Entertaining Advice
You can host the perfect party when you have the know-how. Take our advice and make it happen.
Make-Ahead Meals
To cut down on the stress levels the day of the big holiday, choose some dishes you can make ahead. Then make them!
When Life Hands You Lemons
Next time you have leftover lemons or limes from a party, squeeze the juice into an ice cube tray. Then, when a recipe calls for fresh lemon or lime juice, you'll be all set.
Dress Up Your Dinner Table
Want to impress your dinner guests? Hollow out tomatoes and use them as serving dishes for dips or condiments. Not only does this make for a unique presentation, but cleanup is a cinch.
Carving the Perfect Pumpkin
The key to creating the spookiest jack-o'-lantern on the block could be a pattern. Instead of carving freehand, sketch your idea on a piece of paper (or use a stencil or template), then transfer to your pumpkin before carving.
Candle Cleanup
To remove the last of the wax from votive candleholders, place them in the freezer for 15 minutes. The wax will shrink and pop right out!
The Early Shopper Gets the Bird
Try to do your Thanksgiving shopping in the early morning or late evening at least one week prior to the holiday. Stores get more crowded as the holiday grows near, and you might find your favorite brand of bread crumbs have sold out.
Keep the Club Close
Keep club soda on hand to help pretreat any stains that might occur during holiday dinners.
Draw the Line
Ever had a picnic spoiled by hungry ants? Draw a line with chalk, and they won't march past it. For an extra level of pest defense, keep your food in a sealed container until you're ready to eat.
Entertaining on a Budget
When picking out the food and/or recipes to serve at a party, consider the cost of the recipe ingredients. You may be able to pick different—but still tasty—recipes that will be a little more kind to your pocketbook.
Enjoy a Night In
Take a break from the hectic Valentine's Day restaurant crowd. Instead of going out, plan a cozy night in with your sweetie. Fondue makes a romantic appetizer for two. Curl up on the couch after dinner with a good movie. You'll save money and enjoy more quality time together. Check out Valentine's Dinner on a Dime for romantic recipes and helpful tips.
Easy Easter Centerpiece
A beautiful vase of spring flowers always is a great centerpiece, but there are other cute options, too. Try an Easter basket filled with colorful dyed eggs. Or march a line of chocolate bunnies down the table.
Food Allergy Advice
Planning a party can be tricky if a guest has a food allergy. Avoid problems by communicating to find out the specifics, and by using designated cookware and utensils to avoid cross contamination when preparing your dishes. And don't be offended if a guest asks to see labels or avoids foods altogether—she is just trying to stay safe.
Quick Clean for Guests
Last-minute guests on their way over? Don't worry—not everyone maintains a perfectly put-together living room at all times. Grab an empty laundry basket, fill it with any clutter, and store it in an unused room. Then dim the lights and light a few candles to transform your room from cozy-but-cluttered to company-ready.
Kids'-Table Coup
Hosting a dinner party with kids in attendance? Keep them from getting bored at the kids'-table by covering their table with white drawing paper and providing a big box of crayons as the centerpiece. Once everyone is finished eating and the adults are chatting, the kids can entertain themselves by decorating their table.
Settle the Spice
Serving dishes with a little kick to them? Have some easy ways on hand for guests to calm the spice sensation. Milk, yogurt, and bread are great to help cool a peppered palette.
Save the Wine
Have some leftover wine after hosting a party? Try freezing it to use in marinades or sauces for future dishes.
Sensational Salad in a Snap
Restaurant-style salad—think gorgonzola cheese, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds—is easy to come by these days. Just look in the produce aisle near the bagged lettuce for pre-packaged salad kits. Guests appreciate the extra touch, and it's less work than a simple vegetable salad.
Thrifty Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Nature provides a host of options to adorn your holiday table—for little or no money. Gather colorful fall leaves, fanciful gourds, branches or berries, and a handful of buckeyes. Then place a large, unscented white candle in the center, and arrange your seasonal pieces around it like a wreath.
