Celebrating the Vegan Lifestyle

One of the things I have struggled with in incorporating veganism into my life is the "special occasion." As you can see from the pictures, this story has a happy ending, but not without a bit of contemplation. For my 25th birthday this year, I wasn't sure I wanted to eat vegan, but I also felt uncomfortable contributing to our country's flawed food system by making careless choices. As Michael Pollan says, we get to "vote with [o]ur fork" three times a day. The happy compromise was a relatively new Berkeley restaurant called Gather. Aside from the unbelievable food and unusual cocktails, Gather is devoted to "seasonal food, carefully sourced and thoughtfully prepared." When we walked in the restaurant, there was a large chalkboard to the left of the kitchen naming the local farms they work with in a given week. It seemed like the perfect compromise for my omnivorous tastebuds and my vegan heart. Add in the charming wait staff and a designated driver, and I was a happy, if slightly drunk, customer.

A few weeks later, we were celebrating my mom's birthday. She is more inclined toward the home cooked meal than going out, so I knew I had to step it up a notch. But, if you think about it, most fancy food revolves around meat. Think roast chicken with all the trimmings or handmade pasta with a slow-cooked bolognese (a favorite in my former life). These meals take time, and so show you care about the people you prepare them for. But, unfortunately, we just don't connect vegetables and whole grains with elegance unless they're stuffed into something...like a turkey. However, with a little inspiration from Gather, I hit upon the perfect celebratory meal. For dinner, I made grilled pizzas with James McNair's whole wheat pizza dough and classic tomato sauce, and topped them with roasted eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms and caramelized onions and peppers. I finished them off with fresh tomatoes and basil and a drizzle of cashew cream. The cashew cream was inspired by Gather and adds a warmth and roundness to vegan pizza without pretending to be cheese. My best experiences with vegan food stem from moments of creativity where you break the boundaries of what food should be (like pizza must have cheese) and write your own rules. I have for the most part avoided vegan substitutes for cheese and meat preferring to see outside our traditional culinary assumptions.

As proud as I am of those pizzas, the cake was the real star of the show. One of my favorite bakeries in the Bay Area is The Prolific Oven. They are a lovely lunch spot that knows the key to happiness is a slice of cake with every meal. For as long as I can remember, my favorite cake has been the Chocolate Orange Almond (also available in just Orange Almond for all you lightweights). Fortunately, it's my mom's favorite too, so we never had to fight over which cake to buy whenever we went there. For her first vegan birthday, she requested a 100% vegan Chocolate Orange Almond cake, and I was happy to deliver. Unlike most almond cakes, Prolific Oven's is not overwhelmingly flavored with almond paste. It has a subtle almond taste and flecks of crushed up almonds throughout the cake. Bright and citrusy orange buttercream separates the layers of cake and the entire thing is enrobed in chocolate buttercream. This cake is not for the faint of heart, but for those who truly appreciate subtlety and layers of flavor.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Boucher

You're Having a Party on a Tight Budget? Make a List and Check It Twice

You want to do something nice for your friends. Have a Party! One hitch, you're on a tight budget.

Just as household budget gurus will tell you to make a list before you go to the grocery to avoid impulse buying, you need a good party planning list for the same reason.

If you're like me, you get excited about the idea of gathering your good friends together for some fun. I'm sure you are loaded with great party planning ideas also. Just remember that many party ideas cost - but some don't!

So, you need to put together your party planning list with your budget in mind and - stick to it! Great new party ideas that pop in your head need to go on a party planning list for your next party - after your entertainment budget has been replenished.

But don't fret! You can have a great party and not empty your wallet at the same time.

Party Planning List Suggestions that Cost the Most and Some that Don't!

Guests - the more there are, the more your party will cost.

Decide realistically how much you want to spend and then divide that number by $10.00 or $12.00. That will tell you about how many guests you can invite if you are careful in your planning and put some of the ideas in this article on your party planning checklist. Remember also that informal parties are less expensive than formal ones.

Food

Food costs. To stay in your budget, keep your food and beverage menu simple. Don't try to do a seven course meal on a two course meal budget.

Here are some old and new ideas to keep your food budget under control:

Serve a one dish meal with one or two accompaniments and a simple dessert.
The classic pot luck is the best way to spread the cost of a meal around and most guests enjoy bringing their own specialty to show off.
Serve childhood favorites in canapé sizes. An adult kid's party could be your theme. Mini PB&Js, cocktail wieners, min-grilled cheese, tomato soup with a dash of Parmesan cheese for garnish, chicken nuggets with a zesty sauce - you get the idea.
Time your party as an afternoon tea or after the traditional dinner time and just serve a fantastic dessert.

Beverages

Beverages Cost. Here are cost saving ideas for beverages to add to your party planning list:

You can always ask your guest to BYOFB - bring your own favorite beverage.
Serve one awesome special drink - Margaritas, Mojitos, Sangria are all examples.
Avoid serving alcohol - this is becoming more popular to avoid driving intoxicated.
Make a killer homemade lemonade, punch, or special flavored tea.
If you are having a dessert party, just serve coffee and hot tea.

Entertainment

Here are some entertainment ideas to put on your party planning list that don't have to cost you a penny if you are clever and get your guests involved in the planning and have them entertain themselves.

Put some of these ideas on your party planning list:

If you have musician friends who are good and like to perform, ask them to.
Break out the games. Set up small tables and put a different game on each one.
Card parties are classic and guests can play their favorite or organize a Gin Rummy tournament.
Charades is fun and never gets old.
Cooking party - everyone pitches in and helps with a favorite recipes.
Have your guests bring their favorite CDs and have a lip sync party.
Super Bowl, World Series, NASCAR races, Gone with the Wind,or Rocky Horror Picture Show parties are inexpensive broadcast or DVD parties that are perennial favorites.

Decorations

Keep your decorations simple. A budget party is all about getting people together to have a good time. You're not trying to impress people with fancy décor.

Wild flowers or simple flowers from the grocery store in Dollar Store vases can bring color and life to the party.
Candles give a nice glow - just be sure you don't light too many highly scented ones.
Break out the Christmas twinkle lights and string them around the house.

Supplies

Disposable plate ware and other party supplies are convenient, but they cost. If you can, use your own dishes, flatware, and cloth napkins. There might be a little clean up to do, but the price is right.

There are many ways to host a successful party that won't break your budget but will be lots of fun. Be sure to use a party planning list and be creative. If you're not very creative, find a friend who is and ask for help. Much of the fun of having a party is the planning - so ENJOY!

E. Ann Hill is a successful party planning expert and hospitality professional with many years of personal and professional party and event planning experience. She loves to entertain and wants to share the easy and challenging lessons she has learned with eager novice and seasoned hosts. Her goal is to instill the #1 objective for entertaining - the host should enjoy planning the party and the party itself as much as his or her guests.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Ann_Hill

A Scary Story Suggestion for Halloween

If you are holding a Halloween party this weekend and are looking for ideas for sharing some scary Halloween stories I've added a suggestion below.

Hannah and Jane were hanging more spider web decorations in the sitting room when Mum came in. "You better hurry up and finish girls. Aunty Pat will be here soon with Harry and Alice, and your party starts in an hour. Where's your brother?"

Joe was upstairs looking for his microphone. He wanted to hide and make scary noises and scare his sisters. Joe looked everywhere for his microphone but he couldn't find it

"I bet Hannah used it so she could watch herself singing in the mirror" Joe thought to himself. So he went into Hannah's bedroom to try and find his microphone. Joe looked under Hannah's bed and in her wardrobe but he couldn't find it anywhere. He went over to her chest of drawers to look in there but as he reached for the drawer knob something brushed across his hand.

"What was that?" Joe shouted out loud. The drawer's knob was all green and gooey. Then he felt something brush against his shoulder.

Joe turned around quickly and shouted "Who's there?" but no-one was behind him. Joe was starting to get scared and wished he hadn't come into Hannah's room at all. It was getting dark outside and it was almost time for the party. Joe ran out of Hannah's bedroom and moved quickly across the hallway to Jane's room.

He decided to have a quick look for his microphone in Jane's room but as he moved towards the door he heard scratching noises and small moaning sounds. Joe didn't like the sounds coming from Jane's room at all and was starting to think maybe they had a ghost for real.

Joe ran downstairs and into the living room. "We've got a ghost upstairs!" he shouted out when he saw his sisters.

"Don't be silly Joe," said Jane, who was the eldest and always very sensible. "There are no ghosts in this house."

"There are," insisted Joe. "I saw it upstairs."

"Where?" asked Jane.

"In Hannah's room," explained Joe.

"What were you doing in my room Joe?" asked Hannah. "I'm going to tell Mum," and Hannah stomped off to the kitchen to tell her Mum that Joe had been in her room.

"Mum!!" Hannah shouted, but Mum wasn't in the kitchen.

"Mum!!" Hannah shouted up the stairway. But Mum wasn't upstairs either.

Hannah ran back into the sitting room where Jane and Joe were arguing about whether there was a ghost in their house or not.

"I can't find Mum," Hannah said. "Where could she be?"

"Maybe the ghost has took her," said Joe.

Jane decided to end Joe's ghost story once and for all. "Come on!" she called as she walked out of the room.

"Where are we going?" asked Joe and Hannah.

"We're going to see about this ghost, and then maybe we can stop talking about it," Jane explained.

As they got to the bottom of the stairs Joe looked up and saw something white move across the landing. "Look!!" shouted Joe.

Hannah and Jane both looked up but didn't see anything. "I just saw it. I promise I did!" Joe cried out. Hannah and Jane both looked at each other nervously.

"Come on," Jane whispered and very carefully they all started walking up the stairs.

As they reached the top Jane put her finger to her lips, "Shhh" she said. "Do you hear that?"

Hannah, Joe and Jane all stood at the top of the stairs listening. They could hear the scraping and faint moaning noise coming from Jane's bedroom. "See!!!" Joe whispered, "I told you!"

