Merry Wednesday, friends!
Guess what?
It’s a THREE POST WEDNESDAY! Today, I have something for everyone. If you need some GIFT IDEAS, I have you covered HERE. If you need an easy and FESTIVE COOKIE RECIPE, I have those HERE. And if you’re wanting to host a Recipe Exchange/Favorite Things Party like I do every year, I have my top tips below 🙂 .
Three posts, one super fun Wednesday!
Now, I have discussed in great detail my love of having people in my home and hosting a party about 984 times here in blog world. There are so many posts on this one topic including my 19 KEYS FOR HOSTING FESTIVE & EASY HOLIDAY PARTIES as well as this post on HOSTING PARTIES and there is even a podcast episode where Erika and I break down the specifics that you can listen to HERE.
And that’s not even cracking the surface on the topic 🙂 .
Today, I thought I’d do one post with my TOP TIPS FOR HOSTING A RECIPE EXCHANGE/FAVORITE THINGS PARTY just in case you want to try it this season (although, you can TOTALLY do it any time of the year!) because last night was mine, and it truly is always one of my very favorite nights of the year.
As a reminder…
Everyone brings one recipe that correlates with the theme to be shared amongst the group. It’s basically a big potluck where you enjoy the yummy food and then exchange the recipes. In the past, these have been some of our themes:
- Appetizers (our favorite, we’ve done it many, many years)
- Side Dishes (I provided the turkey and rolls)
- Desserts (I provided the “dinner” portion)
- Casseroles
- Breakfast food
- Mexican inspired
- Anything you want to bring (just your BEST recipe!)
Last year, I invited everyone with the theme of “bring your favorite family recipe” and for the love, my friends all revolted against me. These amazingly sweet people thought that was the worst idea ever and for the first time in like 13 years, I changed the theme to “forget it, bring whatever the heck you want” 😉 .
You could do soups, slow cooker recipes, must include “bacon”, cookies, something with cream cheese…the list is long.
So, that’s the basis of the party. We are super fun so about 5 or 6 years ago, we added a second element (but you could totally do these separately and not together) and made the party also a Favorite Things Party…
For this, everyone in the group brings their favorite “thing” for every single guest. This way, everyone leaves the party with a big collection of “favorites”. After many, many years of doing this, I have thoughts…
- I personally feel like these parties are best for smaller groups of very close friends/family. In my instance, I’m purchasing 8 items for my 8 friends (and they’re all doing the same), so this gets a little pricey. You might not want mixed company/people who normally wouldn’t buy gifts for each other out money on strangers.
- Smaller is also better because you can gift nicer items that you know they will love and use.
- We do not set a price point, but you absolutely could. This group has been besties for 17 years now. We know all the ins and outs about each other and our families. We’ve traveled together many times, we’ve suffered tremendous loss together and also celebrated many joys. We always know that one year maybe my tried and true FAVORITE thing only cost $8. We are excited to get that $8 item and could care less that maybe someone else spent $30 on their favorite (when last year, maybe they only spent $10). We are all really fluid about this stuff because we know we are all bringing our #1 favorite that we cannot wait to share. All of that to say, if it simplifies your party, set a price range 😉 .
So, that’s that basis of the party. I’m not going to give you “party planning” tips today (I have many of those posts already!), I’m really just going to share some silly little “tips” that I find very useful when it comes to this evening on top of my normal “party planning”. This is practical stuff, y’all.
In no particular order…
HAVE EASY LABELS OUT TO PUT BESIDE THE FOOD
Truly, I’ve done this a million different ways. In this photo above, I used construction paper and a Sharpie and just added them to my old place setting trees, but I’ve also…
…used butcher paper and had Sharpies around for people to mark their food. Where’s the name on this one? No name needed when you recognize the handwriting and sass of Mrs. McAnally 😉 .
GET IT ON THE CALENDAR EARLY
I personally think, after years of hosting, for a bunch of ladies who are already busy during the holiday season, earlier is better. Last year, Thanksgiving was a week earlier, so we even had it at the very end of November. The most important reason why you have it early in the season though is so that everyone can actually use these recipes. Every year, I find a recipe or two that I LOVE and use it later on when hosting other friends and family.
