Easy Entertaining

Does the thought of hosting a holiday party sound fun but a little exhausting? This year, instead of hosting the same old party, organize a progressive party. Team up with two or three other neighbors and host your holiday party together. Choose a date, combine guests lists, and plan the party menu. You’ll save money, make new friends, and have more fun.

These days, Thanksgiving dinner is typically held at my home. While there’s still a lot of planning and cooking involved, I prefer a simplistic approach to setting my Thanksgiving table. With a houseful of young children, I lean towards a more casual and laid back approach to Thanksgiving decorations. Here are a few easy decorating ideas that I like to keep in mind...

As Thanksgiving and the holidays near, our calendars start to fill up with holiday parties and gatherings. This Nut Glazed Brie recipe atop Keebler Toasteds crackers is the perfect appetizer to serve to your guests this fall - and it’s as delicious as it is easy to make. Follow these simple steps to serving up a new fall favorite.

Fall, for many, beings a whirlwind of get-togethers and parties that will take you all the way through the new year. All those gatherings call for a delicious recipe that you can rely on time and time again. This cheese ball recipe will dress up the traditional cheese and cracker tray while adding some deliciously savory flavors by combining a sharper cheese with the flavorful Town House Flatbread Crisps Roasted Garlic crackers. The combination of the garlic, herb & cheese flavors will keep guests coming back for more.

It’s no secret that my family is big on college football… and I do mean BIG. On any given Fall Saturday, you’ll find us (and any friends, family and/or neighbors that wish to join) camped out in front of our TV, which has been relocated to the garage for the day, watching from morning until night.

Everyone brings some party food, typically a side dish or appetizer of some sort, but like many hostesses, I’m always a teensy bit worried that my guests will leave hungry. The main dish is simple – hot dogs, burgers and brats always hit the spot. But I’m always up for trying new tailgate recipes to keep things new and exciting.

The vast varieties of cheese and accoutrements that grocery stores now offer can make putting together a simple cheese spread seem intimidating and overwhelming. However, the key to putting together a cheese platter is keeping it simple. Here are some tips and suggestions to put together the perfect cheese platter for your next get-together or cocktail party.

With summer in full swing and our kids spending more time with their friends, this is a fabulous time to talk slumber parties! I remember my first slumber party fondly. My mom let me invite eight giggling girls to our house. We painted our nails, decorated pillowcases, told ghost stories, watched movies, ate yummy sweets and finally passed out from exhaustion as the sun came up. Ah, to be a kid again!

In those hot summer days, ice cream is one of my family's favorite things to enjoy to help us cool down. Throwing an ice cream sundae party is fun, easy, and inexpensive to pull together. If you are anything like me, all of those things make throwing an ice cream party a total win.

When I was a child, each year I looked forward to the annual 4th of July block party. I remember how exciting it was to be out way past my bedtime, eat loads of fun food, and play flashlight tag through the neighborhood streets.

To start your Cinco De Mayo party of right try mixing up a bowl of fresh, homemade guacamole. It’s easy to make and your guests will thank you for the effort. To change it up a bit, try serving with...

All year long, our family meals require some mental gymnastics to ensure that that I prepare at least one item that appeals to each family member – no easy feat with five kids! So I reserve the right to make Mother’s Day all about what I want to eat…

Here are some simple rules of thumb to take the guesswork and stress out of planning your party menu.

Easter celebrations often bring to mind pastel color schemes and tricky dishes but I find that the simpler the celebration, the more fun our family has. Make this year your best ever Easter celebration and don’t be afraid to switch up the routines and think bolder and simpler with your décor and your dishes for a new twist on enteraining for Easter.

When my girlfriends come over for book club or a girls’ night out, they never say no to a nice glass of wine. Food and wine pairing can sound a little daunting, but every wine brings out a different flavor component in your food. Our four food and wine pairings will make these delicious and easy to assemble appetizers taste even better.

I usually like to have something tasty ready for my kids and husband when they get home, and they each have their favorites. The kids like these Sugar Honey Baked Apples and I love the scrumptious and homey smell that fills the house when I take them out of the oven.  And, the smile on my husband's face when he comes home from work and smells these Cinnamon Raisin Stuffed Apples cooking in the oven warms me to the core.

When I was a kid, I spent my summers shoeless and with little else than a bathing suit and t-shirt, playing at the beach until sunset. I try to make my children's summers be as carefree and unscheduled as I remember mine. We schedule very little once school is out, and live in the moment, drifting between the pool and the playground. More often than not, friends come over, and we end the day with spontaneous cookouts and parties, easy socializing for the whole family.

Hosting a cookie swap does require a little of preparation, but is definitely worth the effort to create a memorable event that benefits everyone. I wanted to showcase a few frugal and creative ideas for making your Christmas cookie swap special this year!

Call me crazy, but I absolutely love hosting the Thanksgiving feast for our family! It really can be easy, but it does require a little planning and early preparation to make that happen. I am excited to share a few ideas to make this holiday easier and then share with you two new dishes you can add to your holiday table!

Are you hosting the Big Game party for your neighborhood, family or friends? If so, you are now the Head Coach. Make sure you have a good plan and recruit a team of assistant coaches to make your Big Game party an easy win.

I am the queen of finding the fastest and easiest way to put out a delicious and appealing spread. I usually prepare one or two "fancy" recipes and then fill in quick, straightforward dishes that I know taste great but don't require much effort. Here are two favorite recipes of mine that are a nice example of my balance between delicious and easy.

Autumn is my favorite season of the year. I love everything about the cooler weather, the warmer clothes and the colorful foliage. My most favorite of seasons ends with my most favorite of days — Thanksgiving!

One of the best parts about autumn is the food and snacks: soups, roasted veggies, meats and delicious warm breads. Plus, with football games galore and Thanksgiving on the horizon, there are many chances to eat with friends and family. These large gatherings always call for snacks, and lots of them!

The weather is hot, school is over, kids are running through sprinklers and women are stressed about swimming suits — it must be summertime! Time to fire up the grill and party!

Need great party food recipes and ideas for your next party or family event? Check out our holiday and entertaining recipes and party ideas.