Entertaining

You’ve sent out the invitations and now it is time to prepare to host your formal dinner party. The menu is set, the tablecloth is pressed, and the center piece adorns the table. This is a special...

There are many different types of banquet serving styles. Certain ones are appropriate based on the nature and formality of an event.

Your family room is a place where your family should be able to comfortably play, entertain, talk, and gather. If you have a large family but limited space, a sectional sofa may be the best choice...

Glassware adds a stylish touch to any home décor. Whether you create a beautiful display in your living room or dress up a dinner table for a special occasion, using glassware to decorate...

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...

Crystals and glass beads can be used in many ways to create beautiful decorative landscapes for your table. The key to making a crystal-decorated table shine is lots and lots of candles. For your...

Buffet-style dining is usually the easiest way to serve a large group of people---and lets the guests choose their favorites and eat as much as they like. How you set up your buffet table is...

A buffet table, instead of a sit-down dinner, is the ideal choice when you're having more people over than you have room for at your table. It's also handy if you're looking for a less expensive...

Photos are not your typical centerpiece items, so they must fit the theme of your party or event or they might seem out of place. Types of events where photo centerpieces would be appropriate...

Decorations can be used to transform a simple space into an elegant event. Banquet table décor has a large part in the overall decoration of the room. Each table should be similar in...

When you are throwing a party, one of the many aspects that you have to plan out is the food. You can either plan a sit-down dinner, where everyone sits at the table at the same time to enjoy a...

Just because it's the winter season doesn't mean there is a lack of colorful, creative table decorations. Although the trees have withered away and spring is far from beginning, you can...

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...

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...

Draw the focus to the center of the table with a seasonal autumn centerpiece. Cast a glow across the table with ambient candlelight or creatively carved Jack-o-Lanterns. Showcase the bounteous...

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...

Expect your chocolate fountain to be the most popular attraction at weddings, birthdays, baby or wedding showers, reunions, and holiday events. If you have a chocolate fountain, you must also have...

A successful buffet is about more than just the foods you're serving. Buffet presentation also plays a big role. While different events may call for a different style, you should definitely plan...

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 hosting a party, the table decoration can enhance the mood you are trying to set. For children's birthday parties, the table becomes part of the overall decoration scheme and should be fun...

Ants can ruin cookouts and picnics. They can climb up the picnic table legs, and make there way into the food and drinks of your guest. At your next party or outdoor function, try this little...

While some people might view catering an event as being only about the food, catering is actually much more than appetizers and entrees. The catering of an event plays a major part in the ambiance...

If you enjoy the coffeehouse but can't afford to buy the lattes everyday, here is how you can create a similar atmosphere in your living room.

Create the look of elegant clouds by incorporating layers of tulle onto a tabletop. Tulle is a semi-transparent soft mesh netting. The netting has a hexagonal pattern and comes in a variety of...

Serve up fun this summer with an old-fashioned ice cream parlor right in your backyard. A simple setup and a few decorative touches can create an unforgettable atmosphere for your guests and...

For an Asian table theme, use dramatic colors, beautiful floral arrangements and delicate lighting. From a simple cherry blossom to a complex water fountain, floating candles to a Zen rock garden,...

How to have that perfect table setting for a romantic evening? Surprise your partner, set the mood right! It’s the perfect time to bring out those good stuff that have been hiding in your kitchen...

Table settings have a very specific set of rules for the proper placement of each item. Whether you are throwing a formal dinner party or preparing for a family holiday event, you can ensure that...

A round buffet table allows for a large and attractive buffet display with good traffic flow and easy access for a large number of guests. Integral to a lovely buffet is not only the food, but the...

Setting a table for a romantic dinner doesn't have to be a mystifying experience. Etiquette dictates what a proper table setting should include, but the accessories can be as romantic as you would...

When decorating a holiday table for six, you must be able to make the table look festive and cheerful without being too cluttered. With six place settings, it's easy for your table to quickly...

When setting a long table, you want to create a sense of intimacy while taking advantage of the long expanse. Table settings for a long table need to make each guest feel honored and important,...

A waitress and/or waiter must possess a sense of responsibility, urgency, good memory and charm. Oh, and I forgot, lots of patience. There are a few steps that all waiters should follow when...

Setting the mood for your party is best accomplished with good decorations. Choosing a theme for the event will inspire your décor better than any visit to a party store will. Themes don't...

The presentation of food on the banquet table is nearly as important as the menu. A well-laid table showcases appetizers, sides, main courses and desserts while also being accessible to the...

A beautifully decorated table will get your guests excited about the party before it even gets started. No matter the occasion or the budget, the right color schemes and accessories will "dress"...

Table topics provide public speaking practice. Many people would rather have a root canal performed than speak in public. Intelligent, articulate people can become tongue-tied when asked to...

The three basic elements of table decorating are linens, centerpieces and place settings. Linens are the coordinators; they reflect the color scheme and style of your tablescape. Centerpieces are...

Here you will learn how to fool family and friends by using your T-shirt!

Half the fun of throwing a party is decorating the table. Essentially your only restriction is to avoid centerpieces that are so high your guests can't see over them. Otherwise you have free rein...

The nautical theme is popular among home decorators. You find nautical decor in beach houses as well as year-round homes. People also use the nautical theme at all kinds of parties, such as...

As children get older, they are ready to take on new responsibilities around the house. Learning to set the table is a great way to instill proper table etiquette and allow the child to help...

Proper food etiquette is timeless. Whether out at a pizza joint or at the finest restaurant in town, it is important to remember the rules and be on your best behavior. Good manners are like good...

When you decorate a dinner table, you have to keep the centerpieces low so they won't block the view of the guests. But you don't have that problem on a buffet table---in fact, you can achieve a...

An hors d'oeuvre, which roughly translates from the French as "outside of the main work" is an appetizer, teaser or amuse-bouche served before a meal. Typically finger food, it is also wonderful...

When entertaining for the holidays, nothing sets the tone for your event quite like a beautifully decorated table. From linens to centerpieces, your table becomes the focal point of the room....

There isn’t much better than being with good friends around a candle lit table over a lingering dinner. It is even better if you can enjoy that dinner outside. The sounds of nature and cool...

A properly set dinner table may make all the difference when entertaining or hosting a dinner party. From napkins to utensils to plates, there is a place for everything, and everything should be...

It is common when hosting a large party or reception to give away the centerpieces after the event is over. While it might be nice to take home one centerpiece, most hostesses don't have a use for...

Getting all the components together for a full banquet service requires some planning and organization, but doing the footwork ahead of time can assure that the meal goes off without a lot of...