Surroundings Market Blog

Whether you’re hosting an extra family or having a full blown fall gathering, we’ve got some great ideas for the best foods that feed a large crowd. These food ideas are meant to handle big serving sizes, be easy to make, and go easy on the pocket. They will help make hosting people in your home fun and stress free! Tips for Feeding a Large Crowd Before diving into the crowd-pleasing meal ideas, let’s have a quick chat about a few things that go into feeding a large group of people. First and foremost, there’s always a level of preparation necessary to pull off meals of group-size. Part of this prep involves choosing meals that accommodate the number of people that will be in attendance. You’ll also want to clarify if there are any food allergies so you can stay away from no-no ingredients (or make appropriate substitutions). Another aspect of crowd-hosting to consider is the hospitality. Having the proper amount of seating, cutlery, and tableware is a must. You don’t want to run out of the essentials and be left scrounging up additional stuff from your own cabinets. You can also go the extra mile and dress up your paper or plastic cups with a classy cup and marker holder. And if you’re into matching, complete the look with a classy plate holder! Last but not least, having an itinerary of plans may help as well. If you’re simply having dinner, that’s all you would need to account for. However, if a meal is only a portion of what will be taking place, be sure to have those ducks in a row.  RELATED: How to Plan the Best Get-Together Ever 5 Best Foods That Feed a Large Crowd Pulled BBQ Sandwiches  Chicken breasts are one of the cheaper types of meat to use for making this yummy meal. Just a couple family-size packs of chicken breasts can yield a lot of sandwiches to go around. Go with the classic bake, shred, and add bbq sauce recipe to make it easy or go with a homemade sauce. To make sure you create a well-rounded meal, don’t forget to add sides. Classic bbq sandwich sides are cole slaw and chips - two things that keep this meal option inexpensive. Pasta From baked penne pasta to traditional spaghetti, pasta meals always go a long way. Not to mention, this tends to be a classic meal for most families (especially if there are kids in tow). Whip up a huge batch and keep it warm in the crockpot. Make some homemade garlic bread or pick up a few boxes of frozen bread sticks to pair with this simple crowd-pleaser. Taco Bar Even if it’s not Taco Tuesday, you can’t go wrong with having a taco bar. This is one of the best meals that feed a large crowd. If you’re hosting a gathering with well-known friends and family, you could even ask them to pitch in and bring a side or topping. Cook up several pounds of meat in the Instant Pot, add a tableside of toppings, and you’re all set! One trick to make the meat stretch even further is to add cooked rice or beans to the mix. A few topping suggestions are: chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, green onion, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Refried beans, tortillas, chips, and taco shells are the perfect sides and additions for one awesome taco bar. Sandwich Bar Similar to a taco bar, a sandwich bar can be stocked with bread slices and choice cheeses and sandwich meats. Condiments are just as easy because all you’ll need are mayo, mustard, and pickles. Pair the sandwiches with a variety of chip options to keep it simple or give your guests the choice of a side salad. Don’t just stop at the classic side salad with lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Consider potato or macaroni salads, too! Soups Soups are always a good option when you have to feed a large crowd. They can be made well ahead of time and feed an abundance of people. You can also choose to make a few different soups to offer your guests choices. When it comes to soup, they are best served with breads such as Italian, rye, and/or rolls. Complete the meal by having soup and salad. Final Thoughts When it comes to foods that feed a large crowd, these are sure to be a big hit with your crowd. Remember to plan your meal ahead of time, stock up on the ingredients you need, and have a blast cooking!

Potlucks can happen any time of year, which is why we’d like to share our list of easy sandwich recipe ideas. When you’re looking for something quick and easy that won’t pinch the purse, sandwiches can always be a good go-to. Not to mention, you can make a lot and only spend a little. Keep reading to see our list of sandwiches you can throw together for your next potluck gathering. Are sandwiches appropriate for potlucks? If you’ve asked yourself this question, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. In fact, it’s a great question to ask. It’s not that sandwiches aren’t appropriate for potlucks. The answer actually relies on the style or theme of the gathering. If there is a particular theme that calls for dips only or a dessert bar, then you may want to skip making sandwiches. However, sandwiches can go with just about anything. Think soup and sandwiches… dips, chips, and sandwiches. See! Sandwiches have a way of complimenting a variety of foods while offering a filling meal at the same time. If ever in doubt, always ask the potluck host. If that’s you, then consider having a sandwich themed potluck! Plan Ahead for Your Next Potluck Cooking and/or preparing food for a crowd can quickly become overwhelming without a plan. Before buying one single ingredient, make sure you decide on the types of sandwiches you want to prepare. There are quite a few kinds to choose from. Do you want to go the slider route? Smaller sandwiches with the capability to make more. Do you want full slice size sandwiches? They can be cut in triangles, halves, or even squares.  Regardless of what you choose, make sure you gather all necessary details down to the type of bread you want to use. To help with budgeting, look for bread that is on sale or in the last buy section. Go for a meat or veggie that you can get a lot of but for a decent price. Also, don’t forget to consider side items like slaw, salad, or chips. Easy Sandwich Recipe Ideas for a Potluck Now that we’ve gotten the particulars out of the way, let’s look at a few irresistible sandwich recipe ideas for your next potluck get together. Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches You’ve had sloppy joes, but how about on a sub sandwich? When feeding a large crowd, you can make sloppy joe subs and cut them into smaller sandwich slices about 3” inches in width. This will get you about 4 sandwiches per foot long sub! Also, consider switching things up a bit and adding an Italian flare to the meat mixture and making strombolis. Mini Slider Melts Using the sandwich meat and cheese of your choice, place a nice helping of meat and cheese inside the mini sliders (like Hawaiian rolls) and bake until the cheese is melted. Don’t worry, they don’t have to stay warm to still be good. In fact, these are also good cold so if you have some left over, pop them in the fridge and have them the next day. Pulled Beef Sandwiches You can never go wrong with a bbq style pulled beef sandwich. You can also substitute the beef for another meat of your choice, but the overall idea is to get that bbq flavor. If it’s too cold outside, skip the grill and go with baking the meat until well done and tender. Then place it in a bowl and use two forks to begin pulling the meat apart. Apply a generous helping of bbq sauce and you’re set to go. Bring a bowl of slaw just in case someone wants to top their sandwich with it. Chicken Salad Sandwich Nothing is easier than a store-bought salad and yummy bread. If you don’t have time for the cook it from scratch method, purchase some chicken salad from the deli of your local grocery. Stop by the bread basket and see if they have any loaves on sale and assemble your sandwiches at home. Place them on a platter for an overall homemade look. Mini Burgers Instead of cooking full-sized burgers, opt in for mini burgers that can fit on a slider roll. This size is perfect for a little slice of a roma tomato, one pickle, and small dollop of mayo, mustard, and ketchup. These are sure to be a big hit especially if the potluck will have children in attendance. Final Thoughts These five easy sandwich recipe ideas are sure to be crowd pleasers at your next potluck. Remember to plan ahead and save yourself the stress of feeding a large crowd. If you have leftovers, don’t hesitate to put them in the fridge and enjoy them at home the next day (or two)! Psst... looking for something to easily transport your sandwiches in and make them look cute? Try our disposable pan holder!

