Easy and Affordable Super Bowl Party

The Giants take on the Patriots a week from Sunday during Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. This weekend the Pro Bowl kicks off in Honolulu, but since that’s not a real game, you can focus your attention on getting ready for your annual NFL Championship pigskin party. Fortunately, you don’t have to put a major dent in your budget to host a Super Bowl shindig. Rather, with a little strategic planning you can have fun rooting for your favorite team and score points with your family members and friends, all while preserving your bottom line. Here’s how: Keep it Casual: … Continue reading →

Making Playoff Parties Fun for Kids

Watching the Packers and Giants, Saints and 49ers, Texans and Ravens or the Broncos and Patriots go head-to-head in the NFL playoffs this weekend may sound like an incredibly fun time for you, but what about the littlest players in your life? Whether you are hosting a football-viewing party or attending one, if you want to be assured of a good time, then it would behoove you to have a plan in place to keep the kiddos entertained. Fortunately, there are a slew of simple and affordable kid-friendly activities you can have on hand during a football-themed party, so that … Continue reading →

Football Playoff Party Fun

The NFL Playoffs continue this Sunday as the road to the Super Bowl heats up. Of course, no place is hotter right now than Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Packers are looking to win back-to-back Super Bowls. I happen to live near legendary Lambeau Field–a.k.a. Party Central–and while I don’t have tickets to the big game versus the New York Giants, I will be partying it up along with the rest of the state’s residents. Only our pre-Super Bowl shindigs will be taking place in the comfort of our homes. If you are planning to host a NFL Playoff party … Continue reading →

Healthier Snacks for the New Year

My 7-year-old’s New Year’s resolution: See how many ounces of chocolate syrup she can pour over Peanut Butter Cheerios before getting a stern, “Enough!” from me. And here I thought she was adding the chocolate syrup to white milk. Hmmm… chocolate milk over Peanut Butter Cheerios… that doesn’t sound half bad. We are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup fans around here; however, since we’ve made like lemmings and are trying to eat healthier in 2012, it’s out with the sugary vending machine staples and in with nutritious munchies like Peanut Butter Cheerios. Excuse me. I mean Multi Grain Cheerios Peanut Butter. … Continue reading →

Heat Up Your New Year’s Eve Party

Our local YMCA always hosts a huge family-friendly New Year’s Eve party on the afternoon of December 31st. This year they’re going with a Hawaiian luau theme and are encouraging guests to don flower-print shirts, hula skirts and other island-inspired getups. Activities include make paper leis, swimming in the pool, participating in coconut relays and dining on mango/pineapple skewers, as well as other tropical treats. You may not have an indoor pool to entertain your guests, but hosting a Hawaiian-themed party on New Year’s Eve is not a bad idea. Luaus are a change from the standard winter-themed bashes that … Continue reading →

Hosting a Fall Festival

Who says you have to rely on your church or civic organization to host a family-friendly fall festival? If you are looking for a way to gather your closest friends and relatives to celebrate the change of seasons, then consider throwing your own autumnal fling. The seasonal shindig can be as intimate or elaborate as you wish. If you are working on a tight budget, then you might need to streamline your decorations. Start by adding a few touches to the front area of your home to make it appear as festive as possible. You could make an inexpensive fall … Continue reading →

Making Clean-Up Fun for Kids

My 7-year-old loves to help. I’ve seen her practically jump out of her skin when asked by her teacher for volunteers to vacuum the story corner rug. I’ve also witnessed as she put away board games and puzzles, without being prompted to do so, prior to pick-up at summer day camp. Both times I nearly fainted on the spot. My kid abhors cleaning, so when I inquired why she was so willing to lend a hand to others, she matter-of-factly replied: “Because it’s fun.” Clearly, the fun factor is missing in our home or I would have clean carpets and … Continue reading →

Apple Picking: Know Before You Go

U-pick apple orchards are ideal settings for a weekend of fun with the entire family. My young daughter looks forward to our annual trip each fall. She gets to ride a tractor, hand-pick her favorite fruit, scurry around in a corn maze, pet some farm animals, and stuff her face with caramel apples, apple muffins and apple pie. Yes, it’s fall family fun at its finest, if you go in prepared, and I’m not talking about prepping to schlepp 20 pounds of apples and a whiny 30-pound kid back to the pay stations. I’m talking about crunching numbers before you … Continue reading →

Labor of Fun

Labor Day is such a bittersweet holiday for me. Whereas I love the extra day of play, I hate that the weekend is the unofficial farewell to summer. Still, there’s no better way to bid the season goodbye than with an end of the summer bash for all your family and friends. Picnics: Whether you are entertaining a small group or a huge clan, picnics are a great outdoor activity. Grab your checkered tablecloth and plan a seasonal menu complete with fried chicken, watermelon, potato salad, grilled corn, and lemonade. Don’t forget to bring along some sports equipment to work … Continue reading →

Friday Night Football Fun

In Wisconsin, preseason NFL action does nothing to diminish the over-the-top parties that take place at homes across the state. Last week Friday the Packers hosted the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. The game was nothing more than a glorified practice for both teams, yet that didn’t stop loyal Packer Backers from cramming into Lambeau’s parking lot with tailgating parties that rivaled those seen at the Super Bowl. Tonight the Packers travel to Indiana to face off against the Colts. Away games mean huge parties at my neighbor’s shrine to the Green and Gold. In just a few hours Mark … Continue reading →