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    How To Throw A Cookie Decorating Party

    Correction: The BEST AMAZING FUN BEAUTIFUL COOKIES party.

    Step 1: Make the dough in advance.

    Make a couple different varieties of dough.

    Step 2: Buy a few excellent cookie cutters. Choose wisely.

    Step 3: Stock up on sprinkles.

    Candy eyeballs are pretty important.

    Cause of this.

    Step 4: Bake the cookies a day ahead of the party.

    Step 5: Make a big batch of royal icing.

    Step 6: Obtain as many colors of food coloring as possible.

    Step 7: Figure out your icing dispensing situation. Piping bags are the best option.

    You can buy them at most kitchen supply stores and online.

    In a best case scenario, you'll also have tips.

    There's also this plastic part called a coupler.

    This beginner's cookie decorating kit by Wilton is great.

    But you could also very easily just make a piping bag out of parchment paper.

    View this video on YouTube

    Or even out of a plastic plastic baggie.

    Piping bags get a little messy if you have kids coming.

    Set out glasses to help the piping bag situation stay classy.

    Or put your icing in squeeze bottles.

    Step 8: Learn the amazing and essential "Pipe and flood" technique. It's the best way to decorate cookies.

    Step 9: Gather any other decorating tools you might want. You might want toothpicks...

    So you can do cool stuff like this.

    this...

    this

    and this.

    And shot glasses.

    Except not for cookies.

    Step 9: Assemble an army of baking sheets.

    Step 10: (Day of the party!) Set the scene.

    You may want to set up stations.

    But no matter what -- most importantly -- make sure your sprinkles are on display.

    One way or another.

    Step 11: On to refreshments. Your guests may want some eggnog punch.

    Or something a little stronger.

    Maybe hot chocolate is necessary.

    (With marshmallows shaped like whatever cookie cutters you have around. Duh.)

    For a kid-friendly affair: Wrap juice boxes up like presents.

    For a more mature gathering, serve some cozy cardamom-chai tea.

    Step 12: Cookie parties need salty snack food.

    A big winter salad isn't the worst idea.

    Crudités and cheese and crackers are always welcome.

    Should you have a sprinkle surplus:

    Last step: Give your guests a cute way to take their treats home.

    You could pick up some treat boxes from a local bakery.

    Baker's twine makes everything look cute.

    Plastic bags are another option.

    This is a pretty good excuse to buy ribbon.

    Ok now you're ready to host the best cookie decorating party ever.

    And if all of this sounds a little too ambitious, you can always invite your friends over for these incredible treats.

    And this.