than a darker one.

I ended up making another 2 batches of cookies to serve at a family Christmas event and they were devoured. DE-VOU-RED. They are seriously yum.