Giveaway :: Too Cute Custom Crafts
{please visit Too Cute Custom Crafts here}
What is summertime without a gathering of loved ones in your home? Between birthday parties, backyard bbqs, game nights, and regular old dinners with friends, this season is about enjoying our time together and making the most out of every opportunity we can get our hands on. This isn’t to say we enjoy entertaining with white paper plates and paper towels (not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course.) However, this is “The Good Life” we’re talking about. This requires the real deal: well designed linens.
Keri Bass of Too Cute Custom Crafts creates fabulous handmade housewares guaranteed to take your time around the table and turn it into something special. From handcrafted tablerunners and napkins to placemats (and pet mats!), Bass creates practical luxury for your home. Utilizing her creative background, each piece is designed with the modern family in mind: the type of family who appreciates the marriage of form and function and believes that you don’t have to sacrifice durability for beauty. Now, get your menu started and place those phone calls (or emails, if you’re anything like me.) You have a get together to host and Too Cute Custom Crafts will set the table.
Too Cute Custom Crafts is giving away one $40 gift certificate to one lucky reader! To enter to win, please answer the following question by Monday, July 30th. Comments now closed…good luck!
What is your secret for hosting the perfect party?
Start checking the winner’s box on Monday, August 6th, to see if you’ve won.
I am terrified of hosting! when I have to, I try to do most things a day ahead. even setting the table. then I put on music, light candles and have a glass of wine about an hour before people come.
I’m no expert, but an abundant supply of both good food and interesting guests seem to do the trick!
let someone else do it! i’m a terrible host.
The perfect combination of party guests is the key. And great italian food of course!!!
I have always thought that I provide the atmosphere and food and the guests do the rest
I think the secret is inviting people you genuinely enjoy being with. That way, even if the food and atmosphere don’t go as planned, the company of one another can still be enjoyed!
Introduce the people you love to one another in a congenial setting and nothing can go wrong.
I am interested to see what others have to say their secret is because I am inexperienced in the field. I have only had one party and (I felt) it was a flop. Maybe if I had some super cool linens (wink wink) I would have more success.
My secret for hosting the perfect party is making the environment very happy. A little less formal, with tons of colors and patterns, and delicious food and drinks. Colors that make you happy, and comfort foods! It’s all about making your guest happy!
keeping it simple with a few really impressive little details that will keep people talking. Oh, and never turning down any offers of help!
Relax! Being a southern girl, I’m apt to make too much food, spend weeks planning a menu, and decide at the last minute I need 5 more flavors of iced tea. But all a party really needs is a relxed host who is ready to party too!
I find booze does the trick. (And good company of course.)
There is always a little dread in hosting for me, but none the less, I love a party. Always a good idea to have good music on rotation, so there isn’t a gap. And a few people who can talk to anyone- saves those (like me) who hide in the corner
I would say the most important thing in hosting is to relax and realize the people you are serving aren’t perfect either. The more relaxed and calm the host is, the happier the visitors will be!
My secret to being the perfect host is keeping a smile on my face and having fun at my own party! So many times I have stressed out so much about the food, and the house, and the guests, only to realize I didn’t enjoy one second of being with my friends and family. It’s not easy to roll with the punches, but if you can master it, everyone will follow your lead.
The secret to hosting the perfect party is really all about you! You have to bring the good energy to the party both mentally and physically. Always smile, and laugh, and be sure to say hello and a few words to everyone. Make all of your guests feel appreciated! You can also play some nice mellow/happy music. And of course, the decor! Something colorful, patterns, things that catch your eye and make everyone stare. Warm colors always do the trick!
The secret to being a perfect host is to always be prepared. You never want to have to set up the party while everyone is just watching! Make sure you have enough of everything, food and drink that is. Also ice, cups, plates, etc. And keep a smile on your face and bring positive energy!
My no-stress hostess trick is that each time I fill up someone’s glass of sangria, I make sure mine is full as well…
When the guests arrive, get out of the kitchen. Have it all prepped beforehand, and enjoy the company!
My husband! He’s the chef!
