Community Unites to Attempt World Record in Christmas Cookie Exchange

On December 3, 2023, the Wedding Cookie Table Community gathered at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania to attempt a new world record for the largest Christmas cookie exchange. The initiative saw participation from 33 teams on-site, while an additional 35 teams joined remotely from locations across the United States and as far away as New Zealand.

Organizer Laura Magone, a resident of Monongahela and founder of the Wedding Cookie Table Community, expressed her pride in the event’s turnout. “You all should be proud of yourselves. What you’ve done today is amazing,” she stated. The cookie exchange also served as a fundraiser for the Monongahela Area Historical Society, merging community spirit with a charitable cause.

While official results from certified judges will not be available until December 4, Magone estimated that the participating teams collectively baked around 80,000 cookies. Inside Kringle’s Kitchen at the fairgrounds, the atmosphere resembled a festive holiday market, with teams showcasing elaborately decorated tables that reflected various Christmas themes.

Among the creative teams were “Yule Love Our Cookies,” the Steelers-themed “Flour Power,” and “The 12 Days of Blingmas,” which featured a special song composed by team member John Gruda. This vibrant mix included a Hawaiian-themed group known as “Jingle Leidis,” complete with a pineapple Christmas tree adorned with festive decorations.

Many of the bakers were introduced through a Facebook post by Magone, which called for team members to join the record attempt. Stacey Adger from Youngstown, Ohio, led a team named “Baking Up A Blizzard.” “We’re so excited that we’re here today. We all share a love of baking and carrying on family traditions,” she commented, highlighting the sense of community that the event fostered.

Participants also included Catherine Gruda, captain of The 12 Days of Blingmas, who described the cookie exchange as a delightful kickoff to the holiday season. Her team comprised family and friends who divided the baking tasks among themselves. “Everybody’s a skilled baker, and they pretty much ran with the theme, and they turned out beautifully,” she noted.

The Wedding Cookie Table Community, founded by Magone a decade ago, has seen remarkable growth, now boasting over 381,000 members worldwide. The group previously set a Guinness World Record in 2019 for the largest wedding cookie table, baking a total of 88,425 cookies to celebrate Monongahela’s 250th birthday. Their efforts have supported various charitable causes, including creating cookie tables for first responders after tragic incidents.

The event attracted bakers from various backgrounds, including Janet Nicoloudis, who rediscovered her grandmother’s hazelnut cookie recipe just in time for the exchange. “I love baking, and it was really nice to get together with all of these people who share the same interest,” she shared, emphasizing the personal connections formed through the shared love of baking.

The cookie offerings were diverse, featuring pizzelles, lady locks, baklava, and a selection of gluten-free options. Team captain Kelly Elliott Dine of Flour Power remarked on the joy of making new friends through the collaborative effort. “It has been a real collaboration and a total team effort,” she said.

Visitors to the event had the opportunity to sample cookies, purchase baked goods, and attend a vendor fair. A cookbook featuring several recipes from the exchange was also available for pre-order. To emulate a traditional cookie exchange, each team member traded a dozen cookies with their teammates, ensuring everyone left with a delightful assortment.

While camaraderie was the event’s central theme, there was a competitive edge as attendees voted for their favorite cookie table. The winner will be announced in the coming days.

Magone reflected on the significance of the gathering, noting that many bakers met for the first time during the event. “It’s all about the love of baking and maintaining traditions,” she said, pleased to showcase the beauty of Washington County while supporting a local historical society. “We accomplished a lot today.”