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Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

Olympic Entertaining

Posted in entertain, Entertaining Ideas, tagged , , , , on February 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »

As we celebrate and enjoy the Winter Olympics, why not invite a few friends over and make it a party?

Encourage everyone to come dressed in their athletic wear. Hang streamers, put out balloons and prepare for an evening of fun and games.

Create a few games for guests to participate in on commercials breaks, like cookie stacking, hula-hooping or even something as simple as sit-ups. Have gold, bronze and silver awards for each contest (candy wrapped in foil or wrapping paper works well… or have the youngsters create medals out of card stock, markers, crayons and ribbon). You may even want to create three blocks of varying heights for the winners to stand on to accept their “medals.”

Serve food and beverages that have an international flair, like pot stickers, empanadas, tapas or barbecued pork sliders.

Be sure you have a cd of patriotic music handy, including the national anthem, to play during the award ceremony.

Have fun with this gathering and remember the only limit is your imagination!

Happy Entertaining!

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Valentine’s Day Entertaining

Posted in entertain, Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, tagged , , on February 9, 2010| Leave a Comment »

If you are going to be entertaining for Valentine’s Day or just want to add a pop of red to your home decor, here are some ideas to create a little love:

  • Add a red pillow to your couch or loveseat.
  • Mix reds with neutrals like beige, tan, cream, white or black for the biggest “Wow” factor.
  • Mix plain white serving pieces and dishes with a few red pieces for elegant flair.
  • Fill a white bowl with red candies, put red candles on a white plate or fill a glass container with red jelly beans for a fun accent.
  • Inexpensive fabric can be trimmed with pinking shears (to avoid fraying) and layered in a buffet setting to create a stunning  backdrop for your food.
  • Mix red with colors that get you thinking outside the box like sage green or Chinese blue or gold for strong impact.
  • Make a heart-shaped pillow and place on your bed. (Cut a heart pattern out of paper, trace onto felt, “stitch” with a satin ribbon, stuff and finish with a bow.)

If you are looking for a way to charm your sweetheart, think about making a card. With all the resources available in software programs and online, it is fairly easy to come up with something fun and whimsical or  beautiful and sweet. Whatever you create, make sure the message is from your heart.

Another great gift for the love of your life is an edible Valentine. Any cookie cut into a heart shape can serve as a great “I Love You.” A giant sugar cookie, a brownie covered in red sprinkles or even a heart-shaped pancake can all be delicious ways to convey your love.

However you celebrate and whatever you do, just remember to be sincere, to be real and let those who love know how very much they mean to you.

Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Entertaining!

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Groundhog’s Day Entertaining

Posted in entertain, tagged on February 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Today is Groundhog’s Day and a great excuse to gather friends for a fun meal.

You might want to start the festivities by highlighting the reason for celebrating the forecasting talents of furry Punxsutawney Phil.

The legend of the groundhog’s forecasting powers is said to  date back to the early days of Christianity in Europe when clear skies on the holiday Candlemas Day, celebrated Feb. 2, meant winter would continue for many weeks. The tradition was carried to Germany, with the German twist being that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas, a hedgehog would cast its shadow, predicting six more weeks of bad weather. Many of Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers were German, and they continued the tradition after noticing a large population of groundhogs, which resemble the European hedgehog.

So gather your friends for an relaxed evening together. Serve a meal with sausage as the main course  and finish  with these adorable cupcakes.

Use any flavor cupcake, unfrosted. Remove a piece of cake the width of an Almond Joy candy from the center of a baked cupcake. Set the candy upright in the hole, then spread a layer of white frosting on the cupcake. For the groundhog’s eyes, trim the ends from a white jelly bean, stick them in place with frosting, then dot them with black decorators’ gel. Add a tiny triangle cut from a watermelon slice candy for a nose, brown M&M’s Minis for ears and cheeks, and a tiny rectangular piece of white jelly bean for teeth. Sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs around the partially emerged groundhog, and he’s ready to greet his fans.

Happy Entertaining!

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Do I Know Your Name?

Posted in entertain, Entertaining Ideas, tagged , , on January 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The other day I was having the most fascinating conversation with a 5-year-old.  After sharing cooking tips, we moved right into fashion.

Me: “I really like your shirt.”

Her: “My friend gave it to me.”

Me: “It is fun having a friend like that, isn’t it?”

Her: “Yes! And she knows my name!”

She was most excited not about the clothes that her little friend shares, but about the fact that her friend knows her name. That really got me thinking about the people I know and if I truly know their name.

I know their names in the literal sense, but what do I know about the person attached to that name? When a certain name comes to mind, does it conjure up just a face in my mind of that person, or is there a  treasure trove of data that comes along with that name? Even better, does that name stir up any emotion?

If I make an honest assessment, there are many names I am familiar with in that I recognize them and know what person they belong to, but I don’t truly know them. I don’t know them in the sense of what is important to them, what makes them smile, what makes them cry, what drives them to get out of bed each day, what stirs their creativity and sparks their passion?

When you peel away all the layers of social dictates, political correctness, ingrained behaviors and quirks, most of us find at the core a being who wants to be known by others for who they are and the unique gifts they bring to the table.

Think about your friends, family and acquaintances. When you gather with them, who brings you the most joy? The ones you don’t know very well or those you truly know?  I’ve said it before, and will most likely say it again, but relationships are everything.

As you set about entertaining this year, make your guest list a challenge of sorts by mixing together those you know with those you have yet to know. You’ll find in getting to know them, you’ll be richly blessed.

Happy Entertaining!

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