While brainstorming your next party menu, consider grabbing from our list of healthy soup recipes to feed a group. With the fall season comes parties and harvest gatherings that typically have a large group of people in attendance. Take the guesswork out of what to feed everyone by having a few soups on the menu.  Tips for Cooking Healthy Soups for a Large Crowd Once you’ve decided to put soup on the menu, you may be wondering about practical ways to cook them. Although recipes have their own ingredients to throw together, keep these other cooking (and catering) tips in mind. Give yourself plenty of cooking time.  Since most soups need time to simmer for the flavors to combine, you don’t want to start it right before the party. In addition, soups can be made up to a day in advance and be warmed up before gathering time. The rule of thumb is the longer a soup cooks, the more flavorful it becomes.  Use a crock pot or Instant Pot for cooking, reheating, and transporting. These lovely kitchen gadgets come in handy when cooking soups and stews. You can cook your soup as directed, leave it in the pot, and easily transport it to the party. Simply plug it up and allow it to reheat all in one dish. Keep it simple. Stress-free is the name of the game when it comes to cooking for a crowd. You’re most likely already doubling (or tripling) the amount of ingredients of the recipe, so keep it simple with the fewest amount. In other words, go for recipes with five ingredients or less. With these tips in mind, let’s look at --- crowd-pleasing soup recipes to consider cooking for your next gathering. 5 Healthy Soup Recipes to Feed a Group Tomato Soup with Stuffed Gnocchi Three ingredients is all you’ll need for this yummy soup. Grab several cans of tomato soup, a couple packages of frozen spinach, and a few packages of stuffed gnocchi - and that’s it! Simply throw all of your ingredients into the crockpot and cook over the low (or high) setting. This soup can easily make big batches and be served with loaves of sliced Italian bread. Easy Lasagna Soup This recipe will help you get rid of any pantry leftovers, especially the lasagna noodles that you’ve had every intention on using. Skip the mixing and layering of a traditional lasagna and go for throwing all the ingredients together in the crock pot. This will be one of your more hearty soups with plenty to go around. Consider serving it with garlic bread topped with cheese.  20-Minute Pumpkin Soup We mentioned that you’ll want to give yourself cooking time; however, if time is of the essence, then this pumpkin soup recipe will come in handy. It’s also a fall classic since the main ingredient is pumpkin! It’s the spices that bring an entirely new flavor to the canned pumpkin (or you can use fresh). Check out how easy it is to make here. Go for sourdough or rye bread to pair with this soup. Slow-Cooker Chili You can never go wrong by bringing a pot of good ol’ chili to feed a group of people. Not to mention, a chili cookoff is the perfect theme for a fall party. Have everyone whip up their best batch using their favorite recipes, and you can confidently participate with this recipe. It’s more on the hearty side, so if you’d like it a bit more soupy, consider adding water or a beef broth. Serve this chili with Italian pull bread. Easy Minestrone Nutritious and low-fat are the highlights of this soup recipe, and yes… it can feed a group of any size. It’s packed with vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, and cabbage. And it has a flavorful kick thanks to the garlic, parsley, basil, and oregano. All of these herbs plus a few choice stocks come together for an award-winning soup. This soup is best served with crostini or chewy French bread. Final Thoughts As you’re planning for your next fall-themed gathering, take the stress out of what to cook by going with a soup bar. The recipes above can be cooked on the stove, in the crock pot, or even in an Instant Pot. Also, consider putting your soup in a disposable pan holder to make cleanup way easier! Don’t forget to add the above recipes to your favorite recipe book. In the meantime, would you do us a favor and pin this post, tweet it, and share it with your Facebook friends? Thanks so much!

Whether you’re the host or attending as a guest, we have put together a roundup of the best dip recipes for your next potluck. If you will be the host, having a dip recipe food theme can make things a lot easier and interesting at the same time. Bookmark this page, save the pin, and grab your favorite recipe journal because these are a must-try! What is a potluck and why have one? You’re probably already familiar with what a potluck is, but for good measure, let’s revisit its original meaning. Potlucks are communal gatherings where each guest contributes a homemade dish to share with others. These types of parties are perfect ways to add uniqueness and make catering much easier.  While there are many things to bring to (or prive at) a potluck, in this post we’re going to tackle some of the best dips that are easy to make and yummy to the belly. 10 Best Dip Recipes for Your Next Potluck Each of these recipes take few ingredients, can easily be increased to accommodate a big crowd, and are substitute-friendly in the event there are any food allergies. If you know you’ll be making dips often, it’s a good idea to keep some of these ingredient essentials on hand: Sour cream Cream cheese Mayonnaise Block (or Shredded) Cheese And don’t forget to pair your dip with the best crackers, pretzels, chips, or breads. We’ll give you a heads up on which is the best option with each dip recipe mentioned below. Dips with Meat Buffalo Chicken Dip From game day to a family reunion, this dip is ready in just thirty minutes. Easy peasy, right? All you need are just a few ingredients to whip this dip up and become the talk of the next potluck. Chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese come together and are combined with a few other kitchen staples for an amazing dish. Pairs well with: skillet bread, toasted baguette slices, and/or tortilla chips. Shrimp Dip Headed to or hosting a potluck with a nautical theme? This shrimp dip is a must-bring. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients and can easily be doubled or tripled to make a big batch. Even if there isn’t a theme, shrimp dip is a good dish to add a little twist to the potluck lineup. Pairs well with: toasted bread slices (or pieces) and round crackers. Reuben Dip If you’re a big fan of the reuben sandwich, then you’ll love it in party-size dip form. The best part is you’re not making anything from scratch. Instead, it’s simply combining ingredients that can all be conveniently found at the grocery store. Things like corned beef, cream cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. You’ll have an amazing dip in less than an hour from start to finish. Pairs well with: toasted rye bread pieces and/or tortillas. Beef Queso Dip Skip the store bought and go for making your own beef queso dip from scratch. Not to mention, it only takes 15 minutes! Grab a few packs of hamburger meat, your favorite seasonings, cubed cheeses, and salsa ingredients to make this super easy dip. Get the full recipe here.  Pairs well with: tortilla chips. Vegetable-Based Dips The next three recipe suggestions are all cooked the same way. Start by roasting the vegetables until soft and fragrant. This will vary depending on your oven type. Once your veggies have reached the appropriate consistency, let them cool completely before turning them into a dip. Using a blender or food processor, start with about 2 cups of veggies at a time and 1 cup of full-fat plain Greek-style yogurt, ¼ cup of lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of tahini, blending it all together. To get a dippable consistency, begin adding about 2 tablespoons of water at a time until you reach your desired feel.  Once it’s all blended together, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper. Give it a taste and adjust the flavor as you see fit. The following veggie combinations we recommend are: Cauliflower and onion Roasted beet and garlic Butternut squash and leeks Pairs well with: baguette bread, torn pieces of Italian bread, toasted bread. Easy Artichoke Dip Another 20-minute dip and potluck favorite coming up! To make the easiest artichoke dip ever, all you need are 2 cans of water-packed artichokes, 2 cups of parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mayonnaise, and salt and pepper to taste. Drain and chop the artichokes, mix all the ingredients together, and bake for 20 minutes. That’s it! Pairs well with: crackers, endive leaves, toasted slices of baguette. Cheesey Dips Pimento Cheese Dip This is another time when you’ll want to skip the store bought pimento cheese and have a go at making this 15-minute dip. You’ll most likely have all the ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry. Learn how to make this yummy dip here. Pairs well with: Ritz crackers. Chunky Blue Cheese Dip Six ingredients is all you need to make this dip and it’s a pure cheese delight. The base ingredients are cream cheese and sour cream mixed with a few seasonings. Then, you’ll lightly fold in the blue cheese so it keeps a “chunked” look and consistency. You can add pecans as a garnish for an extra touch. Pairs well with: apple and pear slices, crackers, French bread pieces. Final Thoughts As you get ready for your next potluck, keep these yummy dip recipes in mind. They are perfect for any season and can easily accommodate a group of any number! Share your favorite dip recipes in the comments below! Psst... don't forget to grab our disposable pan holder and plate holder for your next potluck!

