Daily Party Dish

Tailgating Party Checklist

 

Football season is upon us, and I for one am very excited. This is the one part of the season where every team is tied and I can dream of the Super Bowl.  This year I have season tickets for my beloved Browns. I’m so excited to go to every game and of course tailgate. Of course I always forget something important for the tailgating experience. So I’ve decided to make a helpful checklist for your convenience. (I’m not going to mention your tickets, ID, or money.)

 

• Entertainment – This is key aspect for your tailgate. I would recommend bringing a cornhole set or a football. These games will keep you near your tailgate base. You don’t want to miss food or the latest and greatest joke. Don't forget our Football Theme Party Games.
  
• Radio – Turn the radio on and put on the pre-game show. It’s always good to be informed of what’s going on with your team, and who you can expect to see. Especially useful if you’re playing a team you know nothing about.
• Chairs and a table – You’re going to have food, and you’re going to eat said food.  Therefore you need a table to put the food on, for easy access. And you need a table to sit in to eat the food.  It’s also the worst when you’re the only person who doesn’t have a chair so you end of hovering. That’s no good.
• Cold Weather Gear – We’re from Cleveland and the brightest warmest morning can change really quickly. You should keep an extra hat and gloves and jacket in your car just in case. What would you prefer: sitting in the rain with a jersey on? OR your jacket and gloves resting in your trunk? Trust me, pack the extra gear. You don’t have to bring it out until the weather changes.
• Bottle opener or Wine Opener – How many times have you gone down to a tailgate and forgotten your beer bottle opener? Too many to count, right? It’s terrible.  Make sure you pack it because you’ll enjoy your tailgate and you could possibly make someone’s day.
• Napkins, Paper Towels, Wet Naps – You’re going to get messy when you eat, it’s a guarantee. And nobody wants to have their hands dirty for the entire game, it’s just a hassle. This is also necessary if you brought a football or cornhole, nobody wants to touch a football covered in bbq sauce.
• Be courteous – Ok this isn’t really something to bring, however it’s important to remember. Clean up after yourself. Watch your language around the little ones. These are all simple reminders which will help everyone’s enjoyment of the tailgate.

Is there anything you absolutely must have that we left off? Leave a note in the comments section. Game on!

2010 Emmy® Viewing Party Ideas

The 62nd Primetime Emmy® Awards are this Sunday, August  29th. We here at Party411.com enjoy awards shows because they lead to debates and just overall great discussion amongst guests. Planning for these award show parties can be fun because you can draw inspiration from all of the shows nominated.

Emmy Theme Party Decorations and Invites

For your invite we love these ticket invitations because we like making our events a little bit more exclusive. Make sure your guests bring their tickets for entry.

 

Red carpet runner – makes a great entrance for your party and will set the mood for your party. Guests will feel like superstars as they walk into your party.

 

Movie Buff Award – Your guests will want to feel like a winner, which makes these movie buff awards a hit.  We offer a few games for you later down the post which will give your guests an opportunity to win one.

Emmy Themed Party Music:

You need the music to start the party off on the right foot. You can turn it off the moment the awards start.

Madonna – Glee
Can you forget the episode known as “The Power of Madonna”? I didn’t think so, it was a classic. Get out your old Madonna CDs and let your guests get into the party mood.

American Idol
Is there a classic they haven’t performed? I don’t think so. You can play the American Idol sponsored CDs or play the originals. It’s your choice because it’s your party.

Dancing with the Stars
Have tango playing in as your guests walk in or even the Charleston. I guarantee your guests will start dancing immediately.


Emmy Theme Party Food:

Island Fare – Lost
They spent most of the show on the island, so jerk chicken or even coconut shrimp is an option. (Go to the supermarket though, no need to hunt for it.) Or if you want a more casual affair consider airplane food. I mean mini bags of pretzels and nuts. You can even serve little bottles of alcohol.

Thai Take Out – Big Bang Theory
If you don’t want to cook but want to keep with a theme then this is a great option. And since the Emmys are on a Sunday you don’t have to worry about disturbing the order of things.

Snickers – Betty White
Betty White has made a huge comeback this year, so I think it’s appropriate to serve Snickers bars. Will this work for the main course? Of course not. Will your guests make hilarious Betty White jokes? Of course they will.

