Parties & Entertaining

Adult party decorations can be costly, and when they are used only once it is hard to justify the expense. Store-bought decorations are generic and do not address the guest of honor personally. ...

Big-time Hollywood stars enjoy some of the finest food in the world on Oscar night. Sadly, most of us do not have their kind of money to throw around. But there is nothing that says you cannot...

Blue and white has long been a classic color scheme evocative of crisp, elegant style. It can be employed equally for summer or winter parties for children or adults. In fact, the Children's...

Bridal shower brunches occur in the late morning, often beginning between 10 a.m. and noon. They often are more relaxed than evening showers, and take place in a smaller, more intimate setting....

Fall is such a beautiful time of year. The trees and plants are getting ready for winter. The hot weather is over for awhile and the days are getting cooler and shorter. Vegetables and fruit are...

The birthday for someone turning 40 isn't like it used to be. As the saying goes, 40 is the new 30. Not too long ago, turning 40 years old meant black birthday decorations and a funeral air if you...

The music party theme encompasses a variety of musical style possibilities, allowing customization of the party to fit the guest of honor. General music decorations easily adapt to fit a variety...

The location of a girl's birthday party often dictates the type of activities and decorations that the guests will enjoy. Consider the interests of the birthday girl when selecting the location...

The Hawaiian theme birthday party is enjoyable no matter what time of year it is held. The combination of grass skirts, hula dancers, limbo contests and beach music is almost unbeatable. To bring...

Many large, extended families plan annual reunions in order catch up, reminisce and enjoy each others' company. These events are generally casual, outdoor affairs as it's difficult or expensive to...

A sweet sixteen is a party to celebrate a young lady's 16th birthday. The party can be a huge affair with hundreds of guests and a live band. The party can also be a small and intimate celebration...

Finger foods are the staple of the menu for most kids parties. Most of the time, kids are too busy running around and playing games at parties to sit down and eat something that requires a spoon...

Horseshoes are a familiar party game that all kids can enjoy. You can play using the basic rules, or you can make in more interesting by using different variations.

Let's face it, a first birthday party is more for mom and dad than it is for the child who has only been around for the past year. That's not to minimize the importance of this day. In fact, it...

There are many different types of reunions. These can range from family reunions that are held on a regular basis to other reunions such as office or class reunions that are held less frequently....

A Diamond Anniversary, celebrating 60 years of marriage, is a big deal and deserves to be celebrated in a big way. There are many Diamond Anniversary celebration ideas that will honor the special...

It's a tradition and rule of etiquette that you are supposed to give favors to guests at a baby shower. However that doesn't mean you need to spend a lot of money or do anything outrageous. In...

Turning thirteen only happens once and in the Jewish faith a Bar Mitzvah is a rite of passage to show the world that a teenager is coming of age. Yet, we all know thirteen is an age where kids...

Someone you know and love--maybe even yourself--is turning 50 and you want to throw a special party. That tired, tacky "over the hill" theme needs to be retired permanently. Many 50 and over...

During the dog days of August there are few better ways to relax than to sit outside with a cold cocktail and some friends. Here are some summertime standards that will allow you to put away the...

If you have a little girl with a birthday coming up, this article is for you. Makeover parties have become extremely popular with young girls and are enjoyable for Moms too. Find out more about...

Disco parties are a real blast, in part because the era was so clearly defined by those outlandish outfits everyone wore--and also because many of us lived through the 1970s and did The Bump and...

While most toddlers are perfectly content to run around for hours or play with toys at a party, it's always a good idea to have a few birthday party games ready for lulls in activity or simply to...

If you're planning a Hawaiian themed party then you're in luck. Hawaii can be fun, it can be beautiful and it can be delicious. No matter what kind of a crowd you're entertaining, you can decorate...

A 40th anniversary is a real milestone. The traditional gift is a ruby to symbolize the eternal inner flame that reflects the marriage is still strong and alive after 40 years together. There...

