I think if worded properly it would be fine.

Linda

I think I would ask..."In the interest of having a good variety, would you please give me some indication of what sort of cookie you will be bringing 2 weeks before? I am trying to avoid having 30 dozen krumkake, or 30 dozen chocolate pixies."
I wouldn't say no shortbread....you really ought to have some shortbread!
And if you say no shortbread, everyone will bring something else that is featured on Martha Stewart! LOL1
Linda C

Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head:

Maybe you could add a list of 'cookie catagories' to your invitation.
Ask each person to RSVP with the catagory they want to make.

Then the first RSVP you get that says 'Shortbread' is the one that brings shortbread.
Any that come after that could be asked to choose something else.

Or they could pick their first, second, and third choice of category.
You could let them know, after all RSVPs are in, which one to make.
Using the 'first come first served' way of assinging the categories.

Or you could simply request each person to let you know a couple of weeks in advance, the kind of cookie they intend to bring.

Of course, the 'rules' would have to be clearly
(and diplomaticly)
stated on the invitation so that everyone understands
that you are trying to insure a lot of choices for the participants.

It takes a wide variety of cookies to make a good
and fun exchange.

Rusty

Rules for cookie exchanges seem to be the rule not the exception according to the google search below! I have attended one cookie exchange. Most of the people I know aren't inclined to channel Betty Crocker so these are rare events. I seem to recall letting the hostess know what I was bringing so insure that there was a variety.

I quickly read some of the attached. Most sound a little dictatorial for a party - to me - and could use some gentle rewording but maybe this will help you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cookie exchange guidelines.

My friend and I host a cookie exchange for 80 people each year. We never specify what to, or not to bring. We simply ask each person to bring 5 dozen of their favorite homemade special holiday cookie. We rarely get duplicates.

Another thing we do is to order bakery boxes and waxed paper sheets. We have "elves" (our daughters and their friends) who fill each box carefully and stack them by the door. This allows the guests to mingle without having to pack the cookies. we also give fun awards (the pms award for the best use of chocolate, the Joan Rivers award for the cookie with the most work done...) It is a night of good fun and we also tie it in to a local charity and ask guests to bring something like a wrapped toy one year, and a gift card to anywhere for a local family in need last year.
Keep it simple, keep it fun. People will bug you all year to make sure you plan to do it again.
Jo

Where's Jo (Jojoco)? She and a friend of hers host a Christmas cookie swap every year. I don't remember there be too many doubles of anything. I think maybe she had us email our cookie recipes with our RSVP.

I just feel like I am killing Christmas - no shortbread! It was funny, we had shortbread with sprinkles, cut in squares, fancy shapes with cherries, no cherries, topped with icing sugar, I could go on but you get it. I like Jo's idea so maybe I will say gifts for the most original! I will list the "trophies" and they can figure it out for themselves beforehand. I think that would be perfect. Maybe a PMS Award, Joan Rivers Trophy (yes, I am copying) and would love ideas from anyone who feels creative. I will put this on the invite and I won't have to mention the shortbread thing and then they can get creative on their own. Who wants rules for a party anyways. Yes I hate thinking on my own sometimes.

Cookie,
Don't tell them of the awards before! It is much more fun to do it as a surprise. Here are our others:

The Katherine Hepburn Award - the classic that never goes out of style (snickerdoodle, oatmeal...)

The Jon Bon Jovi/ Matthew McConnaughy award - For the cookie you'd most want to take a bite out of.

Our biggest award of the evening is the "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" award. It goes to the cookie that best represents the joy and spirit, and humility of the season. The winner gets a nice gift, like a gc to a coffee house, and a trophy.

I maybe know one or two other people that bake cookies, or anything at all. I'm amazed you know 80 people that bake, Jococo!

I know nothing about cookie exchanges, other than what I read on this forum, but I hope you have a good time with yours, Cookie.

Sally

I love shortbread! I can never be bothered to make it. I would say it is hard to imagine "too much" shortbread! :) It could be that last year was just a fluke.

Sally, it surprises me too! But I think people rise to the occasion. We also make it a rule that if you have a child under 1 year old, or 5 or more kids, you are not allowed to bake. You simply receive.

Jo

The cookie exchanges I've been to were never blessed with shortbread (or at least something *I* would consider shortbread). If only it was all (decent) shortbread!