Entertaining Tips: Cheap and Fun

I love the idea of inviting people over and ensuring they aren't spending alot of money to come over. So how about setting a limit, or calling it "Back to College Night"



The Freshman 15 doesn't happen because you're enjoying "Steak au Poive" every night, it happens because Rice-a-Roni and Ramen Noodles and Kraft Mac-n-Cheese.



So how about invitng friends over with the idea to create something you enjoyed back then, set a $5 limit and see what they can come up with.

Entertaining Tips: BBQ

When throwing a BBQ party, make it relaxed and casual for a summer BBQ, try to avoid mayo based salads, make a tomato and basil salad with a champagne vinegarette, instead.



If you are having lots of people over, have beer in buckets along with maybe a signature lemonade, after all it's a bajillion degrees outside. Something non-alcoholic and light would be delicious and refreshing.

Entertaining Tips - Holiday

New Rule

I hope ya'll had a great 4th of July! When you host a party for a holiday go with the theme of the night when you decorate. Here are some simple ideas:



Fill a glass vase with items that go with the theme of your holiday, for Christmas, use Christmas Tree Balls.



But keep those glass vases around, fill them with themed items for each party! For thanks giving, use beans. And multiple smaller vases.



For 4th of July, Red, White and Blue Jelly Beans!



Try to use items you have around the house, or use scrapbook paper to wrap around the glass vase and then fill with beautiful flowers.



Most of all, have fun!

Entertaining Tips: Suprise Party

New Rule

When throwing a suprise party, ask your friends to help. Have them make the food and bring it with them.... Or have it catered.

If you ask some of your closest friends to make a simple dish, you'll have plenty of food, and you won't give away the suprise.

You can always buy the raw ingredients and drop them off to your friends, this way if things are tight... you've got them covered.

Entertaining Tips: Attire

New Rule

Don't forget to mention what type of attire to wear to your guests. I went to a party last night and some guests were in heals and cocktail dresses and others were in shorts and flops.



They both had to feel awkward. I know I did.

Entertaining Tips: Theme

New Rule



Come up with the something fun, it doesn't have to go huge, like a Murder Mystery Dinner party, but a simple theme to keep your guests loving your party.



Wines from the same region, or pork in every course (gotta love some pig!) or even something as simple and fun as color themed. Plates and dishes all following the same theme are always a hit!



And a Greek, Italian or Mexican inspired party are always and affordable fun party!



Cheers!

Entertaining Tips: Favors

New Rule

So, when you have guests over, its always nice to have them leave with a favor. And frankly, I am all in favor of something fun, they can use, and is cheap. I mean affordable.

How about a jar of home-made sauce... or a bunch of rosemary from your garden? Tie it of with a recipe... Easy, insanely afforable, and super thoughtful.

(speaking of a jar of home-made sauce.. check out my hubby's speciality!)

Entertaining Tip: Planning

New Rule

Birthday Parties are fun! When you're planning a birthday party, whether it's for kids or adults, plan an easy meal, pizza, bbq, regardless of what it is, make sure it's easy, because there is more to a party than just food.

If you can swing it, order it out, have it caterered, just don't fuss with it.

And remember regardless of the age of the brithday girl or boy whether they are 3 or 53, have some games. A treasure hunt, a get to know the people at the party game, have a casino table (Grown up party...) and have fun!

The more fun you are having, the more fun your guests will have!

Entertaining Tips: Guests

New Rule

Girls Night, In! In this economy everyone is strapped, so have everyone bring one bottle of wine, put in a movie (or not) and chat.... just gossip, that's what you'd wind up doing at that expensive Tapa's place anyway, right?

Entertaining Tip: Fun

New Rule

Do you stress out when having a couple of neighbors over for dinner? Well order out! Open a bottle of champagne, make one thing to start off with, maybe cheese and crackers?



Open a couple of bottles of chamgane with your take out sushi! You'll look like you care, because you opened something special you'll have more time to spend with your friends. And there's very little clean up.



Remember it's all about the fun! Turn the music on!

Entertaining Tips: Planning

New Rule!

When planning a party for let's say, a neighborhood get together, don't feel like you need to do all of the work. Ask your neighbors to bring something.