Good food, great company and a fun theme seem to do the trick for me. It’s essential to plan ahead and do what you can the day before. The good thing is that even if something doesn’t go to plan you are the only one who knows!
The perfect ambience and great company!
an excellent dessert, everyone loves an excellent dessert
to not stress too much – everyone can see it on the host’s face when you’re too worried about the details. enjoy the party! it will fly by.
realize that something’s going to go wrong so make a laugh out of it instead of stressing! go ahead and knock over the guacamole- then you can get on with having fun.
Planning the perfect party to me is planning everything out the way I want it with food and decorations… and then letting go on the actual day and letting what happen happen. There will always be missteps, things that don’t go right, burned cookies and spilled drinks… but with great friends, great food and a place that feels cozy and inviting you can’t go wrong!
Xanax. And remembering that if you arent relaxed, neither will your guests.
My secret is to make sure I talk to every single person I invited, I never like to see anyone feel left out at a party I am hosting, I think it’s just good manners to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves.
I’ve spent way to many parties being stressed and running around perapring food, making sure guests are happy that I don’t even get a chance to enjoy the atmosphere or mingle with my company. So I’ve learned the hard that most important is…..Being prepared!!! I know what I’ll serve, time, decor, guest list, music, way in advance. And then once things start you can relax and actually enjoy your own party!!
I plan way ahead and make a to-do list
Preparation ahead of time and inviting a good group of people. I pick my guest list carefully, just so I know everyone will be comfortable and have a great time–then I will, too!
Thinking of a great theme! Theme parties really unite everyone, and serve up some hilarious moments. Also, unique and yummy food and drinks help as well
My famous mexican dip. That’s all you need!
Well, having some of it store bought helps a lot and lists and delegating!!
My husband! He’s like my secret weapon when we host a party… he does a ton of prep with me and then at the last minute he sweeps through and identifies the one or two things I’ve totally missed (maybe running to the store to grab ice, or whatever.) He’s such a great partner!
There are several steps or secrets to hosting a good party! First, consider how many people are going to attend. Do you need an extra hand to help prepare or serve food?
Second, clean everything perfectly, and add a candle or some freshener. The better smelling, the happier your guests will feel! Then set up some nice decor: Warming and welcoming colors! Also, LOCATION! Don’t choose a snowy peak for a pool party. Make sure you have the right location with plenty of sunlight and room. Play some nice music, and make sure it matches the theme: formal:classing, less formal: pop, etc. And lastly, be sure to speak and great all of your guests. Make them feel important for coming! Follow these simple steps and you will have a successful party!
a good mix of friends (old and new), a good mix of food and a great location
Having a drink (or two) of wine before the guests arrive.
You have the perfect party when you actually enjoy being with your friends!
My tip is to prep as much as you can before, so that you can enjoy the time with your guests.
My secret is to cohost with somebody who knows what they’re doing. Like my sister!
when planning – incorporate elements that invigorate all five major senses of guests…leaves them feeling as though they had a full & satisfying experience
The secret to a perfect party lies in organizing a silly but awesome treasure hunt. A small course of questions around the house with a cocktail in hand will forge friendships between perfect strangers and make any party a smash hit!
One word: BBQ! You can’t go wrong.
A mix of food; old favourites, and new and exciting dishes. My friends all love food and love getting together to laugh and drink and eat, so adventurous food goes down well! I also think that making an effort NOT to gossip about friends who may be absent makes for a less stressful and guilty night. When you’re from a small town it gets too easy to pick on people, but everyone is happier when we make an effort to talk instead about current events or happy things in our lives!
Serving handcrafted beer made by my SO and me. It keeps me relaxed and the guests happy!
Dessert
Cook good foord, be a happy host and don’t be pushy.
All my entertaining sets are in white… makes it incredibly easy to make it look cohesive and add pops of color to match the event or holiday. Also makes it super easy to add to the sets when needed or when an accident happens and I need to replace one!
Having small amounts of lots of options! This applies to food, things to do, seating, everything. Everyone is happy and no one has to settle (you also don’t end up with too many leftovers!)