Tag Archives: party

Company Holiday Parties—Putting On The Ritz

Have you received the invitation to your company’s Christmas party yet? A recent survey shows that if you haven’t received one yet, it will likely happen soon. The survey of human resource executives found that 79% of companies will be planning a holiday party this year. What’s more, the survey found a high percentage of companies will be spending more to put on their office bashes. Nearly one in three companies said it plans to boost party budgets this year, up from 23% in 2005. While only 6% of firms said they are cutting their party budget. The survey found … Continue reading →

The Wet Bar: Is Swimming a Prerequisite?

What is a wet bar and how is it different from a dry one? Do you have to be of a certain age to be near it? Read on for some watery facts. A wet bar is used for mixing alcoholic and other types of beverages in the privacy of one’s home. If you entertain often, a wet bar is a convenient and not too expensive enhancement to your home. In order to make it possible to mix drinks, a wet bar must contain a flat counter-like surface on which beverages and glasses can be placed. It also needs a … Continue reading →

Frugal Indoor Fun: Host a Party

Hosting a party is a fun way to entertain your children indoors. You don’t necessarily need to invite anyone else but your family, but if you do it’s even more fun! This article is assuming that you might invite a few friends to enjoy this fun activity with. Here are some ideas for fun parties that can be done anytime of year when you are stuck indoors. Have a Sandwich Making Party This is easy if you ask each child to bring one or two ingredients. Assign several different sandwich toppings: pickles, alfalfa sprouts, onions, grated cheese, sliced tomatoes, shredded … Continue reading →

Even More Party Do’s and Don’ts

Modern polite society barely remembers the repercussions of the Trojan horse and that old adage about Greeks bearing gifts. Bearing gifts really has nothing at all to do with Greeks or any other nationality when it comes to being polite to someone who has invited you over for an evening of food, fun and fine conversation. A little gift is a way to show your appreciation. The offering can very small because in this case, it really is the thought that counts above all else. When bringing a gift, think about the host or hostess and what THEY would like. … Continue reading →

Party No-Nos For Nanette and People With Other Names

Social misdemeanors may not land anyone in jail, but they won’t grant them $200 either and should be avoided at all costs. It’s not likely that falling from social grace will get you invited to other parties either unless they are thrown by other social outcasts. Avoid the following mistakes and most should go well. 1. Do not ever ask your host or hostess who else is coming. It sounds as if one is questioning his or her taste in friends and if you were invited that really should tell you the whole story. 2. Never arrive too early and … Continue reading →

More Party Dips, Do’s and Don’ts

Try to forget the words of Miss Piggy whenever you find yourself at a friendly get together. She is quoted as having said: “Never eat more than you can lift.” These words defy fatal social repercussions. Instead of minding “Ps” and Qs” (whatever they are anyway), consider these politically correct, although neither right nor left thoughts, about dipping and such whenever they let you out in polite society. When dipping, always rescue a broken chip with a spoon. Do not use your fingers or toes just because they are convenient. Instead of hogging the bowl, spoon some dip onto your … Continue reading →

Guest Etiquette: Dos, Don’ts and Dips

Good manners are not something we are born with: they evolve with our social and cultural growth and help us emerge as thoughtful, caring humans. When they are genuine, manners reflect a good heart, and they are as important as anything any of us will learn in our adult lives. So where did all of this go wrong at the party last week? Read on for some thoughts. As a guest, there is one important skill we can utilize and can take home with us after the party is over. I am talking about the ability to listen, which takes … Continue reading →

How To Be a Great Guest: Party Etiquette

Everything in life has its proper place and time and that includes human diversions also known as parties. In many ways, the party is the universe’s way of giving all of us a time to let our hair down, so to speak. (If you wear a toupee, you will have to use your imagination to make this point clear.) Still there are some rules of the road to follow, even if you can’t find the path. Consider the following: 1. Answer all invitations promptly. Don’t wait to respond to the last minute and if you are going to commit this … Continue reading →

It’s Your Party: Why Won’t They Leave?

Surely one of the stickiest moments of even the finest of parties is when the host is ready for the guests to leave and they aren’t so sure. Things can get out of hand as once happened to President Andrew Jackson at his inauguration party back in 1829. Things got so wild he had to climb out his bedroom window and flee to a nearby hotel. His guests would not leave until the next day when coaxed out on the lawn for some punch and goodies served by a harried White House staff. Once I attended a party and the … Continue reading →

Harvest Party

As usual, our church did a fantastic job throwing the Harvest Party. Kids, from the biggest to the smallest, had a great time. So did most of the parents. It started with “trunk or treat” in the parking lot, and once inside the Family Center (complete with restaurant kitchen and gymnasium) the real party started. While the party is intended for small children, the entire family is invited and may participate in activities, from games, a hayride, a puppet show, and door prizes, to the much-anticipated cakewalk. People from church bake their best goodies to give as prizes. Everyone ends … Continue reading →