"Shhh," Jane insisted again. "Come on!" and all three of them moved quietly into the hallway. Jane opened Hannah's door and looked into her bedroom. "It looks okay in here" she said to the other two.

"I saw gooey stuff on Hannah's drawer, see if it's still there," Joe said. Jane walked over to Hannah's drawer and as she was about to put her hand on the drawer knob she felt something brush against her hair. "Aarrghhh!!" she screamed. Joe and Hannah ran into the room to see what had happened and saw Jane shaking her head and grabbing at something above her.

"What are you doing?" asked Joe.

"It's cobwebs," explained Jane. "Someone's put them up here too. See, it wasn't a ghost." But as she said that there was a bang in the hallway and they ran out to see a book in the middle of the floor.

"Mum!" Jane shouted "Is that you?" But there was no reply.

"I told you something spooky is going on," groaned Joe.

"I'm scared," said Hannah.

"Let's go back downstairs," Jane suggested. They tiptoed back down the landing toward the stairs, all holding onto each other. As they passed the bathroom door it sounded like someone was knocking on the door. They all froze as the door slowly creaked open.

"Who's there?" shouted Jane.

There was no answer. Jane, Hannah and Joe all looked at each other again. They were afraid to move but they were also afraid to stay on the landing in case they saw the ghost. "Hello?" Jane shouted out again.

As they stood trembling, wondering whether they should move or not they heard the door to Jane's room start to open. As they turned to see who was at the door a figure jumped out at them.

"Boo!!" shouted Harry, as he appeared in the doorway of the bathroom.

And then, "Raaaarrrr!!" shouted Alice as she jumped out from Jane's room.

Jane, Hannah and Joe all screamed as Harry and Alice started laughing. "We got you!" they shouted triumphantly.

"You big meanies," Hannah cried. "We were all really scared."

"I told you I'd scare you today Joe," Harry laughed.

"Where's Mum and Aunty Pat?" Jane asked.

"They're out in the shed looking for last year's lights," explained Alice.

The doorbell rang and Hannah ran downstairs to answer the door. Their party guests had started arriving. "We'll get you back next time," Jane warned as they went to get the party started.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cat_Scrivens

Fun Picnic Games for Kids

Picnics are a great source of entertainment for kids. If you're heading out on a picnic with the whole family, you'll want to have some activities planned for the kids after the food is finished. Not sure what sort of games make a picnic great? Well, here's a list of picnic games that will keep your picnic creative and fun for the young ones.

Hide and Seek

A classic picnic game, hide and seek is bound to enthuse youngsters. If you're not familiar with the rules, hide and seek consists of one player being "it" and the other players hiding. The player who is "it" counts to a previously agreed upon number and then begins to look for the hidden players. Usually, a certain location is marked as home base and the players attempt to make it there before the person who is "it" finds them.

Tag

Another age-old favorite that works great at any picnic, tag will keep the kids amused for hours. One player is "it" and chases after the remaining players. If the player who is "it" touches another player, then that player becomes "it" and pursues the others.

Duck Duck Goose

In Duck Duck Goose, a group of players sit in a circle, facing inward, while another player walks around tapping each player in turn, and calling them either "duck or "goose." If a participant is called "goose," he or she will stand up and chase the person who picked them, attempting to tag them before they navigate the circle and sit in the seat previously occupied by the goose. If the picker succeeds, the goose becomes the new picker. If the goose tags the picker, the goose returns to his seat and the picker starts the process of circling again.

Red Light/Green Light

Playing Red Light/Green Light at a picnic is barrels of fun. In this game, the person who is "it" stands at one end of the field with their back to the rest of the players. When they yell "Green Light," players run as fast as they can toward the person who is "it." Whenever the person who is "it" wants to shake things up, they call out "Red light" and turn to face the other players. The players must freeze in place and if anyone doesn't halt immediately, they are sent back to the starting line. The first person to make it to the person who is "it" becomes "it" for the next round.

Simon Says

Simon Says is another fun picnic game. In Simon Says, one player is "Simon" and the other players must do what Simon tells them to do, as long as Simon precedes his command with "Simon Says" For example, if Simon says "Simon Says Jump," everyone must jump and anyone who doesn't jump is out. However, if Simon simply says "Jump," without preceding the command with "Simon Says," then the command is not intended to be obeyed and anyone who jumps is out. The last person remaining in the game becomes Simon.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Moxly

Hobsonville Point Playground Review

Finally, the great weather is here...hopefully for a long while too! I know this review was promised a few weeks ago but I haven't really had the chance to get outside with the kids, without the wind blowing or the rain pouring!

I recently got a group of friends together at the Hobsonville Point playground and took this opportunity to gather some opinions about the new playground and what it has to offer. There are some fantastic play pieces, cleverly designed to embrace a "nature" theme. There are lots of cool sculptures and plenty of greenery. It really will look pretty in a couple of years. Our kids really enjoy this playground. There are lots of things to do and many challenges to be had. The equipment suits children from around 2yrs upwards. There is however nothing really available for kids under this age. It could use some extra pieces (such as those available at Western Springs park) to cater for this age. I have a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 1 year old and will watch the youngest closely to see what she finds to do.

Among some of the play equipment, there is a cool "spiders web" for the kids to climb up, some sculptures for the kids to hideaway in, awesome spinning cups to sit in (watch the kids tummies if they're on them for too long!!), but by far the standout pieces are the fantails nests. The kids love them. The are high and creative with a neat mesh for the kids to climb between them. I do have a serious safety concern about them though and have contacted the Hobsonville Land Company regarding this. While I was exploring the fantails nest myself (why not!), I caught a little girl as she was about to fall some 2m down the ladder hole. I think there needs to be a modification made to this area. Any other parents have any thoughts on this?

When I chatted to a few other parents at the park most of the feedback was really positive..and rightly so. A few constructive points people made were; the need for some shade to sit under close to the park (perhaps some shade sails for summer?), a toilet nearer the playground (you have to use the café's toilet facilities and as most parents of small children know...you don't get a lot of warning sometimes and it is a bit of a hike), the water fountain for drinking was quite tricky to turn on, with most of the kids we were with (age 6 and below) struggling with this. Unfortunately the slides are made of metal, and on the day we were there, many of the kids complained that they were too hot to slide down. The swings could use a bit of an oil too. All in all though, this playground is a real success, with the kids loving the adventures they have. My 6 year old also discovered the small hill nearby, and had loads of fun rolling down it! It won't be there forever though so make the most of it now!

On a side note, does anyone know if there are rules regarding dogs at playgrounds? I have a friend whose little fella is utterly terrified of them and he had a bad experience at the park the other day with a dog. I have noticed a few dog owners taking their dogs into the play areas (some leashed, some not). My thoughts on this are that the playground is for kids not dogs (even if they are leashed). If you take your dog, perhaps you could tie him/her up by the nearby trees? I understand that most dog owners will probably disagree with this, but as a parent of small children (one of whom is not entirely comfortable in the presence of dogs), I would rather they be kept away.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_W_Collins

Event Planning Course - How to Plan a Nice But Budget Family Event

Event planning and budgeting, seem to be two different things at times, especially when everyone in the world is facing financial problems because of economic recession. Expenses of catering, rent of a good place and arrangement of other props, oh my Gosh! Don't want to miss the joy of family get together? You are not in good financial condition? Don't worry at all. Just keep this fact in mind that money is not the only source of fun. If it was, no poor person in this world would have been seen smiling. What you have to do is plan the event very smartly so you can have a fun filled event that fits in your budget.

First of all when you make a list of family members just think that who can help you in any way? It is for sure that every one in the family must be having something to contribute that can help you in your event planning.
If you don't have enough room in your house and can't afford to hire any suitable place, ask you relative who has a good and specious lawn or back yard for the event and offer them your full help and services in arrangements.
To avoid the expense of calling a band or DJ, see if there are any of your family members who have a good voice or want his or her singing talent appreciated. There would be many volunteers who would be interested in performing in the party and would bring their own props.
Instead of getting disposable plates and glasses try to arrange crockery of your own, ask some family members to contribute in bringing the dishes from their homes. This will help you keep the cost lower.
Food is the main attraction in this kind of events. And of course no family get together would be completed with out good food, but good food means quality of food not quantity of food. If your family dose not compromise on food and they are good eaters then its better to have a 'one dish party'. Ask each family to prepare a dish and bring for the party.
Take help from the children in clearing off. Arrange a competition of clearing the table or who clears the floor quickly. Remember every little help counts.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owais_Siddiqui_Jr

Gibson Dinnerware Sets

Shoppers looking for a great option for a new dishware set could do a lot worse than choosing a product from Gibson. Gibson dinnerware sets have been made for decades, and are available in a wide variety of patterns; there large selection ensures even the pickiest buyer will be able find a Gibson dishware set that matches their tastes.

There are several different groups of Gibson tableware sets. They are banded, decorated, solid color, hand painted, gold and platinum, and of course - basic white. This article will briefly discuss each of these.

Banded Gibson Dinnerware

The banded dishware sets offered by Gibson offer basic sets with the addition of a ring of color to add a little pizzazz. These table ware sets are very useful as casual dinnerware for everyday dining. Dishes like this make a great first set of plates for someone moving out of home for the first time.

Decorated Gibson Dinnerwares

Many different Gibson dinnerware patterns fall into this grouping. They range from dinner sets with understated patterns, to sets fully covered with elaborate designs. Some of these plates make spectacular formal dining choices, and are sure to be appreciated by guests.

Solid Color Gibson Dishware

Gibson solid color and reactive collection provides strong saturated colors in shapes and textures that make a striking statement. These dishware patterns suit buyers who have tastes that run to making bold statements.

Hand Painted Gibson Dishwares

These rustic designs are the homely and traditional pieces in the Gibson dinnerware product lineup. Many of the heart-warming and artistic designs in this category will invoke nostalgic sentiments of times gone by. These are great dishes to use for family gatherings.