Nothing – 24
Ok, you caught me, this is not a real option. You have to serve something. But have you ever noticed they never eat anything on this classic? How is this possible? I can barely read the paper without anything to eat and they can save the world? My hat’s off to you Mr. Bauer.

Emmy Theme Party Drinks:

This is a party right? So aside from the normal pop, water and coffee we think you should do a little more.

Martini – Mad Men
This show has been a hit from the day it aired and we all know they drink nothing but martinis so treat your guests with a different taste. Cigarettes are optional.

Tequila – Entourage
The boys are going out with a bang and all they drink is tequila, so why not? Of course I would suggest tequila sunrises because doing shots of tequila on a Sunday does not sound like a great idea.

Emmy Theme Party Costumes:
Who says you can only dress up for Halloween? Here at Party411.com we believe the more options to dress up the better. The Emmys are a great opportunity.

The Sixties – Mad Men
You know how they dress in the show, and you know you love it. So why not dress in a suit? You know you’ll look good. Of course it was the sixties so you can also go with jeans and tie dye. It’s up to you.

Torn Island – Lost
We love Lost here, so any chance to show our allegiance we’re going for it. So why not wear an A-shirt and torn khakis?

Doctor – Grey’s Anatomy or House
Pick your favorite show and dress as your favorite doctor. If you go as House you have to wear the sneakers. You have to.

Athletic Gear – Olympics
This might be my favorite option. The Vancouver Olympics were nominated for an Emmy, which means you can go over the top. Wear your most patriotic gear and go as an intense fan. Or if you’re really committed go in a ski outfit with stickers taped all over your body. You’ll get an A for effort.

Emmy Theme Party Activities:

Aside from watching the Emmy’s what can you do? Well we have a few options for you.

While watching the Emmy’s have everyone guess the winners. We even have a printable sheet for you and your guests.  You know this will lead to debates amongst your friends.

 

Just like last year we’re going to play the Award Night Drinking Game. Here are the rules we play by. These are not set in stone, so feel free to adjust as you need to.

• If anyone thanks God, their Lord and savior Jesus Christ, etc. take a drink.
• If anyone thanks his or her mom last, take a sip of someone else's drink.
• If anyone says he or she is “humbled” or “blessed,” take a drink.
• If the winner says, "I was just happy to be nominated", take a drink.
• If anyone cries, take a drink.
• If a winner says, “I wasn’t expecting this and I don’t have anything prepared,” only to launch into a long acceptance speech, finish your drink.

This should set you on your way to having an excellent 62nd Emmy's Viewing Party. Feel free to leave us a note on how you celebrated.

Ten Ways to Get Your Guests To Leave

 

You worked really hard to make your party a success and it was. So much so that your guests just won’t take the hint and leave. You’re tired, getting cranky and (dare I say it) almost partied out. Try these ways to get your guests to leave.

 

1. Bring out an old slide projector and two really dusty crates, the dustier the better. Begin to set up a portable screen like the ones your parents watched filmstrips on in junior high school, and announce brightly: "Look what I found! Slides from our trip to Mall of America in 1984!"
2. Dim the lights and pop in a "Wiggles" DVD.
3. Ask which version of the Bach Mass in B Minor your guests prefer: the Otto Klemperer version and the Herbert von Karajan version. Insist that you will play both of them so they can make an informed choice.
4. Using a loud whisper, ask one guest: "Would you terribly mind looking at Thurston's throat for me? I think he may have a tiny bit of strep…" Thurston should then start coughing.
5. Ask them to "quick, get the stains out of the tablecloth" and hand them a stain stick, some Lestoil and a laundry brush while pointing to the basement.
6. Grab a handful of flatware in one hand and a bunch of disgusting rags in the other and say: "OK, who will help me polish the silver so we can put it away?"
7. Put on your coat and grab a bag of trash from the kitchen saying, "Who wants to help me run these bags over to the dumpster behind the supermarket so those darn skunks don't come back again?"
8. Arrange with a co-conspirator to repeatedly flush the toilet and make disgusting noises in the nearest lavatory. Rush to your guests and ask: "Does anyone happen to have syrup of ipecac with them?"
9. Take a service platter and place it on the floor for the dog. Make sure everyone notices. If people don't notice, ask one of the guests whether he's seen the puppy. Confide that the puppy is just like a member of the family when it comes to sopping up that last lick of gravy. Ask them to dislodge the wishbone from the dog's throat.
10. Bring your foot soaker/massager into the living room and plug it in. Ask them to rub your feet and hand them the rubbing alcohol.

