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You don’t need to be a gourmet cook to do this.  A simple and delicious home cooked meal can be made by you or it can be ordered from a trusted store.   

Take into consideration these tips when planning a home-made romantic dinner. 

It is very important that the ingredients should be the best of its kind.  You can make a simple roast chicken but get the freshest one you can find.  The salad should be crisp and the dressing made of the best extra virgin olive oil available.   The vegetables should be fresh, organic, and cooked to tender perfection.  Make sure you buy a bottle of wine.  It need not be expensive, but it should complement the meal.  Ask advice from your local wine merchant on what beverage would best suit your meal and your budget.  

Don’t forget the dessert.  Whether it’s a pie or a cake, if you can’t make it yourself, buy it from the best bakery in town.  Almost every city has specialty shops where good food can be bought, so there is no excuse for not serving a delicious and beautifully presented meal.

You may bring out your nice plain table cloth and set up a creative tablescape.  Go for a theme or motif, such as reds or whites, garden, or Japanese, safari or whatever—it’s up to you.  Get creative and work with what you have.  Set up your finest china and silverware.  It’s about time you use them. 

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If you both wish, end the dinner with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and cake. 

There is no better time for a get together with a few good friends than the evening you spend decorating the tree. Spirits are naturally high with anticipation, and the excitement and laughter of the occasion puts everyone in a party mood.

If you wonder how you could possibly decorate a tree and serve dinner on the same evening, the answer is easy. Let your guests help themselves to the food you have prepared ahead of time. Just serve lots of finger foods instead of a large sit down meal.

Here is a simple appetizer that will make a great hit at your tree trimming party.

Cheese Tree

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package extra sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 (8 ounce) package medium Cheddar cheese, shredded

¼ cup grated onion

½ cup mayonnaise

½ teaspoon red pepper

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

Fresh cranberries

Combine the first 5 ingredients, mixing them well. Shape this mixture into a cone shape. Press chopped parsley onto the tree to cover all the surface areas. Place cranberries on the tree as ornaments. Serve this with crackers.

Or try these:

Christmas Fortune Cookies

Ingredients:

1 pound butter, softened

1 cup sugar

6 cups all purpose flour

Royal icing

Cream the butter, gradually adding the sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the flour to the creamed mixture, mixing well.

Working with a small amount of dough at a time, roll the dough out on an unfloured board to 1/8 inch thickness, using a floured rolling pin. Cut out the shapes with a 2 ½ inch doughnut cutter, reserving the centers. Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and re-roll the holes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, until lightly brown.

Prepare the fortunes on 4 x 1 inch strips of paper. Fold the paper strips in half lengthwise and set aside.

Prepare a decorating bag with green icing and a metal decorating tip #75. Prepare another decorating bag with red icing and tip #3. Pipe the green leaves using tip #75 on top of half the cookies. Pipe small holly berries around the leaves using red icing and metal tip #3. Pipe bows on the cookies using red icing and tip #3. Set the cookies aside to dry.

Pipe a small strip of red icing at the top and bottom of the back side of the remaining cookies. Lay a fortune across the center of the cookies, not touching the icing. Top with decorated cookies, top side up. Set the cookies aside to dry.

To Make The Royal Icing:

3 egg whites

½ teaspoon cream of tartar

1 package powdered sugar

Red and green food coloring

Combine the egg whites and the cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until begins to look frothy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and blend well. Beat this mixture for 4 – 5 minutes. Color about one-fourth of the icing red, and color the remaining icing green. This icing dries very quickly, so keep it covered.

After trying your hand at these two recipes, you will have no problem making other quick and easy foods to serve as your guests enjoy themselves decorating your tree.

1) Coupon Defense. Start clipping for your favorite party foods. Many brands are offering special Super Bowl related discounts whether it’s a dollar or two off or buy one get the another free. This will help you in the chips, dips and soda department. Also ice cream shops like Cold Stone Creamery and Carvel have coupons for Super Bowl themed ice cream cakes.