Gold And Platinum Gibson Tableware

While obviously not made of precious metals, the Gibson gold and platinum collection offers a truly opulent look for a dining set. These can even be monogrammed for an extravagant - perhaps self-indulgent - look.

Basic White Gibson Tablewares

Available in a wide range of materials - from bone china to stoneware to porcelain - basic white dish sets are an eternal favorite. Gibson offers a wide selection of white dishes ideal for both formal events and for casual dining.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_J_Fones

Five Tips on How to Enjoy Your Houseguest

When having someone stay in your home, there are five simple but very important things to do when starting their time with you. It is important to provide the opportunity to be away from the family when they need to, and it is also important to help them know how to spend time amongst your family members by doing these five things.

Give them a separate space and bathroom, if you can. It takes some pretty special people to be able to have a houseguest share their space 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You and your houseguest will enjoy a lot of time together for the first few days you spend with each other in your home, but after a while, you will both need to have time and space away from each other. Some of this depends on personalities, and introverts (people who are energized by being alone and away from people) will need more time and space alone than extroverts (people who are energized by being with people). If your guest is staying on a long-term basis, this will go a long way towards keeping your relationship strong.

Include them in the family's meals. It is a scientifically established fact that families who eat together stay together in the long run. If you have a guest in your home, treat them as one of the family, and make sure you are having family meals yourself. This is the first step towards being transparent with someone. If they see how you relate to each other and to them during meals, they will know how to fit into your family structure and daily life.

Let them know your house rules. Boundaries are important to any relationship, and no matter how well you know someone, you don't really know them until you live them. Some rules that are important to establish is helping out with cleaning up their own dishes, wiping up around the bathroom when they use it, when and where to put their clothes in for a wash, how to use the TV remote without resetting the system and any food or other items that are off-limits because they belong to someone in the family.

Have a definite timeframe for their stay. If you do not start with a specific time limit on how long they can stay, things can get uncomfortable after a couple of weeks. Your guest will become more unsure of where they stand in your home, and you may be come resentful. If they know what to expect, both you and they can make plans.

Part early to stay friendly. It is better to send a guest away early and keep the possibility for a relationship in the future. You should know your limits and end the stay before any conflicts arise to damage your friendship.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Billingham

Planning Your Festive Function

The end of every year is a time for celebration. Whether it's relaxing with family and friends, or congratulating colleagues on a successful year at work, every host of a festive function takes pride in planning a special event.

Ensuring that your guests, colleagues and loved ones have a fabulous time at your Christmas event is a top priority for you as a host.

No Christmas or year-end festive function would be complete without excellent décor, party favours and Christmas crackers. Whilst a fantastic spread of food, good company and laughter can truly make your Christmas function a great success, décor and party favours are essential for instilling a festive atmosphere into your Christmas function.

With gorgeous food, fun in the air and presents for everyone, your Christmas function is destined to be a success. Well-planned Christmas and year-end functions are always well-executed and remembered fondly by all in attendance.

Christmas décor and Christmas crackers are sure to help because they enhance the festive spirit of your event.

Whatever your budget limit is for your function, it is essential that you choose good quality food. Selecting a reputable caterer will ensure that your guests enjoy a wonderful meal, and that you too can relax and enjoy the festivities during your celebrations.

If you're planning a homely feast, then ensuring that your meal is made with the best ingredients is important for ensuring that your family and friends enjoy their feast.

In much the same way, choosing an excellent Christmas cracker supplier and decoration stockist is an important part of planning your Christmas function.

Party favours, decorations and Christmas crackers will complete your Christmas function and help create a wonderful festive feeling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cath_Jenkin

The 1920's Were More Than Flappers And Gangster - Try An Original 20's Costume This Halloween

The 20's ended up being a rowdy yet very glamorous time span within the history of the USA. twenties style influenced a variety of 1920's costumes especially mobsters in zoot suits and flapper outfits. Sometimes referred to as the "Roaring 20s" this span of our history was tangled up with tension and adjustment, and the 20's fashion has invariably served as the impetus for our favorite 20's costumes to this day.

In 1920 the US handed down laws and regulations outlawing alcohol, referred to as the prohibition act, and it did anything but confine alcohol. Moonshiners and booze runners became well known, and mobsters with considerable alcohol supply companies grew to become the glamorous symbol of the time period. Roaring twenties costumes allow folks to relive the period's captivating and dangerous feel. Mobster costumes coming from the period continue to be a popular costume for children and men each Halloween.

Whilst the federal government was striving to restrain behavior, the nation's citizens were rebelling. The women reduced the length of their skirts and cut their hair extra short, much to the shagrin of the nation's conservatives. By 1923, practically every single female seemed to be wearing one of the incredible twenties dresses, which in turn served as the impetus for the current flapper costume, and grooving to the Charleston all night long. Flapper dresses persist to be a best costume all through the year and each and every Halloween. In 1924, in an attempt to restore control over the increasing gangster activity, J. Edgar Hoover was made director of the FBI. His tell tale business suit and cap have inspired a wide variety of twenties costumes and 1920's fashion emulated his look.

Since the roaring twenties costumes are frequently based mostly on 1920's fashion, highlighting the highly sought after flapper costumes and gangster costumes, it really is hard to imagine just what else took place in the course of that decade, but it was in the 20's that the very first winter Olympic activities were performed. It was additionally in the 1920's that A.A. Milne published Winnie the Pooh (today owned by Disney, and has become one of their most sought after brands. While the majority of 1920's costumes were inspired by twenties fashion, penicillin was additionally invented in the 20's and the inaugural Academy Awards were organized. The next time you are trying to figure out what 1920's costume to wear, think further then the 1920's fashion that influenced a great number of of the costumes in the market and take advantage of your creative imagination to pick out a roaring 20's costume that will make people to think and help them to learn about something they did not realize already concerning the 20's period.

The twenties was the decade which watched Hollywood grow to be an inspiration for costumes. Even Mickey Mouse arrived on the scene in the 20's. Dressing up in wonderfully designed 20's dresses featuring the peak of the 20's fashion period could be an enjoyable way to celebrate any costume event you show up at.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Charles_Miller

Christmas Is Coming - Make Sure You Have Plenty of Table Space for Your Guests

Everyone loves to think about the holidays. It brings thoughts of togetherness, good friends and family. I, for one, have invited lots of friends and family over for a special Christmas or Thanksgiving meal, only to find that my guests were packed in like sardines around the table! My friends truly became closer to one another!

The lesson learned was that I needed to find a way to get more table space during these special occasions. But there comes the second problem. Dining tables are big... very big. I could not fit another table into my dining room, no matter how much I tried.

But, I have some options for you to consider. These options will not only help you out over the holidays, but can also offer double duty with other celebrations or events.

The key option, of course, is to purchase another table. One that will take care of your extra guests, but also be reasonably priced and portable enough to tuck away when you no longer need it.

There is a bewildering array of tables in the market. Here are the key things to look out for when considering buying a secondary table:

You want it to be strong... being able to hold in excess of 250kgs of evenly loaded weight will be perfect.
You want it to be foldable, both the legs and the table top itself. This means a 6 foot table will collapse into a 3 foot square shape.
You would want it trestle style. This is the most straightforward method of table production and will also have the best prices. A trestle table is the right type to consider when having guests around it.
You would want it to be lightweight - Wood tables might look nice, but they are very heavy. Aluminium tables are lightweight, but are usually made to order and can be very expensive.
Consider a polyethelene table surface. They are easy to clean, and have the right balance of strength, lightweight and price. they are also sometimes called blow moulded tables

In terms of number of people. for 6 additional people, you would want to consider a 6 foot trestle table. It will give enough space for each person to have about 24 inches of horozontal space and 15 inches of vertical space. Thats plenty for a plate, cutlery, a drink and other condiments on the table.

Here is a very good example of a six foot trestle table, that also folds in half. with a carrying handle too!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gene_Reynolds

Firefighter Costumes - They Are Not Just for Halloween Anymore

Firefighter costumes are a long-time Halloween favorite. Everyone who's seen young children around real-life firefighters knows kids instinctively recognize their heroism. And they want to be like their heroes. It's no surprise that firefighter costumes are popular every year when it's time for trick-or-treating.

But why limit ourselves to once a year? Firefighter costumes are so sharp-looking, so inspirational, that kids of all ages have a good reason to wear them with pride, year-round. Here are some of the best times for wearing firefighter costumes, even after the last pumpkin has been taken down, the last candy bar has been handed out, and all the scarecrows, ghosts, and black cats are safely put away in storage:

Christmas

Many children ask for fire trucks, fireman bedding, and other types of firefighter equipment during the holiday season. It only makes sense to break out the firefighter costumes and have a total fireman party, with all available firefighting paraphernalia. Plus, we could all use a friendly reminder of the importance of fire safety when we're around so many electric lights, candles, and stray pine needles.

Birthdays

Birthday boys and girls want to look special on their special day. Can you think of a better way to do that than by proudly wearing a firefighter costume? Me neither.

International Firefighters' Day

Did you know that many people celebrate International Firefighters' Day on May 4? Traditionally, that day was celebrated as the day of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. According to legend, Florian, a general in the Roman Army, rescued a whole village from fire by using a single bucket of water to put the flames out. Thanks to the efforts of an Australian named JJ Edmondson, May 4 is now a global celebration of the dedicated heroes who risk their lives every day to protect us from harm.

There's a special red and blue ribbon that's commonly worn on International Firefighters' Day. You might want to add it to your costume on the Fourth of May. The red symbolizes fire and the blue symbolizes water. You can put the ribbon anywhere - in the lapel of your jacket, on your helmet, on a fire truck, and many other places. Use your imagination!

Since it's International Firefighters' Day, you might want to wear the firefighter costumes of a nation other than the United States. It's a good way to affirm the international brotherhood of firefighters. Bravery wears many different uniforms, and firefighters are heroes in any language.

(There's a Facebook page for International Firefighters' Day. Why not search for it, then show your support by signing up as a friend?)

