How To Host a Dinner Party on the Spur of the Moment

How To Host a Dinner Party on the Spur of the Moment

By Gera Richardson

Some of our fondest memories are from social gatherings with good friends, good food and good times. Even if you're short on time you can still plan a great little dinner on the spur of the moment. It isn't hard to do. Here are ten tips to help you.

Tip 1--Know your Reason: You don't need a reason to get together on short notice, but most times you have one. Perhaps friends are in town for the day. Or you have a new HD television and want to share a movie with friends. Why should you know? You might want to postpone the dinner to have more time to plan it. But you don't have to delay. Impromptu dinners can make for the best of times.

Tip 2--Make It Informal, Simple and Small: I usually invite just friends with perhaps one or two new people I think fit in with the group. Plan on four to seven people (counting yourself) for a cozy gathering.

Tip 3--Do a list: Even if you use the back of an envelope write down what you need to do. Include memory joggers. With so little time you have to schedule and use it wisely

Tip 4--Limit the Errands You Run: Get groceries and supplies (including cleaning supplies) from a combination grocery and department store. If your meal is from a restaurant, phone in your order to be ready an hour before your guests arrive. Have it delivered only if service is reliable and timely. Otherwise, pick it up. Check that it's complete, but leave it closed until you are ready to serve.

Tip 5--Make Sure You have Enough Dinnerware: If not, pick up what you need with your groceries. Good quality paper plates, platters and plastic utensils are fine. Get the finest paper napkins you can. Your guests will appreciate it. I use the dinner size for meals and the luncheon size folded in half for bathroom guest towels.

Tip 6--Do not Fret If Your Home isn't in Perfect Shape: You're doing this on the spur of the moment, so your home may not be as organized and spotless as you would like. Do the college dorm stunt: put everything in closets. Vacuum, dust and fluff. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher or in closed cabinets. But make sure to thoroughly clean the powder room or bathroom. Provide amenities: liquid soap, guest towels, toilet paper and a small waste basket. Before guests arrive, add an electric air freshener set on low. Spray your entire home with a mildly scented air freshener. Then close doors to off limit rooms.

Tip 7--Serve a Simple Meal: I set a simple table and serve meals that require little work or attention. (You'll need that time for other tasks.) Below are two menus I often use but feel free to develop your own.

Menu 1: Serve fried or grilled chicken from your favorite restaurant (allow 2-3 pieces per guest) with rolls or biscuits from there or a grocery store bakery (allow one dozen per 7 to 8 guests). Serve a comfort food like macaroni and cheese. It works well with chicken. I buy frozen family trays and add extra cheese (4 to 6 ounces shredded) after I bake them. Time them to be done thirty minutes before serving but keep them covered. Mixed greens with vegetables like carrots, spinach and radishes are readily available. Add your favorite chopped vegetables (tomatoes, onions, green peppers) from the salad bar or store deli. Serve with a variety of dressings. Serve dessert with coffee and tea. If the dinner is substantial, serve a light dessert like ice cream. If the dinner is light, serve something substantial.

Menu 2 Chinese Carry-Out: I purchase complete dinners for four or eight. I always order extra egg rolls and sauces (but I also keep sauces on hand.). I serve heavier desserts with this menu. Nice extras: fortune cookies are amusing and delivery is usually reliable.

Tip 8--Do not Sweat Cleanup: There should be little of it. I wait until guest leave and clean up quickly.

Tip 9--Complete your Preparations Early: Finish your preparations (including setting your table) at least thirty minutes before guests arrive. During that time take a quick shower, change into something comfortable, start your music and light your candles.

Tip 10--Relax and Enjoy your Friends: Last minute dinners can make for the best of times for everyone. So cherish them and their memories.

Gera Richardson Loves to entertain with family and friends. She is a gourmet chef and is currently developing commentaries on good food, parties and entertainment. Be on the look out for them.

