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Cookie exchange invitation wording

Three invite texts for a cookie swap: an email, a group chat message and a printed card. I wrote them fresh. Fill in the brackets and send. Each one points guests to a single link where they claim a cookie, which doubles as the RSVP.

Texts to copy

Replace [your swap link] with the invite link from your swap page. Guests open it, type a nickname and the cookie they will bake, and a cookie someone already took is blocked.

Email

Fits a longer message. Put the date in the subject line.

Subject: Cookie swap on [date]

Hi all,

I'm hosting a cookie swap on [day, date] at [time], at [place]. Everyone bakes a big batch of one kind of cookie and goes home with a box full of different ones.

How it works:
- Please bake [8] dozen of one kind of cookie. Homemade only.
- Pick your cookie and claim it here, which also counts as your RSVP: [your swap link]
- If someone already took it, the page tells you. Pick another one.
- Tick the allergens in your cookie on the same page. I'll print a label for every plate.
- Pack your cookies cooled, in a container, and bring an empty box to fill at the party.

Please claim your cookie by [date], so I know who is coming.

See you there,
[your name]

Group chat

Short enough to read on one screen. Send a reminder a week later.

Cookie swap on [day, date], [time] at [place]! Bake [8] dozen of ONE cookie and take home a box of everyone's. Claim your cookie here (that's your RSVP, and it stops two people bringing the same one): [your swap link]. Please tick the allergens there too. Bring an empty box for the trip home. Claim by [date]!

Printed card

For a work kitchen or a neighborhood mailbox. Type the link out in full.

COOKIE SWAP
[Day, date] at [time]
[Place]

Bake [8] dozen of one kind of cookie.
Take home a box of many kinds.

Claim your cookie and RSVP at:
[your swap link]

By [date], please.
Pack cookies cooled, in a container, and bring an
empty box. Tick the allergens on the page and the
host prints the labels.

Host: [your name], [phone or email]

What to include

  • Date, time and place, plus a deadline for claiming a cookie.
  • How many to bake. One number, such as "8 dozen". The table by guest count gives it for 4 to 20 guests. One article I read suggests waiting for the replies before telling guests how many to make. With a claim link the number updates as people reply.
  • Homemade or store-bought. Say which. Some hosts welcome any baked goods, which takes pressure off guests who don't bake.
  • One kind of cookie each, and no repeats, because guests claim their cookie first.
  • Allergens. Ask for them with the claim. A recipe card or ingredient list tells guests what contains nuts, soy or gluten.
  • Packaging. Cookies cooled, in a container, and an empty box or two to take the mix home. Keep a few spares for people who forget.
  • The RSVP. Claiming a cookie is the reply. Whoever hasn't claimed one by the deadline is who to nudge.
  • Your contact, for questions and late changes.

When to send it

My suggestion: send the invite 2 to 3 weeks ahead. That gives people time to plan a big bake before the December rush, and leaves a week to chase late claims. Some invitation companies advise 6 to 8 weeks for holiday invites, which suits a big party but is long for a swap with friends. Remind everyone who hasn't claimed a cookie about a week before. The full timeline is in the host guide.

The link in the invite

Make a swap, set the date and the rule once, and you get one link. Guests claim cookies there and see how many they bake. You print labels and a cookie list from the claims. The cookie swap rules explain the reasoning behind the texts above.

Get my swap link

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