Entertaining

Carnations are a great standard flower. They are often used in centerpieces, bouquets and corsages. Carnations come in many colors and are used as a filler or as an inexpensive flower. They are at...

Sweetheart roses are one of the most beautiful and delicate looking of all rose varieties. They are popular for corsages because of their size, color, and fragrance. You can easily create one of...

It is a beautiful night, the stars are shining-perfect for a romantic dinner. here are some tips on how to make the most of the evening.

Building and playing in forts or playhouses is a favorite pastime for many children throughout their childhood. Creating customized and distinctive forts or playhouses from wood and recycled...

Sometimes it's easy to assume hosting a pool party is only about having a pool and offering appetizers and drinks. But with a few fresh ideas, it's easy to put some waves in an old idea. Whether...

If you live in an apartment yet crave an outdoor entertaining space, try a rooftop garden. Many apartment dwellers have access to a portion of the roof. With a little creativity, you can create a...

Illuminate your backyard with inexpensive outdoor lighting. You can light up your back or front yard for parties, or arrange the lighting to highlight portions of your property. You have several...

We eat with our eyes first, and this is true of kids as well as adults. At your child's next birthday party or get-together with friends, wow them with a colorful kid tablescape. You can create a...

Rachael Ray is famous for her "30-Minute Meals." She makes tasty, healthy and inexpensive meals in less than 30 minutes. What better way to entertain guests? At your next get-together, take a cue...

Thanks to her show, "Everyday Italian," Giada de Laurentiis has become a household name, known for her signature style of easy-to-prepare Italian dishes. All you need is good food, good wine and...

From working on nuclear energy policy at the White House to owning a specialty foods store and becoming the Food Network star the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten is a mastermind on the art of...

If you're throwing a party, you may get sticker shock when you realize how much money you could spend on party supplies. Between the plates, cups, decorations and favors you can end up spending a...

For many, dining out is a way to relax and enjoy a great meal with friends and family. While you enjoy that steak and baked potato, stop for a second and think about the impact that your meal out...

In theory, dinner out with the family is a time to enjoy the company of those who mean the most to you. But with kids, sometimes the reality is a little more stressful--from waiting for your...

Throwing a holiday party brings an inevitable level of pressure, no matter how nice the occasion. The key is to decrease that stress by preparing yourself for what is to come and anticipating how...

Are your chairs boring? Make them a little more flavorful by making your own chair covers!

Having an elegant party; with elegant food; with elegant music ... and not enough money to send out ELEGANT INVITATIONS? Here's a how-to on making inexpensive invitations...

Summer means friends and family visiting from afar. Make their time with you enjoyable and memorable by being a gracious summer host.

Fun for kids to make.

Fun for kids to make.

Did you know that you can host an in-home sell your gold jewelry party and make big bucks. That's right, you can sell your unwanted gold and your friends' unwanted gold right in your own home. Say...

When you think of entertainment, you might envision a night out on the town, a movie, or maybe a concert. Those can be high-ticket items that will quickly tap your entertainment budget (if you...

The Perfect Pasta Plate - a better way to enjoy eating any long strand pasta or noodle.

Gardenias are very fragrant flower that originates from Eastern Asia. They use to very popular amongst women, but because they are so finicky many people don't have the time to take care of them....

Entertaining is what some people like to do best. It can be their “forte” so to speak. But sometimes you would like to have something to contribute to the other peoples enjoyment. ...

As we roll into summer, the theaters fill with blockbuster movie after blockbuster movie. But with ticket prices around $10, babysitting fees and, of course, the price of gas, a simple movie date...

Planning a dinner party for a group of diabetics is not too difficult. Planning a dinner for a group where no one is diabetic is not difficult. Why, then, do we panic when we have a mixed group?...

If you're looking for an unique snack, these Thai mung bean balls will hit the spot! They are a healthy snack to have with afternoon tea or coffee, or could be used as either an appetizer or...

Gym shower etiquette refers to the system of rules people use when they share a common shower area. Most of these rules are tied in closely with cultural norms regarding sex, hygiene and nudity....

Looks neat and fun to make.

Having a party this summer with a spread of chilled salads and desserts? Serve it safely. Nothing ruins a party like a food-borne illness.The key is keeping the food cold, below 40 degrees F....

Whether it’s summer barbeques, family reunions, or a pot luck dinner among friends, there are times when it is simply not possible to set the table for a meal. Using a buffet can be an easy...

We have all been to a party or reunion or church meeting or a gathering of some kind where the kids seems to run wild. At those times it is only a matter of time before the entire throng of kids...

You probably had an uncle who used to impress you by making quarters disappear and appear behind your ears. If you didn't, you've probably seen one in a movie. This is a charming and easy magic...

Candy can make a great party favor because it's inexpensive and most everyone loves it. Also there are so many different molds out there that you can easily find something that suits the party....

Cooking a meal outdoors for family and friends can be lots of fun. Unfortunately, it can also turn to tragedy if you haven't taken the proper steps to ensure your backyard barbeque doesn't become...

Taking an everyday, ordinary object and making it exceptional is always fun. Modify your cigarette lighter to shoot a huge flame that they will see from down the block. It won't quite qualify as a...

A bonfire is a time proven way to add a little fun to an outdoor gathering, especially when it's cold enough to need the added warmth from the fire. Forget the old bonfire days where a little...

Props are a major part of any clowns' routine and allows the showcase of the persona. Use props to keep the audience's attention, add variety and fun to your clown routine. There are a number of...

Piñatas are fun for a party and make great crafts projects for kids. Making one is also an interesting way to learn about Mexican culture and traditions.

A really elegant way to display the silver at a formal table setting is in a cloth napkin bed. You can also make a napkin bed from paper napkins for a more casual setting.

Everybody loves a great party but, when you are the one doing the hosting, the planning and preparations can be so overwhelming that you not only don't enjoy yourself but you just plain want it to...

Hopefully, if you take the time to carefully select your cookware, you'll have pots and pans that will last you a lifetime. It's tempting for the young person starting out in an apartment to get...

Tapas are a Spanish trademark, found in bars all over Spain, and are now a spreading trend around the world. Tapas are tiny, flavorful bites or snacks that are meant to be shared and savored. The...

Plan a stress free Spring party that leaves the host with plenty of time to party!

In-N-Out (locations in CA, AZ, UT and NV) has been around since the late 1940's and people flock there for delicious burgers, freshly made fries and delicious shakes. The menu they offer is...

This is a variation on the square-build standard campfire. It allows for a much better oxygen flow, and so in turn much more even heat. This means that your fire is more manageable. It will burn...

Deciding what movie to have your kids view isn't always an easy task--there's loads of violence in some "kid friendly" moves, sexual innuendo in others and behavior you'd rather not see emulated...

If you're reading this article, you're probably considering how to go about taking one of your first catering jobs. Congratulations! If you're a good, well-organized cook with plenty of space,...

An elegantly presented table makes any holiday or dinner party unforgettable for your guests. It even gives a mediocre cook a wonderful sense of pride. It doesn’t matter what you serve your...