The holiday season is the perfect time for indulging in festive treats, and what better way to spread some cheer than by creating your very own Holiday Cookie Crawl? With Proxi’s easy-to-use mapping software, you can design a fun and interactive guide for others to join in the seasonal fun. Here’s how to create your own Holiday Cookie Crawl map to help people discover the best cookies in town - and have a blast doing it!

Why a Cookie Crawl?

A cookie crawl is the perfect community event for the holidays! It brings people together, supports local businesses, and adds extra sweetness to the season. By mapping out bakeries, coffee shops, and farmers' markets that offer festive cookies, you create an easy-to-follow guide that helps participants plan their route, discover new spots, and enjoy a fun-filled day of indulging in sweet treats. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, a cookie crawl is a great way to experience the holiday magic, one bite at a time.

Multiple Ways to Set Up Your Cookie Crawl

• Block Party Style
  Create a festive street fair in your downtown district where vendors set up booths offering their best holiday cookies. This brings all the excitement to one spot, making it easy for participants to hop from booth to booth and sample various treats.
• Wider City Crawl (Drive Yourself)
  If your bakeries are spread across town, consider a "drive-yourself" cookie crawl. Participants can visit bakeries at their own pace, exploring different areas while enjoying the festive spirit. Proxi’s map helps them easily navigate their journey.
• Cookie Box Build
  Make the experience even more fun by creating a “build your dozen” experience. At each stop, participants pick up a cookie to add to their holiday box, eventually collecting a full dozen of unique holiday cookies. You could even offer special deals on packaging or allow pre-orders for a holiday cookie box.

No matter which style you choose, a cookie crawl is a perfect way to spread holiday cheer and support local businesses. Here’s how Proxi can help bring your cookie crawl to life!

Cookie Crawl Example Map

This map was generated by the Proxi team to showcase what your cookie crawl could look like.

Step 1: Select Your Bakeries

Start by choosing which bakeries and local spots to include. Think about mixing well-known favorites and hidden gems that offer seasonal treats. Be sure to include cookies like gingerbread, snickerdoodles, and sugar cookies, as well as any standout holiday creations.

Pro Tip: Reach out to bakery owners to ask about any special holiday cookies or deals for the event. They may offer discounts or freebies to encourage participation!

Step 2: Plot the Locations on Proxi

Once you’ve picked your bakeries, it’s time to plot them on your custom cookie crawl map. Proxi’s map-building tools make it easy to add locations with details like addresses, descriptions, and photos. Here’s how to make your map extra fun and informative:

• Categorize the Stops: Use Proxi’s filters to sort locations by cookie type—whether that’s gingerbread, chocolate treats, or vegan options.
• Add Points of Interest: For each bakery, include a pin with photos of the cookies, a description, and any special offers (like free samples or exclusive deals).
• Customize Your Map: Add festive touches to match the holiday spirit. Use red, green, and gold colors and upload icons like candy canes or cookies to mark each stop.

Step 3: Get Creative

A Holiday Cookie Crawl is the perfect opportunity to get creative. Here are a few ideas to spice things up:

• Cookie Decorating Stations: Add any bakeries that offer cookie decorating as a fun interactive stop on your map.
• Local Hot Chocolate Stops: Include cafés or spots along the route that serve amazing hot chocolate—perfect for a cozy break.
• Cookie Challenges: Engage participants with fun challenges, like a “Best Cookie Photo” contest or “Guess the Secret Ingredient.” Use Proxi’s Passport Challenge and Best Of Voting Add-Ons to gamify your event!

Step 4: Plan the Details

A few key details will make your event run smoothly:

• Date and Time: Choose a date with good weather and ensure bakeries are stocked with holiday cookies. Spreading the event over a weekend can increase participation.
• Participation Perks: Offer incentives, like a cookie-themed prize for those who visit every stop or a discount coupon for one of the bakeries.
• Final Stop Perk: Host a gathering at a local venue where participants can share their favorite cookies, swap recipes, or enjoy a holiday raffle for everyone who completes the crawl.

Step 5: Share Your Map & Market the Event

Now that your map is ready, it’s time to share it with your community and create excitement for your Holiday Cookie Crawl! Proxi makes it easy to embed your map on websites, email it to local residents, or share it on social media. Here’s how to market your event:

1. Leverage Social Media
   Create a Facebook event or Instagram post with the event details and a link to your map. Use a unique hashtag, like #HolidayCookieCrawl, to encourage participants to share their cookie photos. You could even run a giveaway for those who post using the hashtag.
2. Email Marketing
   Send an email to your community with the map link, event details, and any special offers. Include a call-to-action encouraging people to share with friends to boost your event’s reach.
3. Partner with Local Businesses
   Collaborate with participating bakeries to promote the event in their stores and on social media. Local businesses could offer discounts to participants who show the map.
4. Print Materials
   Distribute flyers or posters with a QR code linking to your map in local businesses or community centers to reach offline audiences.
5. Use Local Media
   Contact local newspapers, radio stations, and websites to cover your event, increasing visibility and attracting more participants.

Wrapping Up

With Proxi’s easy-to-use map-building tools, creating your own Holiday Cookie Crawl is a fun way to celebrate the season, support local businesses, and connect with your community. Whether it’s a family outing, a group of friends, or a neighborhood event, a cookie crawl is a sweet way to enjoy the holiday season, one bite at a time.

So what are you waiting for? Start mapping, grab your sweet tooth, and get ready to create the ultimate holiday treat crawl in your town!