GET THE RECIPES IN ADVANCE
I always have my friends send me their recipes in advance for three reasons.
First, I want to make sure I don’t need to fill in any gaps. As the host, if no one submitted a beverage recipe, then I need to provide drinks. If we don’t get a dessert/sweet treat, then I need to have that. I either do this with my own recipe or I just add a second recipe to fill in the gaps for a well rounded meal.
The second reason I like the recipes in advance is to make sure we don’t have two of the same thing. You would be surprised how often I get two recipes that are pretty identical. I always kindly ask the second person who submitted the recipe to please pick again.
The third reason why I like the recipes in advance is…
…so that I can make our little recipe books! You guys, don’t overcomplicate this. I literally just look at their recipes and type them into a Microsoft Word document, print and staple. I add a photo of us to the front and bam, they all leave with a booklet. This is basic stuff.
KEEP IT COMFY
We love to come in our comfy clothes! Some years, we come in “ugly” Christmas sweaters, but more often than not, we come in festive pajamas (and even clay face masks 😉 ). If everyone is bringing food and gifts already, let’s not stress about what to wear.
GIVE OUT A GREAT PRIZE
I always give a great prize to the person whose recipe is voted #1. We bring in our yummy food, we make a big plate, we chat over dinner, and then everyone secretly votes at a little voting station I make before the #1 recipe is announced (the host cannot win). I personally feel like at this party, since I’m having my guests bring most of the food, they are doing 90% of the work. I take the money I would normally spend on food and drinks and give a really good prize to the winner. This makes my friends extra competitive and more fun the next year 🙂 . What do I gift? I’ve done everything from a nice bracelet and/or necklace to a big gift card, a really pretty find from Pottery Barn…whatever it is, it’s just extra special as I’m extra grateful they all brought food over.
So, those are five tips should you want to host a similar party this year!
If you have questions or need more tips, please comment and share! I’m so happy to help you host an awesome party too!
Don’t forget, I HAVE GIFT IDEAS and FESTIVE COOKIES today too!! Make sure you pop over there as well!
I’ll see you guys tomorrow! xx
Susan Jeffries says
I love your favorite things parties! I have always wanted to host one! Hopefully next year!
Lee says
Please consider doing a post of the recipes from your recipe exchange/favorite things party. Thank you!
Jenny N says
I agree….I would love the recipes and to see all the favorite things too!
Tina says
yes! I want to see the favorite things!
GiGi says
Me too!!! I would love to see both from this year and years past (recipes).
Pam says
And also the favorite things!
Heather Smith says
Yes! I think I’ve been posting this same thing every year for over a decade🤣 I’ve even suggested Shay make another cookbook with all of these recipes in it!
Elspeth says
I love this idea!! I want to do it myself one day!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Maggie says
Will you share what the “favorite” thing gifts were given? Its always fun to hear others favorites.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I will add it in my Friday Faves!
Cris says
I’d love to read the recipes too!
Britt says
Will you do a post on what everyone brought this year that was their favorite thing?
Mix and Match Mama says
I always say I will, and I always forget. I will try to put it in my Friday Faves!
Melissa Terry says
This is always one of my favorite posts to read every year! So much fun
Ashley D says
Love your tips! My mom and I host a Christmas Party each year and just had our party Monday night. This was the 9th year hosting together, and I just love it! We have done an Ornament Exchange Party, Christmas Decor Exchange and a Favorite Things Party as well (but each person brings only two gifts). It’s still fun because people get to go home with two items as we usually have bigger groups – one year I think there were 18 of us! Some years when we are exchanging gifts, we throw in a surprise and let guests steal each others gifts which always leads to lots of laughter and competition! We also have people come dressed up! Our theme this year was a Thrifty Christmas, so your outfit was supposed to come from the Thrift Store. We have people vote on who was the best dressed, and we had a prize for them. Our friends tell us all the time that they look forward to our Christmas Party each year, so I highly encourage you if you are not already throwing a party, do it! The memories are worth it!
Mix and Match Mama says
I could not love this more!!! What a wonderful tradition, and I love your theme this year!
Debbie A says
Thanks for breaking down the favorite things. I love the idea and agree that a smaller number of people is the way to go. Can’t wait to see the favorite things! I also love the prize idea for the best recipe!
