How to Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Parties: 5 Ways to be a Gracious Host and a Great Guest
Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are looking forward to long, lazy days on the beach and hot summer nights that heat up after dark. Here are a few tips from lifestyle guru Kim Kristofferson-Magnusson on maximizing your fun in the sun!
1) For family celebrations?KEEP IT SIMPLE!!
Whether you're hosting a graduation party for 20 or a family reunion for 200, remember that it's your day to have fun too! To make the most of your time visiting with family and friends, take a vacation from your oven and corral your "grillmaster" of choice out on the patio. Prepare a variety of cold salads ahead of time, pick up some fresh bread, add a frozen dessert, and voila? dinner is served! A buffet-style offering is wonderful outdoors, just roll up flatware in festive napkins, stack up some bright and shiny plastic plates, and all your guests can easily serve themselves.
2) When you're the guest?get in the "Theme" of it!
If you have a much-anticipated invite to THE party of the season, don't show up empty-handed? if the party has a particular theme (most of the SUPER-FUN ones do!), bring the host/hostess a little something that shows you appreciate all their efforts and planning. For example, if your host is a poker-aficionado planning a "Casino Night", try filling an ice bucket with playing cards, dice, poker chips, shot glasses, and poker themed cocktail napkins. If your hostess is a pampered princess who is hosting a "Girls Night Out" (who, me??), she will love you forever if you fill an oversized basket with some bath salts, perfume samples, delicious smelling body lotion, a steamy novel, and an eye mask?just go the extra mile, and your invite will be the first to go out next year!
3) When you're the host, think of all the party-goers?
When you're hosting a "bring your whole family" outdoor soiree, don't forget to think of the "little people"?if the children are happy, the moms and dads are happy too, so be well-prepared with activities to keep little hands busy. Try setting up a ping-pong table on the patio, where the future sports stars can organize a tournament. Croquet is an old, lady-like game that even the toughest of tomboys will love. Even a sprinkler will do in a pinch?
4) Favours are not just for weddings!
Don't you just love those little "take-me-home's" at weddings?little seedlings to plant, inscribed golf balls to better your score? When hosting a BBQ or outdoor event, favours are a perfect end to the evening and will serve as a reminder of your fun and frivolity. Why not try making your own BBQ sauce or marinade for guests to take home? Buy a bunch of brightly-colored plastic sand pails to fill with shells and rocks collected on your stretch of beach, or even a festive silk lei, sure to bring warmth over the long winter ahead.
5) Have Fun!!
The most important part of any great party is that you celebrate your wonderful family and friends who have come together. You don't need an excuse, just gather your pals for great laughs, good music, and reminiscing, and voila?the stage is set for some sizzling!
About the Author:
Kim Kristofferson-Magnusson
lovergirl@lovergirlpromotions.com
http://www.lovergirlpromotions.com
Kim Kristofferson-Magnusson is the founder of Lovergirl Promotions, a company that designs fun and funky Tshirts for women celebrating "life's little luxuries", whether it be travel, spa, or shopping, there is a Tshirt celebrating your passions at Lovergirl Promotions. Sign up for our popular monthly newsletter at http://www.lovergirlpromotions.com for a chance to win a free Tshirt!
 Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:08:18 GMT Suicide blast kills 35 in Pakistan; Zardari set to take power - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP, The New York Times PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The death toll in a devastating suicide blast has reached 35, officials said Sunday, as Pakistan prepared for Benazir Bhutto's widower to take over as president. Pakistan's Zardari urged to change image and focus Pakistan's Zardari prepares for presidency Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:14:31 GMT Malkovich gets mad in Coens' 'Burn After Reading' - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - TORONTO (AP) - The Coen brothers' new movie gave John Malkovich a chance to blow off some steam. Malkovich's seething character in "Burn After Reading" bursts out in perpetual tantrums, a nice exercise in anger management, according to the actor. Toronto Film Festival vs. Brangelina – Who Gets the Spotlight? Pitt Rocks to Madonna Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:31:53 GMT Michigan spared sting of West Nile - Detroit Free Press Detroit Free Press - BY SHERI McWHIRTER • RECORD-EAGLE • September 7, 2008 TRAVERSE CITY -- West Nile virus hasn't seriously bitten Michigan this year and seems to have spared the state's northern reaches. Yes, the mosquitoes were nasty this summer Aerial survey being conducted to find mosquito breeding grounds Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:53:44 GMT Fannie, Freddie Capital Concerns Prompt Paulson Plan (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Dawn Kopecki and Alison Vekshin Sept. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson decided to take control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after a review found the beleaguered mortgage-finance companies used accounting methods that inflated their ... Video: Obama Calls for Changes in Mortgage Giants RPT-US Treasury sets news conference;GSE plan expected Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:59:54 GMT Reuters Entertainment Summary - Washington Post Washington Post - VENICE (Reuters) - Eleven days of red carpet galas, 21 films in competition and countless interviews, photo calls and parties at the Venice film festival boiled down to just one man in the end -- Mickey Rourke. Aronofsky Gracefully Wrestles Golden Lion Out Of Venice Buyers mixed on Toronto films Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:41:41 GMT Federer is set for his fifth consecutive US Open final (Keystone) - Swissinfo
