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

• Eleanor's Black, White & Bright Party
• Evan's Train Party
• Nora's Olivia the Pig Party
• Eliot's Superhero Party
• Jake's Donut Party

I was perched on the couch the other morning, catching up on food blogs and sipping a mocha when all of a sudden the urge for a warm, toasted baguette smothered with melted chocolate and a drizzle of fruity olive oil hit me. Sometimes good ideas strike at the oddest of times. This early morning craving for chocolate and bread inspired my most recent party idea: a gathering where everyone builds their own dessert!

Do you have entertaining anxiety? I did (and I still come down with a touch of it every now and then, especially if someone important is invited). How did I get over it? It dawned on me that I had never once resented being invited to someone's home. I never wondered, "Chips and dip? BYOB? Really? That's it?" or "Wow. Look at that stain on the sofa. These people are real slobs." Nope. I'm flattered and happy to be invited to mingle with old friends and meet new ones. Huge bash or intimate soiree, four course dinner or potluck — thank you for having me! This was even more clear on my recent trip to Cange, Haiti.

Have you ever cooked using foil? We're not just talking about lining a pan, but rather a method of cooking where you place all your meats, herbs and vegetables inside and seal it tight before tossing it in the oven? This is hands down one of the easiest ways to ensure your food is all done at the same time. It's an old campfire trick that can be used for stress-free entertaining.

I absolutely love Spain. The culture, the people, the enthusiasm for life and for food. Where else in the world can you go, at half past midnight, and see three generations of people celebrating no particular occasion outside of a cafe? Where else in the world can you find a 24" pan of paella — piping hot, and filled to the brim with fresh seafood?  Though the former may be hard to replicate, the latter is something worth throwing a party for.

There is always that awkward moment at the beginning of a dinner party — the one that happens right after you've all found drinks and are now standing in loose clusters smiling tentatively at one another. Eventually, some brave soul will clear their throat and break the ice. And often, that's all you need. With that first ice breaker, the conversation is off and running! Are you a brave soul at dinner parties? What's your very best ice breaker?

Q: I'm baking a gluten-free wedding cake and I would love some help! The wedding is for 100 people this September. Do you have a gluten-free wedding cake recipe? Non-gluten-free-but-adaptable wedding cake recipe? 

For a simple spring place setting at your next dinner, look to the farmers' market and a bunch of hot pink radishes! Tie two radishes — leaves intact! — with twine and place on top of a cloth napkin. I particularly like them paired with a pea green napkin; so lovely and fresh! 

You know what automatically makes a sit-down dinner a little more fancy and fun? A printed menu of all the food to come! But you don't have to be a graphic design whiz to have a personalized menu at your next dinner party — we found five pretty, customizable templates you can download for free.