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4 Tips For A Perfect Dinner Party

4 Tips For A Perfect Dinner Party

By Cat Morgan

Top Tips for Planning a Dinner Party

There are several things to keep in mind when hosting an event in your home to ensure that your guests have a pleasant and memorable experience.

The first deals with menu planning. Be sure you've checked with your guests concerning any possible food allergies, whether they are vegetarians, and their food preferences. You'd hate to serve salmon to someone who detests fish! And serving nuts to a guest with an allergy to them could cause a reaction, and possibly a serious medical problem.

Plan a do-ahead menu, with minimal last-minute preparation, so that you can be a guest at your own party! Prepare one or more dishes a day or two ahead. Your guests will be more relaxed if the hostess doesn't spend the evening in the kitchen, and you'll enjoy it, too. Spending time with your guests is every bit as important as serving them a delicious meal and providing an inviting environment!

Consideration should also be given to the table decor. Using flowers or candles with a very strong smell can actually compete with the flavor of the food, or even irritate a guest who has a sensitivity to smell. For instance, star lilies in a centerpiece for the dining room might be inadvisable because of their intense aroma, although they may work in a centerpiece for an outdoor table. To be safe, use unscented candles and fragrance-free flowers.

A beautiful and enchanting centerpiece can become an impediment if the height prevents your guests from seeing over it. Be sure to keep your centerpiece at a maximum height of 16" to keep the conversation flowing!

When making a fresh flower arrangement for your table, be sure to strip all leaves and thorns off flower stems that will be under water to keep bacteria from growing. I have found that if I keep an arrangement in the refrigerator and change the water every few days, a centerpiece can last a few weeks (especially roses).

Don't underestimate the time it takes to set the perfect table. If you set the table the day before your event, you'll have plenty of time to look at it several times and make any necessary adjustments to it.

Letting your guests serve themselves from a buffet table will allow them to choose the dishes and the size portion that suits them, and food is less likely to be wasted. They'll also be more comfortable going back for seconds! However, rather than stacking the dinner plates, napkins and silverware on the buffet table, setting the dinner tables with them will create a more beautiful atmosphere.

Cat Morgan loves to find Home Entertaining Ideas on the Internet. One of her favorite sites has lots of party ideas, including complete menu plans for entertaining at home, centerpieces and table settings, and more at SimplyEntertainingAtHome com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cat_Morgan


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How to Entertain and Still Enjoy Yourself

How to Entertain and Still Enjoy Yourself

By Sara D Voca

Who doesn't love a party? Any chance to get friends together to have a laugh, while eating good food and sharing a glass of something, has to be one of life's ultimate pleasures. But for the occasion to be one everyone talks about, there is (like anything successful!) a bit of planning that needs to be done before hand.

Why are we partying?

What's the occasion? Is it something special or a 'just because'? Deciding why you are having the event and what you want everyone to feel while under your spell is probably the biggest tip I could give you. Like anything, determining an end goal and reason will help with the planning. Do you want a few close friends for an intimate get together, elegant and dressy, or perhaps it is a toddler's birthday party with family & friends?

Where is it?

Once you have established the 'why' we move on to the what. Appetizers with cocktails, a family picnic or perhaps a Sunday roast with close friends? There are so many ideas to play with. Be creative and if the event allows think about unusual places that would add that extra dimension to your party. This will also help with the 'when' part of the party mix

How much?

This is a another biggie and easily overlooked. Once you have established the why and the what, you'll need to work out a budget. This can sometime be a bit of a reality check with some people, as entertaining can be very expensive. It doesn't have to be and this is where a budget will help determine the food and drinks you will serve. Will it be ten to a 4 course meal or ten to cocktails and hor d'oeuvres? Also think about a theme as decorating the table or venue will need to be included. Will you need invitations or will an email do? Will you want wait staff or can you do it all.

Finishing touches

So invitations have been sent and your day is drawing near, make sure you have allowed enough time to clean if necessary - don't leave this to the day of the event, you will be too busy getting the food ready and doing last minute touches to the decorations.