Marti says
I am doing a Favorite Things party for the first time on Saturday. Mine will be a bit different–at least for this year. For food, everyone is just bringing a snack or two to share–no recipes. For the gifts, each guest is bringing only TWO gifts (both the same). We will draw numbers to see who gets to pick a gift first. On the first round, #1 gets to pick first, #2 gets to pick second, etc. On the second round of gift-picking, the last number (ex: #8) picks first, #7 picks second, and so on until #1 gets the last pick. I am really looking forward to it and so are my friends. I’m hoping to make this a yearly tradition!
Mix and Match Mama says
We call that a White Elephant exchange! I love that idea too!!
K.K. says
I want to come to your parties, Shay!! These tips are great!! Thanks. ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Please come 😉 !
Pamela says
One of my favorite posts all year…love the idea so much! Can you please share what people brought as their favorite item as well as some of the winning recipes? Thank you ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I’ll add it to my Friday Faves this week!
Erika Slaughter says
SO MUCH FUN!! I had a great time last night!
Tamara R says
Okay, am I the only one that read that as must include “bacon cookies”? Pahaha- that sure would be interesting! This party looks like so much fun! This is the first year I haven’t hosted a charcuterie table party (we fill my entire dining room table with charcuterie) with my friends. I need to try your recipe party next year, I love a good competition, especially if it involves food!
Leah Z says
Such a fun tradition! My moms’ group does a Favorite Things party every year, but we do it a little differently. We each bring one item – our favorite thing of the year. Then we do some kind of swap (roll dice, pass around, steal, etc) and when the person opens the gift that you brought, we tell why it’s our favorite. We do a $10 limit, but you could change that for whatever your group wants!
Jeanette says
Sounds like so much fun! Great tips!
MICHELLE OKERLUND says
My mom has her Annual Christmas Tea usually the 1st Sunday in December. She has held it for 16 years. Since I moved back home 7 years ago, I have attended and for the last 3 years, I have catered it for her. She is almost 80 and still has friends from middle school, line dancing class friends, other friends, and now my daughter-in-law and myself. It starts with teas and scones, then soup, tea sandwiches and nibbles and ends with dessert and dessert wine. She usually has a couple of fun games to include everyone…usually includes a lot of fun and laughter. Then she gives a party gift to everyone before they leave. It really is a fun time.
I think next year, I’m going to have a recipe exchange party of my own.
Mix and Match Mama says
This is just the sweetest!! I could not love this more.
Leslie S says
One of my fav posts of the year!! I use a couple recipes you shared from past parties (one is a caramel apple dip, I can’t recall if it was Shaeffer or Andrea who brought it – but it’s now a fam fav here!) Would love to have some more recipes from your fun party!! I also love the fav things from your parties –
Many of them have become hit gifts that I’ve given. So much FUN!!
Marianne says
After all these years of admiring your parties, I finally planned A Favorite Things Party. I got all the recipes and then sent them to Staples after I finished typing them and they made them into little booklets. I compared a bunch of different sodas from soda shops and I made an at home soda bar and named the drinks words from “A few of my favorite things” so rain drops on rose and whiskers on kittens etc and people had so much fun making their sodas with different torani flavors. Then I bought stuff for everyone to make homemade vanilla, cut out vinyl and ironed on tote bags for their gift they’d be taking home that said “Just a few of my favorite things”. We ate first and then everyone shared why their gift was their favorite and I gifted everyone their recipe books and a blanket at the end. They kept asking where I got the idea and I told them about you. Thanks for all your inspiring posts, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am SO EXCITED by this comment!! I am thrilled you did it too!
~B~ says
I so look forward to this post each and every year and am excited to see what the favorites were! So very fun!
Kacy M says
My bible study group does a favorite things gift exchange every year (price range is $15-20). So fun!
D Jackson says
Love this post each year!! Would love to know the recipes!! I host a Fave Things party but in a different way! Each guest brings 2 items 3 of each so 6 total…then I have six rounds of picking! Each person goes home with 6 different things!! So much fun!! I love the holidays and time with family and friends!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well that’s a fun way to do it!!
Katie says
Have you shared the breakfast casserole recipe you made this year? Looking at options for Christmas meals this week!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m going to!! Stay tuned!