Holidays Information

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!


MORE RESOURCES:

Jakarta Post

Queen Latifah Ready to Shed Holiday Pounds
People Magazine - 16 hours ago
"I'm glad I re-signed [with Jenny Craig] because I had a little fun over the holidays, as most people do," says Latifah, 38, who announced this month that ...
The 35th People's Choice Awards With Queen Latifah eFluxMedia
all 650 news articles


WSAV-TV

GSP estimates right on for traffic deaths, accidents during holidays
News-Reporter, GA - 10 hours ago
The New Year's holiday travel period ended at midnight Sunday with 20 traffic deaths reported to the Georgia State Patrol over the 102-hour period. ...
GSP: 16 killed in holiday travel period Cedartown Standard
GSP reports 11 deaths statewide over holiday Cedartown Standard
all 93 news articles


DUI arrests up during recent holiday period
MSNBC - 12 hours ago
Arrests of allegedly intoxicated drivers over the holiday period ending Jan. 1 were up in most north state communities compared to 2007. ...
Police double DUI arrests over holidays Bristol Press
all 13 news articles


Snow trumps recession over holidays for resorts
Denver Post, CO - 42 minutes ago
By Elizabeth Aguilera Great snow lured more skiers and snowboarders this past holiday season to resorts than the previous season despite the economic ...
State's ski resorts had good holiday season, report says Daily Mail - Charleston
US Ski Resorts Buck Economic Trend Through Holidays First Tracks
all 5 news articles


Holiday DUIs, accidents rise in local towns
Meriden Record-Journal, CT - 3 hours ago
Drunken driving arrests and accidents were up over the last two weeks compared to 2007's holiday season, according to statistics released from Connecticut ...


HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Holidays sort out contenders
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 12 minutes ago
By Glenn Lafollette, Rob Morton State championships are not won in December, but holiday tournaments often provide glimpses of what to expect when high ...


Nonprofit donations steady, even up, during holidays, but demand ...
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 2 hours ago
But at Valley Churches United Missions this holiday season, cash donations were up more than $25000 over last year. "It shows you what happens in situations ...


Recession, bad weather pummel Trans World's holidays
Schenectady Gazette, NY - 15 hours ago
By James Schlett (Contact) GUILDERLAND — The holiday season opened a Pandora’s box at Trans World Entertainment, which saw sales during that period take a ...
Trans World holiday sales plunge on economy, weather Video Business (subscription)
Sales stall at Trans World Albany Times Union
all 24 news articles


Online Glitches Plagued One-Third Of Holiday Shoppers
InformationWeek, NY - 1 hour ago
By KC Jones During the slow holiday shopping season, 36% of people who shopped online encountered obstacles as they tried to buy gifts, according to a ...


Big Brothers Big Sisters Bring Holiday Magic To Children's Lives
The Manchester Times, NJ - 12 hours ago
By Keith Hagarty What is normally your typical upscale banquet facility and restaurant/ lounge was transformed into a child's holiday delight when La Bove ...

Holidays - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006