As the weather and outdoor scenery starts to chance, there are many activities to do at your next fall party. Whether your gathering is family-centered with kids in tow or an adult-only party, we have several activities that are sure to be a hit with everyone in attendance. 7 Activities to Do at Your Next Fall Party Caramel Apple Activity Similar to a frozen yogurt dessert party, invite your friends to make and creatively top their own caramel apples to enjoy. You can provide them with a variety of garnishes or have a few friends bring some along for a potluck style caramel apple bar. A few toppings that pair perfectly with caramel apples are: chopped nuts granola coconut flakes salt melted chocolate to drizzle mini chocolate chips Pumpkin Decorating Activity Invite your loved ones over for a fun time of pumpkin decorating. You can have everyone bring their own pumpkin or supply small to medium sized ones. Set up your decorating station(s) with a variety of paint colors, paint brushes, sponges, stencils, and decorating ideas for inspiration. To add a bit more fun to the party, cast ballots for the best looking pumpkin and offer a prize to the winner. This is an activity that can be enjoyed by the young and old alike! Oh, and don't forget the food – anything pumpkin or in a pumpkin goes! This pumpkin crunch cake and pumpkin spice hot chocolate are a must try. Pumpkin Carving Activity In line with pumpkin decorating, you can also have a pumpkin carving activity at your next fall party. Since these can be used all throughout the season, there are several avenues you can take. Be sure to have all the appropriate stations and utensils for this one as it can get a little messy. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Set up a few easy-to-access trash cans to discard of the pumpkin insides. If you'd like to keep the seeds, provide a few bowls to toss them into. Have a few beginner stencils on hand to make carving a little easier. Consider purchasing or using carving knives to make the cutting easier. This probably goes without saying, but make sure younger kids have adult help. DIY Leaf Craft Activity If there's one thing you'll find in abundance during the fall season, it's leaves. Gather basketfuls of all the colors, shapes, and kinds you can find and then use them to make different types of leaf crafts. From leaf wreaths and bordered picture frames to collages and garland, there are many things you can create with leaves. Hay Ride Adventure If you have the space and the resources, consider hosting a hayride adventure. Even if you don't have a tractor, you can load up a few bales of hay onto the back of a truck and take a ride around the yard or neighborhood.  Sweet Treat Activity This one involves one of the most-loved desserts - rice crispy treats! Instead of settling for the classic color of the rice, set up three or four different bowls with red, orange, yellow, and green food coloring. Dye several cups of rice in each bowl and then proceed with making the rice crispy treats as the recipe directs. You can grab a pack of leaf cookie cutters to use for cutting out different leaf shapes. Eat them at the party or send a few home in sandwich baggies for all in attendance. Play Fall-Themed Games Bobbing for apples, having a pie walk (similar to a cake walk), and playing a round of guess that spice are all fun, fall-related games and activities. When it comes to setting up the spice testing game, go for flavors of the season like pumpkin spice, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. You can have the person blind-folded or simply provide everyone with a plate and sprinkle of spice for trying.  Place a number next to each spice and have people write down their guesses on a piece of paper next to the corresponding number. Consider giving the winner a pumpkin spice pie! Final Thoughts The fall season is one of the most beautiful times of the year to host family and friend gatherings and parties. Take the guesswork out of what to do at your party by using some of our suggestions above. Have some suggestions of your own? Let us know in the comments below!  

If you’re planning a fun fall gathering with friends, be sure to have all the right foods ready to serve to your loved ones. While there are many foods worth preparing when the weather starts to get a bit chillier and the leaves begin to change from green to colors of red and brown, these are some of the five best fall-inspired foods to have at your next gathering. You can easily prepare them and have them ready, allowing party guests to grab what they’d like to eat and add it to their plates or bowls. 5 Fall Inspired Foods to Have at Your Next Gathering 1. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Nothing says fall quite like the taste of roasted butternut squash soup, the kind of soup you can make in your slow cooker with simple ingredients. It doesn’t take much effort or time to prepare the soup using a few ingredients, including butternut squash, coconut milk, butter, vegetable broth, and other seasonings and spices. It’s a warm treat that you can serve as a quick and delightful appetizer for guests to enjoy. 2. Pull-Apart Pumpkin Bread How can you go wrong with a pull-apart pumpkin bread? Pumpkin is the flavor of the season, and you can transform it into a flavorful bread that your guests can pull apart when they’re in the mood for a piece. It’s a sweet treat that you can eat before or after a meal as a quick and delicious dessert.  Of course, you’ll need several vital ingredients to make the bread, including pumpkin pie mix, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, heavy cream, and biscuit dough. But, it’s not hard to assemble the bread, bake it, and have it ready for everyone to enjoy at the next gathering. 3. Roasted Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are the perfect fall side dish. You can roast them to perfection in the oven before serving them with butter, mini marshmallows, and a bit of brown sugar. Who doesn’t love a loaded sweet potato because of its incredible taste?  Give your guests the option to have their sweet potatoes loaded or not. If they don’t want them loaded, they may want to keep it simple with a bit of butter added on top. The butter melts perfectly over these roasted potatoes, enhancing their taste. Use our disposable pan holder to help decorate the table and hide the looks of those aluminum pans. 4. Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops When serving the main course for your gathering, cinnamon apple pork chops are an excellent choice. It’s something about the sweet taste of apples that pairs well with the savory flavor of the pork chops.  You can use boneless pork loin chops with sliced red apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and a few other ingredients to create a sweet and savory meal that tastes great as the main course. Then, serve it with a side of roasted sweet potatoes to complete the meal, leaving you with the perfect fall-inspired food to have for everyone. 5. French Apple Cake You can’t forget to serve some dessert at the end of the night (or in the middle of the day). After enjoying the appetizers and the main course with its fresh and flavorful side dish, be sure to have a fall-inspired dessert available for your guests to enjoy, such as the French Apple Cake or a homemade apple pie. The taste of apples reminds everyone of the fall season and the cooler weather. Prepare the cake, slice it, and serve! Final Thoughts These are five fall-inspired foods we recommend to have at your next fall-inspired gathering. Of course, you can also serve these wonderful foods with some delicious apple cider. Whether hot or cold, apple cider is a genuinely flavorful and enjoyable beverage worth having with the French apple cake at the end of the night before everyone goes home. One last idea we'd like to share is to consider adding a potluck style feel to your next Fall gathering. Open the invitation for guests to bring their favorite fall-inspired dish. And don't forget to set up the entertainment. Let us know your favorite fall-themed food that you plan to have at your next gathering!