The date of your local firefighters' parade

Do you live near Winchester, Virginia; Nyack, New York; New London, Connecticut; or Galveston, Texas? All of those places have held firefighters' parades, and some of them do it frequently. Take a look around you. Do a web search. You might be surprised to discover the celebrations of firefighters that are happening at a place near you. They provide opportunities to wear your firefighter costumes with pride, to stand tall and proud alongside these hard-working heroes.

So when you're taking off your firefighter costumes on Halloween, be of good cheer. There are many other opportunities to wear them year-round. Take advantage of them. You'll be glad you did.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randall_Moeller

50th Birthday Celebration A Big Milestone, But Not Over the Hill

Baby Boomers are and have been turning 50 over the last 10-15 years in record numbers. There has been a lot of 50th birthday party planning going on because of it. And frankly, the ideas of how to wow the guest of honor and guests are getting a little tired.

Here are some fresh ideas that I hope will spark some creative and fun ideas for you as your 50th birthday party planning gets underway for your special guest.

Basic party planning still needs to be your starting point:

What's your theme?
Who will you invite?
What will you serve?
How will you entertain your guests and the guest of honor?

Here are a few twists on a 50th birthday party plan to consider.

Let's Start with the Theme of the Party.

The whole notion of 50 as being "old" is - well - OLD! Take the opposite direction. Instead of an "over the hill" approach, take a "first day of the rest of your life approach." Don't even mention age!

Focus on your honoree's strengths and what they have done and will do for their family, friends, community, work, etc. Narrow your focus to one or two ideas so your theme doesn't appear disjointed.

Who Cares that Your Honoree is Turning 50?

50th birthday party planning is all about putting together a gathering of people who are special to the birthday person. Invite people who have played an important role in the life of the birthday person. Also invite people whose lives have been touched by the guest of honor.

Think beyond the "usual suspects" and ask around to see if there are people who are especially appreciative to your guest of honor for what they have done for them.

Teachers, a minister, co-workers and bosses, family members, and any volunteer activities are all areas to investigate how your guest of honor has made a difference in the lives of others in 50 years.

You can ask your birthday girl or boy for suggestions also. My experience however, is that most people who are having a party planned for them are modest about who to invite - other than the obvious guests like family and close friends. Once your guest list is firm, send out invitations about a month in advance.

Be sure to include the theme of your party in the invitation and anything you would like your guests to bring.

Good Eats!

Every party needs good food. Be sure that your menu includes some of your guest of honor's favorites. Consult his or her mother, spouse, or close friends for ideas.

If the food fits with the overall party theme great! If that's too much of a stretch, just make sure whatever you serve is good. Better to have a terrific pot of chili with jalapeno cornbread than to try to pull off some unfamiliar, riskier menu.

Jugglers or Opera Singers?

Whatever the entertainment, it should be something your guest of honor likes, is in good taste, and entertaining! Get your other guests involved. One can choose the music they know he or she likes. Each guest can be asked to bring their fondest memory or a special secret they know (but won't embarrass) about your birthday person.

Amidst the fun and gaiety the focus on 50 years of a treasured life is what you are celebrating. Blend good memories of good deeds with fun and everyone will have a night to remember.

E. Ann Hill is a successful party planning expert and hospitality professional with many years of personal and professional party and event planning experience.

She loves to entertain and wants to share the easy and challenging lessons she has learned with eager novice and seasoned hosts. Her goal is to instill the #1 objective for entertaining - the host should enjoy planning the party and the party itself as much as his or her guests.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Ann_Hill

Backyard Or Pool Side Party - Here Are Some Affordable Ideas for Party Planning Decor

You're backyard party is planned, but your patio looks - well, plain...

Keep reading to find some affordable party planning décor ideas that can give your backyard a festive feel and not empty your wallet!

Summer calls for backyard and pool side parties and in some climates they are popular all year long.

Start with a party theme that fits in the out-of-doors

Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day barbecues are obvious ideas. But, if you want to throw a party on some other beautiful spring, summer, or fall day or balmy night, consider one of these themes for your outside fest:

Italian piazza party
Garden party
Astronomy star gazing party

Be unique in your party planning décor

Each of the above themes lends themselves to some interesting and fun décor ideas that your guests may not have seen before.

That's Italian!

Take your guests to an outdoor Italian piazza. Set your tables with white crockery and heavy plastic wine glasses or short tumblers. Place small platters of colorful antipasto and bowls of olives and roasted almonds on each table.

String Italian bulb lights across the yard from trees and house eaves. Seat guests at borrowed or rented small tables topped with white table cloths and bottles of Italian wine. Use white flower sack towels for napkins.

Play arias from Italian operas and your guests will be whisked away to sunny Naples.

Bountiful not regal...

The typical "garden party" conjures images of the Queen of England entertaining with tea and crumpets. Not this garden party.

If you are an avid or a beginner gardener and want to share the joy of your efforts with friends, plan a party to show it off. Vegetable or flower gardens are beautiful for different reasons.

Get your gardening tools and equipment out and use them as party décor. Use the bounty from your garden and arrange the items attractively as your party décor. Bunches of fresh picked lettuce nestled with freshly harvested carrots, melons, zucchini, tomatoes, and hands full of green beans can make a pretty table centerpiece.

Fresh picked flowers in whimsical containers found lurking in your cupboards or garage are obvious party planning décor ideas. Have a bag of fresh vegetables or a bunch of fresh flowers for each guest to take home as a party favor. They'll remember your fun party and pretty garden for days after it's over.

Look to the stars...

Go heavenly and astronomically with this idea. For an astronomical touch set rented or borrowed telescopes around the patio or pool. Get out the Christmas twinkle lights and string them through your shrubbery, along fences, and in your tree tops.

Ask your guests to bring binoculars. The "One Minute Astronomer" can be found on the internet and is a great resource for how to use binoculars to tour the sky.

Dress like an angel if you want to add a "heavenly" aspect to your party.

Combine these party planning décor ideas and create your own unique party theme that will have your guests talking for weeks about how clever and fun your parties are. Your imagination is your only limit.

E. Ann Hill is a successful party planning expert and hospitality professional with many years of personal and professional party and event planning experience.

She wants to share the easy and challenging lessons she has learned with eager novice and seasoned hosts. Her goal is to instill the #1 objective for entertaining - the host should enjoy planning the party and the party itself as much as his or her guests.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Ann_Hill

How To Make Your Jack-O-Lantern Last Longer

Halloween is very fast approaching and one of the most popular do it yourself Halloween decorations is Jack-o-lanterns, however, there is a trick or two as to making them last for a week or so. The key really is knowing when to carve your pumpkin or gourds so that they are "prime" for Halloween night.

Pumpkins that are carved usually last about a week if kept in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. If left out in the sun, most will likely mold and rot quite quickly, particularly if the days are warm. Usually if you are buying a pumpkin for the purpose to carve, try to choose a pumpkin that still appears to be "fresh and firm". Avoid any that have blemishes where decay could already be present. Some even claim that it is best if your pumpkin still has a stem and that probably is great if you want to lift the lid by the stem or the stem becomes part of the carved pattern.

It is best to carve your prize pumpkins a day or two before Halloween and to take out as much of the "flesh" from the inside of the pumpkin as possible. You can toast the seeds and use the pumpkin flesh in pies, muffins etc., so nothing becomes wasted. By waiting to cut your pumpkins later, your carved design should still be fresh and crisp when you most need it to be. Now here are some ways to further increase the longevity of your prized Jack-o-lantern just in case you like to decorate your home and yard a week or so earlier to really enjoy the Halloween season.

You will need to delay mold growth and dehydration of the pumpkin in order to make it last longer. One way is to submerge your carved pumpkin into a bucket of cold water for several minutes to moisten the flesh. You may even want to repeat this every several days to keep it from dehydration.

Another trick used by experienced carvers is to spread petroleum jelly on the inside of your carved pumpkin to keep it moist. To reduce mold, try using a bleach and water solution. Just spray this solution around the inside of the pumpkin every other day or so. There is commercial chemical products that you can buy which also will provide moisture and it is usually found in the plant section of department stores. Of course, keeping your Jack-O-Lantern out of the sun during the day and placing into a cool dark place will help to inhibit mold and dehydration, however, you will need to bring out each nite and light it up to really get the ghoulish effects.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susie_Smyth

Household Management: 15 Stress Busters for the Holidays

1. Plan in advance: Make your preparations for dinner, decorating, entertaining, and housecleaning well ahead of the Holiday.

2. Clean your major rooms: 15 minute segments of cleaning before the event prevents a major cleaning when you are most busy. Aim for organization and acceptable levels of cleanliness and neatness, not perfection.

3. Keep a Holiday notebook: If you don't already have one. Start one today. Put in your menus and your shopping lists. Note what decorations you used where and also their storage place. Pictures are great. Make notes of things that work out well, but also note the things that did not work our well so that you can avoid them next year.

4. Accept any help offered: Your family and friends offer to help because they want to. There is no reason to be a one woman manager-accept help.

5. Not everything needs 'from scratch' preparation. Taking shortcuts is perfectly acceptable.

6. Take a poll of family members, be sure to include yourself: Ask them what traditions, activities, and menu items are really important to them. Keep the ones that mean the most and let go of the others. Many times traditions go for years and actually no one cares about them at all. Save your energy for those that count

7. Stock up on staples:Many items go on sale during the year, stock up. Nuts and canned goods keep well, candied fruit and such freeze well.

8. Consider baking 2 smaller turkeys: They cook up easier and quicker, and are much easier to store both before and after the Holiday.

9. Make a list: List the things that you must do, separate out the items that are just wishful thinking. Concentrate on what is really important and let the rest go.

10. Simplify: Choose the easier method of getting done what needs doing. Everything doesn't need to done in exquisite detail

11. Take time out for you: Give yourself the time and the permission to get your hair done, your nails manicured and whatever else needed. Don't neglect your need for adequate sleep.

