Cookie Exchange + Toys For Tots = Smiles Christmas Day! #MakeMerry #TFTCookieExchange

Disclosure: I received compensation and the products below in exchange for sharing this information and my honest opinions.

Did you know that more than 16 million U.S. children currently live in poverty and may not receive any toys this holiday season?  I know I had no clue the number was that high, but really not even one child should go without a Christmas present.  Well this year Betty Crocker has teamed up with Toys for Tots by doing what they do best – bake!  You may wonder how baking is going to get Christmas presents in the hands of kids but it is really quite simple.  Betty Crocker is encouraging people to host cookie exchanges and along with those cookies for people to bring a toy for Toys for Tots!  I think that is an awesome idea!  Then the cookie exchange host can run all the presents to their local Toys for Tots donation center or collect money to send to them.  (In case your wondering, yes all the money sent does go to buy presents.)

Betty Crocker is giving $50,000 to help Toys for Tots deliver more than 3,500 toys to families in need (which comes out to be two $20 value toys per child for more than 2,000 children.)    So if you take into account Betty Crocker’s donation plus everything received at the cookie exchanges, there will be a lot more smiles on Christmas day.

This year I made up three different kinds and headed to my moms house for a Cookie Exchange.  There were a few hiccups but everyone had a great time and hopefully some new cookie recipes will be shared.  Next year I hope to include more people and communicate better about bringing a toy for Toys for Tots.  I really think that is a great idea and who could say no to bringing a small toy to a Cookie Exchange Party!

Need help to host your own Cookie Exchange?  Betty Crocker is actually sending the first 1,000 hosts a special cookie making kit including a Toys for Tots train-shaped cookie cutter!  After you sign up you’ll receive a special e-invitation you can use to send to your own guests to invite to your Cookie Exchange!   Even if your not one of the first 1,000 though there are some great resources on Betty Crocker such as decorating ideas and printables as well as recipes of course!

Here are some pictures from my Cookie Exchange.  I think the best part though was honestly when I was at home making cookies for the cookie exchange with my family.  My kids are young still and don’t quite grasp the concept yet but I was explaining to them how so many kids their age won’t be getting any presents this year from Santa and how important it is to give to others.  I am trying to instill in them about helping others while they are young so they can grow up believing it is just the right thing to do!

First off I want to say how amazing this Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix is, from this one bag you can make so many different varieties of cookies that its amazing!  I ended up not being able to use it because it contains egg and my youngest son has an egg allergy but I have tried these cookies before and they melt in your mouth!  I ended up using ingredients from scratch which of course took longer and was messier in my kitchen!

DONATE:  You can donate to Toys for Toys online, via cash and checks to send in, or find a local Toys for Tots drop-off location.

VISIT:  Sign up to host your own Betty Crocker Cookie Exchange to make a difference!

WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive their own Betty Crocker Cookie Exchange Kit

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This Giveaway Ends December 27, 2013.