Are you planning a fun, outdoor fall party this year? Maybe you have a few ideas but aren’t sure how to pull them together or maybe you’re starting with a completely clean slate. We’ve gathered 7 great tips to help make sure your fall party is amazing! 7 Tips for an Outdoor Fall Party Choose the perfect location for your fall party. This could be the easiest (or hardest!) aspect of party planning. If you already know where your party will be, skip ahead! If you’re still deciding then you may want to keep these tips in mind. Fall weather can be unpredictable so look for a location that has indoor and outdoor seating and standing options. This will help should the weather turn bad. You can create “indoor/outdoor” space by using a tent or portable shelter as a backup. Other things you may want to look for include the general atmosphere. Hosting a party in a park or natural area will help with decorations (hello nature!) whereas a more industrial or basic location means you’ll need to do a bit of work to get the fall theme to be present. Create a fall atmosphere. As mentioned above, if your party is held in a more natural area you won’t have to do as much work to create a fall atmosphere. To bring more fall feel to your party, one simple trick would be to hold your party later in the day. As the sun goes down, dusk provides a very nice ambiance. The use of candles and lights are one way to easily transition from day to night.   Don’t forget seating! Even if your party is outdoors your guests will want somewhere to sit and place their food and drinks. Keep it rustic with items like hay bales or go a bit more chic with covered chairs and tables. A few fall flowers tied to the back of a chair can easily double both as seating and decorations!  Use Fall-inspired decorations. Some of the best decorations for fall are natural items found nearby. Think of things like leaves, twigs, pumpkins, and flowers to make a natural arrangement. You can also use things like candles and a variety of different textiles - think burlap or gingham - to add interesting color and texture to your tables and sitting areas. Gather a bunch of fall flowers in a couple of grass rope baskets. Use a singular color palette to keep the visual appeal of your party space. Dark jewel tones, rustic fall colors or stark black, whites, and reds are all interesting fall color choices.  Decide on the perfect Fall party foods. Let’s face it, food is one of the most important parts of a party. You could do a few things with food. Go with an all finger food or all appetizer party with a mixture of different fall favorites. Things like pigs in a blanket or corn dogs are a fun treat for all ages. Pulled pork or chicken sandwiches are easy to prepare in advance and serve a crowd.  For a more formal dinner, think warm, inviting flavors with a cozy feel. Soups, roast vegetables or meats and tart pops of flavor all evoke a sense of fall. This type of meal lends itself better to a family style serving which is perfect for a welcoming fall meal! Don’t forget the dessert (and drinks)! There is no shortage of great desserts that are perfect for a fall party. Pies and tarts are some of the first things that come to mind. No matter what you choose for your main meal, make sure there’s a few sweet items too.  You could even host an all desserts party! Pick several favorites or have each guest bring their own dessert and let guests vote on which was the best. All for fun of course! A great thing about fall is that you can serve cold or warm drinks and it works. If you’ll be having a party that goes from day to night, have colder items available during the and then a few warmer options as the sun goes down. Drinks like hot apple cider and hot cocoa can be made both as an all around beverage and in adult version.  Have a backup plan. A final tip to keep in mind is to have a backup plan. Sure, we all want to have a fun time outside but what happens if it rains or is extra cold the day of your party? Do you have a tent or a barn available that guests could move into? A garage could also serve this purpose. The last thing anyone wants to do is cancel their party but this may also be inevitable. Have a plan ready in advance so you’re not scrambling the day of. Final Thoughts While planning your outdoor party, don't forget to grab the best cups, use a cute cup holder, and get decor that can be reused for another gathering. These tips are sure to help you host the most amazing fall-inspired gathering. Don't forget to tell us your best tips in the comments below.

There's nothing more beautiful than a fall-themed party. There's something special about the weather, the scenery, and when it comes to planning a fall party, there are so many directions you can go. Of course, your overall theme and feel may also have something to do with the area you live, but it's still doable. For example, it’s hard to have a party with changing leaves if you live in the desert. But, even with limitations it doesn’t mean you can’t have the most amazing party!  Here are 7 different party ideas that you can start planning now.  7 Best Fall-Themed Party Ideas Old Fashioned Fall Fun You can’t go wrong if you decide to throw an old fashioned fall harvest party. Prepare drinks like hot apple cider and have your party decorated with leaves, hay and pumpkins. Snacks are always good and you can always stick to classics like hot dogs to keep things simple. Candied apples or funnel cakes are also a fun, sweet treat. For games, bobbing for apples, a three legged race, and the toilet paper mummy wrap are simple to put together and fun to play. Bonfires and Baubles This isn’t your normal tea party but that doesn’t mean your guests can’t dress up. Encourage everyone to come with their favorite over the top dress-up style and then treat them to an outdoor bonfire party! It’s a different, and fun way to do a typical fall activity. Have finger foods available and plenty of cold drinks for this fall themed party.  All the Pie! Who doesn’t love pie and who wouldn’t love a fall pie themed party!? For this celebration you can make use of the bounty of fall produce to either have all pie based foods or get the group involved to see who can bake the best pie to share. Hand pies or pies on a stick are also ideas if you don’t want to bake the whole thing. A pie eating contest is sure to be a fun activity for the party or a pie throwing game! A Corny Party  Head to a local corn maze for this fun-filled party theme. After getting lost (and found) in the maze, guests can head to the buffet table for a popcorn buffet! Have plenty of popcorn ready to go and any and everything you can think of for toppings. A blow up projection screen and some comfy chairs or hay bales serve as the seating area for fall film. Other corn themed games like cornhole and a “guess how many kernels” jar guessing game could also be included. Apple of my Eye If you have access to an apple orchard you could either visit or host your party at the location with this apple theme. Enjoy traditional orchard activities like a hayride and set up stations so your guests could either dip their own caramel apples with all types of toppings available for coating. Or, go with apple nachos where the apples are pre-sliced and can be drizzled and topped. For games try an apple race where players have to get all the apples in one basket, passed through everyone in line to fill up the basket on the other end the fastest! Or, try the classic - bobbing for apples! Pumpkin Painting Is it really a fall party if there are no pumpkins involved? Pottery and picture painting parties are all the rage lately so why not extend that theme to pumpkins? You can either host this at a pumpkin patch where people can choose their own pumpkin or have them ready for your guests on arrival. Set out plenty of supplies so that the painting can begin. This is also a good party idea for any age group.  Costume Ball This suggestion is a bit less traditional but why not throw a glamorous fall party? Keeping in line with the idea of fall costumes, invite your guests to dress up in their favorite elegant attire. You might even specify a specific historical period or theme. Rent a space that can be used for dancing and of course taking beautiful pictures. For food and drinks stick to seasonal finger foods and classy cocktails. Final Thoughts Putting together a Fall-themed party can be super fun and really beautiful. Don't forget to add unique touches with our wooden cup holder and sea grass rope baskets. Let us know what you're planning for your next Fall-themed gathering!

