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Cookie exchange rules

As far as I found, nobody publishes an official rulebook, so every host writes their own. I read five guides to see which rules come up and where they disagree. Eight decisions cover almost everything. The table shows each one, how the guides set it, and what I'd pick.

The eight rules and how hosts set them

Cookie exchange rules, what published guides say, and a suggested pick
Rule What guides say My pick
Homemade or store-bought One guide says "all cookies must be homemade". Another leaves it to the host and says store-bought or slice-and-bake is fine, since not everyone bakes. Homemade, with slice-and-bake allowed. Say which in the invite.
How many cookies 2 to 3 dozen per guest (AP, Ricardo), 3 to 4 dozen for 6 to 12 guests (Speckled Palate), a dozen for each guest plus a dozen to taste (What's Cooking America), 6 per guest plus a tasting dozen (Deseret). One number in the invite. Use the chart if you want the dozen-per-guest rule.
No two of the same cookie Guests name their cookie when they RSVP (Deseret, What's Cooking America). AP uses first come, first served: a claimed type is off-limits. The earliest claim keeps the cookie, checked on one shared list.
Recipe copies A printed copy for each attendee (Deseret, What's Cooking America, Speckled Palate). AP shares them in a shared document or group instead. A shared link. It saves paper and nobody forgets copies.
Containers Guests bring a large container for the trip home (What's Cooking America) or their own tins or plates, and the host keeps spare boxes (Speckled Palate, AP). Ask for an empty box each and keep a few spares.
Allergens AP says to state up front if you will not check recipes for allergens, and to say so if you require something like nut-free. What's Cooking America asks for ingredients on the recipe. Allergens on every label. Ask bakers to flag a serious allergy before they shop.
Sign-up deadline AP suggests a deadline so guests can plan and shop. Invitations go out about a month early (What's Cooking America) or at least 10 days ahead (Deseret). Invite 2 to 3 weeks ahead, close claims one week before.
Non-cookie treats Speckled Palate lets the host decide whether candy, fudge or no-bake treats count. Decide before the invite goes out. Candy that is not a cookie can be its own entry.

Where the guides disagree

The biggest gap is the cookie count. Two to 3 dozen per guest is a flat amount that does not grow with the group. The dozen-per-guest rule grows with it: at 8 guests it asks each baker for 9 dozen (its own example). I'd pick the flat amount for groups over about 10 (chart by guest count). The second gap is recipes. Three guides ask for printed copies and AP suggests a shared document, which saves paper.

Group size is less contested. The guides land on 6 to 12 (Speckled Palate), 8 to 12 (AP), 10 to 12 (What's Cooking America) or 10 to 15 (Ricardo).

Worked example: Dana's swap

Dana invites 7 friends, so 8 bakers including her. She wants every guest to leave with a dozen of each kind, plus a tasting plate. These are her rules, ready to paste into an invite or a group chat.

Dana's cookie swap rules
  1. Bake 9 dozen of one kind (108 cookies): a dozen for each of the 8 of us, plus a dozen for tasting.
  2. Homemade, or slice-and-bake dough you bake yourself.
  3. Claim your cookie on the sign-up link by Nov. 25. If your cookie is taken, pick another.
  4. Put your recipe link in the claim. No paper copies.
  5. Bring an empty box for the trip home. I'll have a few spares.
  6. Allergens go on the label. Tell me about any serious allergy before you shop.

Six lines, one number, one deadline. I'd keep it short and cut any rule your group would follow anyway.

Start a swap with Dana's numbers

Sources

More guides

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