Entertaining Basics

The holiday season can mandate festive arrangements of dinner tables, nativity scenes and even the dinner buffet. Similarly, presentation can induce a person to sample the hummus or opt for the...

Family dining in a busy world too often centers around food that comes in a bag with plastic cutlery. There are still those occasions, though, where formal dinners mean quality cuisine in an...

Whether you're hoping to keep your event budget or creative vision on track, design your own attention-grabbing table number cards to direct guests to the proper dinner tables. Use basic craft...

So you're celebrating a special upcoming event and need to rent a banquet hall in your area. To ensure that you stay within your budget and get a building that includes everything you need,...

Oneida is a leading supplier of silverware, dinnerware and kitchen tools. Its roots are in 19th century New York. It boasts that 90 percent of target customers recognize Oneida (brand awareness)....

Chances are you have one set of dishes you use for entertaining. A great way to accent your place settings is with napkins that can easily be modified to change the look of your table without...

Finger food is food that can be eaten with the fingers or from decorative toothpicks that are inserted for decoration or to hold layers together. This is an easy way to provide food for large...

A simple three-option curtain backdrop can be assembled using narrow sections of PVC pipe. Cheap materials make these PVC curtain backdrops ideal for parties, theatrical productions and...

Banquets present an enjoyable way to celebrate many different types of occasions. Use one to congratulate a new couple, honor individuals receiving awards, commemorate special events or recognize...

Balloon decorations make any event colorful and lively. Most professional balloon decor is usually constructed with balloons attached to a fishing line. Whether simple or complex, the key to doing...

Fabric squares or square dinner napkins can be folded into various shapes, such as a simple heart, to add decoration to your table settings. The process of folding fabric is similar to origami,...

Even with the advances in communication technology (social networking, email, texts) it is still proper etiquette to send an invitation by regular mail for formal occasions and dinner parties....

Pizza rolls are always a big hit at birthday parties for kids and casual parties with friends. They're quick and easy to make, and best of all they don't burn a hole in your wallet. Keeping them...

The living room is a place of comfort, relaxation and entertainment. Often called a family room, the space is best designed for functionality. People should be able to move around and sit in a way...

A message in the bottle conjures up thoughts of desert islands, tropical beaches and pirates. Set the tone of your beach-, pirate- or tropical-themed party with message in the bottle invitations....

Customizing your balloons is a good way to add a personal feel to any party or celebration. Many companies can imprint pictures, logos, designs or phrases onto your balloons. You can also choose...

Anyone who has planned a party or social gathering knows just how much of a headache it can be. Many people have turned to the Internet in order to relieve some of the stress. You might have used...

The bar is open! Having an organized bar is a reflection of your sophistication and entertaining prowess. The point of organizing your bar is to keep it well-stocked, with all the accoutrements...

There is no point in having a dinner party unless you plan to impress your friends. Some things your friends just won't remember; like the name of the wine you drank at dinner or the antique...

Slow cookers make it possible for families to enjoy home-cooked meals, even when family members spend their days at work, school or play. But slow cookers (AKA "crock-pots") can also be used to...

Setting a dining table is an important skill to learn, as it will come in handy countless times throughout life. Although table settings vary by meal, there are consistencies to where different...

"Bamboozle" is most commonly associated with cheating and deception. The word dates from the early 1700s but its exact origins are unknown.

Throwing a party can be exciting, but depending on how much space you have to work with, it can be a challenging task. Entertaining in a small area requires you to get creative and make the most...

The start to an attractive table is a carefully laid tablecloth. Although it doesn't seem very complicated, laying a tablecloth can require a little bit of thought and care to ensure that...

One of the most important jobs of any party hostess is to address and send invitations to the guest list. Whether the event is a casual get-together or a formal black-tie affair, there are key...

America has a long association with Sterling silver. Tiffany & Co. established the 925 standard for Sterling silver in America as early as 1851. The Sterling silver alloy contains 92.5 percent...

Whether you are waiting tables in a restaurant or entertaining guests at home, you will inevitably be tasked with arranging drinks on a serving tray. Many fear dropping or spilling drinks while...


Planning a party is an exciting and often daunting experience. A host's nightmare is the thought of running out of food or drinks during the festivities. But no one likes the idea of...

Stainless steel silverware is a nice addition to any home, because the flatware is more durable and long lasting than those made from aluminum or another material. This type of silverware comes in...

Buying gold-plated flatware isn't just for wedding presents and anniversary gifts anymore. Today, more young couples and singles are looking at these pieces, as a way of investing in the future....

A martini shaker is a stainless steel container with a 10 to 30 oz. capacity that is used to mix martinis and other cocktails. Some people are very particular about how a martini should taste, so...

Setting a formal dinner table and using all the cutlery can be confusing if you plan to use a complete set. Although not obvious, the proper placement of dinner silverware is based on its logical...

Planning a big party can be exciting, but looking for the supplies to do it is typically challenging. When you're expecting a large number of guests, it's important to make sure you aren't going...

Sitting down for a formal dinner can make some people feel uncomfortable. Knowing even basic etiquette skills might save you from an embarrassing situation. Feeling confident with basic dining...

When planning a party at your home, it can be easy to stress out. But the first rule of throwing a great party is to not get worried or anxious out about it. There is a decent amount of planning...

Home bars usually are about 7 feet long by 4 feet tall and contain shelves and cabinets for storage. A home bar normally is not equipped with sinks and an area behind the bar where you can stack...

Sanitizing glasses in a bar can be somewhat challenging, since even unseen residue from soap or beverages can leave an unsavory taste in beer as well as an unappetizing film on glasses. You can...

Create party decorations with an ethereal, feminine look by using lightweight tulle to produce the embellishments. The airy accents will lend a sweet touch to baby showers, a splash of color to...

Dinner parties and other special occasions often feature special crystal and china dishware, but many are unsure of the proper way to handle crystal stemware. Despite there being many styles of...

Creating and printing your own party flyers is an inexpensive way to invite guests to your party. Design party flyers on a free word processing program and use your home printer to create quality...

Providing a variety of candies and chocolates makes parties more enjoyable and gives guests something sweet to snack on. Buying too much candy for a party will create a lot of leftovers that can...

A dinner party wouldn't be complete without cake for dessert. Serving cake family-style is fine for a casual party, but if you're hosting a formal dinner party in your home, you'll want to plate...

An attractive table doesn't guarantee a delicious meal, but it can enhance the dining experience. The starting point of a gorgeous table is the centerpiece. If you choose an arrangement of fresh...

A banquet hall owner and event organizer must be on the same page when planning an event. To assure that the event is successful and problem-free, there are a few important details that you must...

For many, the idea of planning a party can be very intimidating. Focus your energy on the excitement of hosting a party and not your fears about planning it. As you progress from idea to event,...

Knowing how to properly set a table is useful information that everyone should know, but very few people actually do. Learning place setting etiquette will not only help you host a successful...

Both latex and Mylar (foil) balloons will deflate over time if not chemically treated on the outside to prevent the internal gas from escaping.

Folding napkins is easy and brings a personal touch to your table in no time. Begin with a simple fold, such as in-half to form a rectangle or a triangle, and place the napkin under the fork. Roll...

Balloons are a symbol of happiness and festivity. They're found at most places where people are celebrating, whether it's a child's birthday party or the midway at the fair. Balloons are much more...

Creating customized invitations is a simple task using online websites that specialize in invitations and custom printed cards. In addition to creating printed invitations, there are many websites...