Beautiful and durable, crepe paper lends itself to countless applications. In fact, a strip of crepe paper conforms perfectly to an egg’s shape. Glue bands of it to a bunch of eggs, affix tiny crepe blooms, and pile them in a bowl for a simple, elegant display.
Imitation gold leaf is less expensive. You may want to consider using the imitation leaf while learning the technique.
Even short stems stand tall when placed in a lofty glass compote. Here, brilliant violet Muscari latifolium and tight blooms of Ranunculus get a boost in a lush, dense display.
Saint Patrick would have approved of these little green accessories. According to popular legend, the fifth-century Christian missionary to “heathen” Ireland used a three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity.
Flowers and candy are the touchstones of courtship and romance. But handing over a bouquet and a box of chocolates isn’t the only way to show you’re sweet on someone.
Set the mood this Valentine’s Day with these romantic heart candles.
Each culture and religion marks the New Year differently. The Chinese lunar year, for example, commences in January or February; the Jewish New Year, which usually falls in September, commemorates what the Jews believe to be the anniversary of the world’s creation. But even where January 1 is the accepted date, customary observances vary.
This homespun stocking is a wonderful way to mark a first Christmas — as well as his second, third, and fourth. Every year, add a new felt shape representing some favorite memory or object that your little one loves.
A coating of fine glitter turns plain wooden dreidels into a display-worthy centerpiece, or string them together to create a shimmering garland.
No other drink seems better suited to a celebration than Champagne, but when those special moments arrive, you’ll want to make sure that the Champagne is chilled to just the right temperature and, when the bottle is opened, there’s no overflow.
To make these handsome place-card gobblers, download the templates; print and cut out. Trace templates onto colored card stock; cut out (use scallop scissors for the base), and snip a small triangle for the beak.
Highlights of dark candles and orange-patterned accent plates add surprising contrast to a formally set dining table. Large resin turkeys that were gilded with faux gold leaf create a centerpiece, while smaller plastic ones, similarly treated, preen around the table with molded beeswax turkey candles.
Create a serene winter tableau with this simple arrangement: birch bark wrapped around glass cylinders filled with plants found easily at this time of year.
Slip into something outrageous, if only for a night. You needn’t be disguised from head to toe: one mischievous piece is enough to get you in the spirit of the evening.
What better way to brighten Halloween’s gloom than by dotting your windowsills with grinning — or scowling — hurricane lanterns?
You need two lunch-size paper bags for each broomstick. Unfold one bag, and push out its base while folding in the left and right sides.
These decorations bring sparkle to tables and serving areas — and they last far longer than jack-o’-lanterns.
Tuck handfuls of candy corn into giants of their species. Use a pencil to mark stripes on pots. Brush on acrylic paints between lines to make bands, letting each color dry before moving on to the next.
You have the menu, the strategy, the guest list — the biggest variable left is your stress level, and stress has a funny way of making us morph into those beings (or other B-words) we don’t want to be.
Brides are often intimidated by the etiquette of invitation wording; in fact, the rules are fairly straightforward, and these days they are often made to be broken.
So what’s the holdup on throwing a grown-up dinner party? With our simple strategy and manageable menu, you’ll see that it’s child play.
In the afterglow of a wedding, it can be a joy to write thank-you notes expressing heartfelt gratitude for the gifts you’ve received.
Your big day is one of love and bliss, but most weddings also come with a hefty dollop of tense exchanges and awkward moments — a sibling scuffle, an unenthusiastic bridesmaid, a delicate discussion about who’s paying for what.
A real meal can be hard to come by in the early days of unpacking. Requiring no cutlery or plates, fried chicken with biscuits, served in a vintage cake tin, is delicious.
Deciding whom you invite to the wedding can seem almost as momentous as deciding whom to marry. The task should be relatively easy: You simply invite your closest family and your dearest friends.