12. Maintain your errand list:A prominent spot is best. Errands are greedy time stealers. Combine errands in a logical way. Do as many errands in one trip as possible. Enlist other family members to help with the errands.

13. Upgrade your cooking utensils: especially the smaller items, new sharp knives, peelers, scrapers and so forth make a big job smaller.

14. Provide a Play Area: or game room for the children, have it well stocked with activities for everyone. Busy children and teens are much more fun than bored ones.

15. Relax: You have done your best! Enjoy your company and family. No one but you will know if something is undone. Let it go and have a Great Holiday!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_M_Hines

Autumn Falling: Family Activities During the Fall Season

As temperatures and leaves begin to fall, this is a favorite time of year for many people. The change in weather is often a welcomed one, after a season of high temperatures. There is a surge in outdoor activity right before the days fall shorter. People generally want to spend these months of Fall--prior to the colder, darker season of Winter--in the crisp Autumn air; tending to lawns, going for walks, and enjoying outdoor sporting events. Other family oriented highlights of Fall are:

Autumn Harvests and Fall Festivals
Bazaars and Craft Shows
Hayrides, Pumpkin Patches and Farm Visits
Halloween (for those who celebrate it)
Outdoor Charitable Events

Autumn Harvests and Fall Festivals

Carnival rides, music, games, crafts, and festival foods are not the only things Autumn Harvests and Fall Festivals have to offer. These events often include educational and informational exhibits, as well as support for local businesses, from which the entire family can benefit.

Nature and wildlife exhibits are often displayed during these events, showing family members the importance of conservation, among other things. Additionally, these festivals often include significant information regarding health care awareness, particularly pertaining to influenza, breast cancer, kidney disease and diabetes. Health screenings are also offered during some of these festivals.

Local businesses are also showcased during these functions. Many festivals include prizes, drawings and/or auctions, consisting of donated items or services. The benefits of donating or auctioning products or services are three fold:

The winners obtain a free or discounted item or service, such as a family meal from a local restaurant.
Festivalgoers are exposed to businesses, products, and services that would benefit them; that they may not have known about previously.
Businesses get additional widespread exposure.

Bazaars and Craft Shows

Bazaars and Craft Shows are basically scaled down versions of Autumn Harvests and Fall Festivals. However, the availability of crafts, and other merchandise, is highly emphasized. With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the products offered for purchase during Fall bazaars and craft shows tend to make original and creative gift giving items. Additionally, products from vendors, which normally have to be special ordered, are available for immediate purchase during these events.

Hayrides, Pumpkin Patches and Farm Visits

This is the time of year when the agricultural community tends to open their land and welcome the public. This provides a family friendly service to the local community and generates some additional income and exposure for local farmers. Due to the seasonal nature of hayrides and pumpkin patch visits, these activities tend to be quite enjoyable. Also local produce and other agricultural items are typically available for purchase.

Halloween

While there are many families who do not participate in anything relating to Halloween, it is still a fun filled family holiday for many. The weeks leading up to Halloween are often more exciting than the day itself.

Taking the family for an evening stroll or drive, to view festively decorated homes, can be very entertaining. Homes, in and around your own neighborhood, range from cutely decorated to all out spooky. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep the level of spookiness in mind when young children are present.

Speaking of spookiness, local organized "haunts" such as haunted houses, train rides, and hayrides tend to be big hits among communities. These also range from cute and friendly, to creepy and scary. Again, it is wise to keep in mind the audience, particularly the children, when choosing to visit an organized "haunted" venue.

With a little bit of research, one can find an abundance of local folklore pertaining to their surrounding community. It can make for fun family entertainment to recount local historic tales that can be related to Halloween, such as rumors of hauntings, and other strange phenomena. And with a little imagination, one can ad their own "twists" to increase intrigue and excitement!

For those who participate in taking younger children trick-or-treating, it is always beneficial to check with your city for the most recent laws pertaining to the activity. Additionally, checking the weather forecast, at least a week before Halloween, will help families to better plan costumes and activities, for the day many children anticipate. For those accompanying children, or who are too old for trick-or treat... reverse trick- or- treating can be very rewarding and beneficial. Reverse trick-or-treating is giving something, such as carnations, business/organizational cards, pens, magnets, etc., coupons or gift certificates, to those who hand out candy.

Outdoor Charitable Events

Just like Autumn Harvests and Fall Festivals, outdoor charity events and fundraisers are also in abundance during the Fall. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November being the month for AIDS and Diabetes Awareness, there are many organized walks, runs, and marathons in which to participate. Not only do families get to raise money and awareness for good causes, they also get to exercise, as a family, in the process.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anita_Oden

Put Some Pizazz In Your Theater Room With Remote Control Curtains

Home theater curtains can do so much to enhance the room as well as provide other essential purposes as well including noise dampening and light control. Think of the unique effect as you draw back the curtains to reveal the large screen and out pops Mickey Mouse for the little ones, or for the adults in the family their favorite actor or actress.

As you begin your search for home theater curtains you may be able to use these tips. Bright colors or shiny curtains should not be chosen even if they awesome with the décor as these can make reflections on the screen.

The best curtains for a theater room are usually lined curtains as they will help with keeping out noise as well as light or you may choose what is called blackout curtains, which will provide the same benefits.

Consider the room you will need for the curtains at each end when they are open. The best rule of thumb is that once the curtains are in the open position they will need at 1/3 of the space they used while fully open. Therefore, if the space used when open is 15 feet, once closed they will need five feet of space away from the screen, or they could interfere with viewing the movie.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anita_Payton

Attention To Detail and Event Styling

Arranging a big event, for example a wedding reception, anniversary celebration or birthday party can be awfully traumatic and time consuming. There is organising the food, searching for a venue, deciding on a theme, flowers, favours and the list seems never ending. Often the little details are overlooked and the nominated party planner will go for the simplest option. However, when planning an event, it's that attention to detail that makes all the difference. You want the occasion to be something extremely special, something that will be remembered by relations and friends for years to come. The event styling may have to reflect a person's individual tastes, personality and take account of likes and dislikes. Theme events can too be hard to pull off, from the chairs to the lighting, every aspect must be perfect. Event styling takes imagination, skill and a little bit of magic.

Each single choice that is made when you're styling an event will have an effect on the overall impact and aesthetics of the occasion. Creating a magnificent, memorable event means careful consideration and deliberation over every single tiny detail. This can be daunting for the novice event stylist, not to mention demanding and confusing. Have you considered back drops, chair covers, centrepieces, table decorations, linen, invitations, music and entertainment?

For these reasons, a lot of people seek the services of a specialist event styling company. An event styling professional can make certain that no aspect is overlooked in the conception of your special night, leaving you free to make the informed decisions that will form your celebration. You will be supported through each step of the fun process of planning and styling your party. You can then be sure that everything will run smoothly and that the mixture of visual impact and working service is perfect for friends and relations or clients to share.

An event styling company will be able to put forward lots of ideas on how to personalise and organise your special occasion. To add personal touches to your event, you may want to consider made to order favours, a guest book or a wish tree. After all, the event should be a celebration of a person's individuality, character and style. A great way for guests to give cards or gift cards during the celebration is to have a post box. Seating charts and place cards are a must for larger and more formal occasions.

When creating your night to remember, it is important to consider your guests at all times. Your guests need to feel welcomed and truly part of the occasion. Where will they spend most of the celebration? How will they arrive and get home? Will there be many children to look after and entertain? A professional event styling firm will consider every minuscule detail to ensure all guests are well taken care of and catered for.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_A_Dawson

Next, set up an appointment time with your contact. You then use the service's software to actually place the call and have the video conference. It'

As holiday seasons approach many of us turn our thoughts to gathering together with family and friends to celebrate. It's great fun, but often lots of work. By the end of the holidays do you wish for another holiday just to rest and recoup? I know I used to.

I have banished the process of preparing complex party menus forever! I have a simple menu formula that you can use over and over to the delight of your guests and to save your sanity. Use it and you'll enjoy your parties as much as your guests do!

You can use this formula and be guaranteed of enjoying your own party and giving your guests a fun and memorable holiday gathering.

Here is your fool proof party planning menu formula:

Welcoming beverage
Appetizer or hors d'oeuvres
Salad
Entrée
Dessert
After dinner

Party Planning Rules:

Never plan more than two items that require preparing a recipe.
Never plan more than one item that requires complete preparation on the day of the party. Ideally this will be just final assembly of a recipe.
Any preparation on the day of the party should be simple and quick.
Ideally, all preparation can be completed the day before the party.
If I'm having more than 8-10 guests I limit my recipe preparation to one.

Here's how to use the formula:

Welcoming beverage - it should be festive and no more than two ingredients you can easily mix and pour.

Cold Duck, sparkling wine, or Champagne
Apple juice and soda - mock Champagne
Any light fruit juice
A glass of wine
Dry sherry

Appetizer or hors d'oeuvres - One is enough and definitely no more than two and only one recipe. Any choice should require no more than plating on the day of the party.

Nuts
A special, tasty cheese and cracker (one of each)
Olives or pickled vegetables
Pre-cooked chilled shrimp and cocktail sauce
Hummus and pita

Salad - A simple salad of mixed greens and a tasty dressing and one or two add-ins like nuts, toasted seeds, and a crumbled blue or feta cheese. (The greens can be purchased ready to serve in a bag, but I recommend washing before eating)

Clean the greens the day before and put them in the refrigerator to dry and crisp.

Entrée - My favorite entrées are for casual dining and are in one dish and include a protein, starch and vegetables - all in one. Choose one that can be made in advance and refrigerated overnight or frozen and cooked for serving on the day of the party. Here are just a few ideas:

Hearty soups or chowder
Lasagna
Tasty casseroles - there are a zillion ideas for these.
Chili
Hearty salad with protein, greens, rice, fruit, and a savory dressing
Pot roast with roasted vegetables

Purchase a yummy bread from a good bakery for a nice accompaniment to most of these.

Dessert- Make or buy, but make it simple and delicious! If you make the dessert be sure it is one that you can make ahead and serve the day of the party. These are simple and good.