It’s not always easy coming up with ways to entertain your party guests. In fact, it can be downright overwhelming. Depending on the type of party you’re having, you’ll want to make sure your guests feel welcomed and have fun in the process. No matter if you’re having a birthday party, graduation celebration, or a “just because” gathering, these practical tips will help take the stress out of entertainment. 5 Easy Ways to Entertain Your Party Guests Keep in mind that the primary goal is to be practical. The more time (and money) you have to invest, the more stressful it can become. As always, we recommend not planning a party alone. Recruit friends, family, even coworkers to help you host a memorable get-together. With this in mind, let’s look at a few ways to entertain your party guests. Set up background entertainment. In other words, consider playing some music at a low volume. You can’t go wrong with a little instrumental music, chill radio, or even upbeat instrumentals. The key is to not have it overpowering conversations or being more of a distraction. Keeping in line with the idea of providing background entertainment, you could also go for playing something on the TV (or project) like a slideshow of pictures or a screensaver show. These are a hit for family reunions or gatherings that take place in the living room space. Set up a photo booth. Including photography in your party will help with creating those memories that will last long after the party is over. It can be as easy as using a plastic table cloth as the backdrop and taping a few theme-related props to it. Then, on a small table, provide guests with a few picture-taking props to use. Since everyone usually has their own phones these days, they can take the pictures themselves or solicit a nearby guest to snap the photo. If everyone takes their own, consider having a place everyone can post their pictures for sharing (Google Dropbox, Drive, etc.). Provide a few games to play. Whether you choose board games, card games, or something outdoorsy like corn hole, having these options will help entertain your party guests. Not to mention, a little friendly competition can always raise the excitement at any party. You can have a designated game time or allow guests the option to play what they want when they want. Have a delicious menu. Food is entertainment all by itself. Even if you go for finger foods and fruit trays, there’s something about food that naturally brings people together. Whatever you do, don’t think too hard about it. Make sure you’re aware of any possible food allergies that coming guests may have and plan accordingly. Also, keep in mind the time of day you’ll be having your party and the theme. And as always, don’t hesitate to solicit help in this area. Ask your best friend to make her infamous cookies and your sister to bring her awesome dip (and chips). Keep beverage selections to a minimum (water, lemonade, iced tea, etc.) and let the rest take care of itself. Provide a guest book or “I was here” board to be signed. These aren’t just for baby and wedding showers. Guest books and other creative ways to capture the names of who was present can add another entertainment piece to your party. Simply pick your book or board of choice and provide your guests with a variety of creative utensils. There are many different kinds of pencils, coloring pencils, markers, and the like that can be used. After the party, you’ll one awesome keepsake! Final Thoughts Putting together the best get-together and finding ways to entertain your party guests doesn’t have to make you cringe. In fact, deciding what kind of entertainment you’ll provide should be fun and fulfilling. Know that your party guests are going to have a good time regardless of what you choose to do. The ultimate goal is to bring people together and create long-lasting memories in the process. Psst… are you looking for ways to spruce up your party decorations and tablescape? Check out some of our customer favorites! From cup holders and utensil caddies to plate holders, we gotcha covered!

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Looking for some fun and exciting activities to do at your family gatherings? We’ve put together some of the best ideas for any family size and are enjoyable kids and adults alike.  Build Traditions with Family Gatherings Looking back on some of the family gatherings or reunions you may have attended as a child, what comes to mind? For most of us kids, we looked forward to the food and activities. Getting together with our cousins made for a good time of catch up and an even better time for a little friendly competition. Little did we know, these family gatherings would turn into traditions that many of us still carry on right now today. Not to mention, there are amazing benefits to having family gatherings. They help you stay in connection with distant (and close) family members. It’s also proven that families that meet together often have much stronger bonds.  Last but not least, family gatherings also help children build identity, feel comforted, and be supported. As you plan your next family get together, keep these benefits in mind and plan to include some of the activities below. 5 Activities to Do at Your Family Gatherings Create a family album together.  This is one of those activities that’s fun but also gives the family an opportunity to create memories that they can look back at later. To put this into motion for your family, simply set up a separate table or a tent where the family members can gather in-between other activities to prepare the photo album. Have them bring photos that they love and stick them in the album. You can also provide scrapbooking materials if someone wants to add an extra creative touch. Organize a family sports day. If your family members have always loved playing sports, this can be the perfect family gathering activity. Plus, it allows everyone to run around instead of just sitting and talking.  Based on what everyone in your family likes and can play comfortably, you can organize a few sports to play during the gathering. Whether it's racing, basketball, balloon toss or anything else, you can definitely have a good time by playing sport-related games with the family. It will also help you burn a few calories from all the yummy food!  Host a family award night and give unique titles to your loved ones.  This has always been a game that people play with friends, but it can also be a fun family gathering activity to encourage family members.  Come up with some unique awards and choose as a family who the award needs to be given to. Once you pick someone, you can give them a medal or some sort of gift and even make them give an award winning speech. This is a nice way to add more fun to the usual gatherings and make people happy by the end of the night.  Include a family movie night. If you have a nice backyard and the weather is appropriate, you can organize movie nights outside and watch movies with your family. Movie nights can also be the best way to introduce your family to your favorite movies and also know what your family members like to watch. If any members have old family videos, opt in for showing a few of those. Combine movie night with some of your family’s best “secret” recipes, snacks, and drinks. This will be a memory that will be talked about for years to come. Family talent shows to let everyone show off their talent. These don't have to be as serious as they sound. Simply encourage your family members to stand up willingly and show off any talent that they are proud of.  Whether it's singing, acting, or some hidden talent, this can give you a chance to know your family members a little better and appreciate their talents. It also helps family members look forward to the gathering as they get to show what they are good at.  Conclusion Your family tradition can be anything as long as it enables you to make amazing memories with your loved ones and have a great time together.  Next time you’re hosting the family gathering, snag our suggestions above. We hope these will help you organize an amazing night (or day) together with your family and enjoy their company to the max!

