In recent columns, I shared how busy my life has been these past few months. Thankfully, some of my crazy schedule has revolved around entertaining friends and family. With summer here and backyards beckoning, I thought I would pass along a couple of my favorite (albeit quirky) entertaining tips.
Disclaimer: By nature, I am not the hostess with the mostest. The following hot tips came from friends who were kind enough to answer my frantic phone calls and share their own ideas on how I could increase my entertaining coolness factor. I am also a shameless party copy-cat and am grateful to have friends who really know how to throw a party.
Mustaches? Yes, Mustaches!
A few weeks ago I hosted an end-of-the-school-year party for a couple of families. I wanted to make it a memorable party. I called one of my friends who must have been a party planner in her previous life.
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“Set out a bowl of fake mustaches,” she recommended.
I laughed out loud. I found packets of stick-on mustaches for a couple of dollars at Party City. Every time I think of my friends kicking back with their mustaches and margaritas, I have to laugh. I’m not sure what was funnier—watching the preschoolers running around with their own mustaches or realizing that my husband had turned two mustaches into a pair of ridiculous sideburns. It was a hit!
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Self-Serve Pudding Bar
Kudos to another one of my friends for this idea! Last weekend my parents were in town for my daughter’s dance recital. In order to celebrate a late Mother’s and Father’s Day, I had them over for a special dinner. Dinner was easy, but I wanted to serve a creative (and easy) dessert. Hooray for a pudding bar! I put a container of Belgian chocolate pudding and a container of low-fat tapioca pudding on a tray. You can find both puddings at Trader Joe’s in Aliso Viejo. For toppings, I set up bowls of cut strawberries, sliced almonds, granola and sprinkles. I also included a container of whipped cream. Both kids and adults devoured their desserts, and I love how easy it was to make and clean up!
Create a Signature Drink
My husband and I are not big drinkers. We do, however, like to have drinks on hand for guests. Recently, my mother-in-law introduced me to a whipped-cream flavored vodka made by Pinnacle. You can find it at our local Ralphs store in Town Center. I realize it may sound like a fluffy-girl kind of drink, but when mixed with equal parts orange juice and lemon-lime soda, it tastes just like a Dreamsicle bar. Honestly. It’s that good. And, I swear, even the men at our get-togethers have enjoyed this drink!
May your holiday weekend be safe and filled with plenty of celebrations!