Home Entertainment and Party Tips

Some great fun can be had at single gender bashes such as Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, Sports Parties and Bachelor Parties.

For the girls I must say that I myself have had problems with Diaper Cakes, I always associated the dessert with a used diaper and it ruined my appetite. You may want to consider using the cake as a novelty rather than putting it on the menu. There are factors to consider when it comes to the kind of cake and/or dessert that you want to serve at your event; looks and taste. For instance, a chiffon is a light textured cake that is perfect for the feminine figure and is not very filling. Be careful of fondant though, it may look beautiful but does not always deliver the taste that you might expect. As for sugarless cake, be careful of the kind of sugar substitute that is used. Strangely enough, if the cake looks good it usually tastes good. Do not forget cheesecake served with a large strawberry or some raspberries on the side.

For the guys, chocolate cake is usually a very popular treat. Over the years I have noticed that most of the chocolate cake served at my events were enjoyed by men. You can set out some bite sized pastries while your guests move around and socialize. Another favorite is chocolate covered pretzels. For an added extra you can serve a cheesecake drizzled with a fruit compote or fudge sauce and chopped nuts. A sugarless cake is also a good idea since many folks are trying to trim down or have a medical condition.

I want to include an extra bit of advice concerning beverages; keep club soda around. It helps with the digestion and prevents the palette from being overwhelmed with different kinds of food which can leave people with that blah feeling.  Have fun and eat sweet!

Written by Delightful Biteful

Stick where? In the minds of your guests of course. Have you ever entered a room, and looked around to develop an opinion of the situation, and then proceeded from there? That is what most of us do. Consider this when your guests arrive at your home. When people enter a room with soft lighting, they have an immediate impulse to relax. Folks in general are under a great deal of stress and your guests will thank you right away just for giving them a calm, safe place to spend some time, don’t forget to clean vigorously.

Deep textures and colors create a psychological buffer and make the room appear larger. For instance; Dark colored drapes add depth to a room, while plush pillows about four shades lighter (velvet is best), offer great comfort when sitting around socializing. You can see through body language that your guests are more at ease and the conversation becomes more interesting. Remember that you can find some lovely original paintings at your nearest gallery or art fair and compliment your decor. Once you buy a piece of art from an unknown artist, you become something of a patron of the arts and any piece in your home becomes a great opportunity for conversation.

As for dining, semi-formal gatherings can be a chance to put out your nicest dinner set without worrying about the fine china. Simple platters are usually light weight, easy to serve with and safe. Something like Denby Azure tableware is popular at semi-formal affairs.

Many people fail to realize that keeping a tray of food in the middle of the party area is important, even if the guests are not digging in. It establishes that the party is “On” and the guests are being served and well taken care of. This also contributes to a successful social climate. Keep refreshments close by and offer self service accommodations, this enables people to drink at their own pace without feeling as if they are putting you out.  If you think objectively, about the impression you would form as a guest entering your own party, and pursue your endeavor from there, then there is little chance of letting anyone down at your dig.