Deciding what to include on the menu can be a little overwhelming; hence, why we’d like to share our best food ideas for any family gathering. Skip the catering and save money with these tried and true food ideas.  9 Best Food Ideas for Any Family Gathering Appetizer Food Ideas Perhaps you’d like to offer your family an appetizer-style menu. This food choice is perfect for gatherings held between normal meal times where you’re not quite hungry enough for a full meal. Not to mention, these food ideas are easy to make and yummy to taste. Dressed Eggs With the most basic recipe being 4 ingredients, these won’t require a big grocery bill. Boil a few dozen of eggs, cut them in half, and use the cooked yolk to create the “dress.” Most simple recipes call for a mayonnaise base, pickle relish, salt and pepper to taste, and a garnish of ground cayenne pepper.  Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks Two words: air fryer. This kitchen gadget makes cooking everything so much easier. Purchase a few bags of mozzarella sticks, pop them in the air fryer, and position them on a circular plate with dipping sauces in the middle. These will be a huge hit for kids and adults alike. Chips & Salsa Another easy appetizer idea that is super easy to throw together. If you will have lots of kids at your family gathering, consider adding some original chips and dip. There are so many to choose from so making a chips, dip, and salsa bar would be easy and affordable. Salad Bar Ideas If you’re looking for a little more than an appetizer, but still not quite ready to put together a full course meal, a salad bar is the way to go! Summer Macaroni Salad Combining all the flavors of summer, this salad is both light and refreshing. Boiled macaroni noodles are the foundation and the salad is pulled together with a mayo-based dressing and diced green pepper, red (orange or yellow) bell pepper, celery, and onion. Give it a good stir, chill in the fridge for a couple of hours, and it’s ready to be served. Classic Fruit Salad You can’t go wrong by adding a healthy fruit salad to the table. Simply combine your favorite fruits together in a bowl and you’re done. There are different types of fruit salad dressings you can make to drizzle over the top or put to the side for self-serve. The best fruits for summer are watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, mango, and kiwi. Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad Using another summery vegetable staple, cucumber salad is light and healthy. It only takes 20 minutes of prep time and you’re done. The creamy dill sauce is made with sour cream and white wine vinegar and a mixture of fresh snipped dill, minced garlic cloves, a dash of sugar, and crushed pepper. Add this to thinly sliced cucumbers for a salad your family will be raving about for weeks to come. Heavier Food Ideas If your family gathering will be during a time of the day when most meals are eaten, then you may want to opt in for foods that are filling. This doesn’t mean you need to spend endless hours in the kitchen, though. The meal ideas below will keep you stress-free! Air Fryer Friend Chicken Back to the air fryer, use it to fry some of the best chicken your family will ever have. You’ll still want to double dip in an egg/milk mixture and flour, but you can skip the oil and extra cleanup. Most air fryer fried chicken recipes call for a 390 degree cook setting and 25-minute cook time. Pair the chicken with one of the salads and appetizers mentioned above. Burgers On a Stick Instead of patting out big burgers and waiting for them to cook, go for rolling them into meatball size and stick them on a skewer. The key to preventing skewers from burning is to soak them in water for 2-3 minutes prior to placing them on the grill. Once your burger balls have finished cooking, load the skewer with a small piece of cheese, lettuce, pickle, and a cherry tomato.  Build Your Own Sandwich Buffet This is another platter-style, buffet idea that will give your guests the option of putting together their own hearty sandwich meal. Provide them with a variety of meat and side options, and don’t forget the condiments.  Ideas for Food Storage and Placement Take the guesswork out of how to place the food on your table, let alone what to put it in with these cute and reusable ----: Elevated Server Disposable Plan Holder Plate Holder These three things alone will help you table and food stand out! Final Thoughts Use our best food ideas for any family gathering to help keep your menu planning easy and stress-free. Don’t forget to solicit the help of other family members and in some cases, call for a good old fashioned potluck! We’d love to hear from you. Share some of your food ideas in the comments below!

If you’re looking to make party planning super easy, then you need these five practical tips that will make hosting every gathering a breeze. Attending a party is one thing, but hosting them is a totally different story. Very rarely do people understand all that goes into throwing the best gathering. That is until they find themselves neck-deep in to-do lists and piles of supplies. Use our practical advice to make every party you plan easy and stress-free! 5 Practical Things to Make Party Planning Super Easy Before we dive into our suggestions, go ahead and bookmark this page so you can come back to it. Better yet, download our Party Planning Checklist freebie at the end of this post. Give yourself plenty of party planning time. We all know how fast time flies, so you will want to give yourself plenty of time to plan your party. Regardless of the type of gathering you plan on having, it’s a great idea to start planning up to a month in advance. This will give you time for anything you may have to order online or reserve from supply rental stores.  Instead of stuffing all of your planning into one day, consider taking several days to focus on one aspect of the party at a time. For example, plan your budget one day, decide and plan your theme on another, and so on. Doing this for about a week will ensure that you’ve crossed at the T’s and dotted every I, all with time to spare! Invest in reusable resources. Not only is this tip a money saver, but it’s also a time saver. Before you head for the toss n’ go plastics, consider adding the following to your reusable party resources stash: Classy Plate Holder Utensil Caddy Cup Holder Disposable Plan Holder Acrylic drinking straws Durable plastic table cloths Having these few resources on hand can cut your supplies list down by a fraction. Not to mention, they make decorating a bit easier as well. Make lists for different tasks and activities. It’s common to want to keep everything you need and need to do in your head, but that will only get you so far. Going back to our suggestion of giving yourself plenty of time to plan, consider making lists along the way. Here are the top lists we recommend creating to make party planning super easy: Budget: note the amount you are willing to spend, keep track of how much you’re spending for each aspect of the party, and so on. Guestlist: keep track of who you invited, who responded, people to contact, etc. Menu: jot down what you plan to serve, including desserts, drinks, and the like.  Activities/Games: write down any games and activities that you want to have at your party. Help: note anyone who will be helping with any aspect of your party. These are some of the most important areas where having a list would make the planning much smoother. You can also have lists for setup, cleanup, music, and decorations. Solicit help. Even if you’re throwing a surprise birthday party or baby shower, you can still recruit some help. In fact, we think it’s one of the smartest things to do. Skip trying to do everything yourself and look for ways people can help you out. Is there something your kids or spouse can help with? Could your friends or other family members pitch in with something as well? A few areas that are great for getting a helping hand with are decorating, food preparation, and gathering resources (such as tables, chairs, music/video equipment, etc.). Before you call the local catering company, check with people you may know who have a gift in this area. Instead of renting extra tables and chairs, see if someone has some you can borrow for free. Every little bit helps! Relax and remember your motive. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be perfect. Chances are, no one will ever notice the hiccups unless you mention them. Always keep in mind why you are hosting the gathering to begin with. Keep that the primary focus and don’t worry about what decorations didn’t get hung in time or the cookies you couldn’t make because you forgot to pick up that one extra ingredient. Make (and keep) party planning super easy by giving yourself grace, going with the flow, and making the most out of gathering together the people you love. By doing that, you can never go wrong! Don’t forget to download our free checklist to make every party you plan super easy!

