Party Planning
See it in the right light
Planning a party and don’t have time for a thorough house cleaning? Replace your regular light bulbs with low wattage bulbs, and use candles for “atmosphere.”
Bargain bandanas
To brighten your table and give it a Southwestern flair, use inexpensive bandannas as napkins. You’ll find them in a rainbow of colors in craft stores or the scarf department of discount stores. If you choose the polyester/cotton kind rather than all cotton, you’ll never need to iron. You can also sew bandannas together to make an easy, inexpensive tablecloth.
Pretty natural placards
For unusual place cards, use magnolia leaves or medium to large ivy leaves. Wash and dry the leaves, then write the guests’ names with a marker containing opaque white, gold, or silver ink.
Use glassware for candle holders
Need pretty holders for votive candles? Look again at your own glassware. A small sherbet bowl (the kind that stands on a low pedestal) makes a perfect votive candle holder. So does a sturdy wine or champagne glass. Put a teaspoon of water in the bottom of the bowl to keep the candle from sticking. To remove any remaining wax after the party, scrape the glass gently, and wash it with hot soapy water.
Save money with a fake cake
To save money on a wedding cake, have one layer of real cake and the rest decorated Styrofoam. After cutting the cake for the traditional photographs, ask the servers to roll it back into the kitchen. Have sheet cakes waiting to be cut and served. Sheet cakes are much less expensive than tiered cakes and will serve a crowd neatly and easily.
Remember the times of your life
If you are hosting a special party for someone and want to give a gift that is inexpensive but effective, consider a “memory canvas.” At a craft store, buy an inexpensive piece of canvas board. Using craft paints, paint the canvas board a pale color, and add a scene or designs around the border. Paint the words “Happy Birthday” or whatever is appropriate. Then, during the party, let each guest use a fine-tipped permanent marker to sign or write a special message on the canvas for the guest of honor. After the party, the honoree has a wonderful memento of the occasion.
Urn your keep
If you have a large coffee urn for serving big groups, always store it with the spigots open to prevent the handles from sticking. Wash it thoroughly before storing it.
Fan away flies
Don’t let a party on your deck or patio be ruined by pesky flies, gnats, or mosquitoes. Borrow or invest in a portable electric fan. Aimed at the center of the party action, a fan will cool the area while it discourages flying insects. A second fan aimed at the same area from another direction will help even more.
© FCA Publishing
