Right, let’s dive into a conversation I had with my friend Eloise the other day. We were chatting about articles I’m writing on home entertaining, specifically interactive cooking and baking parties. Eloise, a self-proclaimed baking enthusiast, had recently hosted a ‘Cookie Decorating Christmas Extravaganza’ and I was keen to glean some wisdom.
“So, Eloise,” I started, sipping my tea, “tell me everything! How did you even begin to organise such a feat?”
Eloise laughed. “Honestly, it started with a Pinterest board! But seriously, planning is key. First, I sent out invitations well in advance, specifying the date, time, and whether guests needed to bring anything. I asked everyone to let me know of any allergies in advance.”
I nodded. “Smart. What about the cookies themselves? Did you bake them all yourself?”
“Absolutely not!” she exclaimed. “That would have been madness. I baked a big batch of plain sugar cookies a day before. I used a simple recipe I’ve perfected over the years, but you can find tons online. The key is to make sure they’re completely cool before decorating. I made a variety of shapes – stars, trees, gingerbread men, you know the drill! If you want to make it easier you could ask guests to bring pre made cookies, this way everyone can contribute and it’ll be quicker.”
“Okay, so cookies sorted. What about the all-important frostings and decorations?”
“That’s where the real fun began! I prepared three different types of frosting: a basic royal icing, a chocolate buttercream, and a vanilla glaze. I made sure to have plenty of food colouring on hand to create a rainbow of options. For decorations, I went a little crazy: sprinkles of all shapes and sizes, edible glitter, mini chocolate chips, silver balls, chopped nuts, even some dried cranberries. Think of it like a sweetie shop, but for cookies!”
I could picture it all perfectly. “Did you have any specific activities or competitions planned?”
“Oh yes! We had a ‘Best Decorated Cookie’ contest, judged by my notoriously critical five-year-old nephew. The winner got a small prize – a festive apron, I think. We also did a ‘Blind Taste Test’ where people had to guess the flavour of different frostings. That one was hilarious! We could have gone into more detail, but time was of the essence!”.
“Sounds like great fun. What about music? Did you have a festive playlist?”
“Definitely! I created a playlist of classic Christmas carols, some upbeat pop songs, and a few more modern festive tunes. It was playing in the background throughout the party, creating a really lovely atmosphere.”
“Did you think about making it family-friendly? Any tips for including younger guests?”
“Absolutely. I made sure to have plenty of aprons and wipes on hand. I also set up a separate decorating station just for the kids, with smaller cookies and easier-to-manage decorations. Also, keep the younger guests entertained and stop them becoming bored as this is more likely to lead to issues.”
“And what about different skill levels? Some people might feel intimidated if they’re not experienced bakers.”
“That’s a good point. I made sure to emphasise that it was all about having fun, not creating perfect masterpieces. I also offered a few simple decorating techniques that anyone could try. The key is to create a relaxed and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable experimenting.”
“You mentioned earlier you have an orangery. Did that play a part in the party?”
“It did! The orangery was the perfect setting. It’s bright, airy, and has plenty of space for everyone to spread out. Plus, the natural light made the cookies look even more appealing! If you haven’t got an orangery then a warm kitchen is ideal. Decorate with fairy lights and candles to bring in that festive feel.”
So, there you have it. Eloise’s ‘Cookie Decorating Christmas Extravaganza’ sounded like a roaring success. The key takeaways for hosting a similar party? Plan ahead, prepare your cookie dough in advance and make sure that it is cooled completely before decorating, offer a variety of frostings and decorations, include some fun activities or competitions, create a festive playlist, make it family-friendly and inclusive of all skill levels, and if you have one, utilise your orangery or a warm kitchen to create a cozy atmosphere. Baking parties at home are good for people of all ages and can be adapted to cater to everyone. It is one way of bringing people together to create a memorable event. With good food and friendly party games, everyone will have a great time!