Toga parties are a kind of costume party in which partygoers wear sandals and a toga (or more frequently a makeshift toga from a large sheet or bed covering). Toga parties were made popular by the...

Designing birthday party centerpieces allows the creator to showcase their design talents. Create centerpieces that are colorful and catch guests' attention. Use household items and purchase...

Pajama parties are a major highlight in the youth of many young girls. Staying up late, chatting and playing games help girls to develop close friendships and create memories that will last a...

While parents might wish that simply the novelty of having a party will keep kids entertained at birthday parties, some planned entertainment is necessary to ensure that children are happy and...

"Blue's Clues" is a popular children's television show, which can easily be used as a theme for a child's party. The characters and colors of the show can be recreated at home with little...

Don't have much dough? But, you want to bake up a fun family outing? There are many ways to save and still enjoy times with your spouse, children, and/or friends.

One of the fun aspects of planning a baby shower is choosing the theme. Rubber duckies are a classic toy--an essential part of childhood. Using rubber ducks as the theme of a baby shower gives you...

Ocean themes for a party can vary widely by age and interest. Girls may prefer a mermaid theme and boys a shark adventure. Consider going to an aquarium, beach or water park for the event. Ocean...

Make your parents' or friends' 35th anniversary special by creating one-of-a-kind anniversary party invitations. Using the traditional gifts for the 35th anniversary---coral and jade---you can...

A nautical baby shower is the perfect opportunity to help the mom-to-be get ready to welcome her new "first mate." To get friends and family ship shape and ready to shower the expecting parents...

Themed cakes become the centerpiece of many celebrations. The more extravagant and intricate you can make the cake design, the better. Choose the flavor of cake you want, or combine multiple cakes...

Easter is an excellent time of year for a party. It's getting warmer outside, the colors are bright, and flowers are blooming. Throwing an Easter party is a great way to celebrate the upcoming...

"Go, Diego, Go!" ranks as a favorite kids' television show, which makes it a popular choice for a party theme for a child's birthday party. Introduce the "Go, Diego, Go!" theme to the guests with...

Parties normally have themes of some sort--retirement, birthday, even President's Day. This makes decorating easier, since all you have to do is work around the theme. If you just want to get some...

As families move away from each other more often, family reunions are becoming more and more popular. An helpful memento of the family reunion is the booklet. Able to contain more memories than a...

Baby showers, while fun, often involve silly games and favors which most people won't ever end up using, especially if the crowd is mainly older or more sophisticated women who have been to a...

Think about throwing a birthday party for a two-year-old, and you may worry about a group of toddlers playing and sharing, or even fighting and crying. You will hope that the kids don't get bored...

The Cabaret originated in France in 1881, the first cabaret to open was called Le Chat Noir (The Black Cat). The term cabaret meant any establishment that served alcohol. In 1900 the cabaret had...

A nostalgic 1950s party can transport guests back into a completely different era. Bring back the decade of swing, rock and roll, and good clean fun. A sock hop is a popular and easily...

The high school reunion is a chance to catch up with people you haven't seen in a long time and see how much they've changed. This transformation, both physical and otherwise, offers a wealth of...

Retirement party decorations should celebrate the guest of honor's career without making him feel old. Dispense with the "over the hill" and "out with the old, in with the new" decorations and...

Scooby Doo is a dog who is a mystery sleuth along with his human friends. Plan a Scooby Doo birthday party around a mystery based on the Scooby Doo cartoons and movies. Watch some of the shows to...

Bachelor and bachelorette parties don't have to be the stay-out-all-night-and-drink-too-much marathons that are often depicted in the movies. There are some simple party ideas that allow the...

A chocolate fountain provides not only a decadent dessert, but a visually pleasing centerpiece as well. A large assortment of dipping items can add to the decorative effect and provide guests with...

A bridal shower is an elegant party for the bride-to-be, therefore certain rules of etiquette should be followed to ensure that her bridal shower is perfect. Using proper etiquette begins with the...