Hostess Tips

The Easter hostess: Tips for hosting without a hitch

Melissa Dunlap — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Hosting Easter for your family and friends? We've got you covered with tips and tricks from top lifestyle experts.

Entertaining tips for the new year

Terri O — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:54:00 -0800

Just because the holiday-themed get-togethers will become a thing of the past with the new year doesn’t mean your party-throwing opportunities are over. To minimize your stress, save you time and facilitate throwing perfect parties all year-round, here are a few entertaining tips to make you the hostess with the mostest, regardless of the season.

Indoors or outdoors: Plan your best party, no matter where you are

Whitney Coy — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 02:58:00 -0700

Planning is key to throwing a great party. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning an indoor or outdoor party, it’ll go off without a hitch as long you plan carefully.

How to prepare guest room and bathroom for guests

Laura Carson Miller — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:00:00 -0700

When you have guests coming to stay with you, it's nice to go the extra mile to make their personal quarters especially inviting and restful. These tips will make your guest bedroom and bathroom a lovely and lush place to unwind in the evenings and begin the day during their stay.

How to be the best hostess

Jessica Padykula — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:30:00 -0700

Hosting an event – be it a backyard barbecue, holiday bash or cocktail soirée – takes effort. Not only are you part of the party, you’re also overseeing it, which means thinking about more than where to get your next drink refill. Whether you’ve presided over your fair share of dinner parties or you’re a hosting novice, the party pros at SheKnows have put together some indispensable tips for making sure your next event – big or small – goes smoothly.

Creating the perfect party platter

Mary Fetzer — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:14:00 -0800

Creating the perfect party platter is all about variety: a variety of foods to suit a variety of guests. Follow these expert tips to create an crowd-pleasing platter that will have guests coming back for more!

What to wear when hosting a holiday party

Kori Ellis — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:41:00 -0800

A party invitation always brings stress about what to wear. But what about when you are hosting? That can bring up a whole new set of issues. If you are hosting a holiday party or dinner at your home, follow these style tips to look your best and be comfortable, too.

3 Modern holiday party decorating themes

Whitney Coy — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:06:00 -0700

Tired of hosting the same old holiday party every year? Throw in a twist by having a themed party this year. Whether you’re expecting a house full of guests or a small gathering of your closest friends, you’ll find a theme that fits your crowd. The right food, decorations and supplies ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

44 Tips for planning a Super Bowl party

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:45:00 -0800

Super Bowl is perhaps the biggest game day of the year, so why not celebrate? Host a super fun, laid-back football fete with these tips and tricks. Here are 44 ideas to help you host a perfect pigskin party!

Top 5 Super Bowl party themes

Molly Cerreta Smith — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:49:00 -0800

Super Bowl Sunday is considered a nearly religious holiday for some, and we admit, it's kind of a big deal. So why not make your party a big deal, too? Host the best party on the block with these fun and easy Super Bowl party themes.

Party planning timeline

Brie Gatchalian — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:55:00 -0800

It's time to usher in the new year with a fun bash for family and friends. Here's what you need to know leading up to your New Year's Eve party.

Hostess etiquette: The new rules

Sandy Smith — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:07:00 -0800

As a party hostess, your duties are many -- host the party, plan the party, prepare for the party, decorate for the party, cook for the party and keep the party fun going all night long. Here's a quick guide to the rules of being a hostess. Take a look before your next shindig so everyone has a great time.

10 Etiquette rules for entertaining

Sandy Smith — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:06:00 -0800

In addition to planning the menu and theme for the night, a great hostess also follows these 10 etiquette rules to throw a fabulous party and keep guests happy all night long.

10 Party hostess tips

Molly Cerreta Smith — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:54:00 -0800

Throwing a party is often more complicated than simply sending out invitations and setting out a few appetizers. Here are 10 tips to help you be the hostess with the mostess at your next party.

8 Simple place card ideas

Aly Walansky — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:32:00 -0800

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 those seemingly minor details. Have you thought about your place cards for this year's festivities? Here's some ideas to make them unique -- and memorable!

Girls' guide to throwing a party

Sarah Kelsey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:32:00 -0800

Planning a Christmas or New Year's party shouldn't turn you into a stressed mess, especially when you're organizing it in the season's spirit for your friends and family.

10 Quick party appetizers

Sarah Kelsey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:47:00 -0800

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 Christmas party. All you need are a few go-to dishes that are not only easy to make, but also are sure to win over any crowd.

5 Tips for planning a holiday party menu

Sarah Kelsey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:42:00 -0800

Planning a holiday party menu is never easy. These tips will help you plan a gastronomically pleasing bash that appeases and appeals to all of your guests.

7 Fixes for holiday food disasters

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:20:00 -0700

Even after you've painstakingly planned your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, you're in the final throes of getting it to the table only to realize your turkey is dry, the rolls are hard as rocks, you've overcooked your vegetables, or you are short on the after dinner dessert and drink. As much as you'd like to sneak out the backdoor and run quickly from your impending kitchen doom, you've got guests to feed, and the truth is you really can recover from the seemingly worst of culinary conundrums. We've got seven fast food fixes for your holiday meal to rescue the errant entrÃ©e, substandard side dish, or disastrous dessert.

Affordable Thanksgiving wines

Diana De Cicco — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:13:00 -0700

The right wines can make your Thanksgiving meal even more delicious and celebratory. Here are the best wines to pair with your succulent turkey dinner - all under $20.

How to be the perfect guest

Susan Dunn, MA — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:29:00 -0700

When you're invited somewhere as "the guest;" you really have a role to play -- and it's an active one, not a passive one. You're there to enjoy yourself, but it's also up to you to make a positive contribution to the gathering. Here, SheKnows shows you how to be the perfect guest!