Don't be put off with all the things you need to do 'winging it' just doesn't cut it. A well organised and thought out event will mean less stress, and less chance something will go wrong. Even if there is a last minute problem you will be much better equipped to deal with it.

Discover one of Sara's favourite party ideas here http://margaritaville-machine.blogspot.com/. You'll find reviews and how to buy at the cheapest prices on the web here http://margaritaville-machine.blogspot.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_D_Voca


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Working on...Any Last-Minute Holiday Decorating/Party Stories? Celebrity Event-Planners Ranee Bartolacci-Meir and Mark Masone Share Their Expert Tips!

‘Tis the season for countless celebrations…don’t let the stresses of holiday party-planning turn you into a Grinch— Celebrity Floral and Event Designer Mark Masone of Flowers by Topaz and Celebrity Event Planner Ranee Bartolacci-Meir of Insignia Productions are available to share their tips for last-minute party-planning for the holiday season!






FROM MARK MASONE—

· Use what you have! For winter-pretty floral arrangements, bring in outdoor elements and incorporate birch branches, white pine branches and white roses in the arrangements. Love the look of classic poinsettias? Accent the look with rhinestones or with glitter curly-sticks, which can be included in with the plant.

· Any easy way to create a modern flair, forget the typical red-and-green color scheme of the season and embrace different colors, such as plaid, silver, white and jewel tones.

· Remember the little touches that make an event special and unique.



FROM RANEE BARTOLACCI-MEIR—

· Personalize with a theme and carry it throughout. Not only will it make your event memorable but you will have the perfect starting point for the rest of your planning process. Remember: every detail counts— from the invitation, which will set the stage for your fête, to a truly memorable favor that will bring back memories of that special celebration for your guests.

· Every party should possess that Wow! Factor, an aspect of the event that surprises and delights your guests.

· Be a gracious and fun host. Meet-and-greet your guests and thank them for coming. Let them know how happy you are that they attended and that they have made your night special. Toast them! And remember, it is important to not be a nervous wreck and have fun. If the host is overwhelmed, then the guests will notice and that’s no fun. Dance and have a great time and let the event flow.









ABOUT FLOWERS BY TOPAZ: Flowers by Topaz boasts an impressive catalog of resources to assist in making any event a memorable success: from silks and custom fresh arrangements, to plush stuffed animals and plants, even personalized gourmet gift baskets for every day celebrations. Mark and the Flowers by Topaz team manages each event from beginning-to-end— attending each meeting, ensuring that the chosen theme is carried throughout all aspects of the event and each component is meticulously planned, placing absolute focus on even the smallest of details. Flowers by Topaz offers clients an array of packages to fit the needs and budgets of its clients— specialty services include: contemporary, traditional and custom fresh floral arrangements, plants, European dish gardens, silk arrangements, dried floral arrangements, weddings, gourmet gift baskets, greeting cards, candles, linen rentals, chair covers, invitations and furniture rentals. For further information, please visit www.flowersbytopaz.com.



ABOUT INSIGNIA PRODUCTIONS: A luxury full-service event-planning firm, Insignia Productions specializes in intricate and inspired design, customized planning and the logistical production of all event types and sizes – from professional meetings and conferences to weddings and birthday bashes – based in New York City, the Hamptons and Los Angeles. Insignia Productions Owner, Ranee Bartolacci-Meir builds a personal relationship with every client, making certain that he/she is granted the necessary level of attention. With her team, Ranee ensures that the chosen theme is carried throughout all aspects of the event and each component is meticulously planned, absolute focus is placed on even the smallest of details. Ranee’s uniquely hands-on approach allows her insight into each client’s personality, resulting in events that are carefully-crafted according to the client’s wishes, tastes and style. With an extensive background in New York City’s event-planning industry, Ranee established Insignia Productions in 2008, inspired by her passion for working one-on-one with clients, helping to celebrate milestones and create memories. Past events include a pre-Oscar’s lunch with legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino to celebrate his eight-time Academy Award-nominated film, Inglourious Basterds. For further information, please visit wwww.insigniaproductions.com.

