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Posts tagged “party”

Help Me Think of Thanksgiving-Themed Finger Foods!
Good Questions

Q: I am living abroad and getting ready to move back to the States next month. I would love to throw a Thanksgiving-themed goodbye party. I do NOT want to have a sit-down meal for 20-30 people, but w...

Party Accessory: Fingerfood Plates from FRED

Entertaining season has begun, and therefore it's also time for finger food. Well, here's what every well-dressed partygoer will be wearing this season....

Free Downloadable Party Cup Wrappers

When throwing a party, cups can be used for more than just beverages. They can hold candies or sweets, starters or even candles on your tabletop. We came across this cute little downloadable wrapp...

The Ultimate Halloween Party Roundup: Menus, Party Ideas, and Inspiration from Around the Web

Maybe it's because Halloween falls on a Saturday night, or maybe it's the gloomy economy. Whichever it is, everyone seems to be in a spooky Halloween spirit this year! There is a lot of fabulous ins...

Autumn Place Settings: Napkin Rings Made from Felt

Earlier this week over at Apartment Therapy, we featured the home of Jason Loper in northern Chicago. We couldn't help but swoon over his adorable fall place settings, made out of felt. Don't they jus...

Book Recommendation: Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations

I love a good cocktail book that has photos in it, and I especially love cocktail books that combine recipes for wonderful snacks that can be served with them. Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party ...

Party Snack: Edna Lewis' Old-Fashioned Cheese Straws
Recipe Review

Have you ever had a cheese straw? No? Yes? They are a total staple of an old-fashioned Southern appetizer tray, so if you're from the South you probably know what we're talking about right now. We hav...

I'm Having a Pirate Party! Do You Have Menu Ideas?
Good Questions

Q: We are currently in Ireland while my husband works on a movie in Belfast, and our son turns four next week. We're planning a pirate-themed party on the beach, but the attendees will mostly be adul...

Food and Drinks for a Pink Slip Party?
Good Questions

Q: I am currently at a loss for food ideas for a themed party I'm throwing, so I thought I'd see if I could get some inspiration here. My boyfriend has just been retrenched and will be having his fina...

Great Grill-less Menu For a Rooftop Cocktail Party?
Good Questions

Q: I'm throwing a cocktail party on the roof deck of my building in August for about 20 people. I can't grill, and am looking for suggestions as to what to serve. It's far enough away from my apartmen...

Outdoor Dining: A Pink and Yellow Birthday Party

Our My Great Outdoors event may have ended at the close of June, but outdoor entertaining is still in full swing. Last weekend I used our little back deck to its fullest and threw an outdoor fê...

Seasonal Menu Planning: Hors D'oeuvres for September?
Good Question

Here's a good question from Joan, who is planning ahead for her wedding in September. Hi! I am looking for some help and ideas for a seasonal spread of hors d'oeuvres. I am getting married in late Sep...

PlatyPreserve: On The Go Wine Storage

It's nice to bring a bottle of wine when you head out on your summer picnics and parties, but we don't always want to bring along the bottle. For starters, it can weigh your basket down and it also ...

Picnic Tip: How To Make a Watermelon Sling

One of our favorite things to bring to outdoor get-togethers (or give as a hostess gift) is a whole watermelon. Not only does it alleviate the stress of prep work, but it's easy to pack and go in a j...

Stress-Less Entertaining: Have an Open House

If you're a dinner party newbie, the idea of preparing an elaborate dinner and inviting a bunch of guests over to eat it might feel a little (or a lot!) intimidating. Here's a low-key idea to help eas...

Good Question: Fresh Ideas for Tea Sandwiches?

Sarah is getting married in May, and she and her family are throwing a casual yet elegant afternoon reception with tea and sandwiches. How charming! She has a question, though, about updating tea sand...

Good Question: Good Ideas for a Waffle Bar?

Here's a fun question from Jennie, who is throwing a waffle party for her husband this weekend. She writes: I'm throwing a birthday brunch gathering for my husband this Sunday. Instead of brunch bas...

Good Question: Great Fakeout Food Ideas?

Here's a fun question from Lorysa! My birthday is coming up and I'm planning a "Through the Rabbit Hole" themed party. I'd like to serve nothing but trompe-l'œil foods, such as a birthday cake made...

Midwest Food Roundup: Inauguration Fever

Spam, sushi and the White House don't scream "Midwest," but this week's food sections are abuzz with inauguration menus and recipes to celebrate the former senator from Illinois' inauguration as the 4...

Look! Reclaimed Barn Wood Cake Stand

Take a look at this beautiful cake stand we saw this weekend... ...

Grills as Decoration: Chicago's Weber Grill Restaurant

Maybe it's because we have grilling on the brain this month, but this patio caught our eye the other day. It's Weber Grill Restaurant in Chicago, and they've created a patio border with fences made fr...

Entertaining with Moo: Dinner Party Mementos and More

We saw this post over at Apartment Therapy: Chicago about Moo on-demand printing, and immediately thought, "Oooh! Dinner parties!" Cute and crafty, Moo gives us the ability to reproduce our favorite ...

Partyware! Customizable Wooden Ice Cream Spoons

Last fall we catered a wedding for a friend. It was just a dessert reception, so we served bonbons, cookies, meringues, and ice cream. We served the ice cream in pleated paper soufflé cups, eac...

Entertaining Tips: Buffet Plates, Mingling Plates, and Social and Party Dishes

Whatever you call these plates with a slot to hold your wine glass, you've got to admit they're useful. They allow your guests to mingle, shake hands, and even gesture, all while holding both their wi...

Basic Technique: How to Blanch Vegetables

Blanching vegetables--cooking them in a large amount of boiling water--might seem fussy or bring to mind childhood dinners of overcooked mushy carrots. But blanching is a good technique to keep in yo...