If they still don’t leave start charging rent!

New Party: 80s Horror Halloween Theme

 
 

Here at Party411 we love Halloween. Why do we love it? We love the costumes, we love candy, and we love theme parties. The themed parties are probably our favorite part of Halloween.

 

There is nothing like getting a whole group of people together dressed up in the same theme clothing and getting to see their creativity flow. We have a new Halloween theme party that we absolutely love and want to share with you.

Who doesn’t love the 80s!?  The movies sure freaked me out and our newest 80s Horror Movie party is sure to be a hit theme this Halloween. We’re talking Jason, Hellraiser, Chucky, and Freddy all on our horrifically fabulous new party invitation.  Not only do we have an invitation, we also have a water bottle label, beer bottle label, and a banner to match.  You definitely have to check out this party, it is phenomenal! (The entire office is excited about this party.)  You can dress up as your favorite 80s horror character (we’ve got the costumes) or just go in your favorite 80s gear and be a “victim”.  The possibilities are endless.  You will have a great time with this Halloween theme party!

I want to enjoy the 80s Horror Movie Party!

Party Recipe: Festive Rice Salad

We recently celebrated our annual Guys Golf Theme party. And per usual it was a whopping success. The weather was nice, the golf was fun and the “after party” was great. So naturally everyone had a great time.

 

I would like to share a recipe that was a smash hit for us this year. Such a hit that we ran out of it (which never happens) and we doubled the recipe. This recipe is called Festive Rice Salad and will be a hit.

Ingredients: 6 1/3 cups water, 3 cups uncooked converted long-grain white rice, 5 tbs. instant chicken-broth granules, 1 ½  tsps. Minced garlic, 2 yellow peppers (sliced thin), 2 green peppers (or whatever color you like, go wild) also sliced thin, 2 pints cherry tomatoes, 1 ½ cups minced fresh parsley, 1 ½ (6 ounces) coarsely chopped toasted pecans.
Along with 1 cup olive oil, 6 tbs. lemon juice, 1 ½ tbs. Dijon mustard, and ¾ tsp. salt.

Pecans: arrange pecans in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 5-7 minutes, stirring once until toasted.

Dressing: 1 cup olive oil, 6 tbs. lemon juice, 1 ½ tbs. Dijon mustard, and ¾ tsp. salt into a two-cup jar. Cover tight and shake thoroughly.

Directions:

• Bring water, rice, broth granules and garlic to boil in a 4-qt. pot.
  
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender and water I absorbed.
• Cool, cover and refrigerate. (You can refrigerate for up to three days.)
• Up to fours hours before serving mix rice, bell peppers, parsley and dressing.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Add pecans and toss just before serving.

The next time you need to bring a side dish to the party, this festive rice is down to party.

Bridal Shower Idea

 

Congratulations, you’re getting married.  Now you’re going to have your Bridal Shower. Are you looking for something a little different?  Consider not registering for any gifts. I know it’s a radical proposition, but hear me out. Do you want to be completely surprised with your gifts? When you register you know you’re not really surprised by anything. (Unless you have a family member who does whatever they want; you know who they are.)

Consider this for your gifts. Give your guests a time of the day, a season, or a room in the house. Consider the possibilities. For example, if you decide on time of day, and a guest gets 8:00 AM, a coffee maker or cappuccino maker could be in play.  Say the theme is the seasons, for winter a snow blower might make an appearence (for your husband of course). If you use rooms as your guide, and the guest gets the kitchen, a set of knives could be in your future.

Of course you have no idea; the possibilities are endless.  You could wind up with a waffle maker, a set of pans or monogrammed bathrobes. (It's the winter, who wants to go outside? So you might as well be comfortable.) It’s all up to your guests creativity, and since they are all super excited for your wedding, they will be excited to shower you in gifts.

After a few bridal shower party games and you have to have a few, it’s time for presents. If you decided to do a time of the day, consider opening the gifts in chronological order.  This will help weave your day with your soon-to-be-husband. Or if you did the seasons, open your gifts in the order of the seasons.  And if you decided to break the gifts down by rooms in the house consider opening the gifts in the room they would appear in.  Just let creativity rule the day!

Congrats on your engagement!