Thursday, December 30, 2010

Easy New Year's Eve Party Ideas


Real Simple keeps it super simple with great New Year's Eve party ideas

Plan Games:
Make light of New Year’s resolutions by turning them into a guessing game. Give partygoers cards (download the New Year Playing Cards) and have guests finish the sentences with hopeful wishes―or tongue-in-cheek witticisms. Gather the cards, read them aloud randomly, then let the gang try to figure out who wrote what.
Print cards with these fill-in-the-blanks: "The bad habit I want to kick this year is ―――." "The good deed I want to do this year is ―――." "The person I want to be more like this year is ―――." "The skill I want to learn this year is ―――."

Provisions:
Snacks: Let guests nibble on hearty little bites, as well as tidbits from gourmet markets, such as Bella Cucina Artichoke Lemon Pesto, Food Should Taste Good Olive Tortilla Chips, Sahale Soledad Almonds, and Tillen Farms Pickled Crispy Carrots.
Drinks: For a refreshing alternative to Champagne, try Prosecco or nonalcoholic Twelve, a fizzy blend of fruit and herbal tea (twelvebeverage.com).
Dessert: Chocolate Bar Fondue with fruit and pound cake for dipping, in a fondue pot.
Favors: Give guests parting gifts of good fortune. Pack up black-eyed peas (which bring good luck, according to southern tradition) in a box or cellophane bag and a recipe.


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Saturday, December 18, 2010

Wrap It Up With Friends

From Real Simple
Here is a fun gathering to visit and get your Holiday presents wrapped!

The Party at a Glance
How it works: You provide wrapping supplies and food. Ask each guest to bring some presents to wrap and one roll of paper so you have a variety.

Whom to invite: Three to five friends. It’s the perfect time to catch up―and escape nosy family members. Invitation or e-mail? E-mail. Or, even better, Evite. Try Real Simple’s new customizable Free Evite Party Invitations from Real Simple (it’s free).

What to serve: Red Pepper Frittata Squares and Oven Fries With Garlic Aioli are satisfying and need little hands-on time. You can pull them together the night of the party. Find out how to get it all done.