If you plan on having any kind of gathering this season then you’ll want to check out our best summer party theme ideas. These are weather-complimenting, colorful, and innovative. Your guests will be excited to attend and everyone present will have a great time. What kind of party are you having? Before choosing a summer party theme, think about the kind of party (or gathering) you will be hosting. Will this be a party for the family? Friends? Co-workers? Or, a social gathering? Perhaps you’ll be hosting a surprise birthday party or baby shower. With this question in mind, determine who will be on the guest list and then you can decide on the perfect theme to follow.  Best Summer Party Theme Ideas Most of these themes can accommodate just about any gathering you can think of. Simply scale up or down on the decorations, menu, activities/games, and the like. A good rule of thumb is to KISS: keep it simple sweety. :) Island Luau Bring a taste of the tropical Hawaiin island to your backyard with a classical luau-themed party. These are super fun and easy to decorate for and you could provide your guests with some island-style attire. Lei’s, floral headbands, palm-covered table cloths, and pineapple centerpieces are all typically inexpensive to purchase and often come in party sets. Island-style foods and drinks to consider having are: pineapples, mangos, plantains, coconut water, and (alcohol-free) pina coladas. Summer Olympics Come from an athletic background and enjoy catching the summer Olympics? Then why not host an Olympic-themed summer party! This can easily be accompanied by the classic Olympic rings, the colors: blue, black, red, yellow, and green, as well as decor like: Medals Flag banners Torches Make it an interactive summer party by having games, activities, and a reward ceremony. This would be a great party idea for families with children. Don’t forget the food! Go for finger foods such as fruit, mini sandwiches, and crackers with a cream cheese ball. Glow in the Yard This would be a nighttime summer party to remember. You’ll have to wait until the sun goes down and light up the backyard with light-up elements. Consider setting up a glow bar filled with all sorts of glow-in-the-dark supplies, such as glasses, necklaces, bracelets, hats, and light-up cups. This type of summer party screams of fun music, dancing, and good food. If you’ll be hosting this with kids involved, consider having a glow-in-the-dark obstacle course for them to try! Carnival Summer Party Bring out all things red, white, and circus-themed! There is so much you can do with a carnival-themed summer party. Whether you choose to set up popcorn and cotton candy stands or opt-in for an amazing balloon show, this will surely be a hit. A carnival party is also really versatile. You could have it for a birthday party, baby shower, or just because. Balloons, red and white striped table cloths, and carnival games are great places to start for pulling this theme off. Backyard Movie This may not sound like much of a summer party theme, but it’s actually a classic hit! Setting up a backyard movie summer party is as easy as: Getting a projector and screen (which can be inexpensive depending on brand/type). Choosing a good movie everyone will enjoy. Setting up comfortable seating. Having theatre-style foods (popcorn, soda, and candy!). When guests arrive, have them “check-in” and “pay” for the movie with their special movie invitation. Then have them head over to order their popcorn, drink, and candy. Once everyone is settled, let the movie roll! How to Host the Best Summer Party Ever You’ve picked the party type and theme. Now what? First and foremost, budget. You don’t want to deplete your savings account from trying to host a summer party. Give yourself a set spending amount and stick with it. Next, create a party planning checklist. This is where you’ll write down everything you need to do, purchase, and have completed by party time. Give yourself plenty of time just in case you have to order things online. Pay attention to expected shipping and delivery dates. To dodge the possibility of things not being delivered in time, try to get as much from a local store as possible. Be sure to send your invitations with plenty of time for your guests to respond. At the same time, recruit any help you may need to make the summer party happen with grace and ease. Overall, it’s about gathering people together, making memories, and having fun while doing it! Psst... looking for the best serveware? Click here to see what we have to offer!

So you want to plan the best get-together ever? We’ve put together our best, most practical tips to help you do just that. Keep reading to learn stress-free ways to plan for any type of gathering for any time of the year. How to Plan the Best Get-Together Ever Before you plan your next get-together, follow these steps to make sure it’s the best! Step 1: Set a budget. Most people put this further down on the list, but it’s important to set a budget first. Why? For starters, there are typically a lot more expenses involved than you may think. To keep from overspending, it’s best to set a budget first. This will help you stay within your means, look for deals, and prevent impulse buys. With your budget in mind, you’ll be able to move effortlessly through the following steps. Step 2: Plan a theme. Whether you’re hosting a backyard carnival or a nautical-themed get-together, having a theme will help everyone know what to expect. It will help keep the rest of your planning guess-free as well. Be sure to let your guests know the theme so they can come prepared. Step 3: Prepare the guest list. Speaking of letting guests know the theme of your get-together, you’ll need to know who to invite. Whip out the pen and paper (or use your digital notepad) and begin creating your guest list. Keep in mind the type of party you’re having and the space you have to work with.  Step 4: Send invitations. Whether you choose to send physical invitations or an e-vite, give your guests plenty of time to plan on attending. The rule of thumb is to send invitations at least three weeks before general celebrations. If you’ll be inviting out-of-town guests to your get-together, consider sending the invitations up to four to six weeks before party day. In some cases, you can get away with sending invitations up to two weeks before the get-together is set to take place. Step 5: Brainstorm a menu. Food and beverage are typically the highlights of the party. Depending on the theme you choose, your menu can look many different ways. You can keep it relatively simple with finger foods, go with a sandwich bar, or have the get-together completely catered. Water, tea, and lemonade are typical go-to beverages and super simple to make/have on hand. Check with your guests for food allergy purposes to make sure everyone will be able to eat.  Step 6: Decide on activities. Will your party have games, music, or other activities for you and the guests to enjoy? Plan these out ahead of time so you can schedule them for the get-together. Some hosts prefer to put out baskets of games for people to enjoy while sitting at different tables. Others like to have a specific time carved out for playing them. The choice is yours! Step 7: Know what you need. At this point, you’ve most likely set the theme, sent the invitations, picked the food, and so on. With all of this in mind, you should now have a pretty clear idea of what you need in terms of party supplies, decorations, etc. Will you need extra tables and chairs? Have you decided on dressing up your food table with a cup holder or utensil caddy? Now is the time to plan this aspect of your get-together for a flawless party. Step 8: Bring it all together! Once you followed the previous steps, all there is left to do is bring it all together. When get-together day arrives, make sure to give yourself plenty of time for cleaning, setting up, and getting yourself ready to welcome your guests. If necessary, solicit help with any or every aspect of your gathering. Have friends bring extra tables and chairs, ask others to help with food, and the like. Conclusion When it comes to planning the best get-together ever, you don’t have to be stressed or overwhelmed. At the end of the day, it’s about the people coming together and the memories that will be made. Use the steps mentioned above to get started planning your next get-together. In the meantime, let us know how you plan for your get-togethers in the comments below!

