Posts tagged: entertaining
How To: Organize Your Thanksgiving.
By Chrisjob
AOL's DomestoBlog ShelterPop has created a very helpful Countdown to Thanksgiving checklist to help you spread the amount of work over the next few days and to guarantee you won't forget anything! So, sure, they presumed you started three weeks ago, and you may have - but whether you've already got your placecards set or are headed to the grocery store this weekend to plan your menu, take these tips from Judy Ketteler with you.
For Example:
Mond » READ MORE
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party--The Ultimate Guide
By DIY Maven
Do you want to host a wine tasting party but don't know the first thing about wine tasting parties? If so, all you need is Tuscany Tonight's totally awesome 'Hosting a Wine Tasting Party' guide and your guests will think you've just come back from a tour of wine country. The guide is incredibly comprehensive and includes the following topics:
DIY Indian Corn Place Cards
By DIY Maven
These clever Indian corn place cards look like they're made using a glass vase, but they're not. They're actually constructed of clear pastry bags, which makes them a perfect take-home treat for your Thanksgiving guests. Here's what you'll need to make 'em.
Make a Button Tray
By ModHomeEcTeacher
With a handy drill bit/door lock bit, you can make your own cute-as-a-button button tray for about $1.99 (not including the drill bit). I was inspired by » READ MORE
Three Hot Drink Recipes to Warm Your Toes (and Cloud Your Brain...)
By ChrisjobIt's still cold outside... So, this weekend, embrace the fact that your stuck inside with these recipes for a few hot cocktails that'll cure your winter blues...
- Hot Toddy: Steamy Tea, Bourbon, and Lemon
- Hot Buttery Rum: Rum, Butter, and Spices...it's like a cookie that'll give you a hangover
- Hot Cocoa and Schnapps: A Peppermint Patty worth the calories..
The Day After, Fixing Common Thanksgiving Stains
By lilybee
You know the person at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving, (or my Aunty M's christmas bash) who can't be trusted not to score a messy direct hit on cherished linens, upholstery or carpet? The person you kind of wish you could put at the kid table complete with a drop cloth?
That person would be me. Hi. Sorry.
Luckily I come quipped with knowledge of how to deal with spillage disasters. » READ MORE
Clean Silverware Quick!
By lilybeeHolidays are nearly here, which means it's almost time to break out the fancy flatware.
In my family polishing the silverware for big shindigs was always a job delegated to kids and grown-ups not quick enough to come up with an excuse. At the time I hated it but now... kinda comforting.
If you have neither the time nor the inclination (or a few children to use as cheap labour) to get with the polishing, then you could try the quick method » READ MORE
DIY: Real Simple Centerpiece Ideas
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Forget about ordering a floral arrangement for Thanksgiving. Look around your house, in the pantry, at your bowls to find simple and pretty vessels to fill with fruit, water, river rocks, flowers or even a branch from a leaf-barren tree. This arrangement allows everyone to see across the table while either enjoying the family, or self-righteously analyzing each other. We do a little of both.
What you need:
- large shallow bowl
- river r » READ MORE
How to Wrap a Wine Bottle Restaurant Style
By DIY Maven
A swaddled bottle of vino looks nice, doesn’t it? And now, thanks to LifeHacker, we can all truss up our bottles like veritable sommeliers. If you’ve spent a fortune and you want your guests to see the wine bottle’s label, you’ll want to use the first technique. If, however, your budget has restricted you to a $5 bottle of wine, you’ll want to go for the second method as it will hide the label rather nicely and still impress your guests! » READ MORE
Canning Jar Lanterns
By Ken Hoyt
Canning jars, often called Mason Jars after the leading maker, have many uses. They are the perfect home for pennies, buttons, tea bags as well as lemonade. They also make dandy impromptu vases and short-term housing for the various fauna discovered in the backyard.
They are made to handle high temperatures (home canning includes heating the jars in water at full boil for an extended period). Which make them the ideal home for a lit candle w » READ MORE
It's All About the Nog: Egg Nog Recipes and Ideas for the Holiday Season.
By ChrisjobEgg Nog is a dichotomizing phenomenon: egg nog fans tout its contributions to holiday cheer, and those with a distaste are avid and vocal nog haters.
Perhaps the source of the schism is the source: those who love it have experienced true, homemade egg nog (most likely with some Christmas "spirits" added), and those who hate must only know the nasty storebought options. I'd always been in the latter category until last December, when I experienced
Ken's Double Chocolate Biscotti
By Ken Hoyt
This recipe is a favorite with chocolate lovers. The richly flavored crisp cookie plays counterpoint to the smooth chocolate coating. Make a double batch and wrap some up for I-can't-believe-you made-these-yourself gifts! Use high-grade cocoa powder and chocolate for the best results!
Double Chocolate Biscotti
cookie batter
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Canola oil
1/2 cup Powdered Cocoa
2 tsps. Vanilla Extract
1 cups Wa » READ MORE
Stocking Stuffer: for the Entertainer
By Ken Hoyt
Cupcakes will always be a favorite with those who are young or young-at-heart. Recently this long time favorite has enjoyed a little renaissance. Millions of people rediscovered the joy of a dessert that was never meant to be shared.
Until now, however, cupcakes never achieved liftoff in the style department. It's easy to make them look cute and/or charming. But it's decidedly harder to make them appear chic. They often end up looking a little li » READ MORE
Ken’s Spicy Pumpkin Bread
By Ken Hoyt
There are many pumpkin bread recipes from which to choose. Low fat, low cal, gluten free... the list is long and, quite frankly, unappetizing.
My version is unashamedly rich and studded with luscious fruits and chunks of walnut. One thin slice will satisfy all but the most dedicated dessert fans. I know that we all can't be as naughty as we'd like (even during the holidays) so I provide a couple of healthy ingredient options if you really must wa » READ MORE
Protective Layering
By Ken Hoyt
Thanksgiving is coming right up. It is a terrific holiday freighted with togetherness, tradition and homespun ideals. I love it because it's the most food-oriented holiday, with all of the calories that implies. There really isn't much in the way of apparel. No silly and charming motif sweaters or costumes.
I think that aprons are the official garb of gobble-gobble day. You might have noticed that stylish versions are once again fashionable am » READ MORE
House Tunes: DIY Your Own Party Soundtrack
By Ken Hoyt
Ever notice that the best parties and clubs have the greatest music? Whenever I put together a party I like to create a soundtrack. On bigger events I’ll hire a DJ to build an entire evening… starting with hot and flirty music for cocktail hour… moving on to environment sweetening* tracks for dinner. I like to finish the evening with music that is quiet and sleepy (cue the parking valets). Sounding like you’re cutting edge is important for » READ MORE
Make Skittles Vodka.
By ChrisjobI haven't eaten Skittles since the time I did so while spinning around in a barber chair for 30 minutes, after which they came back for a visit... I believe I was eight.
I'm pretty sure I won't get over my fear for this recipe either, but you should totally give it a try...
clinQs: Reusable Drink Stickers
By ChrisjobIf beaded wineglass charms don't really suit your style...
how about reusable drink decals in a tiki or gnome theme?
From clinQs.com :
clinQs are reusable vinyl drink decals. A perfect accessory to avoid a beverage mix-up. Ideal for parties, office, gatherings, meetings, conferences, etc.
clinQs can be used with almost any drink container, from beer cans to your finest stemware.
clinQs are reusable! After use, store the decal on » READ MORE
How To Set A Table
By Chrisjob
1. Begin by placing the dinner plate directly in front of the seat. If using a placemat, position it squarely and place the plate on top, directly in the center.