Swissinfo - Switzerland's Roger Federer has won his semifinal at Flushing Meadows against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in four sets, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Video: Federer Beats Djokovic to Reach US Open Final Federer Reaches Final Before Rain Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:38:36 GMT Health Buzz: Immunosuppressive Drug Warning and Other Health News - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - The Food and Drug Administration has asked the manufacturers of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade—which belong to a class of medications known as tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers (TNF-alpha blockers)—to strengthen the warning for risk of fungal ... FDA urges more caution over TNF blocker infections Arthritis Drugs Linked to Risks From Infection Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:23:08 GMT More Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day... Read More The word mother and mothers day are simple, yet powerful... Read More Tired of the same old typical Halloween costumes. You know... Read More If your diet is making you a humbug this season,... Read More So you ate, drank and spent too much over the... Read More Here it comes again - the Holiday Army - in... Read More Choosing a birthday gift for a friend about to turn... Read More There she was in all her glory. Long white lab... Read More Regardless of age, almost everyone can remember at least a... Read More Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for... Read More Family traditions connect us to past and future generations. They... Read More Is there any party more delightful than sweet 16? If... Read More Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter... Read More Creating a gift closet is a wonderful way to plan... Read More North Pole- The word is out! Due to an "unpublished... Read More Are you looking for special Halloween party ideas that will... Read More Bar Mitzvah celebrations have grown exponentially in size and scope... Read More If your product or service can be given as a... Read More There are countless Halloween masks available today. At Halloween specialty... Read More Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed... Read More History of OrnamentsIn A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first... Read More One of my earliest memories involves a Fourth of July... Read More On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives.... Read More No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice... Read More Christmas is always the time of year we consider to... Read More
Adsense
websites
Valentines Day Love Letter - The Best And Most Romantic Gift Is Also The Least Expensive!
Make Every Day a Mothers Day!
Funny Couples Costume Ideas For Halloween
Holiday Dieting: A Sweet Way To Cheat!
The Only Way to Turn New Year Resolutions Into Reality!
The Holiday Army
30th Birthday Gift Ideas
Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween
The Magic Of Gift Giving At Christmas
Fun Halloween Ideas
Easter Traditions: Seven Ways To Add Meaning To Your Family Celebration
Sweet 16th Birthday Party Ideas
Fireplace Decorating Tips for Easter: Give Your Rooms Natural Focal Point an Easter Look
Planning a Gift Closet
Santa Goes Low Carb!
Spooky Halloween Party Ideas
The Bloated Bar Mitzvah Celebration: 6 Ways to Take It Back
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza
Scary halloween Masks
How to Make Your Own Printable Invitations for Any Occasion
The History of Christmas Ornaments
FIREWORKS--OR, OOH, AAH, How Do They Do That?
Celebrating Fathers
Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking will Bring the Family Together During The Holidays
Creative Christmas Gifts
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Make it an Unforgettable Birthday!
The first known birthday celebrations began among the Egyptians with... Read More
5 Most Popular Styles of Christmas Ornaments
Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color... Read More
Gift Wrapping Ideas
If you're tired of your gifts looking like everyone else's,... Read More
Some Valuable Steps On Applying Clown Makeup! Seriously, Were Not Clowning Around Here
Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More
Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentine?s Day - For Women in Relationships
So Valentine's Day is upon us yet again, and most... Read More
Find Great Halloween Costume Ideas! Have The Most Creative Costumes This Year
Usually, the hardest part about Halloween is finding the perfect... Read More
Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)
Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More
Creative Kid Birthday Cake Ideas
A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room... Read More
The Spirit of Fathers Day
Some time ago I received a gift from both of... Read More
Getting Great Pictures of the Kids this Halloween
There she was in all her glory. Long white lab... Read More
Holiday Times Are For Helping Those Less Fortunate, Think Holiday Cards
Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their... Read More
Making the Holidays More Meaningful
Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you... Read More
Holiday Tips & Treats That Wont Play Tricks On Your Waistline
Halloween ? so starts the Holiday Season. The average American... Read More
Give Presence Not Presents
Throughout the year we have many gift-giving opportunities to show... Read More
5 Things Your Christmas Table Should Not Be Without
Christmas dinner probably the most elaborate and complex dinners you... Read More
The History of Christmas Ornaments
History of OrnamentsIn A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first... Read More
How to Create an Irresistible Valentine?s Day Centerpiece
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course... Read More
Fathers Day Origins and Inspiration
While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers... Read More
Holiday Expectations
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
A Valentines Day Story
Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22... Read More
Surviving Those Holiday Blues
Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with... Read More
Thanksgiving
I was not planning to write this article. Instead, I... Read More
Tis The Season
I was listening to one of my favorite radio talk... Read More
Hoo Hoo ? Owls and Superstitions, Thats Who
Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These... Read More
Memorial Day Flowers
Monday, May 30th is Memorial Day. Your local florist can... Read More
Holiday |