We’ve started setting up a “Decorate Your Own Cookies” table when we host college kids or teens for youth events during any holiday season. It’s been a huge hit so I thought it was time I shared it with you!

Now, mind you, I throw (almost) all of my “food coloring is bad” knowledge out the window to make this fun tradition happen. Sometimes occasions just call for sprinkles, you know?

TIP: To add color to frosting without as much compromise, we’ve found this Natural Food Coloring to be wonderful! You can even get naturally dyed sprinkles!

How to Set up a “Decorate Your Own Cookies” Table for a Group:

1. Make cookies ahead of time according to the holiday. Christmas cookie cut-outs, heart-shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day, Easter egg or bunny-shaped eggs at Easter, etc. Here’s our favorite Cream Cheese Cut-Outs recipe!

2. Set out baked cookies along with a variety of fun frosting, sprinkles, and other decorating options for people to “play with.”

3. Be sure to set out knives, plates, napkins – an even toothpicks for the extra creative  in the group!

This simple idea has been so much fun when we have groups of kids or young adults over for meals. Not only that, I’ve found that it saves me time when preparing to host a large group. Instead of decorating a bunch of cookies to serve for dessert as we celebrate a special holiday, I just prepare the decorations and cookies and let everyone else do the decorating. It’s a win-win!

Don’t forget cupcakes!

You can use this same idea with cupcakes, which is even easier than cookies. Bake cupcakes and let everyone frost and decorate their own!

I certainly hope you enjoyed this sugar-filled, sprinkle-topped, food-colored post. Eeeeek. But hey, it’s all about hospitality, loving your guests, and having fun together!

Rest assured, I will still never encourage you to buy margarine. Okeedokee then. :)