Ice cream and any sauce and toppings is a sure winner
Dried fruits and good chocolate candies
Fresh strawberries and powdered sugar
Whole fresh fruit with slices of brie or cheddar cheese
Hot chocolate with short bread cookies

After dinner- To entice your guests to stay and chat serve coffee, hot tea, or after dinner drinks. Simple plates of good chocolate candy and bowls of mixed nuts set around your gathering area will keep the conversation going and your guests munching.

Bottom line... Your party planning menu goal is to leave you as free as possible to enjoy your guests and the dinner.

The possibilities are endless for simple, delicious, and satisfying party planning menus. If you choose good and affordable ingredient they can be extremely economical too. Plan your party menu and plan to enjoy!

E. Ann Hill is a successful party planning expert and hospitality professional with many years of personal and professional party and event planning experience.

She loves to entertain and wants to share the easy and challenging lessons she has learned with eager novice and seasoned hosts. Her goal is to instill the #1 objective for entertaining - the host should enjoy planning the party and the party itself as much as his or her guests.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Ann_Hill

Ways on Organizing Effective and Cost Efficient Family Entertainment Activities

Experienced difficulties in finding affordable activities to keep your family entertained? Tired of taking your family on exhausting outings or expensive activities? Not every family has enough funding and resources to visit malls, circuses, movie houses, restaurants or zoos to bond and to spend quality time. If so, there are numerous and better alternative options you can do within the bounds and comfort of your own home. You need to have time, resourcefulness and creativity to organize a family-oriented entertainment activities where you can have fun at less costs.

Before planning what activities you want to pursue, assess what matters most to you, like your home, your family and your food. Prioritize things that are important to you and consider your funding as well.

Consider things that you like to do, like outdoor activities and eating out, and find means on how you can do these things at least costs or even for free.

You can visit the library, borrow books and read them together with your children. If your children can read, let them read the book to develop their love for books and reading skills. Another option to consider is to visit your local nursing homes and read books to the elderly. Majority of them love to hear stories, but their eyesight hinder them from reading. You can also join various library activities together, like book clubs, "meet-the-author" sessions and book reading evenings.

You can stop cable television (TV) subscription by renting DVD and watch movies together with the family. You can browse and look though the family's old photographs and share stories together with your children. They like to know their ancestors and learn about their family's background.

You can also play board games with your children together or pay video games not only to develop teamwork, but also to have fun and to bond together. You can take up homesteading activities, variety of crafts and take part in garage sales.

You can enjoy and participate in various city activities, like parades, national day celebrations, outdoor concerts, trade exhibits, charity events, marathons, art displays, and food promotional fairs. Take time to browse the Internet and the newspapers to look for upcoming freebies to attend. During these events, do not forget to pack your lunch, meal and plenty of water to save money.

You can teach your children to cook, a life skill that not only adults need to know. Try baking cakes, cookies and pastries with them.

Also consider conducting field trips or picnics in parks. Many cities, villages and towns have beautiful parks and natural reserves where you can enjoy with your children and family.

Try having junk food party with your children. Buy easy-to-cook foods, like fries, pizza, sandwiches, chips, burgers, soda drinks, and eat them together during special days.

You can also teach your children to become home savvy by teaching them how to sew, how to use the glue gun, how to knit, how to crochet, how to dress up old things or plant vegetables and fruits on your backyard garden.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melody_Andes

A Pep Talk On Stag Do Destinations

Nowadays, the concept of stag weekend breaks has become popular among the youth. Though many men consider that the stag weekends and the stag parties are the same, it is actually not. Stag parties are generally held for one evening and extend till late night or for the entire night. However, the stag weekends do not end in an evening or in a night. As the name indicates, it is generally held for a couple of days where friends to go to a tourist spot to make the groom enjoy the days before his marriage. Both stag parties and stag weekends are meant for celebrating the bachelorhood of a man who is going to tie the knot.

To plan a weekend break for celebrating the numbered days of bachelorhood, it is very important that you select the stag do destinations at first. If you do not select the stag do destination, it will not be possible for you to organize the entire event in a proper way. Therefore, you should give importance to the destination choice and do not make unnecessary delay in selecting the place where you want to go for the party.

When you chose the destination for the stag break, you need to keep in mind few aspects and one of them is the connectivity to that place. All the tourist spots do not have proper connectivity network. So, you should at first check out the connectivity network of the place and then make any kind of decision. As you have a couple of day's time in hand, you should plan a place where you can reach in a short time. Else you will have to spend the entire trip in traveling.

Selecting a place depending on its easy connectivity from your city is not all. If you want to make the best of every moment, you should select a place that offers some of the exciting activities for enjoying the weekend. You can take the suggestion of the person for whom you are planning the party. He can tell you the activities that he want to include. By taking his suggestions or ideas, you will not have to search for the stag weekend ideas hither and thither. He will tell you the activities that he likes and you can select the venue accordingly. Before finalizing the place for the weekend celebration, you should get it confirmed by the groom.

When you are planning the weekend party at a tourist spot, you should take the pain to do some research on the place and learn about the intricate details of the place. If you do not know the intricate details of the place, you might not be able to make the fun you have expected. Always remember to make sure that the place you are planning for the weekend celebration offers proper food and lodging facilities. If you do not find the basic requisites offered by the place to be satisfactory, you can surely opt for some other one.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacob_Bainton

Creating a Beautiful Atmosphere With Battery Operated Lanterns

Christmas season is upon the world and many people like to use this as an occasion to decorate homes both inside and outside. One such ways it to decorate the outer home with the use of Battery Operated Lanterns. Usually homeowners do this with electrical lights, however then there are issues like having to find an electrical sockets that is conveniently placed so that the plug can be plugged into the socket.

However using battery operated lanterns presents a much more convenient option. With the electrical variation there is a huge risk with electrical cords being exposed to snow and rain. Some part of the cord is going to be exposed to the elements in one way or another.

While battery operated may be slightly more costly, they offer much more benefits. Convenience is the obvious benefit that these offer. Most of these last about eight hours so one should be prudent when leaving them one. One could run then for a few hours per night.

One way to avoid this cost is to use renewable batteries that can be recharged. The money that one spends initially will more than pay for itself over future festive seasons. Another benefit is there is no concern about what to do with the dead batteries.

Companies make these in a variety of designs and styles. One is able to get garden and table torches. Growing increasingly popular is LED battery operated Christmas lights. Batteries are sure to be longer lasting. The fact that they are slightly dim should not present a problem either.

Today one is able to obtain every conceivable kind of Battery Operated Lanterns for the purposes of celebrating the holiday season. Environmentally speaking, these are far better than any other kind as well. Especially as they have batteries that can be recharged.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lizette_Balsdon

Formal Etiquette: How to Eat Off Haviland China and Wedgwood Dinnerware

If you were going to eat dinner with the Queen of England, would you feel comfortable keeping her company? If you have to think about it, read on.

1. Napkins: At a restaurant, as soon as you're seated, unfold your napkin and place it on your lap. Don't shake it open. When getting up, loosely fold your napkin and place it on either side of your plate. Never place it on your chair. At a dinner party, unfold your napkin when the hostess unfolds hers.

2. Eating: Only eat after everyone has been served. If at a dinner party, wait until the hostess has sat down. Eat to your left, drink to your right. Your salad fork is on the outside of the silverware, your dessert fork is on the inside. Your Wedgwood dinnerware will be arranged so you work your way in. Your water cup will be on the inside, followed by red wine glass, then white wine or dessert wine glass.

3. Fork and Knife: Americans eat differently from Europeans. The former style is with knife in right hand and fork in left. This works well for left handers. Right handers have to switch between cutting and eating. The opposite hand should be resting on your lap the while and your knife should rest on your Wedgwood dinnerware blade in. The Continental style dictates that you don't switch hands, again making it easy for left handers. Fork prongs should go downward the entire meal. If you take a sip of water or wine, put both utensils down with fork crossed over knife on your Haviland china. When finished, rest your utensils on the side of your Wedgwood dinnerware, fork tines up with handles resting at five o'clock and tips pointing to ten o'clock.

4. Table etiquette: Always pass the salt and pepper together, even if someone only asks for one. This makes it so one doesn't have to search for the mate. Scoop food and soup away from you. Eat small bites, slowly and pace yourself with the rest of the table. Don't pick things up from the floor. Men are supposed to stand when a woman leaves from or returns to the table.

5. Wine: If you don't want wine, hold your hand over the glass. Always hold your glass by the stem. If a different wine is served for another course, it is okay to not finish your wine.

6. Other rules: Arrive ten minutes early, never late. Bring a gift, and don't expect your hostess to put it out. Coffee or tea means that the formal event is over; you can leave or linger as you desire. Always send a thank you note to the hostess after a formal dinner party.

The way you eat off your Vera Wang china at home differs slightly from the etiquette you display at a restaurant. But now that you have a basic understanding of what's what, you should be ready to dine with kings and queens.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Etinger

Outdoor Bleachers Ensure a Better Outdoor Event

An event in a park or playground or any outdoor location can be uninviting and even chaotic if there is no proper seating arrangements. People tend to get scattered all over the arena and the audience enjoyment is hampered. Structures and equipments like scaffoldings, barricades, mobile stages, audience risers and bleachers provide a proper set up in school playgrounds; parks, etc where outdoor events take place. For instance, equipments like benches and bleachers allow the spectators to be seated comfortably while they enjoy the event.

Bleachers give the spectator's a proper angle of viewing as they are designed in a tier structure. They also provide a well seated and settled row of spectators that saves space. Today, bleachers are being installed in almost all indoor, outdoor and any location where events are organized regularly. There are different types of bleachers that you can opt for when you need one. The types of bleachers that are seen in the outdoors are frame-type bleachers and I-beam bleachers. Some are built in, like the ones in indoor gyms, also known as telescoping bleachers. They can slide on a track or on wheels and fold in an accordion-like, stacking manner. There are more types of bleachers depending on their built, design, material used, etc.