ShesDaily.com

Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only and it is courtesy of PR

LWC - 3 Favorite Christmas Martinis

Lisa's Weekly Coffee
3 Favorite Christmas Martinis






Red Hot Santa -Tini source: theboxhouston.com

1. Rim a martini glass with cocoa powder with a pinch of cayenne pepper added.
2. Shake together 2 oz. Mazama vodka and 2 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur and pour into glass.
3. Top with 1 1/2 oz. sweetened whipped cream.
4. Garnish the cream with a small Thai chili pepper.

Christmas Martini source: mr-booze.com

• 3 oz Gin or Vodka (I prefer gin)
• ½ oz Dry Vermouth
• 2 capfuls Peppermint Schnapps

Shake with ice ‘til North Pole cold, strain into one of those Christmas Martini glasses you picked up on sale last year and garnish with a peppermint stick or candy cane.

Mistletoe Martini source: thatsthespirit.com

Ingredients:

3/4 oz lemon juice

3 or 4 ice cubes

3 tsp sugar

3 oz chilled cranberry herbal tea

2 oz orange juice

2 oz vodka

Mixing instructions:
Place ice cubes in martini shaker and add all the ingredients. Close the shaker and shake. Strain into two martini glasses. Garnish and enjoy.

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Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only. Credit has been given to the appropriate site for each recipe. Image source google and may or may not reflect the actual recipe.

LWC - Christmas Cocktail: Santa's Hat

Lisa's Weekly Coffee

Christmas Cocktail: Santa's Hat
Santa's Hat makes a fun and festive Holiday cocktail. I just love the Cranberry juice together with the rum and grenadine in this drink it's a perfect combination of sweetness and tart. The glass rim coated with coconut flakes is simply a magical sweetness.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 Teaspoon water
• 1/4 Cup sweetened, flaked coconut
• 3 oz. red cranberry juice
• 1 oz. Malibu Rum
• 1/2 oz. grenadine
• 1 candy cane

Directions

• Mix together powdered sugar and water until smooth.
• Fold a paper towel into a 4-inch square and lay it on a saucer.
• Spread the powdered sugar mixture on top of the towel on the saucer.
• Spread coconut in a shallow layer on another saucer.
• Dip the rim of a Martini glass in the sugar mixture on the towel until the rim is coated.
• Then, dip the sugared rim into the coconut. Use a spoon to pack the coconut on to the sugar coating so it stays on the rim.
• Add the cranberry juice, Malibu rum and grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake and strain into a prepared Martini glass and serve.
• Garnish with a candy cane. Break off the top hook of the candy cane if desired.

ShesDaily.com

Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only and recipe adapted at celebrations.com. Image source google and may or ma not reflect the actual recipe.

LWC - White Christmas or White Chocolate Truffles

Lisa's Weekly Coffee
White Chocolate Truffles
When I see truffles umm ummm good. They make an elegant dessert, perfect for the Holidays!

6 squares (6 oz.) white chocolate

8 oz. pecans, about 2 cups

1 C. finely ground vanilla wafer crumbs

1/3 C. Grand Marnier or orange liqueur

finely grated peel of 1 orange

powdered sugar


Melt chocolate in microwave or in top of a double boiler. Grind pecans in a food processor. Stir into melted chocolate. Add 1 cup crumbs, liqueur and peel. Mix well.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 week before serving, so flavors blend.

Truffles will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks

ShesDaily.com

Disclosure: the above recipe adapted by thatsmyhome.com. Image doesn't reflect actual recipe

LWC - One Chic Holiday Cocktail "Basil Gimlet"

Lisa's Weekly Coffee
By Lisa Sandrino

The Basil Gimlet

Are you looking to entertain with a delicious and refreshing cocktail? Looking for something unique or maybe something chic? Well I've found the perfect cocktail ideal for all your entertaining events, a cocktail your friends and family will enjoy and remember: The Basil Gimlet.

