Although we’re sure that some people may not have heard of cookie exchange parties, they are quite common across the U.S. during the month of December. These events ask all guests to show up with at least a dozen home-baked cookies to share with everyone.

This means that dozens upon dozens of unique cookies are passed around for everyone to enjoy. This is a perfect holiday party, which is likely why so many people have them.

To encourage the trend even further, someone decided to make December 22nd National Cookie Exchange Day. The perfect day to get everyone together to enjoy some holiday traditions and cookies.

The History of National Cookie Exchange Day

Cookies have been traced back to 7th-century Persia, and their invention seems to closely coincide with the use of sugar in the region at that time. Through the Muslim conquest of Spain, these cookies quickly spread throughout Europe, and by the Middle Ages, cookies were enjoyed by all members of society. Of course, the highest quality cookies were reserved for nobility, but street vendors also provided cookies to ordinary people.

It was also during the Middle Ages that people began to make cookies for the Christmas season. Because there wasn’t any farming to do during the winter months, people would visit one another and give each other gifts of cookies. We suppose those were the first cookie exchange parties, and the tradition has been upheld ever since.

Unfortunately, while the history of cookies and cookie parties is quite clear, we’re unsure who invented National Cookie Exchange Day. It appears that the origins of this holiday have been lost to history.

Even though we don’t know much about this holiday’s history, we will say that its position on the calendar is quite genius. It’s just three days before Christmas; the perfect time to pick up some holiday cookies.

Observing National Cookie Exchange Day

Throwing a cookie exchange party is probably one of the best ways to observe National Cookie Exchange Day. Everyone should bring their own homemade cookies to this party, and perhaps there should be a bit of communication so not everyone brings the same type of cookies.

After all, a party filled with only chocolate chip cookies isn’t really all that exciting, but a party with a wide variety of different cookies sounds like a blast. Oh, and let’s not forget the beverages for this party. We suggest milk and eggnog for this holiday, but everyone can do what they want. Let everyone know that you’re throwing a cookie exchange party using the hashtag #NationalCookieExchangeDay on social media.