 2)In The Club This the time to dig out your BJ’s or Costco cards If you don’t have a card apply now.. You can buy huge quantities of everything, from wings to soda to paper towels at these bargain superstores. They are perfect if you’re planning a large get together of thirty to forty guests. You can even have platters and cakes made up as well and for a much cheaper price than your grocery store. Buy in shifts with the paper and plastics items first. As we get closer to the game, then start adding the food stuffs to your arsenal

3)Team help .Let family and friends help you. Since you’re hosting you can make the main dish whether it’s burgers or wings but let everyone else bring the sides and desserts. Assign certain dishes if you want to avoid duplicates or too much of a one particular thing. Also let guests make their specialties too. It’ll be a fun way to both show off and chip in.

 4)Outside Interference. Surprisingly enough you can get a bargain feast at some fast food outlets. Popeye‘s always has Super Bowl Deals that feature a generous portion of chicken along with yummy sides and a dessert. Then there is Wing Zone which offers you an array of flavors from teriyaki to hot barbecue to honey wings all for low prices. Again this comes with extras. Also check your local pizzerias too which always have a Super Bowl platter for a good price. Most of these whether national or privately owned restaurants also throw in sodas along with napkins and utensils.

 5)Cut back, cut back, way back. You don’t have t have a lavish spread every year. Make 2010 the year where simplicity rules. A good idea is to make just one thing whether sliders or wings and leave it at that. Nix the more expensive dishes like shrimp and sliced London broil. Also skip snacks if you’re serving heartier fare. All those bags of pretzels and chips won’t be eaten anyway if your guests are stuffing themselves on hot wings and beer.

 6)Theme scheme – Instead of sticking with varied cuisines like a mix of Chinese Mexican or Italian Southern, just aim for one type of ethnic food. You could go just hot dogs and hamburgers with beer and soda. You could make a heaping bowl of spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread for a smaller crowd while a larger one might appreciate do it yourself tacos.

 7) BYOF- Bring Your Own Food. Have everyone bring their favorite sandwiches of choice. It saves on you buying a variety of cold cuts and breads and is actually less messier to clean up. I t also spares you from guessing about what everyone likes and also eliminates the need to go running out for more popular fillings like roast beef and meat balls. Supply soda and snacks if you don’t want to look too cheap.

 You don’t have to go all out on a Super Bowl party if you don’t have the money. You can be both cost conscious and gracious. Any host or hostess can still squeeze out a good time while squeezing dollars. It’s easy and can even be as fun as the halftime extravaganza!

Fortune Cookie Favors

Pass out these unique “fortune cookies” to your guests as unique party favors.  Cut a large circle (six-inch diameter or slightly smaller) from red or gold metallic wrapping paper, then roll into a tube and glue in place.  Fold the tube at the center, creating a bend or curve similar to a fortune cookie’s shape. 

Write your “fortunes” on slips of decorative white paper, predicting everything from love to financial success — or a few inside jokes between you and your guests. Slip the finished fortunes, one each, into your “cookies” and pile decoratively on a platter with an invitation for each guest to take one.

Sweet and Spicy Menu

Prepare some sweet and savory finger foods inspired by Asian favorites.  Make mini egg rolls by chopping cabbage, carrots, and cooked beef into tiny pieces, then saute with soy sauce and white ginger to taste.  Cut won ton wraps into fourths and place a spoonful into each — roll them up, tucking the ends close carefully, then fry until crispy and golden.

For a chicken dish sure to be loved even by picky eaters, dip pieces of white chicken in melted butter, then roll in flour and pepper and fry until golden.  Layer the chicken over a bed of plain or flavored rice. Cookie honey and dried garlic (seasoned to taste) and drizzle over the chicken and rice.

Asian-Themed Table

Asian-themed fabrics, like vintage kimono panels, are easy to find online or through ethnic-inspired brands.  A long kimono-style panel makes a perfect table runner for a New Year’s buffet, with smaller pieces perfect for place mats.

For a centerpiece, draw on the favorite Chinese firework displays by cutting thin strips of shiny metallic paper and forming “pom poms” glued to wooden towels or skewers.  Place the finished “firework wands” in a jar or vase in the center of the table — large displays can also double as party favors.

Create your own Chinese New Year concepts by adapting your favorite aspects of the ethnic holiday into easy party concepts perfect for entertaining your guests.

Your Local Deli

Before we get into some of the best finger food recipes here’s a very helpful tip that will get you started: your local deli can be your best friend when it comes to finger foods because many of the finger food recipes used will come from your deli.  The reason we choose the deli is because most everything is pre-made.  You either have to set it out or cook and serve it.  If you’ve avoided your deli beforehand it’s time you took to this remarkable section of the grocery store.

