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Party Planning Basics

Instead of sending your guests home with those tired and generic party favors of years past, check out our ideas for more alternative and fun favors for this years' celebrations!

We Love Dessert Party Tables

A fabulous dessert table is bound to bring any party to life! Follow our simple rules here to create your own awe-inspiring spread.

Tasty Treats Come in Small Packages

They say a little bit goes a long way, and the saying never felt more right! Check out these adorable and tasty mini treats that will leave your mouth watering.

More Party Ideas

Party Planning Tips

Gift Idea

Skip Boring & Generic, Give Alternative & Fun Party Favors

We're tired of the photo frames! Skip boring and generic party favors that are overdone, and gift your guests with something they haven't seen. We've got a few clever ideas that will impress without breaking the bank.

Recipe

20 Gluten-Free Party Foods to Get on Your Menu

Gluten-free party foods aren't the easiest to get on the menu, especially if you're a host who's unfamiliar with the diet. We've rounded up 20 gluten-free party foods that the whole party will enjoy and the host can feel comfortable serving.

Decoration

Dessert Tables Add Dimension to Your Celebration

Dessert tables have been a popular party trend for a few years now, but the party idea is still going strong thanks to the fun and functionality it adds to any celebration. Here, Meredith Santucci, Celebrations Contributor, shares three tips to follow when setting a dessert table up at your next party to get the most out of it.

Tip

3 Easy to Follow Healthy Menu Party Tips

Serving up a menu at your next party without the fat overload isn't as tough as it sounds. Sam's got three easy tips to follow in order to cut the calories, but keep the flavor so all your guests will enjoy their meal whether they're health-conscious or not.

Tip

3 Money Saving Party Tips

Saving money has become a goal for many American families in all aspects of life. While we can't deny the current economy isn't something to celebrate, we're also not letting it get us down so much so that we forget to enjoy life the way it's meant to be. In an effort to curb costs, but still enjoy good food, good company and good times, we've got 3 money saving party tips that work well for us when we're on a budget.

Trend

Party Trends: How to Entertain with at Home Bars

A lot of savvy hostesses are bringing back at home bars in their entertaining and our editor is one of them! Here, she gives you the basics for stocking your own at home bar including what bar tools, supplies and ingredients you'll want to make sure you have on hand.

Trend

Don't be a Square: Get on this Party Trend

One of 2012's biggest party trends we're already seeing lots of are crisp, clean edges. We're betting you'll see square party ideas pop up more and more, so be sure you're not left out and get inspired to incorporate this year's latest trend into your own plans.

Trend

Best Multi-Tasking Party Tools

Be prepared for any party by making sure your kitchen is stocked with a few multi-use tools. You don't have to have a kitchen full of dishes and tools to host a fabulous event!

Trend

11 Mini Foods That Make a Big Impression

Mini foods are the hottest trend to hit parties. From holidays to birthdays to everyday celebrations, bite-sized foods packing lots of flavor and food-inspired favors are the talk of the town. Get inspired by this trend and the 11 ideas we've found to make sure mini foods make a big appearance and your next party.

Planning

Party Planning Budget Basics

It's important to be excited about throwing a party. The more excited and effort you put into the preparation, the better time your guests will have. However, don't forget to create a budget. Although it may not be fun, a budget will help you keep track of what you need while keeping costs down.

Tip

10 No-Fail Party Tips

Celebrations Expert Lara Shriftman has the top 10 tips you'll need to be throw a fantastic fete everytime. Check out her pro tips and be prepared for when life throws you one of those curve balls.

Tip

Tips to Hire a Caterer for Your Party

Food is the most important element of any party, so it has to be perfect. If you've decided to hire a caterer this time, you'll want to follow these tips to make sure both of you are on the same page.

Tip

Tips to Hire a Party or Wedding Photographer

Hiring a photographer is no easy task when you haven't ever done it before or when you're expecting to shell out big bucks. It's helpful to rely on the recommendations of friends and family, but also important to keep your own expectations, budget and likes in mind. Here are some tips for picking the perfect photographer for your event.

Tip

How to Hire a Deejay or Band for Your Party

Sometimes your iPod playlist just won't cut it. When hiring a deejay, use this guide to ensure you and your guests will be heating up the dance floor!

