Be ready for an impromptu party with appetizer pantry staples-nuts, olives, crackers-anything you can open and serve. Keep small serving dishes and cloth napkins in the pantry next to them so you can literally set up in minutes, just add your favorite cocktails (and friends). -Tricia
Tipsy
by Ali
Kick it old school in the summer with a make your own outdoor game—create an obstacle course in your backyard. The course can include a sack race, crawling through a tube, hula hoping, hitting a ball through a specific hole with a croquet mallet, etc.
by Ali
Next time after attending a great dinner party, receiving a thoughtful gift, and of course any meeting with prospective clients or employers write a personal note on paper NOT an email and pop it in the mail. It makes both a stronger and kinder impact than an email.
by Ali
Lead your guests to an outdoor fiesta with strung lights, torches or a walkway of candles in colored bags filled with sand to hold in place.
by Ali
For an outdoor BBQ head to the grill for dessert. Grill fruit and offer various dipping sauces that are warm and cold from chocolates and caramels to fruit sauces and whip cream.
by Ali
Strapped for cash, but want the latest bestseller? If your local library selection is small then start a book swap with like minded reader friends. You can skip the book club, just swap the books you've read with other friends. Guaranteed you can rack up a stack.
by Ali
Choose a celebrity chef to base the meal and theme of the night. Make up a menu by choosing recipes from his/her cookbook or find their recipes online at sites like www.foodnetwork.com. Call his/her restaurant and ask for a suggestion from the chef or even a quote to add to the menu that you will display on the table. Or pull fun facts from his/her cookbooks.
by Ali
Empty out your bag every week. Toss extra coins into a jar and save for a special treat. Organize your receipts so it becomes a quick and simple routine. Cleaning out your bag also gives you the chance to swap bags easily and change your style.
by Ali
Elegant dinner party-- Skip the Evite—the best impression for an elegant party is to mail invitations. Evites give the idea that anyone and everyone is invited. A sophisticated dinner party is exclusive.
by Ali
Don't toss out old or already read books. Donate. Finish a book on the plane? Offer it to one of your seat mates. Moving? Donate your boxes of books to your local library.
by Ali
Hire someone from a local bartending or culinary school to help with preparations, serving and clean up. Average cost is $25 an hour and can save you time, headaches and give you a chance to enjoy the party.
by Ali
Flowers should be low on the table, consider small bunches in low vases, so there’s no obstruction to see all your guests. Think retro with peonies or dinner plate dahlias for a bit of whimsy color.
by Ali
Once the menu has been decided, print a menu to be displayed on the table or have a small printed menu folded within the napkin on each guest’s plate. Or display in a frame lit from the back.
by Ali
Be your own Starbucks at your next brunch or dinner party. Whip up coffee drinks—You can buy the flavored coffee syrups at the market. All you’ll need is a blender, the syrups, ice and milk or ice cream. Everyone gets their own tasty, icy, frothy coffee drink. Don’t forget to have straws handy.
by Ali
Walk more. Walk the dog longer than around the block, walk to the bank, walk home from Sunday brunch. It's the easiest way to get some exercise, even for those who are "allergic" to working out.
by Ali
For game night keep it casual. Don’t get hung up on the meal when the evening should be focused on the friends and the games. Whether it be sit down, buffet or get it from the kitchen and sit on the living room floor think about these ideas to serve: Chili and cornbread, mini dishes of mac and cheese, individual chicken pot pies, hearty panini sandwiches that you toast in your George Forman grill or likewise. Or order in pizza and salad or Chinese takeout—plenty of dishes and fortune cookies.
by Ali
Don’t hesitate to ask guests to dress well for dinner. Not everyone gets a chance to don a dress that often.
by Ali
When you visit a restaurant and you’ve had a memorable meal whether fancy or just an outstanding burger don’t forget to send a message back to the kitchen about your delicious meal. This is your chance to get face-to-face contact with chef or manager.
by Ali
Pick up some Chalk Ink, www.chalkink.com and you can decorate plates, glassware, cups and even draw on your wood floor or your wall and know that you can wipe it off completely clean without worry. You can even draw a hopscotch game on your floor indoors.
by Ali
Have extroverted friends? Inform them you intend to have a talent show for your next party. Create the illusion of a stage by hanging a suspension rod between a doorframe and hang curtains, a shower curtain, or even a sheet as a “stage curtain.” Rent a karaoke machine for those wishing to express themselves through song, but anything goes from telling a knock knock joke to dance or even wearing costumes.