Tips for a large sit-down dinner The Challenge: You want to have twenty friends over for a sit-down dinner. There’s no room inside the house that is big enough to seat everyone, and anyway it’s summer, so who wants to be inside? Added challenge: You want it to look nice. That means no paper/plastic, and an overall cohesive look. The… Read More »Party 101: A Long Table
What to serve when you don’t know your guests well? Three tips. Menu planning is one of my favorite things to do. (I wish I had the same enthusiasm for weekly meal planning, but that’s another story.) It’s a research project, an excuse to try new things, and it’s creative. However, many people have shared with me that menu planning… Read More »Party 101: How to Plan a Menu When You Don’t Know Your Guests
So the party is at your house? Here’s how to set up the drinks station Setting up a drink station at your party allows people to serve themselves and creates a conversation spot. Here are some tips that will help you prepare in advance, so you can enjoy the gathering once the guests arrive—and enable self-serve vs. host-bartending. (How any… Read More »Party 101: Drink Station
A great way to start the day and the easiest meal to host. A friend recently commented that brunch is her event of choice when entertaining. It’s a smart move – especially if you don’t mind waking up a bit early to prep. Why is brunch best? Let me count the ways. Hesitant to Entertain? Three Reasons Why Brunch Is… Read More »Brunch is Best
A dance party for cold and flu season (pre-pandemic edition) This party started out as a dance party for cold and flu season. The idea was, why not teach kids about germs and the importance of Vitamin C, while dancing to some good music? Get it? The word “boogie” can go either way. It went down in history as either… Read More »Boogie Party
A playful fifth birthday party. Yes, we know the actual meaning of the holiday Cinco de Mayo, but we could not help ourselves. For this sweet girl’s fifth birthday, we mixed it up a bit. The “Cinco de Carma” celebration was a Mexican-inspired family birthday dinner, complete with flower crowns for the girls and a piñata. The handmade invitation set… Read More »Cinco de What?
Still stumped? Think thoughtful, useful, and unexpected. When your love language is gifts, and you avoid clutter and want to do your part for the earth and generally have everything you need…how do you come up with party favor ideas? Well, we have a few tips. For starters: think beyond the “goodie bag.” While we do sometimes assemble a few… Read More »Party Favor Ideas Beyond the Goodie Bag
A farewell party to delight big and little kids When your friends are moving, and leaving for a job at Ball State University, (it’s in Muncie, Indiana – great school – look it up!) you go all out with the balls. This was an outdoor farewell dinner for four families. Nearly half of the guests were kids (from 1 to… Read More »Of Course We Had a Ball
An at-home celebration with mask-making, storytelling, and a gondola When you live in the Midwest, you have to get super creative about enjoying winter. Having something to look forward to in the dark winter months makes all the difference. The plan for this Venetian Carnival (“Carnevale”) party was born. The guests were classmates (ages 3 to 6), and their families.… Read More »Venetian Carnival
You have done all the cooking, now how do you lay it all out? It’s no surprise that I love tablescapes. A beautifully set table draws your guests in, and flirts with them. Yes, you read that right. I want someone to approach the table and think, “What? all this is for me? Wow.” It’s a heart-to-heart connection to tell… Read More »Buffet Table Setting 101