It is crucial that bleachers are made of the best materials that provide strength and durability as they carry the weight of a lot of spectators. Aluminum frames are commonly used due to the advantages that they provide and Aluminum bleachers require less maintenance. They can withstand exposure to various natural elements like rain and heat. They also need no paint or re-paint jobs as their looks won't fade. Aluminum is lighter as compared to other materials, so aluminum bleachers are easier to move around to adjust the amount of seating space. Galvanized steel frames also allow exceptional durability and they are increasingly preferred for this quality.

Bleachers come in various designs as well. For outdoor locations like a school playground or a neighborhood park, low rise bleachers are ideal. Various sizes and designs are available in these bleachers. You can also choose for different capacities, there are models that has 24, 40, 56, 72 seats. These low rise bleachers are ideal for another reason. Their highest point is up to 30 inches, this makes them safe even for school going kids.

A lot of technology goes into the making of these bleachers. The seat and foot board planks are usually made of aluminum. The wood sleepers on outdoor bleachers help stabilize the bleacher on the ground. Some with a double foot board option allows for better foot control when standing on the bleachers. They are available in both aluminum and galvanized steel frame materials.

These bleachers can be ordered online. You can choose from multiple options like length type, frame type, number of rows, foot boards, sleepers, capacity, etc. Also, other equipments like outdoor park benches, trash receptacles, bulletin boards, shade canopies, planters, etc., are available on the internet. They can make your outdoor experience much more organized and enjoyable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=N_Breedloves

A Secret Gift Exchange Can Add That Extra Spark To Your Holiday Season

Every year it's the same the same old story... first there's the office cookie push, followed by gifts for the boss, the neighbors, your co-workers, your children's teachers... the list goes on and on, as does the shopping.

The never-ending-cycle of trying to come up with the perfect holiday gift for everybody on your list without breaking the bank or losing your sanity fighting the crowds at the mall on your Saturday off. Well, this year why not try something new? Actually, it's an old tradition, but one worth revisiting: a Secret Santa, White Elephant or Yankee Swap gift exchange can take some of the pressure off of finding the perfect gift for that new co-worker whose name you can never quite remember but who greets you like clockwork every day.

Gift exhanges like the ones listed above work not only because they take the pressure off to find the perfect gift, but because they can help you stick to your budget, as gift exchanges often have set spending limits, most of which are usually in the ten to fifteen dollar range. Gift swaps also allow for an opportunity to bring into play that special talent, such as cooking or baking, or anything else in the realm of creativity, and in the case of a White Elephant gift exchange can be quite entertaining as people can be most creative in their gift giving; watching Jim from accounting be the end recipient of a pair of pink fuzzy dice might seem trivial, but you know it will make you smile all year long when you walk past them hanging on his office door and remember the look on his face when he pulled them out of the box.

Just remember, when implementing a gift exchange this holiday season to make sure that everyone is familiar with the rules of the exchange and that everyone has a chance to be included and finally, that your office management supports the gift exchange in order to avoid an unpleasant post-holiday reprimand. Other than that, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your brilliance. You deserve it.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miles_Hopper

Your Sofa And Living Room Need To Be A Perfect Fit

The sofa is without doubt one of the most important pieces of furniture in the home. Buy a sofa of the wrong size, shape or style and it can completely ruin the whole look of a living room. Buy the right type of sofa and it can act as the centrepiece of your living room, a truly standout feature. In order to get it right you need to assess several issues first:

How is it going to be used?

Sofas are usually used on a regular basis, somewhere we can rest our bodies after a hard day at work or school. Sometimes they will solely be used when entertaining guests and this may be reflected in the amount of money that you invest in it. If it is going to be used a lot, you need to be sure of a sofa that provides the upmost in comfort which has durability.

What colour should I choose?

If you already have an assortment of furniture in your living room and numerous ornaments and items scattered around, it makes sense to match up your fabric sofas and leather sofas with them. A sofa that looks out of place with everything could completely spoil the overall aesthetics of a living room and be a complete waste of money.

Do I opt for a leather or fabric sofa?

This is one the hardest decisions you will have to make when sofa shopping. Leather is not as expensive as it once was and it generally considered to be the best looking. Whereas, fabric is available in a greater number of patterns, making it easier for you to match it up with your existing décor.


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Backyard Games the Entire Family Can Get Involved In

There are so many things that you can do outdoors with your family, there is no excuse to be in on the couch on a nice day. You can find a great form of outdoor entertainment that will keep you in great shape and help you to bond with the people that you love the most. It does not take a lot of money to find some things to do outdoors and there are many places you can start to increase the physical activity of your family without them knowing they are working out.

Some of the tried and true games for nice outdoor weather includes tag and even hide and seek. These are games that have followed the generations and are a fond past time for many people during childhood. You can easily teach these games to your kids and this will help you to find a great game to participate with your family outdoors.

You may have heard about outdoor games like lawn darts and this is something that you may want to reconsider. Lawn darts can be extremely dangerous and you want to make sure that you have all of the information needed before you make a decision to purchase this type of outdoor recreation. Information is the key to making a decision about an older outdoor game.

Cornhole is a great game that you may not have heard of, but the only requirements for this game are the board and the bags to throw at the board. This can be very easy to set up and enjoy, plus you will not have to worry about anything dangerous with this type of outdoor game.

You can make or purchase the board and you will want to make sure that you are using the correct dimensions to make your Cornhole board regulation. The bags can simply be sewn and you will use beans, corn, or even sand as the stuffing. When you make your own bags you can choose any material that you like and this can give you many choices.

No matter which outdoor activity you choose, as long as you are spending time outdoors and bonding with your family is the only goal that matters. You can easily help your family to find that perfect game that everyone looks forward to each time you play. This can bring you closer as a family and help to keep boredom at bay.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_C._Roth

The Countless Options Available For Creating A Birthday Party Invitation

Celebrating another year of life or the first year of life in some circumstances is very special and should be done with the appropriate announcement. Unique ideas can be found online for buying those one of a kind announcements or for designing your own. No birthday party invitation needs to be the same as one that can be purchased in any store, when there are so many options available.

That first year is especially important and a lot of changes have taken place in the life of your child. Allow everyone to enjoy those changes with you by sending out personalized announcements that include a special photo printed on them. These can be great for all of your close friends and family to add to their scrapbooks and family albums.

Another advantage to using a personalized invitation for the first birthday is to be able to include all of the milestones that have been met that year. This will be something that is also cherished later when seen in a family album. The announcement can invite guests to come and join the celebration of the entire first year.

It may also be fun to do some sort of picture announcement for an adult as well. For those that are experiencing what we know as over the hill years, they might enjoy seeing a photo of themselves when they were in their prime. For fun, it might also be enjoyable to list some of their accomplishments related to family, job, etc. When this is done in good taste everyone can enjoy it and the guest of honor can feel very special.

For the sweet sixteen party, the perfect way to send out those invites may be to add a favorite photo chosen by your child. They usually have a favorite childhood photo that could make a great addition to the front or inside of the announcement. This will certainly be a way to show how much your child has grown and matured over the years and it will be fun for their friends.

For teenage celebrations using appropriate themes can also be a good idea. When children get into this age group it is usually best to involve them in things concerning decorations and announcements. Themed announcements can be found that are easily personalized for the event.

Some things are important when planning certain types of events and need to be considered while developing the announcements. If the event is to be a surprise, then be sure not to include the guest of honors home as the RSVP location. Also, be sure to have your announcement marked that the event is a surprise very clearly so that there will be no accidental slips.

Announcements should be designed and ready in plenty of time for mailing. It is best to mail them well in advance to allow guests plenty of time to respond. For surprise events, they can be mailed a little closer to the event to avoid the chance of the secret being let out. Finding just the right birthday party invitation online will be fun and make your event even more unique.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Malcolm_Ross

Five Useful And Fun Things To Do On The Internet

Internet is a very powerful tool that is why many people are getting hook to it. This helps people to have easier and more entertaining life. There are lots of things that you can do with the use of your computer and Internet however some people are still not familiar with these things most especially older people who are hesitant in using new technology like the Internet. So to give you more information about these things that you can do in the Internet here are some are examples:

1. Communicate with friends or family members - young people are very familiar with Instant messengers, emails and different social networking sites so maybe it is time that even older people get to learn about these things. With the help of these services in the Internet, you will be able to communicate with your friends and family members abroad or those whom you don't get to talk to or see these days. The best thing now is that you will not just be able to chat with them but you can see them via the webcam and hear their voices as well. Internet definitely bridges the gap between people.

2. Send money online - bank is no longer the only option in sending money, now you can also send money to the Philippines, send money to Vietnam and other parts of the globe. There are online services in the Internet that gives you this option. You do not have to worry because the process is safe and you can secure your hard-earned money. This is also ideal if you are doing business transactions online.

3. Watch entertaining videos online - if you are bored and just want to laugh you heart out, you can easily do it by going online and search videos in Youtube. There are lots of choices there so you will never run out of cool and fun videos to watch.

4. Play Games - another great pastime in the Internet is playing games. Do not get intimidated with the role-playing games you see that your children are playing because if you are not into these you can have other games. There are easier yet entertaining games online so just search for it and then start playing like a kid again.

5. Research - last but certainly not the least, you can use the Internet for your research purposes. Do you want to learn new recipes that you can prepare for your family? Then search for it using the Internet. If you want to learn how to prevent getting certain disease or allergies most especially for the sake of your children then it is best to consult the Internet for some answers and information.

These are some of the most entertaining and useful things that you can do online. Admit it or not there are really lots of advantages we get in the Internet and it makes life easier for us. However, anything excessive is also bad so just control and limit yourself in using the Internet, do not be too dependent because this might also cause some negative effects on you. Just be responsible and you will see good things it will give in your life.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cameron_Fowler

You're in the Throes of Dinner Party Planning - What Should You Serve?

