The Holiday Cookie Exchange Event on December 14, 2024, brought warmth, joy, and connection to our community during the holiday season. Held just one week before Christmas, the gathering united women from various backgrounds and life experiences, with a special focus on supporting Ukrainian women as they integrate into our local community and Canadian life.
Festivities and Activities
Each participant was asked to bring 30 of their favourite cookies for the exchange, which became a centrepiece of the event.
The highlight of the evening was the introduction circle, where participants shared their personal stories and Christmas traditions. Many women, having recently arrived in Canada after fleeing the war in Ukraine, spoke about the challenges of being far from home during the holidays. Their courage to open up created a deeply moving and healing experience for everyone in the room, fostering empathy, understanding, and solidarity. Over cups of coffee and homemade treats, the women bonded, supported each other, and celebrated the spirit of the season together.
To break the ice and spread some holiday cheer, we then played some festive games such as Bingo, Guess That Tune, and Unscramble the Word, filling the room with laughter and excitement. To add a touch of holiday magic, we held a lottery where everyone won a delightful goodie bag, generously provided by our sponsors (true Santa’s elves!).
The event culminated in a fun and heartwarming cookie exchange. Guests assembled and decorated boxes filled with an assortment of homemade cookies to take home, symbolizing the connections made during the evening. Throughout the whole week following the event, the women continued messaging each other praising each other’s delicious cookies.
Reflections and Lessons
This was my first time organizing a community event, and while it was a significant undertaking, the joy and sense of connection it brought made every effort worthwhile. The process required weeks of preparation and countless hours of work. From finding a place to gather, handling the event registration, reaching out to local businesses for sponsorships and donations to planning games, purchasing food items and decorations, cooking homemade Ukrainian treats, curating and downloading festive music to arriving an hour early to set up and staying an hour after to clean up, leading games the day of the event, giving out prizes and ensuring the event flowed seamlessly – every detail required effort, dedication, and time. Needless to say, by the end of the day, I was more exhausted than I had ever felt! 🙂
Despite unforeseen challenges like a windstorm the day of the event and last-minute cancellations due to illnesses, the joy and connection shared during the event made it all worthwhile. Seeing everyone having a good time and knowing the profound impact this gathering had on so many women made every bit of effort worthwhile. The event not only brought festive cheer but also provided a much-needed sense of belonging and community for many women who are navigating a new chapter in their lives.
Gratitude to Our Generous Sponsors
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and community partners:
- Neighbourhood Small Grants: $400 grant to cover the cost of food, beverages, decorations, etc.
- Marpole Neighbourhood House: Free event space
- Sushi Wow: Sushi tray donation
- Vysual Nail Bar: Three $63 gift cards for the lottery
- Nuestro Day Spa: Gift card for a Hydrafacial treatment valued at $190
- Choices Market: Gift basket worth over $100 (used for goodie bags)
- Safeway Marpole: $50 gift card to partially cover food costs
I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this event and made the holidays brighter for these incredible women showcasing immense generosity and commitment to the community.
Conclusion
The Holiday Cookie Exchange Event was a resounding success, bringing women together to share stories, celebrate the season, and build meaningful connections. It demonstrated the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and supported.
I am immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to making this event so impactful, and I look forward to organizing more events that strengthen our community ties in the future.