The Veggie Platter

A party time classic, the veggie platter, available with an array of dressings and a variety of vegetables, is always appreciated.  Everyone will dip into fun with carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, miniature bell peppers, sweet peas, etc.  This simple finger food recipe takes minutes to prepare (especially if you buy a pre-made veggie platter at the store).  The veggie platter can go fast so be sure you have plenty.

Kalamata Olives

At one point olives were literally the finger food choice for kids as they literally plopped black olives on all five fingers before eating, now, as adults, you can enjoy the rich taste of Kalamata olives.  This tasteful finger food recipe only requires a jar of Kalamata olives (which will be found at the deli) and some classy cocktail toothpicks.  If you’re all about presentation set these delectable treats on a bed of leaves, stick the olives with your toothpicks and set out for friends and family to enjoy.

Jalapeno Chili Poppers

To really spice up your evening try jalapeno chili poppers baked fresh.  This particular finger food recipe can be found at your deli or in the freezer section.  Add variety by serving mild and spicy.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are a straightforward finger food recipe to make and your guests will be asking you for the recipe by the end of the night.  Simply wash your mushrooms and remove the stem which is then diced and sautéed in butter, minced garlic and a touch of parsley.  Stuff your mushroom caps with your cooked stems sprinkling grated cheese (your choice) over the top.  Broil until cheese melts then serve.  For a variety use different grated cheeses or add some cooked meat into the mixture of sautéed stems.

While it’s considerate to have a main course at your party your guests will enjoy the array of appetizers you serve.  Play and create your own finger food recipes that your guests can enjoy.

For more useful information, please visit our website: THE KNOWLEDGE BASE, and look for the FOOD & DRINKS section.

In planning the menu for cocktail parties you have to take into account that everyone will be standing up. Of course, you may have lots of room with ample space for guests to sit, but very few do. Part of the fun of a cocktail party is the mingling. For a small informal party, you can serve any hors-d’oeuvre that can be eaten in the hand, including food on skewers or even food cooked during the party, such as fondue. Try to strike a balance between shapes and flavors, just as if you were planning a dinner menu. One dish on skewers or picks is enough; do not have everything stuffed or ground or mixed with olives or made with cheese.

For informal occasions, make soft pates or other meat spreads and serve them in mounds, sprinkled with a garnish and surrounded by bread rounds, Melba toast or crackers. In this case, crackers will serve well; guest spread their own just before eating them, and they have no chance to become soggy. Of course, these spreads will not look like much as your party goes on, but they can start out looking impressive. How about a beautiful mound of poultry pate sprinkled with green pistachios and ringed with very thin rounds of dark rye bread? Or ham pate sprinkled with a mixture of chopped onion, black olives, parsley and grated lemon rind, with alternate narrow strips of white and whole wheat bread? Either tastes delicious with any sort of drink and serves as an excellent splasher.

Canapés are good, of course, and so are the tiny bite sized tarts; bake the tarts in muffin pans of 1 inch diameter. There is no met pie that cannot be adapted to a one bite serving, but be sure to use a pastry that is dry to the touch. Cream cheese pastry is good.

Another favorite today is cocktail frankfurters served with bowls of sauce. They are also good rolled in pastry or biscuit dough and baked. Try this idea with any meat mixture; spread it on biscuit dough, roll it into a narrow roll and slice; bake the little slices until the biscuit is done. If you make your own bread, you can use yeast bread dough, risen once, for these roll ups.

Stuffed mushrooms are especially nice for cocktail parties, and other stuffed vegetables are good too. You could serve a selection of stuffed vegetables.

Miniature pizzas made with meat are good, too. You can make your own quarter sized English muffing, or buy pizza dough mix and cut into small rounds or squares. Tomato and cheese are not the only fillings; add diced salami or other meat, a spoonful of chopped plum tomatoes, a crisscross of anchovies. This could be your household specialty.

