I can't begin to count the number of dinner parties I've had that have ended with ice cream as dessert. As much as I love to bake a pie or a cake or whip up something brûléed, sometimes the only way I can make a dinner party manageable on a busy schedule is to serve scoops of high-quality, store-bought ice cream for dessert. And so far, no one's complained! More

Punch is the ideal party drink. Big batches save hosts from playing bartender all night and it's the perfect excuse to show off that heirloom punch bowl. However, the profusion of punch recipes can seem daunting if it's your first time dusting off Grandma's punch bowl. So we checked in with punch expert David Wondrich, author of Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl (see our review here), and Esquire Mag's drinks columnist to get all the elemental info needed for anyone looking to stir up a batch. More

You can have the absolute best menu and everything could come out just right but if the timing is off on party day it can leave you unnecessarily stressed and unable to actually enjoy the evening. What to do? Here are some tips for managing your time and getting everything to the table without too much stress. More

What are some good ideas for a kitchen-warming gift box for a young person in a new place, cooking for themselves for the first time? I thought long and hard about this because I love this question. What would I give to a new cook to help them to get started in the kitchen? What are the most essential tools, the most important things to have on hand in your first kitchen? More

Kids know how to party! Check out these festive celebrations from the Apartment Therapy Family channel, which posts kids' parties every day. We'll be bringing you a roundup of these inspiring parties every week.

• Kieran's Sweet & Simple Party
• A Superhero Party in D.C.
• Markus' Dirt Party
• Clara's Rock 'n' Roll Party

I am a visual learner. Never is this more clear to me than when I thumb through a cookbook like Ripe by Cheryl Sternman Rule with its incredible food photographs by Paulette Phlipot.

The fruits and vegetables practically jump off of the pages in 3D, and my brain understands their curves, colors, and yes, ripeness in a way that description alone could not accomplish. It's enough to make a gal hungry. More

If you're looking for an easy way to take care of your guests, look no further than the ubiquitous, ever-handy Mason jar. We all probably have a few canning jars at the back of the pantry, and they can be extra helpful when it comes to parties and gatherings. Pre-make cool cocktails before your guests arrive with this simple tip! More

Kids know how to party! Check out these festive celebrations from the Apartment Therapy Family channel, which posts kids' parties every day. We'll be bringing you a roundup of these inspiring parties every week.

• Elsie's Bright & Beautiful First Birthday Party
• Raedin's Angry Birds Party
• Clara's Horse Party
• Everett's Lucha Libre Party
• Norah's American Doll Party

You know the moment well, I'm sure. You have friends over and as the night ticks on, you become inspired to make a few cocktails for everyone to enjoy. You've been getting pretty into making your own drinks at home and want to share some of your creations. Strangely when the time comes to break out the shaker and ice, you freeze. What to make? What's good? Shoot! What have you been drinking lately? More

I mentioned last week that I was on a mission to create the ultimate party "snack bar," featuring homemade versions of store bought classics. Of course homemade Cracker Jack was at the tippy top of that list. After learning how easy the recipe is, now I'm cursing myself for not making it sooner! More