Party Blog
A Guy’s Guide to Valentine’s Day
Okay, romantic ideas are a dime a dozen, and all the Valentine’s Day gift ideas – chocolate, roses, monster trucks – are much overdone. I’m no Martha Stewart or Supermom (first of all, I’m a guy), and Cosmo magazine pretty well cornered the market on “what to give him for Valentine’s Day.” You guys all…
Read MoreJ.D. Salinger, the First Emo Kid and a Twilight Party
I just heard that J.D. Salinger died today, at 91 of natural causes. Ever since I first read the book in the late 1980’s (and yeah, I was the typical mopey teenager), I’ve always been wondering if I would miss the news of his death, since, well, there never is any news about this reclusive…
Read MoreCool Winter Party Snack: Have a Hot Chocolate Bar
Gourmet hot chocolate is a “hot” party snack at cool gatherings. Every chocolate maker puts his or her own spin on the beverage, and you can buy decadent versions of “Wicked Hot Chocolate” at Jacques Torres in New York, or Black Sipping Chocolate at Norman Love Chocolates in Fort Myers, Florida. And, there are hundreds…
Read MoreThrow an Olympics Party
An Olympics Party occasion only comes around once every two years. The infrequency makes it something special, and different. Also, because Olympics parties aren’t something that people routinely attend, they have few expectations about them, and are bound to have fun. Olympics Opening Ceremony Party The opening ceremonies are a great time to have a…
Read MoreDecorating for Your Super Bowl Party
Football-themed decorations make a Super Bowl party different from your average Sunday afternoon game-watching get together. There are many different sports-themed decorations available, from football shaped lights to hang around the kitchen, to streamers and flags that look like footballs, and even helium balloons that are shaped like footballs. Stock up before these decorations are…
Read MoreSuper Bowl Party Snacks
Serve super snacks at your Super Bowl party! Here are some goodies that always get gobbled up at Katie’s parties. A few have been served at family gatherings for well over 30 years. (Before Katie could even eat them!) Hot Dried Beef Dip Definitely a dip for a guy’s guy, but ladies love it too,…
Read MoreBirthday Parties Served Every Day!
My daughter just loves birthdays, and she always asks if somebody else is having one. I’ve seen her serve pretend cake to her stuffed animals, and she has the full compliment of toy dishes, fruits, toast and other food for her kitchen, so I thought, “I wonder if somebody sells a cake toy?” A quick…
Read MoreIce Cube, Right Ahead! Gin and Titonic Trays
Hard a’starboard! No, the other starboard! Aaaaargh! Well, at least this ship is UNSINKABLE. And on the bright side, we won’t have to worry about running out of ice while serving the oyster martinis and beluga caviar. For your next party, try the gin & titonic ice cube tray set. It’s perfect for your next…
Read MoreWatch Out, Little Pooch – It’s National Dress Up Your Pet Day!
Yup, there’s a celebration for everything! January 14th is National Dress up Your Pet Day! All dogs and cats (and pigs too), RUN! Run for your life! Oh, sure, my 3 year old daughter would LOOOOVE this holiday – she tries to dress her “cousin” Bacardi (a mini pin) all the time – when she’s…
Read MoreTime for a January Backyard BBQ!
That’s it, I’ve had enough of winter! Christmas is over, the bills are coming in, and the tree is gone. It’s all so chilly and depressing here – and where I live, winter isn’t even half way over. Luckily, every few years, there’s a week in January known as the “Pinapple Express,” where a warm…
Read More