When it comes to planning your next get-together, make sure you have the top must-have supplies for the perfect party. It can get a little overwhelming trying to keep up with everything you need, so use our list below to make all your future party plans much more convenient! How to Choose the Best Party Supplies Before going out and spending money and ending up with things you don't need, first decide what kind of party you are having. Some gatherings will call for certain things whereas others will not. If you're having a birthday party, chances are your supplies will be much different than if you were hosting a wedding reception or anniversary party. Another thing to keep in mind is how often you plan on having parties. If you are known for having parties often, then you may want to consider the type of supplies to invest in. With having parties every so often, you could easily get by with paper (or plastic) supplies that will be thrown away after one use. However, if you'll be having parties quite often, we highly recommend investing in party supplies that are reusable. With these things in mind, let's look at the top 15 supplies you will need for most parties, no matter what kind you're having! 15 Must-Have Supplies for the Perfect Party Decor The theme of your party will always take center stage. It's one of the first things people notice when they get to your place. Here are some versatile décor pieces that can be used for any occasion: balloons streamer paper tablecloths picture frames flowers garland Although you may not keep balloons and streamer paper after they are used, they make for some pretty cool and creative decor setups. Consider keeping a few different colors on hand for party time.  Use the picture frames for table markers, menus, and/or announcements. You can insert a white piece of paper and write directly on the glass part. This will save you printer ink and paper. Eating & Drinking What's a party without food and drinks? Even if you're only planning to have finger foods and mini bottles of water, you still want to make sure you have the things necessary for setting them up. Besides the common cups, plates, and flatware, below are a few ideas for supplies to hold those necessities: cup holder (with marker slot) utensil caddy plate holder More Supplies to Consider Continuing with things that are most commonly used at any and every kind of party, let's now talk about the least thought of. These are the things that are quite natural to get, but can sometimes be left of the get-list. This will help you keep those things in the forefront of your mind: party invitations tables and chairs ice cleaning supplies (paper towels, napkins, hand sanitizer, etc.) garbage can (and bags) other party decorations Practical Tips for Making the Most of Your Party Supplies We touched base with a few good tips earlier, such as deciding whether or not to get recyclable or reusable supplies. But there are a few other things to keep in mind. First, always set a budget when it comes to purchasing party supplies. Without one, you may find yourself over-spending and buying things you may not necessarily need. Set a budget and stick with it. Another practical tip is to think about storage for the supplies that you plan to use again. Typically small to large plastic totes, buckets, or baskets will help you keep everything together and in one place. Don't forget to label your storage solutions so you know what's in them.  Last but not least, look into supplies that can be rented. Oftentimes, this can help you save money in a few areas. If you need extra tables, chairs, industrial-size trash cans, and the like - most of those can be rented from a party place. Final Thoughts Gathering the supplies you need for your next amazing party doesn't have to be stressful. Use our suggestions and lists above to get exactly what you need for every party you plan.  We'd love to hear from you! What are some must-have supplies you need for your parties? Let us know in the comments below!

If there is one thing about hosting the perfect summer gathering, it's trying to keep it stress-free. If you've been the host of any type of get-together, then you are probably already familiar with everything that goes into it. Use our tips below to keep your summer gathering easy and special. 5 Tips for Hosting the Perfect Summer Gathering Whether you're bringing people together for a special occasion or to simply wind down from the fast-pace nature of life, a summer gathering is the perfect way to do it. As you begin planning your party, keep these things in mind. Be sensitive to your guests' schedules. In most cases, summertime doesn't necessarily mean a lighter calendar. In fact, these can be some of the busiest seasons for families. Between vacations, family reunions, sports games, and so on - you'll want to give your guests plenty of time to put your gathering on their calendar. Whether you plan to invite via mailed invitation, evite, or word of mouth, make sure there is a sufficient amount of time between the notification and gathering day. Casual gatherings typically need a week or more notice, while more classy gatherings should be announced three weeks or more in advance. If you'd like to keep an eye on attendance, be sure to include an RSVP note. This will come in handy as you navigate through the next several suggestions. Prepare a simple menu. The last thing you want to do is worry about the food. That's why the saying "less is more" is very applicable to this situation. Having lots of different food and beverage options can make gathering-day a bit stressful. The most important aspect to the menu is catering to any dietary needs of the guests. To get an idea of no-go foods, put a question in the invitation and encourage them to respond. It can be something as short as "please let us know of any dietary needs and/or restrictions."  Use your responses as a guide for creating a menu everyone will enjoy. Also, consider keeping drink selections to a minimum. You can't go wrong with offering bottles of water, lemonade, and/or tea. Depending on the type of gathering you are planning to have, you could consider having a potluck. This will alleviate the stress of providing all the food. Not to mention, you could put a slight twist on it and have a best dish contest. Consider a theme. We'll have a special post dedicated to summer party theme ideas, but for now just know that you can do just about anything. With summertime in mind, you could have one of the following themes as the main mood setter: Island (or luau) Farmhouse Beach Nautical Backyard BBQ If you plan to carry out a theme, be sure the look for decorations that can be reused in the future. This will cut back on future financial costs. Make a list of things you need to purchase or rent. Do you need to purchase (or rent) additional tables or chairs? Are there any other party elements you need? Will you be purchasing paper or plastic? There are also other options to consider such as bamboo or melamine. And don't forget about the decorations. Adding a chic cup holder (with a marker slot) with a matching utensil caddy and plate holder can make all the difference. This is another area where asking others to pitch in and bring what they have can come in handy.  Get your home gathering ready. Are there any interior or exterior projects that need to be completed in your home? Now is the time to make sure your home is ready to receive your guests for the perfect summer gathering. Also keep in mind the type of summer gathering you're having and if you need to "cater to comfort." This could be providing blankets, bug spray, hand sanitizer, and the like. Final Thoughts The overall goal to the perfect summer gathering is to have fun and be able to relax in the process. Beyond the theme, food, and activities, your guests will remember the hospitality and how you made them feel. Don't focus on the possibility of something going wrong, and instead have back-up plans for those just in case moments.  Regardless of why you're having a summer gathering, make the most of it. And most importantly, make LOTS of memories! We'd love to hear from you! Do you like hosting summer gatherings? If so, tell us about your favorite one in the comments below!

The Best way to enjoy Turkey Leftovers - Creamy Turkey Vegetable Soup

A vintage, crowd pleasing ice cream dessert that will give you back your time, time that you can spend with your family and friends.

My husband and I get asked to bring this dish to just about every gathering or potluck,  It's my family's spin on a traditional potato salad.  We've added and subtracted ingredients over the years, this version is the one that has stuck around the longest.  And it is delicious.  At first glance we get wide eyed stares at the olives, pickles, and sometimes even the mayo.  But by the end of the party, we've converted even the pickiest eaters. Best of all it's easy to make ahead, and in large amounts to feed large crowds or as a side for family dinner, and if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, tastes great the next day.  Now forwarning, this is a yummy and savory recipe.  If you are looking for a sweet potato salad keep looking!     The BEST LOADED Potato Salad (Potluck Size) 8 Potatoes - boiled and cooled (peeled and diced bite size) 1 cup Dill Pickles (diced) 2 cans Sliced Olives 1 Bunch of Green Onions (chopped fine) 10 Boiled Eggs 2-3 Cups Mayo (add to desired thickness) 2 Tbs. Mustard Mix together potatoes, pickles, olives, onions and 7 of the boiled eggs diced (set aside 3 eggs to slice on top of salad) Mix mayo, mustard, salt & pepper together and combine with potato mixture.  (Add more mayo and mustard if needed, to make more moist.)  Slice 3 eggs and arrange on top.  Sprinkle paprika for garnish. Refridgerate before serving. Let us know if you try it!