Your dinner party planning is underway and you've come to the menu. What should you serve?

Whenever you are planning a party remember that one of the most important points of a successful party is a host that is free to mix and mingle with guests and enjoy the party as much as the guests do. So when you start your dinner party planning keep these things in mind.

Dinner Party Planning Menu "Rules"

Keep it simple
Be able to complete most of the preparation in advance
Stage all of your plate ware, serving dishes and utensils the day before
Use your oven - it requires little oversight and tending.
Consider hiring someone to help with clearing the table and clean up. (High school students can be a great help here.)

Menu Ideas

One dish meals are always a good dinner party planning approach because you can get it all together in advance and just finish it off as your guests arrive. If you want something a little more elegant however, consider these suggestions to lighten your load.

Serve just one appetizer that only needs to be heated and served or just plated and served. Good ones are pickled vegetables, olives, cheese cubes, nuts, or frozen puff pastry filled snacks that can be prepared the day before.
Purchase salad greens and dress them up with interesting add-ins that don't require any fixing - like: nuts, grapes, raisins, dried cranberries, toasted seeds, grape tomatoes, finely pre-cut vegetables, Chinese noodles, and diced water chestnuts. Then top it with a tasty homemade dressing you can make in advance.
Choose a main entrée that requires only final quick and easy cooking like a steak or chop. Or choose an entrée that cooks for a longer period of time in the oven and requires only final portioning and plating like a roast, Cornish game hens, or tenderloin of beef.
Serve one starchy side dish that can be prepared in advance and finished in the oven. Rice pilaf, Noodles Romanoff, or a potato casserole are all good choices that can be prepared, cooked, cooled and reheated the day of the party.
One leafy green or other colorful vegetable that doesn't require anything but cooking, buttering and plating can be a nice finish to an attractive plate.
Leave your dessert preparation to your local baker or choose something that can be fully prepared in advance with only cutting and plating to do at the time of service.

As your dinner party planning begins keep some of these in mind:

Principles of Menu Planning

Choose menu items of different colors and shapes of food to make an attractive plate. An all brown or all white plate of round balls of food may taste OK, but it will look boring.
Mix flavors - plan some sweet, savory, tart, and peppery items to add interest. Adding cayenne pepper to every dish can be overpowering. All sweet dishes can be just "too much."
Vary the textures of the food - plan something tender, something crunchy, something smooth, and something a little chewy to vary your guests' senses.
Have a variety of consistencies and ingredients also - If you're serving a sauce on one dish, serve the others un-sauced. You wouldn't want all soupy foods or to have the same ingredients, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, or nuts, in every course or dish.

Dinner party planning can be as complex or easy as you want it to be. Just remember that enjoying your party and your guests is a top priority for you and for them! Plan accordingly!

E. Ann Hill is a successful party planning expert and hospitality professional with many years of personal and professional party and event planning experience. Her goal is to instill the #1 objective for entertaining - the host should enjoy planning the party and the party itself as much as his or her guests.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Ann_Hill

Home Theater Systems Steal the Show

Consider getting the gang together to watch a football game, play video Nintendo Wii games, or watch your favorite soaps. Get all the snacks ready and walk them into your home theater room. Once they are seated, dim the lights and open the curtains to reveal your new HDTV. Now, they are comfy cozy as in theater but with the privacy and comfort of being in your home.

There are different ways you can automate your home theater home from creating an entire room just for your entertaining purposes or redecorating your living room even so that the curtains will close, the lights dim automatically, and the HDTV turns on.

This may sound like some futuristic home, but it can be yours with the new technologies available today. No matter how much space you have in your home for a HDTV, you will find the perfect size for the area you have from 32 inches all the way to 55 inches that will make you feel like you are in the movie.

With these home automation gadgets in your home, everyone will want to enjoy the latest new releases at your home instead of the theater, since your home will be the offer the same enjoyment without the crowd. Talk about keeping the kids home on a Saturday night. All their friends will be coming over to play video games and watch movies, instead of going getting into trouble.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anita_Payton

Combine Your Christmas Party Planning With Your Christmas To-Do List and Start a Tradition

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is just around the corner. There's nothing like a festive holiday party to get into the Christmas spirit. But frankly, you're finding it hard to regroup and launch into Christmas party planning so soon.

There are so many things to do just to get ready for the holidays! The house and the Christmas tree need decorations and gift shopping and wrapping are on your list to do. There are Christmas cookies to bake, cards to send, and visits to the senior center to share your Christmas cheer with some who don't have family nearby. Who has time for Christmas party planning?

If you're thinking about the party you promised yourself you'd have this year, but like last year you're hesitating, consider turning your Christmas "chores" into a new Christmas tradition. Combine forces with your guests and turn chores into celebrations. Choose one chore this year and another one next year to start the tradition.

Here are some Christmas party planning suggestions... some are tried and true and others may be new:

Christmas Tree Trimming Parties- make a pact with 3-4 friends to help decorate each others' trees. One gathering can be a brunch, one can be an afternoon tea, one a cocktail party, and one a dinner. You could challenge yourself and try to do it all in one day (not recommended for the faint of heart or decorating.) I would suggest spreading it out over a few days and enjoy your friendship while decorating. Include other friends in the celebrations too. Many people don't put up a tree and would enjoy the fun of helping you.

Christmas Cookie Baking and recipe exchange- ask several friends who are great bakers to bring a double batch of their best Christmas cookie dough and plan to have a Cheese Garlic and Bacon Grits casserole and fresh fruit brunch while you bake off the dough and share the fresh baked cookies with each other. If you choose a day when there is a great movie, sporting event on TV, or just a good game of poker to start, you can include friends who don't want to bake in the guest list too.

Christmas centerpiece or tree ornament making party- order some fresh evergreens and gather lots of ornament making supplies. Ask your guests to raid their decoration making supplies and to bring a favorite container so they can take their centerpiece home. Let your guests get creative while you nourish them with tasty cheese, crackers, dried fruits, nuts, and a special wine or punch.

Christmas letter writing party- Christmas letters are controversial. Some love them and can't wait to hear the news of the year from family and friends. Others toss them in the trash trying to avoid the bragging or the misery they bring. What better way is there to prepare a great annual missive than to have your friends give you editorial advice before you send it off? Have everyone bring their laptop computers and draft their letter at your Christmas party. Read them out loud and critique. Let each other know if your letters are too sad, too bragging, too boring, or just right. Help each other add a little humor to your letters and enjoy some tasty hors d'oeurves in the process.

Here are a few other "chores" that have the potential to be a new Christmas party planning tradition.

Christmas gift wrapping party
Christmas dinner side dish recipe exchange -- make big batches of your favorite side dishes and share or just exchange the recipes
Pre - Christmas Eve church service dinner-make this a potluck to spread the work around
Senior center or retirement home visiting and caroling party-share your Christmas joy with those who most need and deserve it.

Just take a look at your Christmas to-do list and see what you can turn into a new Christmas party planning tradition. I think you'll be surprised and your friends will too.

Here are a couple of recipes that are easy, tried, and true that you might want to serve up too.

Easy Turtle Candies

1 bag Rolo candies
1 bag Snyder's of Hanover square shaped butter pretzels
1 bag of pecans halves, toasted

Preheat oven to 375 F. degrees.

Unwrap Rolo candies and set aside for later.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place the pretzels on the parchment paper in rows.
Place a Rolo candy on each pretzel.
Place in oven to soften Rolos, approximately 5 minutes. Check occasionally, don't let them melt.
Take the candies out of oven.
Push a toasted pecan half on top of each Rolo
Set in a cool area to harden.

Shrimp and Bacon Appetizers-- Makes about 50-60 appetizers

2 lbs. cleaned, peeled, and deveined, tail off, 26/30 raw shrimp
1 ½ lbs. sliced bacon
¾ cup real mayonnaise
¼ - 1/3 cup Dijon-style mustard
50 - 60 bamboo style toothpicks

Par-cook the bacon in the oven to remove some of the fat. Do this at 400 degrees for about 6-8 minutes. (Watch it however) The bacon will look wrinkled and still raw. Cut each piece of bacon into diagonal lengths that are long enough to wrap around a shrimp and be secured with a toothpick.
Wrap each shrimp with a strip of bacon and secure both ends of the bacon with a toothpick.
Combine the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard and mix thoroughly.
Place the wrapped shrimp in a flat container and pour the mayonnaise/mustard mixture over each one. Let marinate for about 1 hour.
Place the shrimp on a baking sheet and broil until the bacon is fully cooked. (8-12 minutes) Serve immediately. You may need to turn each shrimp during cooking if the shrimp are large of the bacon is thickly cut.

Garlic Cheese Bacon Grits

1 ½ cups uncooked grits - these are regular, not instant grits
5 cups water
1 tsp. salt
¾ cup butter or margarine
8 oz. jar or package of processed cheese spread
¼ tsp. garlic powder (optional)
1 cup milk
5 eggs, beaten
8-10 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Pre-heat oven to 375 F. degrees

Stir the grits and salt into boiling water and cook, stirring frequently, until thick.
Add butter, cheese spread, and garlic to the grits and stir until melted.
Mix milk and eggs; add small amount of hot grits and stir into eggs to keep them from curdling when you combine them with the hot grits.
Add warm egg mixture to grits and stir all together until well blended.
Stir in crumbled bacon.
Pour into greased 13X9X2 baking dish.
Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
Bake at 375 for 40 minutes.

Turning your Christmas to-do-list into a Christmas party saves time and money. It also makes Christmas an even more important time of sharing and caring.

HO HO HO!

E. Ann Hill is a successful party planning expert and hospitality professional with many years of personal and professional party and event planning experience. She has planned parties for a broad spectrum of guests and clients - from family and friends to national and international dignitaries. She loves to entertain and wants to share the easy and challenging lessons she has learned with eager novice and seasoned hosts. Her goal is to instill the #1 objective for entertaining - the host should enjoy planning the party and the party itself as much as his or her guests.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E._Ann_Hill