Enjoy basil leaves infused with gin and agave nectar and a touch of lime. I simply love it's white frost, it reminds me very much of snow therefore Winter and it's obvious that it does make it "The Chic" drink to serve during the Holiday Season!


Ingredients:
5 fresh basil leaves
2 oz Plymouth Gin
1/2 oz agave nectar
3/4 oz fresh lime juice

In a pint glass, muddle fresh basil, agave nectar, and lime juice. Add ice and gin. Shake vigorously and strain into stemmed glass. Garnish with fresh basil leaf. Created by Rye on the Road, San Francisco, CA

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Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only. Recipe adapted by Delish.com. Image source Google.

Entertain in Style- Let Flowers by Topaz's Mark Masone Show You How

Entertain in Style—

Let Flowers by Topaz’s Mark Masone show you how!

Event planner, florist and decorating guru— from New York City to the Hamptons, Mark Masone is the go-to for any special occasion, day or night. From intimate dinner parties and anniversaries, to over-the-top weddings and premiere fêtes, Mark and Flowers by Topaz provide a one-stop source for everything events. As the leaves change hues and holiday decorations go up, the season brings beautiful bursts of color. Mark shows you hope to bring a stylish send of that seasonal flair into your home…

EVERYDAY STYLE— Bring that autumn feel inside! Purchase bunches of preserved or silk fall leaves and group them in various spots throughout your home. For a chic, yet easy autumn centerpiece, no matter the occasion, place a low vase of flowers in fall-favorite shades (e.g., Orange Gerber Daises, Brown Mums and Red Roses), accented by fall leaves, on your dining room table or coffee table, and voila! the perfect fall centerpiece.

NATURAL CHIC— Try something different this season with modern, au naturale on a classic floral arrangement! Bring together your favorite flowers and the season’s natural branches together for a strikingly chic look: a manzania tree with some green orchids attached to the branches and flowers in fall-friendly shades underneath make for the perfect anytime centerpiece.

THE DINNER PARTY—A cocktail fête, Thanksgiving dinner or birthday bash, dress up your decorations this season with autumnal flair. Place groupings of fall leaves with mini pumpkins and small gourds throughout your home, and add vases of Orange Roses and Brown Hypericum Berries for beautiful centerpieces that your guests will want to take home.

Don’t forget the linens! Colored linens and napkins can transform a table from ordinary to stunning. Using the colors of fall, put down a dark chocolate brown overlay with gold napkins, scatter rose petals in red and orange and add some pillar candles to create a beautiful and intimate table setting.

AN AUTUMN-PERFECT WEDDING— Choosing the colors for your wedding is one of the first (and most important!) steps in your planning…celebrate your special day with the warm hues of fall! The rich reds, oranges, greens and browns of the seasons make your walk down the aisle unforgettable.

ABOUT FLOWERS BY TOPAZ: Flowers by Topaz boasts an impressive catalog of resources to assist in making any event a memorable success: from silks and custom fresh arrangements, to plush stuffed animals and plants, even personalized gourmet gift baskets for every day celebrations. Mark and the Flowers by Topaz team manages each event from beginning-to-end— attending each meeting, ensuring that the chosen theme is carried throughout all aspects of the event and each component is meticulously planned, placing absolute focus on even the smallest of details. Flowers by Topaz offers clients an array of packages to fit the needs and budgets of its clients— specialty services include: contemporary, traditional and custom fresh floral arrangements, plants, European dish gardens, silk arrangements, dried floral arrangements, weddings, gourmet gift baskets, greeting cards, candles, linen rentals, chair covers, invitations and furniture rentals. For further information, please visit www.flowersbytopaz.com.

ShesDaily.com

Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only and it is courtesy of PR

LWC- Grape Cocktails

Lisa's Weekly Coffee
By Lisa Sandrino
Grape Cocktails

Grapes are in Season and I found these awesome grape cocktails that are deliciously sparkling! Invite your friends for an afternoon cocktail party serve delicious and fun appetizers and toast to your friendship with these amazing drinks.

