5 Ideas for Hosting the Best Play Date Ever

It's about that time of year where it's not really warm enough for the kids to play outside, and in addition, with the holidays rolling around we are getting super busy.  Why not plan a fun play date to watch a few of your friends' kids one Saturday afternoon while they get some Christmas shopping and errands done?  Here are 5 great ideas to make for a really memorable experience and that will keep them busy!


1.  Build an Igloo!  Help the kids get together a ton of pillows and a big white sheet.  Forts are always a blast and making it an "igloo" instead just adds to the excitement!  Have some fun seasonal books and stories prepared to read, along with some hot chocolate while you all huddle together in the igloo.  The little Eskimos will let their imaginations run wild.

2.  If you have a fireplace, help the children make s'mores for a snack!  These can get a bit messy so having some wet paper towels nearby might come in handy.

3.  Host an American Idol show where the contestants can only sing Christmas songs!  The winner will get a special prize!  If the children are too young to know any lyrics yet, then teach them a classic Christmas song or two!  They will never forget where they learned it and how much fun they had during the process.

4.  Do crafts!  A few crayons, construction paper, and coloring contest rules can go a looong way!

5.  Have a dance party!  This will be sure to tire out the little kiddos so they will be ready for a nice long nap or even bedtime once their parents come to pick them up.

Thanksgiving Guide for Beginners

Hosting Thanksgiving for the very first time can be VERY overwhelming.  Many of us fortunate to have grandparents, parents, or aunt and uncles who are still in good health find ourselves still celebrating the major holidays at their homes.  We show up, bring whatever is asked of us, sit back, relax and enjoy.

We know in the back of our minds that Thanksgiving is a stressful holiday for the host, but never really put much thought into what actually needs to be done if we were actually hosting the dinner ourselves. Here are some great tips (suggested by punchbowl.com and adapted by me) to keep in mind when preparing for this special day of Thanks:

• Start early. As soon as you know that you’ll be hosting Thanksgiving dinner, make a list of everything you need to do to prepare for the day. Then, put together a calendar that plots out each task so you know exactly what you have to do and when. 
• Send online invitations or make individual phone calls.  Do not just assume that friends and family assume that they are invited.  Personally invite everyone.
• Order your turkey. It seems obvious, but remember to order your turkey in advance from a meat market or grocery store with a good reputation. You want to be confident that the turkey you pick up the day before Thanksgiving is the correct size you need and of the best quality.  
• Try a potluck. From the turkey and gravy to decorations and place settings, you have a lot on your plate as the host of Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to contribute. You can set up a Potluck when you send your invitation and indicate that you would like guests to bring a few appetizers and desserts (or side dishes, beverages, it’s up to you!) Guests can write-in what they’d like to bring so you can plan accordingly and make up for any else you might need. Or, have a list of items prepared as suggestions when you call them, and mark off who plans to bring what.
• Don’t forget to decorate. Turn to sites like Pinterest or party planning sites to look for festive fall decoration ideas. You might choose to purchase some items or you can find some time with the kids to create DIY Thanksgiving decorations that will be a fun talking point during dinners. Popular decorations include turkeys, fall leaves, cornucopias, barns, cornstalks, and more! 

10 Ideas for a Date Night "IN"

With the holidays creeping up on us by the day and the dollar signs running through our heads of all the additional expenses we'll be taking on in the upcoming weeks for Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, baking supplies, holiday outfits, holiday donations, traveling to visit loved ones etc. we really need to start conserving somewhere.. but where?!  You still need some nice relaxing time to unwind and get away from all the hustle and bustle but going out to dinner and movie these days can really be pricey.  How about a date night IN?!  There are so many fun and unique things that you can do at home for/with your significant other for a fraction of the cost that you would incur if you were to go out.  Here's a quick list of some ideas that I've come up with:

1.  Look up recipes on Pinterest!  There are millions of recipes just waiting to be attempted!  Pick one that suits your time frame and budget and head to the store to snag up all the ingredients that you're lacking at home.

2.  Send the kids to a relative's, neighbor's, or friend's house for a few hours.

3.  Set up a small table for two in a different area in the house (maybe next to the fireplace?) for a change of scenery to make for a different dining experience than the average night at the kitchen table.

