Have you ever had the desire to have your own holiday cookie exchange but just aren't sure where to start? Well, today's your lucky day. 2007 will mark the 15th anniversary of my very first cookie exchange. That first year, we were still in our first house, our now-16-year-old had just turned one, and I was still grieving over the loss of my mother to cancer from the year before. I needed something to boost my spirits -- big time. The cookie party was just the thing. My sister, who regrettably lived in another city at the time, had been attending a cookie exchange for several years at that point, so I got just a few tips from her, and from there, I really just shot from the hip.

I am here to tell you I had no earthly idea what I was doing.

And guess what. We had a ball!

Looking back on that first cookie exchange is very comical for me. I still have a couple of my original cookie party virgins-turned-veterans to prove how green we were. They come back every year to regale the others with tales of the "First Cookie Party".

To recap some of the highlights from 1992:

• One of my co-workers showed up with an unexpected guest, a plate of slice-and-bake chocolate chippers and a six pack of Bud. A former Missouri cheerleader, you had to love her spunk!
• I only had enough chairs for five people, so the other two of us had to stand the whole time.
• I played the same Manheim Steamroller (yes, Manheim Steamroller...) Christmas CD the whole night because it was the only one we owned.
• I threw everything in my house that looked out of place into the garage, figuring no one would see it. Then, one of my friends helped me clean up and went to empty the trash and found my secret!
• I forgot to get out one of the hors d'oeuvres that I was planning to serve.
• At least four of my invited guests did not come because it was too much of a commitment to make 3 dozen cookies.

As compared with the present (and numerous other years, for that matter...):

• ShopandTell showed up with wrapped chocolates from a favorite frozen yogurt store and a bottle of Senor Patron Tequila. You gotta' love her spunk, too!
• I only have enough chairs for about 30, so the other five or so just have to stand!
• I play the holiday music that Time Warner provides for me right on my own television. Yahoo!
• I throw everything in my house that looks out of place into the guest bedroom (hey, we don't have any room left in the garage - we've got cars and kids, after all...), figuring no one will see it there. And if they do, oh well.
• Forgetting to get out only one my planned hors d'oeuvres would be a modern day miracle. Can you say "Half-heimer's"?
• About 20% of my invited guests do not come because they are too busy to bake the required 6 dozen (yes, that's 72!) cookies or favorite holiday goodies. I get this. It really is a commitment.

Having said all of this, my holiday cookie exchange is one of my most favorite things that I do all year. I look forward to it for months. I can't wait. Look for more posts on this topic soon. I will set you up with suggestions on how to start your own tradition!

More about my cookie exchange:

• 300 Christmas Cookie Recipes
• Holiday Cookie Exchange Reverie
• Planning Your Holiday Cookie Exchange!
• Planning Your Cookie Exchange: The Details
• Planning Your Cookie Exchange: Final Words of Advice