How to plan a dinner party (that won’t end in a surprise fire)
Christmas, Easter, Mother’s day, someone’s birthday. The occasions to have a party are numerous. But someone has to organize and host the bash. How about you?
Throw this creepy but elegant goth dinner party
When planning this super creepy goth dinner party, I wanted to avoid the kitschy, usual food you see at Halloween parties: the hot dog “fingers,” the mummy pigs in a blanket… I wanted food that was elegant and still tasty!
These are the creepy things I will serve you if you ever come to eat at my house…
The secrets to a perfectly fancy-pants cheese board (spoiler: it’s dead easy)
I recently assembled a dry run of a dead simple fall-themed cheese board for the upcoming holiday season that I desperately want to share with you. It’s one of those party staples that taps into our inner Lunchable desires while still being totally lush. It’s like cheese and crackers gone upscale. The best part is you just have to slice a little, arrange a little (which you know we love!), and serve.
How to host a large dinner party in a small space
Last November I threw a potluck Friendsgiving. What made it a little tricky (and very nerve-wracking up until) is that I share a one-bedroom apartment with a platonic friend where I live in the living room. I was worried that we wouldn’t fit, or that we wouldn’t be comfortable, or that the pole would get in the way, etc. Here’s how I made it work…
Throw this party: The Pollinator
I’m throwing a party that I’ve named “The Pollinator.” The basic idea is that I want to widen my social circle, so the price of admission is that every single attendee bring a guest that I either do not know or do not know well.
How do I host non-drinkers without making them feel excluded?
My in-laws recently decided to stop drinking, and they’re healthy and happy with the choice. However, I’m in a spot when it comes to an upcoming family party: I’ve never hosted non-drinkers. How do I gracefully support their choice without making them feel excluded or singled out?
Let’s talk about the raclette, retro step-sibling to the fondue pot
Last month, our friends, the hot architects brought their vintage raclette over to have dinner. (Yes, the same hot architects whose wedding I crashed last summer. They’ve become friends, and in fact we’re hiring them to help us with our condo remodel). So, have you ever seen one of these things before? I had not. It’s basically this portable double-decker hot plate, with these special little dishes you use to melt a shit load of cheese over veggies and/or meat. You then scrape the hot, oozing, deliciously cheese-greasy mess onto bread (or I guess just straight into your mouth).
Please use the OTHER guest bathroom
We have two bathrooms — both of which are equidistant from main gathering areas (kitchen and living room). Although both bathrooms are equally awesome, for some reason guests tend to head to the bathroom that we use! I would really prefer it if our bathroom stays off limits. How do I politely or subtly let guests know which bathroom I prefer them to use?