Gift Ideas | Party IdeasGreat gifts, Gift giving ideas and Deals
admin | 12:27 pm | November 5, 2008 | Celebrations.com
ing the most of Christmas crafts is fun and also saves money. Making homemade wrapping paper and gift tags is also a great way to get the kids involved in the holiday. You’ll only need a few basic supplies.
Check back soon for more do-it-yourself Christmas Ideas.
Gift wrap:
Wrap food-based gifts with take-out menus. It’s a great and green way to recycle.
Use wallpaper scraps as gift wrap or cut out smaller pieces to use as gift tags.
Use the comics section of the newspaper.
Wrap gifts in brown craft paper and decorate by gluing on tiny pinecones and cinnamon sticks. Top off with raffia ribbon for a natural look.
Using plain white paper and paint with finger paint.
Gift Tags and Note Cards:
Again, you can cut smaller pieces of leftover wallpaper.
Layer small pieces of brown paper with white paper, white paper over comic strips, etc. Use the colored pieces as a border and the white paper to write your note.
admin | 10:57 am | October 30, 2008 | Celebrations.com
s year’s presidential election is fast approaching and it’s a tight race! Just as you’d gather with friends to watch a suspenseful sports match, why not make a party of watching the election night results. After you and your party guests have made the time to vote, throw a get-together and read on for election party ideas:
-Recycle old Independence Day party decor, dishware and utensils. Red, white and blue anything will do!
-Serve snack foods you’d put out for a television of movie party - popcorn, chips and dip, salsa and finger foods.
-Mix up some themed drinks (recipes below)!
-For more election party food ideas, decorate cookies, cupcakes or a cake with a patriotic theme - red, white and blue icing.
-Whip up a playlist of the presidential candidates’ favorite songs:
“Raisin McCain” by John Rich
“Yes, I can” by Will.i.am
“City of Blinding Lights” by U2
“Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys
“Barracuda”, by Heart
“Touch the Sky”, by Kanye West
Since election day is on a weekday and everyone needs to make time to vote as well, keep the party planning as no-fuss as possible.
Barack on the Rocks
Ingredients
Steps
McCain Straight Up
Ingredients
Steps
dianaheather | 10:10 am | October 29, 2008 | Celebrations.com
When entertaining this Thanksgiving, consider serving a special sampling of cocktails that commemorate the season and enhance the flavors of Thanksgiving dinner. Sage, a common spice in Thanksgiving stuffing, also makes for a great flavor in mojitos. Hazelnut, a wintry flavor, adds a delicious touch to cider. Check out these delicious ideas for Thanksgiving cocktails.
Sage Mojito
Directions
Hazelnut Cider
Ingredients
Directions
dianaheather | 9:59 am | | Celebrations.com
What could be more beautiful that decorating with Fall leaves for Thanksgiving? Welcome Thanksgiving dinner guests to your home with a wreath on your front door. Using either real leaves of faux leaves, Thanksgiving wreaths are a fun and easy project and a great way to get the kids involved in the planning of Thanksgiving.
Materials:
Directions:
dianaheather | 3:49 pm | October 28, 2008 | Celebrations.com
It’s the time of year to start planning your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Thankgsiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without delicious dessert. Here’s a pecan tart recipe so you can add a touch of sweet to your Thanksgiving dinner:
Pecan Tart
Steps
dianaheather | 3:06 pm | | Celebrations.com
Sometimes it seems that your Thanksgiving dinner menu should be a no-brainer, right? Turkey is a given but what about side dishes? Here are a couple of creative side dish recipe ideas:
Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta
Haricots Verts in Olive Oil
dianaheather | 11:36 am | | Celebrations.com
Christmas is celebrated in so many different ways in so many different parts of the world. Learning about different Christmas traditions is a great way to celebrate the holiday and to perhaps add to your own family’s annual traditions.
Did you know that Christmas in Australia occurs during one of the hottest times of their year? It’s summer in December! Instead of evergreen trees, Christmas is celebrated with a “Christmas Bush” and is adorned with red leaves.
In Germany, children leave their Christmas wish lists on their windowsills with a spoonful of sugar to entice Saint Nicholas.
In Italy, Italians gather at the Vatican to received blessings from the Pope on Christmas Day.
In the Ukraine, the youngest child of the family must watch for the first star to appear after before the family dinner can commence.
Check back soon for more Christmas traditions from around the world.
dianaheather | 3:08 pm | October 27, 2008 | Celebrations.com
Homemade Christmas candy makes for a thoughtful and inexpensive party treat or gift idea. Read on for delicious Christmas candy recipes. This toffee recipe is served best in a sweet crust.
Terrific Toffee
Steps
Topping
Ingredients
Steps
dianaheather | 12:55 pm | | Celebrations.com
A great way to make an easy cake is to bake a batch of cupcakes and assemble a cupcake cake. Because you can set up the cupcakes in a variety of shapes, the decorating possibilities seem endless! This Christmas tree inspired Christmas craft is easy for kids too. All you need is a batch of 2 dozen cupcakes and some frosting and food coloring.
dianaheather | 10:52 am | | Celebrations.com
Christmas caroling, a Christmas tradition dating back over 100 years in England, also makes for a great Christmas party idea. Have your guests gather at your house for an hour or so to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres before heading out to entertain your neighbors with songs and Christmas cheer. Set the scene for a great night by serving festive drinks such as hot chocolate, eggnog and wassail. Ask guests to dress in red and distribute Santa hats before leaving so that everyone around town knows you’re party of a caroling group. Use tamborines and jingle bells. Print your song list and song lyrics in red or green folders so that everyone can follow along in their own, personal songbook. It makes a great party favor too!
The most sensible time to go caroling is between 7pm and 9pm, so as to avoid disturbing anyone during bedtime. Try to only serenade the homes of people you know.
Use caution when crossing streets. Be sure every child has a grownup looking after them. Pass out some flashlights or battery operated candles for safety.