Grape Champagne Cocktails source: annesfood.blogspot.com
Serves 6

2 large oranges
125 ml (1/2 cup) sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
350 ml vodka
2,5 dl (1 cup) seedless grapes + 18 to decorate
150 ml grape juice
1 bottle (750 ml) of champagne or other sparkling wine (I used Bonnaire champagne)

Preheat the oven to 125°C. Finely grate the peel of the oranges, put that on a baking sheet and dry for about half an hour in the oven. It might take a little longer, but watch it so it doesn't burn. Let the peel cool, and mix with sugar and cinnamon. Mash together well. (I used aFlavour Shaker for this - and it worked out quite nicely.) Cover with plastic and set aside - this keeps for a long time if you have it in a tightly sealed jar. And save one orange for moistening the glasses!

Mix the vodka and the grapes in a jug, and mash the grapes well. (I used an immersion blender to crush them.) Add the grape juice, and chill until really cold. (Overnight is great.)

When your guests are on their way, moisten the rims of your glasses with the reserved orange, and dip in the flavored sugar. Thread the reserved 18 grapes on toothpicks (three on each) and put in the glasses.

Grape Escape source: liquor.com

• 2 oz Bulldog Gin
• 1 Kiwi, peeled and quartered
• 5-7 Red grapes
• .25 oz Lime juice
• 1 oz Simple syrup
• Mint sprig

Garnish: Mint leaf and a sliced grape

Glass: Martini

Grape-Tini Source: baronedrinks.com

1 oz. Grape Juice White (more Grape Juice drinks)
1 oz. Idol Vodka (more Idol Vodka drinks)
1/2 oz. Honey (more Honey drinks)
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice (more Lemon Juice drinks)

Instructions

Rim a martini glass with sugar. Shake with ice and strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a grape.

ShesDaily.com

Disclosure: Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only. Credit has been given to the appropriate source of each recipe.Recipes adapted from quickcocktails.com.Image/s source google and image/s may or may not reflect the actual recipe.

LWC - Travel The World with a Cocktail

Lisa's Weekly Coffee
by Lisa sandrino

Travel The World with a Cocktail

No time for vacation?? Wouldn't it be fun to enjoy a delgihtful cocktail from a foreign city without leaving home? Now you can with these 7 fun and easy cocktails I've chosen out of many wonderful cities in the World.
Barcelona - Capri - Havana- Manhattan- Miami - Roma - San Francisco

Barcelona

1 shot of Brady

0.5 shot of Licor 43

2 shots of Sweet Sherry

0.3 shots of lemonade

Add to ice-filled glass
Garnish: Slice of Seville orange speared with cherry, and paper parasol

Capri

0.75 ounce of Banana Liqueur

0.75 ounce of Cream

0.75 ounce of White Cream de Cacao

Shake well with cracked ice. Strain into old fashioned glass over ice cubes.






Havana

0.75 ounce of Light Rum

0.5 teaspoon of Lemon Juice

1.5 ounces of Pineapple Juice Shake well with cracked ice. Strain into cocktail glass. Manhattan 1 shot of Rosse Vermouth 2 shots of Whiskey Shake briefly with a glassful of crushed ice and pour unstrained. Garnish: Cherry on a stick

Miami

1 ounce of Cointreu

1 ounce of Rum

3 dashs of Lemon juice

Shake well with cracked ice. Strain into cocktail glass.







Roma

2.5 ounces of Gin

1 tablespoon of Amaro

1 tablespoon of Strega Shake well with cracked ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

San Francisco

1 dash of Angostura Bitters

0.75 ounce of Dry Vermouth

0.75 ounce of Sloe Gin

0.75 ounce of Sweet Vermouth

1 dash of Orange Bitters

Shake well with cracked ice. Strain into cocktail glass.

ShesDaily.com

Disclosure: Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only. Credit has been given to the appropriate source of each recipe.Recipes adapted from quickcocktails.com.Image/s source google and image/s may or may not reflect the actual recipe.