When it comes to large cocktail parties, skip everything on skewers; they can stab innocent victims, and it is hard to know what to do with the empty skewer once the food is eaten. Also skip the mounds of spreads because, with a mob it is difficult for everyone to reach them. Have everything ready to pick up and eat without more ado. Unless you have help in the kitchen, do not try to serve hot dishes. To keep cold dishes from drying out, cover them with plastic wrap until you serve them. If your tidbits are suited to it, brush a layer of aspic over the tops to keep them looking fresh and prevent drying.

By planning you food in advance, you party, large or small, will surely be a success and have everyone leaving with a full stomach and a smile on their face.

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The bachelorette party has become a substitute or an addition to the traditional shower.  While the shower might feature older relatives and friends, the bachelorette party is for the “girls” a bride hangs out with. 

When planning bachelorette party, you should know that some of these events are of the “cakes and tea” variety.  Decorations will include pastel streamers and hearts.  The theme will be romantic and gifts may include household items that the bride will need if she is setting up a home for the first time.  In many ways, this kind of party is just a shower for the younger set.

Other times, planning bachelorette party will involve pampering the bride and her wedding party.  Perhaps an in home bridal make up demonstration will do the trick.  Other times, a trip to the spa for all of the guests makes for the perfect party.  In this case, gifts that reflect the luxurious nature of the day – soaps, perfumes, etc. – are most appropriate.

Some brides, picking up on the more decadent tastes of their male counterparts, will want a sex-themed party.  This may involve male strippers either as an at-home event or as a party to Chippendale’s.  If it is an at home party, themes and decorations may be quite crude.  Gifts, as well, can reflect the sexual nature of marriage and exotic lingerie is always welcome.

Other times, the “girls” go out to a bar for a last night out.  The bride will be given a checklist of events she must do that evening including kissing a man with the groom’s first name, getting a single guy’s phone number, and more.

Destination bridal showers are becoming popular as well.  When planning bachelor party away from home, consider what the bride wants.  Is she looking for the ultimate spa experience in Scottsdale, AZ, or is she wanting to party in Vegas?

But, as brides and grooms find that they don’t want “one last fling” as much as they want to celebrate their commitment to each other with both their male and female friends, you may find that planning bachelorette party involves the groom as well. 

The so called “Stag and Doe” or “Jack and Jill” parties involve all of the bridal couple’s friends.  They are also used as fundraisers for the wedding sometimes.

As far as finances go, you should never expect the bride to foot any of the bill.  The guests should chip in for her portion.  Considering that the guests must cover their own bill as well as a portion of the brides’ planning bridal party must keep a reasonable budget in mind.

It can be a lot of fun planning a bachelorette party.

A wedding bachelor party is a time to hang out with the guys and do the kinds of things that will be “off limits” once he gets hitched.  It’s the wedding bachelor party and not the ceremony itself that will be remembered by most guys.

Wedding bachelor parties are getting more elaborate these days.  What once was a poker game with a stripper or a trip to a steakhouse followed by a night at a strip club has morphed into weekend long road trips.  Could this be because people have more money to spend on the whole wedding “event?”  Or is it just in guys’ natures to compete with each other?

In either case, a wedding bachelor party now can mean going away for the weekend.  If you are a groomsman in on the planning of such an extended event, you may want to get help from the Bride for the planning.  For instance, if you are going to surprise your friend, the Bride can help with the planning and even swipe his passport if you are taking him out of the country.

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Perhaps no place is better suited for an “end of bachelorhood” event than Las Vegas.  Between the casinos and the topless shows, there’s something for every element of the bachelor party.  Consider going around an event such as the Superbowl or March Madness when you can take full advantage of the sports book.  And, as everyone knows, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

New Orleans at Marti Gras is another favorite place for a wedding bachelor party.  Debauchery is the name of the game and a bachelor party goes over well in this city.

If your buddy is athletic, consider a trip that he can be active on.  Whether it is a fishing trip in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico or a Ski weekend in Whistler, Canada, keep him busy doing something he loves.

On that same note, encourage him to do something that his wife to be might put off limits.  For instance, go skydiving or parasailing.  It’s an event he’ll remember long after he says “I do.”

Another thing to consider is taking him on a dream sporting events trip.  How about the New York Yankees meeting the Boston Red Socks?  Can you get tickets to a college Bowl game?  These kinds of events, paired with a great steak and a trip to a nudie bar, can be quite memorable for some time.

Whatever you do for your buddy for his wedding Bachelor party, make it fun and memorable.