After Party Clean Up Tips

Outdoor parties such as Fourth of July celebrations tend to offer fairly easy clean up options. Put the food away, toss all the disposable items in the trash, bag up the trash, and put away extra seating. If you use a disposable tablecloth, you can simply remove the items that need to be kept, and then just roll it up, plates, napkins, and all, and deposit it in the trashcan. This step is certainly easy but there is a little more effort involved in other areas. It is a good idea to clean things up as you go to avoid … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Trivia

Most people will be eating, drinking, and celebrating this special occasion. If you’re looking for some activities to use during your Fourth of July celebration, why not challenge your friends to some Fourth of July Trivia? You might be surprised to learn just how much some know –or don’t know- about our great nation and its history. Here are ten questions (plus a bonus question) to get you started: 1. How many verses does the Star Spangled Banner have? 2. What is the last line of the last verse of our National Anthem? 3. Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner? … Continue reading →

Overnight Guests? Use Your Camper or RV as a Guest Room

If you plan on entertaining guests over Fourth of July (or anytime really) there is no reason that you cannot transform your camper or RV into a guest house or guest room. Of course, you don’t want guests to feel like you’re saying, “Go to your room,” but you might just find that they too will appreciate a little extra space and privacy. Of course, it depends on your guests, and you are the best person to judge the situation. If you already have a nice guest room or guest house, you may not need this option. However, if you … Continue reading →

Entertaining: Easter Ideas

If you are entertaining guests for Easter, you don’t have much time left to prepare. That’s okay. With some quick, simple ideas, your celebration will look and feel as if you spent hours planning and preparing and no one has to be the wiser. Perfect Pastel Tablecloths Maybe you don’t have a tablecloth that exclaims “Easter!” You can make one in no time. Pick up an inexpensive white tablecloth and some water based craft paint in pretty, pastel colors. Thin the paint down with water to a barely there consistency and sponge some color onto the tablecloth. Another option is … Continue reading →

Entertaining: Serving Your Guests

This article isn’t going to be about food, so much as it is about how to serve your offerings to your guests. If you’d like to learn more about recipes, cooking techniques, tools, and particular foods, please check out our great Food Blog. Here, we’re going to address presentation. How food and beverages are presented can make or break your event. Everything should of course be served in an attractive manner, but how do you translate that into action? One of the best ways to do so is to look at the colors and textures of the items you’re serving … Continue reading →

Entertaining: Party Tips

One of the best pieces of advice for throwing a great party is to make sure you’re organized. Sure, that can cover a lot of territory, but it’s really all just basic stuff. Try these tips: Check the Weather and Be Ready for it If it’s wet or muddy outside, you’ll need to be prepared to store shoes and boots when people take them off as they enter. Shallow boxes or bins beside the door will help keep footwear organized, off your carpets, and out of the walkway. You may need something larger than you’re your typical welcome mat too. … Continue reading →

Not a Football Fan? Have an Un Super Bowl Party!

Okay, so not everybody gets into football. No problem. There is no reason you can’t still have just as much fun on Super Bowl Sunday while others do their thing. Just throw a simultaneous Un Super Bowl Party! Let the football fans have one room and one TV to enjoy the kicking, passing, rushing, tackling, sacking, and interceptions, while you enjoy your own good time in another room. Maybe some of your friends would like to drop off their kids or husbands (or wives, who knows?) in your family room to watch the big game, and join you for an … Continue reading →

Entertaining: Last Minute Super Bowl Party Ideas

Now that we know which teams will be facing each other in the Super Bowl, it’s a little easier to decorate. Since both teams have blue in their uniforms and logos, you might want to go with blue to keep it simple. However, the Colts blue is more of a royal blue, while the Bears blue is a navy. Royal blue and white on one side of the room and navy with orange on the other is a good scheme, if you want to decorate in a neutral fashion. If you’re not sure which of your guests are cheering for … Continue reading →

Entertaining: A Few Super Bowl Party Tips

Many people that don’t regularly watch professional football still enjoy the Super Bowl. It’s one of the most highly rated sporting events on television. In fact, it has at times been the most highly rated event of any kind on TV. Advertisers spend millions of dollars for mere seconds of time during the biggest game of the year. Sounds like an event deserving of a party! The NFL Playoffs finish up this weekend, and then we’ll know who’s off to the Super Bowl on February 4. I’m a Chicago Bear’s fan, and if my beloved Bears beat the Saints this … Continue reading →