How to Host a Cookie Decorating Party
There’s something so nostalgic and fun about gathering people around a table covered in sugar cookies, bowls of sprinkles, and all the icing colors. A cookie decorating party is an easy, low-pressure way to get friends, family or kids together during the holidays. It works for all ages, all skill levels, and everyone leaves with a plate of treats. Win-win.
Over the years I’ve hosted plenty of cookie parties, baked more batches than I can count, and learned a few tricks to make the whole process smoother and more enjoyable. In this post I’m sharing simple setup ideas, kid-friendly hacks, hosting tips, decorating inspiration, and the exact supplies that make things run easier. I’ll also include my sugar cookie recipe if you want to prep ahead and have blank canvases ready to go. Turn on the Christmas playlist, pour something festive — let’s decorate!
Create a Cozy & Festive Cookie Decorating Setup
The key to a successful cookie decorating party is making the space feel warm, fun, and ready for creativity. You don’t need anything fancy, just thoughtful touches and a few strategic hosting tricks.
Use Wrapping Paper as a Table Runner
This is my favorite hosting hack! A roll of holiday wrapping paper instantly transforms the table, adds color and makes clean-up effortless. After the party, simply roll it up and toss it. No scrubbing dried icing off your table!
Choose a Simple but Intentional Color Palette
Pick two or three icing colors that match your holiday decor (like red + white + peppermint pink, or green + gold). This creates a cohesive look in photos and keeps the table from feeling chaotic.
Pre-Bag Your Icing to Save Time
Prepare icing ahead of time and portion it into piping bags or squeeze bottles whichever you prefer. If you want a neat, beginner-friendly setup, those plastic icing bottles I use are truly life-changing. Kids (and adults!) have much better control with them, and they stay less messy than piping bags.
Set Out Plenty of Sprinkles
And by plenty, I mean plenty. Cookie decorators love options. Use muffin tins to separate each sprinkle blend, it looks cute and makes it easy to share.
Kid-Friendly Cookie Decorating Tips
A cookie decorating party with kids is adorable, but let’s be honest… it can also get messy fast. These tricks will help keep it fun and manageable for parents and kids.
1. Use a Rubber Band on Piping Bags
If you do use traditional icing bags, tie a small rubber band around the top. This prevents icing from squeezing out the wrong end and keeps the bags from exploding in tiny hands. A simple trick that saves so much cleanup.
2. Only Put Out a Few Cookies at a Time
Kids are cookie magnets, if they see a tray of 40 cookies, they’ll grab five at once and start decorating all of them. Set out 1–2 cookies per kid at a time. You can restock as they finish.
3. Choose Squeeze Bottles for the Icing
These plastic squeeze bottles are incredible for kids. They help control the flow, reduce spills and encourage more intentional designs. Plus, they’re easier to hold and refill.
4. Pre-Mix All the Icing Colors Ahead of Time
I recommend prepping everything ahead of time so they can grab and decorate!
5. Make It Easy to Access Sprinkles
Sprinkles in muffin tins = no dumping a whole bottle on one cookie. They can still choose their favorite mixes, but the quantity stays under control.
6. Add a Holiday Touch with Aprons or Cookie Decorating Kits
These can be as simple as aprons, festive stickers or little cookie boxes they can take home. Cookie boxes make the whole experience feel special.
Helpful Hosting Tips for a Smooth & Organized Cookie Party
A few simple steps make hosting feel seamless:
Bake Your Cookies the Day Before
This gives you fresh, sturdy cookies without the chaos of baking on the day of the party. If you want an even further head start, my cookie recipe freezes like a dream and defrosts perfectly in minutes.
Create Decorating Stations
Each station should include:
- A few cookies
- An apron
- Icing bottles or piping bags
- A napkin or paper towel
- A muffin tin of sprinkles
- A disposable plate for decorated cookies
- A spatula
It keeps the flow so much smoother.
Offer Boxes for Guests to Take Cookies Home
Cellophane bags, small bakery boxes, or even holiday tins make beautiful take-home gifts. You can even include a premade tag or ribbon to match your theme.
my favorite cookie packaging
Keep a “Neutral Zone” for Finished Cookies
Designate a tray, countertop, or cookie rack for letting cookies dry or crust. This prevents kids from bumping into each other’s creations.
Make It Fun for Adults, Too
Even if it’s a family party, adults love decorating cookies just as much as kids. Set up:
- A holiday playlist
- A hot chocolate bar
- Mimosas or mulled cider
- A snack spread (because people always snack!)
It turns your cookie decorating party into a cozy winter gathering everyone remembers.
My sugar Cookie Recipe
Best Sugar Cookies Ever – Jenny Cookies Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR PLUS MORE FOR ROLLING
- 2 TSP. ALUMINUM-FREE BAKING POWDER
- 1 CUP 2 STICKS SALTED BUTTER, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
- 1 CUP SUGAR
- 1 LARGE EGG
- 2 TSP. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
Instructions
- Into a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed, beat butter and sugar for about 1½ minutes, or until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Turn the mixer speed to low and carefully add the flour mixture a little at a time, occasionally stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl. Once all the flour has been incorporated, the dough should form a ball around the mixing attachment and feel soft but not sticky.
- Wrap the dough ball in a piece of plastic wrap and press down to form a 1-inch-thick disk. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes before rolling or store for up to 7 days tightly wrapped.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured flat work surface to about ¼-inch thickness, using additional flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Use cookie cutters to create desired shapes, and carefully transfer with a cookie spatula to a nonstick baking sheet, placing the cookies about ¾ inch apart.
- Bake one sheet at a time in the middle of the oven until puffy, about 7-8 minutes. Allow the cookies to rest for 2 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat with the gathered scraps and remaining disk until all the dough has been used.
Buttercream Frosting
Pin Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup Imperial Margerine or butter 2 sticks
- 1 cup crisco vegetable shortening
- 2 lbs powdered sugar about 7 1/2 cups
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Combine the margerine and Crisco in the bowl of an electric mixer; using a paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add half of the powdered sugar and continue beating on low speed for an additional two minutes, or until the mixture is creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the remaining powdered sugar, vanilla and milk, and beat until the frosting is creamy and fluffy, about two minutes more.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 30 days.
Notes
All of the supplies in one place:
Hosting a cookie decorating party is one of the happiest, easiest ways to celebrate the season. With a little prep, a festive table and a few kid-friendly systems in place, you’ll create a fun day for everyone. And it might just become a tradition! So, if you’re hosting toddlers, teens, adults, or a mix, these cookie decorating party ideas and sugar cookie essentials will help you enjoy every minute.
Are you hosting a cookie decorating party? I’d love to hear about it!
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