Decoration

Wildflowers Make for Beautiful Budget Party Centerpieces

Creating party centerpieces for multiple tables isn't cheap, but it's also possible to do it on a budget. For parties where you need table centerpieces and you've got to cut costs, turn to locally grown wildflowers. Here's what you need to know.

Tip

Tips for Planning a Family Reunion Party

Get the whole family together for a family reunion. Though it's a bigger party to plan, it's not as tough as you might think. We've got the tips to make sure it happens with minimal stress.

Decoration

Runners Add Color & Dimension to Any Party Table

While table runners may seem appropriate for more formal affairs, they're really great for just about any celebration. We've got a few tips to keep in mind when working with this inexpensive, yet statement making party decoration.

Tip

Why Color Palettes are Essential to Planning Any Party

Planning a formal affair, be it a wedding, baby shower or milestone birthday, is always made easier when there's a color palette to look to for inspiration. Here's why...

Tip

Professional Party Clean-Up Tips For The Average Host

Party clean-up is made easier with a few tips from expert Shawn Rabideau. From planning ahead to cleaning up spills with ease, try these tricks at your next party.

Tip

Decoding the Dress Code: What to Wear to a Party

When an invitation arrives and there's a dress code, things aren't always as clear cut as they seem. Read our helpful guide to decode the dress code for your soiree.

Tip

How to Hire a Serving Staff for a Party

Securing help with serving your party guests requires a bit of thought and careful planning. Here's everything you'd need to know to hire a serving staff for your celebration - no matter how big or small.

Tip

Top Ten Party Staples

One of the most useful bits of wisdom in party 101 is to have some inexpensive staples on hand that you can use for an impromptu gathering or a more elaborate, planned party. Keeping a few things around the house doesn't take up much space and can take a lot of stress out of preparing for the event. You'll be ready for anything, from an unexpected visit from the in-laws to a spur of the moment barbeque. You can entertain in style with these ten party staples.

Tip

Simple DIY Tips to Personalize Gifts

While a recipient might not notice if it's missing, a thoughtful, handmade touch added to a gift will never go unnoticed. We've got a few simple ways to add a personalized touch to your gift.

Tip

5 Easy Ways to Party with Paper Straws

There are so many fun and creative uses for party straws! Check out our top 5 favorite ways to incorporate them into your next party from food to decor.

Tip

8 Expert Entertaining Tips from Shawn Rabideau

To alleviate stress when entertaining (no matter how big or small the occasion) Shawn Rabideau recommends the following 8 tips.

Etiquette

Verbal Blunders

Whether you're delivering an important toast or chatting up with groups of people at a party, there's no doubt that we may have a slip-up of the tongue every once (or thrice!) in a while.

Tip

10 Tips to Give the Perfect Anniversary Toast

If you've been asked to give a special anniversary toast for a happy couple in your life, feel honored, not pressured or worried! We've got 10 tips to pull of a successful anniversary toast.

Tip

Tips to Create a Lounge Space for your Party

Here are a few helpful suggestions on how to create your own Lounge Space for your party. Check out the photos from some events I've thrown for inspiration as well!

Review

Top Party Apps for the iPhone

With all of the apps in today's market, you can pretty much throw a party with just your phone. We're all familiar with apps like Pandora, but with so many to choose from, you're bound to miss a few. So, we've put together a list of some other really cool apps you might not know about - and should - if you're planning to celebrate soon.

Tip

Cocktail Therapys Cardinal Entertaining Tips

When preparing for a party, make sure you are organized. This will ensure everything goes smoothly. Get some expert tips on how to stay focused!

Tip

How to Create the Perfect Seating Arrangements

If you ever get stressed out about seating charts, or the mere sight of a big venue with empty spaces frightens you, then this plan is made for you! We have great tips to help you stay organized while you plan your seating chart for your next event. Just follow a few simple rules in this formula and you'll find yourself cool as a cucumber.

Decoration

Mark's Top 10 Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

Entertaining outdoors may look easy, but sometimes it can prove challenging. Avoid the unnecessary drama of hosting a summer party outdoors with these expert entertaining tips from Celebrations Expert Mark Addison.

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