For instance last weekend we had a neighborhood Happy Hour, everyone brought their favorite Mock or Cocktail, and we just all hung out and got to know each other.

The kids played, and the adults "played" too! Some people brought snacks and we all made new friends.

Now that's the way to throw a party!

Entertaining Tips

New Rule!

Never lettum see you sweat! I know this is hard for most people, but seriously - plan ahead, make sure you plan for your event to start about 30 minutes before it starts, this way you aren't running around crazy when your guests arrive. (and some will arrive early_



And if something doesn't go right, your guests will never know. So don't point it out.



Someone once told me, if you point out a flaw in something, you MUST fix it.



Don't draw attention.

Formal Place Setting- Napkin Debate

So, honestly, when I asked for photographs of place settings, I honestly thought I'd find major faux-pas that I could rip a part and complain endlessly about people putting the linen napkin in the water or wine glass, and how wrong that is.... but instead, I got this.... the most beauteous place settings EVER!

Photos by: ENV Photography

Entertaining Tips

New Rule!

Keep it Simple, Stupid...

We recently thew a small party at our house after our son was baptised. And I wanted to just have cake and coffee. Anyone that knows me, would probably interject right now and say, "Melissa, would never throw a party and just have cake and coffee" well they would be right...but... let's get back to task.

Keep it simple, if you are going to serve cake and coffee... premake your coffee and keep it hot, leave it on the oven or carafe your coffee, assume 3 glasses of coffee per person, have a self serve creamer (offer options of flavored non-dairy creamers), several sweeteners, disposable coffee cups, and make hot water for tea, and have 3 tea bag options. This way you don't have slave over it all day. (Simple!)

We actually bought 3 of the boxes of coffee from a local coffee shop, so I didn't have to even make all of the coffee. (Simple!)

And then well, cake! And since you are only serving cake... make sure it's delicious!

(for the official record, I had M&M's, Goldfish Crakers, Garbage Bread and Toasted Nuts in addition to cake...)

Wanna see the cake???

(Gabriel, Me and The Hubs)

Cake was made by KB Kakes... it was more amazing than this photograph portrays....

Entertaining Tips: Planning

New Rule

Make yourself a timeline for your dinner party. What can you make in advance that won't get soggy, or gross or go bad?



A week or so in advance write out your menu, including drinks. Write your shopping list at the same time. If you need to put something in the oven that will take 40 minutes to bake, you only have one oven, that is something you need to plan for, including the time it takes for your oven to pre-heat.



Planning ahead will save you time and hassle later. Promise!

Entertaining Tips: Vegetarian Options

New Rule

For your next party, don't forget to always include a vegetarian option.  Make it something super yummy that everyone will enjoy, like stuffed mushrooms or a baked brie.  So delicious, you won't even miss the meat!

Links: {mushrooms}{brie}

Entertaining Tips: Help

New Rule

If you need help, don't be afraid to ask for it! Have a friend/boyfriend/girlfriend/sister/brother help you. It's okay. Especially if it's your first party. Some things to consider:

• Make sure music is on, it sets the mood


• Make sure Food is out


• Drinks are out


• If food needs forks, they are out


• Napkins - out for guests


• Take a deep breath!

Entertaining Tips: Service

New Rule

When hosting a dinner party at your house, do everyhing in your power to use glass plates or at least real wine glasses. Those Red Solo Cups... only festive at Frat Parties.



You can always buy cheap wine glasses at those Dollar Stores!

Entertaining Tips: Planning

Rule:

Only YOU know if something is going wrong, your guest never had the outline, so relax!



If you burn something and it doesn't get served, that's okay! If you don't have guests show up, it's totally okay... no one knows!

Entertaining Tips: Food

Rule

Something easy, cheap and delicious your guests will go bonkers over.



Chicken Salad Cups



Buy Frozen Filo cups, and bake according to the package (8-10 minutes, I think) - let cool and fill with your favorite chicken salad, make the chicken the day before, or buy it pre-packaged.



Fill the cups about 10-20 minutes before your first guest is set to arrive.



Then sprinkle with your favorite fresh herb if you have some on hand, if not dried parsley will do just fine.