entertaining

Entertaining Menus & Recipes

Cool drinks for hot summer cocktail parties

Crisp, refreshing and ideal for poolside parties, summer cocktails featuring bubbly and ice are perfect for staying cool as...

Entertaining Menus & Recipes

Warm and spicy fall cocktails

The brisk chill in the air and a vibrant spectrum of rich red and orange trees are harbingers for the fall holidays. Whether you are...

Entertaining Checklists & Tips

Keep your cocktail party fun

Cocktail parties-¦we all know we love to attend them. But throwing them? That's another story. Inviting a few friends over for...

Decor & Themes

4 Girls' night in party themes

So you and your girlfriends want to bypass all of the New Year's Eve craziness? After all, why pay at the door, buy a ticket and...

Decor & Themes

4 Formal dinner party themes

"Sometimes, less is more both in fashion and entertaining, so I always like to serve simple but refined rustic fare such as cheese,...

Food & Recipes

10 Cocktail party basics

There's a fine line between tons of fun and awkward moments. Party hosts, read on for the 10 ingredients of a successful cocktail...

Entertaining Checklists & Tips

10 Party hostess tips

Throwing a party is often more complicated than simply sending out invitations and setting out a few appetizers. Here are 10 tips to...

Decor & Themes

8 Simple place card ideas

Hosting a holiday get-together is no small feat. Once you get your outfit and menu out of the way, you realize the devil is in all...

Celebrations

Last-minute Christmas appetizers

How often have you had family or friends call and say they are coming over in a few hours for a holiday visit and, of course, you...

Kitchen and dining

Color-inspired holiday tablescapes

Creating a festive holiday tablescape can be easily accomplished with some advance planning, one or more unique ideas, and the...

Entertaining Menus & Recipes

10 Quick party appetizers

Thanksgiving through New Year's can be a hectic time, but that's no reason to give up on the idea of throwing the perfect cocktail...

Party Planning

5 Surprise party spoilers

Ensure your celebration is a success -- and stays a secret -- by avoiding these all-too-common spoilers.

Party Planning

Should you hire a party planner?

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, birthday, wedding or family reunion, you'll enjoy the party more and stress less if you...

Party Planning

Budget-friendly party decorations

Here are a few tips on decorating for a party with warmth and welcome without demolishing your budget.

Christmas

8 Holiday entertaining ideas

Whether your guest list includes dozens of family and friends or just a few neighbors, holiday entertaining can be as formal or...

Christmas

Holiday entertaining made easy

Experienced hostesses agree: Planning is the key to successful holiday entertaining with a minimum of stress.

Kitchen & Cooking Tips

6 ideas to entertain family and friends

More and more people are staying home and inviting friends and family over for an evening's entertainment. Hosting a dinner can be...

Kitchen & Cooking Tips

How to host a great dinner party

To make a dinner party memorable, it should appeal to all five senses. The more the guests' senses are stimulated, the more...

Wine & Drink Recipes

How to buy good cheap wine

You don't have to pay more than $10 for a great bottle of wine. Check out our great list of good but cheap wines that are just $10...

Etiquette Rules

10 Holiday etiquette don'ts

Keep you etiquette in check this holiday season and be sure not to do any of the following:

Food & Recipes

10 tips to organize an outstanding block party

Looking for a way to finally introduce yourself to the new neighbor down the street? Are your kids begging you to host an all-day...