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With so many birthday parties, bridal showers, and engagement cocktails, why not shake things up and celebrate some of life's other memorable moments and milestones? There are so many overlooked reasons to throw a bash. And they don't have to cost a lot, either!
Single Again Soiree If you want to cheer up a friend who is finally finalizing a divorce or if you're ready to put a positive spin on your own breakup, turn the moment into a celebration of moving forward and new adventures to come. Go gourmet and sophisticated for the occasion with pesto, sundried tomato, and olive spreads paired with fine, fancy crackers and veggies, bowls of roasted almonds and cashews, mini quiches (easily found in the freezer section at the market), warm crusty bread, and of course, fruit tarts and chocolate for something sweet. To drink, it's got to be champagne and a little non-alcoholic bubbly cider.).
Friends Meet Pooch Party You've just added a furball to your family! Invite your friends and loved ones over to join in on the fun and meet the little stinker. Put together a spread that's old-fashioned with a new-fangled spin. Guests can snack on "gourmet" potato chips (sweet potato, blue, salt and pepper) with a selection of yogurt and herb dips. Serve up mini veggie burgers (take frozen patties and use a cookie cutter to make smaller sizes) and mini 'dogs (go with frozen pigs-in-blankets and make life easy!). Put out a bunch of exotic mustards and fresh condiments, a big bowl of deli corn salad, and an icy cold pitcher of Arnold Palmers (lemonade + iced tea). Don't forget munchies for the pets, too, like bully sticks, natural dried chicken strips and biscuits. Woof woof!
I Landed My Dream Job Jam After months of interviews, it's finally yours, the job of your dreams -- talk about a perfect reason to celebrate! Match it with the perfect menu that mixes modern tastes with a dash of nostalgia (to show that even though you're a wage-earning adult you still know how to party like a kid!). Start with a salad-n-sticks course. Mix frozen sweet corn, grape tomatoes (or diced tomatoes), and chopped cucumber and toss with a light vinaigrette and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Serve in martini or shot glasses for added flair, along with crunchy breadsticks. For the main course keep it simple. Order a variety of large pizzas from your favorite local joint and get creative with toppings (eggplant/red pepper/sausage, pineapple/ham/capers, sundried tomato/broccoli/shrimp, etc). Serve up old-fashioned sodas in bottles (brands like Stewart's) and small bottled beers (a little classier than the full-size guzzlers). Finish off with brownies and chocolate chip cookies and enjoy climbing that ladder to the top!
Sweat & Celebrate Get a group of friends together and sign up to do a 5K run (about 3 miles) or bike race in your neighborhood. Some are for charity, others just for fun -- always a blast. And the shorter distances aren't too grueling for beginners or non-athletes, plus you can always walk. Afterwards, gather for a brunch. Indulge those hard-won appetites with a spread of croissants and bagels with a variety of jams and cream cheeses, plus a platter of fresh melon, grapes, and berries, and a fresh mix-your-own juice bar (orange, mango, carrot, pomegranate). Cross the finish line with some bakery-bought cookies -- you earned it!
Mom & Dad's Big Night "IN" Any couple with kids knows that having a night out is a special treat. So why not turn your night out into a festive night IN! Once the kids are in bed (or settled with a sitter), let the party begin. Invite friends over for a mouthwatering spread of Mexicana -- a variety of tortillas along with all the fixings -- black beans, chicken (for ease, use meat from rotisserie chickens), shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and plenty of salsa and guac. Serve up a colorful veggie salad with a lime vinaigrette dressing and a pitcher of margaritas. Then crank up some festive Latin-inspired tunes, just loud enough to groove to and quiet enough not
to wake the kiddos if they're at home!
Single Again Soiree If you want to cheer up a friend who is finally finalizing a divorce or if you're ready to put a positive spin on your own breakup, turn the moment into a celebration of moving forward and new adventures to come. Go gourmet and sophisticated for the occasion with pesto, sundried tomato, and olive spreads paired with fine, fancy crackers and veggies, bowls of roasted almonds and cashews, mini quiches (easily found in the freezer section at the market), warm crusty bread, and of course, fruit tarts and chocolate for something sweet. To drink, it's got to be champagne and a little non-alcoholic bubbly cider.).
Friends Meet Pooch Party You've just added a furball to your family! Invite your friends and loved ones over to join in on the fun and meet the little stinker. Put together a spread that's old-fashioned with a new-fangled spin. Guests can snack on "gourmet" potato chips (sweet potato, blue, salt and pepper) with a selection of yogurt and herb dips. Serve up mini veggie burgers (take frozen patties and use a cookie cutter to make smaller sizes) and mini 'dogs (go with frozen pigs-in-blankets and make life easy!). Put out a bunch of exotic mustards and fresh condiments, a big bowl of deli corn salad, and an icy cold pitcher of Arnold Palmers (lemonade + iced tea). Don't forget munchies for the pets, too, like bully sticks, natural dried chicken strips and biscuits. Woof woof!
I Landed My Dream Job Jam After months of interviews, it's finally yours, the job of your dreams -- talk about a perfect reason to celebrate! Match it with the perfect menu that mixes modern tastes with a dash of nostalgia (to show that even though you're a wage-earning adult you still know how to party like a kid!). Start with a salad-n-sticks course. Mix frozen sweet corn, grape tomatoes (or diced tomatoes), and chopped cucumber and toss with a light vinaigrette and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Serve in martini or shot glasses for added flair, along with crunchy breadsticks. For the main course keep it simple. Order a variety of large pizzas from your favorite local joint and get creative with toppings (eggplant/red pepper/sausage, pineapple/ham/capers, sundried tomato/broccoli/shrimp, etc). Serve up old-fashioned sodas in bottles (brands like Stewart's) and small bottled beers (a little classier than the full-size guzzlers). Finish off with brownies and chocolate chip cookies and enjoy climbing that ladder to the top!
Sweat & Celebrate Get a group of friends together and sign up to do a 5K run (about 3 miles) or bike race in your neighborhood. Some are for charity, others just for fun -- always a blast. And the shorter distances aren't too grueling for beginners or non-athletes, plus you can always walk. Afterwards, gather for a brunch. Indulge those hard-won appetites with a spread of croissants and bagels with a variety of jams and cream cheeses, plus a platter of fresh melon, grapes, and berries, and a fresh mix-your-own juice bar (orange, mango, carrot, pomegranate). Cross the finish line with some bakery-bought cookies -- you earned it!
Mom & Dad's Big Night "IN" Any couple with kids knows that having a night out is a special treat. So why not turn your night out into a festive night IN! Once the kids are in bed (or settled with a sitter), let the party begin. Invite friends over for a mouthwatering spread of Mexicana -- a variety of tortillas along with all the fixings -- black beans, chicken (for ease, use meat from rotisserie chickens), shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and plenty of salsa and guac. Serve up a colorful veggie salad with a lime vinaigrette dressing and a pitcher of margaritas. Then crank up some festive Latin-inspired tunes, just loud enough to groove to and quiet enough not
to wake the kiddos if they're at home!
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