Entertaining Basics

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...

Remembering people's name is can sometimes be very embarrassing. To reduce the chances of forgetting people's names just follow a few simple guidelines and you can't go wrong.

Everyone loves a dinner party. Good friends, good food, lively conversation and maybe a parlor game or two. But if some of your friends are seniors, you might want to consider tailoring your...

Not everyone one is great at communicating with others. To some people talking comes naturally but many others are shy and not sure what to talk about. It takes practice a patience learning how to...

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...

During the Holidays, you need all the help you can get. After years of catering and giving my own parties, I have learned a few things that might help so you can enjoy your own party which is the...

After years of running a catering company I have gathered a list of shortcuts, hints and tips to make entertaining and Holiday cooking easier and quicker.


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...

The coolest way to serve alcohol at a party is through gelatin. The recipe for jello shots is almost the same as the recipe for regular jello. The only difference is your choice of alcohol is...

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...

The arrival of unexpected guests is no reason to panic. Whether it is a friend who just dropped in to say hi or an out-of-town family member who needs a place to stay you can pull of hospitality...

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...

Learn how to use already prepared foods as a timesaver for your party. With some simple changes, enhance the foods to make them appear as homemade. Whether you are serving hors d' oeuvres or...

If your not all ready witty, this is not going to be quick. This is not going to be a trip through the drive thru, but a 3 hour prepared home cooked meal. But in the end, the rewards will be well...

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...

Smoker or not, this trick is a winner. It is fairly easy to learn but difficult to get the courage to attempt.

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,...

The wonderful thing about barbecue is no matter what you do to it or even if you don't exactly have the technique down to a science, you usually still have great tasting food. The grill or...

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...

Many of us enjoy an evening of food and fellowship, but have a difficult time planning our hospitality. You're not alone! Here are some tips on streamlining your preparation so that you can enjoy...

Like drinking but hate hangovers? Well I think just about all drinkers can agree that a night of drinking leads to a bad morning, but there are some tips for avoiding hangovers. I listed the ways...

Excitement is in the air for the next movie in the Twilight series known as "New Moon". New Moon is based on the second book in the Twilight series and is scheduled to release to movie...

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...

Musical or talent acts can make a good start performing for nightclubs. Nightclubs are where many acts make their first showings and where they are often discovered. The trick is to get started at...

Planning the amount of food for a party can be an easy undertaking if you have some basic guidelines. Learn how to determine the amount of food whether you are planning a sit-down dinner or an...

National Night Out (Texas: October 6, 2009) is a great way to promote neighborhood watch and neighbor camaraderie. I helped to host a very successful party last year. You can register online:...

When boredom strikes, think outside the box and try these ideas for some fun alone.

Recycling is egg cartons or boxes is a great way to reduce waste but they can also be very useful in some instances. In this article you will learn some ways to turn the egg cartons you've been...

This is an article on how to make friends.

Planning a banquet can be a overwhelming, even for a seasoned planner. Keeping a notebook will help with organization. Create a general worksheet or checklist with an overview of the priorities....

Even for an informal gathering, proper table setting is part of the art of entertaining. Placing napkins, utensils and dishes in the appropriate place will help your table look elegant and help...

Your baby shower is a chance for you to share the joy of you newborn baby. Guests will be thrilled to have a chance to shower you with gifts designed just for your baby, so how do you ensure they...

A napkin ring holds a folded napkin together and is typically used as part of a table setting. Place settings that include all of the required components can show guests that the hostess put...