Tipsy

Don’t let guests leave empty handed. Write or print up the recipes from that evening’s dinner, roll up and secure with ribbon and tie around a mini bottle of wine or champagne.

Guests arrive and you’ll still be cooking? Have small ramekins filled with mixed nuts (preferably heated with some spices) stacked by the wine or beer you’ll be serving. Guests will be impressed by the mini treat individually prepared. It’s like traveling first class on Continental.

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 door frame 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.

To become a member on the totally fab sample sale site, Ruelala.com. Click on invited by a member. In the box, Your Friend’s Email, put in my email address, [email protected].

And voila you’ll become a member for free.

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.

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.

Sure you could assemble your own kit by hitting up the craft store and fabric shops, but for simple at home changes without the need of a bedazzler this is organized and cool. Need to do a quick hem? Done. Want to rough up your jeans? Done. Want to add a few studs, Miss Trendy? Then do it with this hip kit from www.bristols6.com for $30.

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.

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.