4.  Look up some unique cocktails that encompass some of your favorite flavors and serve them in special drink specific glasses.  (I've purchased a variety of different kinds of unique glass-wear from TJ Maxx and Marshalls in the past for amazing prices! Check it out!)

5. Watch some home videos together to reflect on all the memories you've made together so far.  If you would rather just unwind with something new and interesting then do a quick Google search of some of the most highly rated movies that have recently been released On Demand, Netflix, or Redbox and rent one of those to snuggle up and watch on the couch.

6. Go for a walk together.  The fresh air and hand-holding can be therapeutic for a stressed out mind and will certainly help with digestion after a huge delicious meal!

7. Have the ingredients on-hand to make a special dessert together!  Some taste testing along the way, and a little food-fighting here and there can make for a really silly time.  Lots of laughing potential!

8. If you enjoy a good competition, how about a few games of cards?  The stipulations for the loser is up to you!  The sky is the limit.

9. Make a bucket list of things that you want to accomplish in the upcoming year!  Having a list in writing, with both of your signatures at the bottom will make the plans feel more like a contract that you're both promising not to breach!  This activity can be super fun while you explore your hopes and dreams together.

10.  Create a spa experience!  Light tons of candles with therapeutic scents.  Fill up a warm bath.  The details are up to you.

3 Tips for A Successful Fundraiser Party

We have finally embarked on the month dedicated to giving thanks for all of the wonderful things we have been blessed with.. what better way to celebrate our gratitude than to give to those who are in need of many of the things that we even take for granted? A fundraiser party is a fun and easy way to gather your friends together for a cause that is close to your heart. Follow these 3 tips suggested by CherylStyle.com for a successful fundraiser party:


1. Ask guests to bring a gift

Holidays are a wonderful time to add a charity element to your party, such as asking guests to bring a wrapped toy for an underprivileged children’s organization. Choose one that most people know, such as Toys for Tots ( www.toysfortots.org ), and you’ll get great participation.



2. Ask for donations in lieu of a birthday gift

As part of the invitation, be sure to specify which charity you’d like your guests to donate to. Or, if you support a broader cause, such as breast cancer awareness, provide links to a few organizations where guests may donate.



3. Hold bidding wars

Live and silent auctions are lively and fun ways to add a jolt of excitement to any party while at the same time raising funds for a worthy cause. Draft your most boisterous friend, give him or her a mic, and let the bidding begin. To entice bids, be sure to display all of the auction items prominently so guests can browse before placing bids.

All Hallow's Eve.. with All the Girls!

Sick of the days of skimpy costumes? Tired of the crowded bars and parties? Why not make a girl's night out of the occasion while enjoying some of the things that we love most?! Crafts, drinks, and baked goods of course! I stumbled across some amazing pumpkin decorating ideas that you can see below such as this absolutely adorabley Burberry painted pumpkin. Or, this bedazzled one adorned with jewels and glitter? Because who ever said pumpkins had to be orange? Let's get creative ladies! Some friends and I decided to paint matching pumpkins, how cute are these?! Head over to your local craft store and scoop up a variety of acrylic paint, sponge brushes, ribbon, jewels, flowers, glitter, or anything that speaks to you as being fabulous! Real pumpkins are great but fake ones are even better because you can save your lovely masterpieces to display each and every year. Maybe even have a pumpkin swap party the following year! Get creative!

To make the night a little more silly how about some delicious Angry Orchard hard cider, or a Caramel Apple Martini (recipe below)?  Whip up this heavenly batch of pumpkin goodness to snack on (recipe below), and you have yourself an agenda for a girl's-night-in full of painting, poisons, and palette teasing pumpkin treats! 

Caramel Apple Martini Recipe:

1 1/2 ounces apple cider or juice

1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh Wild Apple Vodka

1/2 ounce Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka

1/2 ounce apple schnapps

Caramel syrup

Apple slice (round), seeds removed

1. Glaze the inside of a chilled martini glass with caramel syrup and place glass in the refrigerator until ready to use.

2. Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

3. Strain into chilled glass glazed with caramel syrup.

4. Float a thinly sliced apple round (seeds removed) on top.

http://www.recipelion.com/Alcoholic-Drinks/Caramel-Apple-Martini/ct/1

Pumpkin Bar Recipe

1 box of spice cake mix

1 small can of pumpkin puree

1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk

1 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip

1/2 bag of Heath bits

Caramel sundae sauce

1. Mix together the cake mix and pumpkin puree until a smooth batter forms.

2. Pour batter into a well greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350º according to the directions for a 9x13 cake on the cake mix box.

3. Let cool for about 10 minutes after baking.

4. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the cake.

5. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, filling the holes.

6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

7. Spread the cool whip over top of cake.

8. Sprinkle on the heath bits, and drizzle caramel over top (just to your liking).

9. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or overnight (best).

http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/678384139//

Fall Football Weekends...

It's the middle of fall and one of the things that inevitably comes back when fall rolls around is Football! Chilly fall weekends have been associated with warm, tasty comfort foods since the beginning of time, so marrying the football weekends with an array of warm tasty food just.. makes sense! Something very innovative and fun that I found from Chris Nease's blog "Celebrations at Home" was a Chili bar! I have posted the ingredients below. In addition, below you can see a picture from her finished Chili bar. Visit her blog post for a more detailed look at this awesome idea! http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2012/01/set-up-a-chili-bar-all-purpose-chili-recipe.html

All Purpose Chili Recipe

1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned
Chili Seasoning Packet -- "Original" flavor
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 small onion diced
1 tbs sugar
1 can of water
*Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 6 hours.


Base Items Available for Topping with the Chili
Pasta
Tortillas
Hot-dogs
Crinkle-cut French Fries
Small bags of Fritos corn chips
Baked potatoes


Toppings

Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Diced tomatoes
Diced onion
Sliced jalapeno
*Other condiments like ketchup, mustard or relish for the hot-dogs

Quick & Easy Fall Treat!

It's prime time fall season right now and we are wrapped up in the midst of all things pumpkin spiced, flavored, and topped! Here's a great treat that you can whip up in under 45 minutes for that last minute dinner party, office luncheon, or October birthday celebration at school snack!

Pumpkin Pie Bar (by Krusteaz)


I bought a box of this mix as I was dashing through the isles of the grocery section in Target picking up a few random items. Since it was a crisp fall day full of colored leaves, a morning started by a Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte and my new cozy scarf, all things pumpkin seemed to be calling my name. These bars are absolutely delicious! They're like a piece of pumpkin pie morphed with a moist gingerbread cookie. Mmm! The bar consists of a gingerbread crust with a pumpkin pie-like topping. The crust and topping come in two separate packages.


To make the crust all you need to do is melt 3 tbs. of butter and mix it with the prepared crust mix. Then, with a fork, gently press the mix into an even layer in an 8x8 baking pan. Bake for 5 minutes and then remove from the oven.


While the crust is baking, prepare the pumpkin topping by whisking together the pumpkin mix with 2 eggs, half of a stick of butter, and half of a cup of water. After the crust has baked for 5 minutes, pour this mixture on top. Pop the pan back into the oven for 26-30 minutes. Allow it to cool, cut into squares, display on a pretty platter, top with a dollop of whipped cream and enjoy! I know you will!

Hello...

..and welcome to my blog, "The Heavenly Hostess"! Ever since I was a little girl I've been infatuated with decorating, cooking, planning, and most importantly, socializing! What better way to encompass all of these fabulous activities than to plan parties?! Whether it be an intimate gathering of friends for a dinner exploding with the flavors and aromas of autumn, or a winter-wonderland birthday celebration for your little princess in the dead-of-winter, I'll give you the tips and tricks you need to successfully tackle the task. I love taking simple ideas and bringing them to life through decor that will entice you, hors d'oeuvres that will delight you and an atmosphere that will leave you feeling fully enthralled by the event. For me, it's all about the experience. Please follow me on a journey through the seasons of soirees to develop "the heavenly hostess" within you. I will not disappoint. Stay tuned!


-ta ta for now, Brittany