Pile coals two or three pieces deep; they are ready when they have a red glow and two-thirds are covered in ash. Spread them in a single layer, leaving and area free of coals to create indirect heat.
This time of year, there are plenty of reasons to throw open your doors and gather friends for an outdoor party.
What would you suggest I bring as a hostess gift to a dinner party?
Each place should be set with all the glasses that will be used during dinner (except dessert-wine glasses, which may be brought out when the dessert is served). The water glass belongs to the right of the plate, just above the knife. Wineglasses should be set to the right of the water glasses in the order in which they will be used.
Try these tips courtesy of Chef Akasha, the organic caterer to the stars. If you don’t have enough dishes for everyone use products from Recycline, which makes plastic plates from old yogurt containers, rather than going with the usual disposable dinnerware.
Cook up a jar of this sauce and give it to the host of this year’s Memorial Day barbecue. For information on how to can, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
While your future in-laws traditionally plan and host the rehearsal dinner, you’re the best candidate to organize the actual rehearsal, since you’ll be the most familiar with all the details of the ceremony. Make certain that all who need to be there have been instructed about time, location, and logistics, including the order in which people walk down the aisle and where everyone stands at the altar.
Instead of gift-boxing a tie for Dad this year, why not tie a gift box? Bow ties fit around many small gifts, and both the traditional and pre-tied kinds will work.
From her award-winning magazine, Martha Stewart Living, to her bestselling product lines, Martha Stewart shares the creative principles and practical ideas that have made her America’s most trusted guide to stylish living. Millions of consumers rely on Martha Stewart as their arbiter of style and taste and their guide to all aspects of everyday living – from cooking and entertaining to decorating and gardening, and much more.
To ensure an easygoing atmosphere, set a drink menu in the same spirit. In other words, have a few good wines on hand in addition to nonalcoholic options and a standout cocktail or two, such as a specialty martini or sangria.
Whether you’re hosting a group for cocktails or a formal sit-down dinner, the preparation stages for all parties tend to be similar. These time-tested suggestions will help you manage all of the details beautifully.
What makes a modern shower work is the same thing that makes any party great: inventiveness, thoughtful touches, a sense of humor, and good organizational skills.
A birthday party is magical. You don’t need to host an extravaganza, pay a fortune for entertainment and decorations, or rent the most opulent venue to thrill your child. Kids simply want to feel special, and know that the day will be filled with friends and surprises.
There’s no question that a good theme, a cute cake, and clever favors help make a birthday memorable. But games and activities are at the heart of any happy celebration. A little foresight and some creativity will ensure that your next party goes smoothly and the guests remain cheerful and entertained.
Socializing and opening presents are at the center of bridal showers, but when games are planned, guests will have a more memorable and enjoyable time. The best activities are ones that the guest of honor will appreciate: a funny multiple-choice quiz about her childhood, or a lively true-or-false game. Don’t forget to award prizes to the winners; soaps, fancy chocolates, or scented candles would all do nicely.
There’s an unforgettable moment on the road to your wedding: It’s when you walk into an event at which people from every corner of your life are gathered together for the first time — parents mingling with friends mingling with other relatives. And though you may feel a moment of alarm as you consider the stories they could exchange about you, there is something wonderful about this first glimpse of your family life as a married couple. For many couples, that moment occurs at their engagement party.
A gift for your hostess need not be extravagant, but a little creativity does go a long way toward making this present surprising and special.
There are many upsides to throwing a really great party — the rush of self-satisfaction, the guaranteed invites to your guests’ future bashes, the matchmaking/networking/stand-up-routine-honing that you facilitate. The downside? It’s 2 a.m. and your college roommate and your husband’s golf buddy are still rooted to the couch, while your best friend is happily holding court in the kitchen with your dog walker.
An awkward pause can open like a sinkhole in the middle of party patter, sending you and your conversation partner scrambling for safety. Here are some suggestions next time you need help reaching for the right words.
