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The Entertaining IDEA

The Entertaining IDEA

Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Advice to Make You a Better Host...or Hostess!

6 ways to make your outside wedding more comfortable

2/8/2019

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Tips on how to make your outside wedding more comfortable!

While it’s been popular in the past to bring the outdoors inside using trees and floral arrangements, a recent trend for many wedding venues is to create a homey space outdoors. Guests don’t need to rough it just because you’ve chosen to host your ceremony or reception outside.


​(BPT) - While it’s been popular in the past to bring the outdoors inside using trees and floral arrangements, a recent trend for many wedding venues is to create a homey space outdoors. Guests don’t need to rough it just because you’ve chosen to host your ceremony or reception outside.

Your outdoor venue can become more comfortable, as well as more stylish, with just a little help from Rental HQ.

1. Cover your chairs. Seating can be made more comfortable and look much more elegant than you might expect, whether your venue is a park, a beach or a backyard. All it takes is stylish chair covers, which can be easily rented to accommodate any size wedding.

2. Dress up your tables. Rented linens provide an essential touch of class to any outdoor venue, setting the right stage for your tableware and special centerpieces. Choose colors to complement your reception’s theme and floral arrangements or any other decor.

3. Protect against the elements. Plan for the time of year in your area and you can weather almost any circumstances. Even if the forecast is warm and sunny, you’ll still want a tent and/or table umbrellas, if not to safeguard against a possible shower, to tame the sunshine. You can even rent misting fans to help your guests stay cool. The outdoor wedding section of Rental HQ is a great place to get ideas and research your options.

4. Provide a foundation. A variety of flooring will ensure the safety of the bride’s train and sure footing, even for those sporting heels. Rentable floor mats and decking can help guests navigate the terrain from the parking lot to the venue. Multiple choices include tiles, carpet, turf or even a portable dance floor that can turn your backyard into a nightclub.

5. Light up the night. For an evening outdoor event, stringing lights or lanterns is often insufficient. You’ll want your guests to be able to see — and photograph — your special day. Renting adequate uplighting for your nighttime reception is a must-do. Focus on important areas such as the dance floor, the table where the cake will be presented, buffet tables or special floral arrangements. Choose LED lighting specially made for outdoor events, which is waterproof and will not create too much heat. You can choose different colors to create magical effects.

6. Homey furniture. Consider renting a few couches or comfy chairs to create a seating area where older family members can gather and greet guests, or your tired bride or groom can put up their feet for a few minutes while they chat with family and friends. Stage the area with a coffee table set up with the guest book so guests can sit comfortably while they jot their well wishes to the married couple.

Any outdoor wedding can be made special, no matter what the decor. To find a rental store near you or to research furnishings, lighting or other equipment you might need, visit the wedding section on RentalHQ.com. Planning for your special day is easier than you think with all of the right tools at your fingertips.
​

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Stir crazy?: Tips to help guys maintain their sanity

1/31/2019

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A Definite Conversation Starter!: The Jackalope Wall Mount from Kotula’s

The winter months are known as a leading cause of indoor stir-craziness.  Here are some outside-the-box ideas to support inside creative outlets for guys to help maintain their sanity.


(BPT) - The winter months are known as a leading cause of indoor stir-craziness. Colder temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and shortened daylight hours all mean we spend more time inside than we would like.

This poses a challenge for guys, who after months of hibernation are surely climbing the walls. Here are some outside-the-box ideas to support inside creative outlets for guys to help maintain their sanity.


B.Y.O.B. (Brew Your Own Beer)

The craft beer craze continues to grow, with nearly 1,000 new breweries opening across the country each year, according to the Brewers Association. But no need to venture out to the local taproom if you can serve the fruits of your own labor from the comforts of home. Given the right ingredients and equipment, brewing homemade beer is as simple as following a recipe. After brewing, fermenting and bottling over a couple of weeks’ time, invite the pals over to show off your own brand of beer.

Establish the indoor work station
​

Tackling the list of projects around the house requires a work station where you can get things done, though being confined indoors means that space is at a premium. The portable Keter folding work table from Northern Tool + Equipment is an efficient way to establish this home base that you can easily fold up and store when finished. Use the table for working on any number of household odd jobs or help the kids with their hands-on school projects. Better still, park the table in the garage and treat it as a hang-out place for chips and beer with the buddies.

Man-décor the den

If time must be spent inside, add some intrigue from the great outdoors to your den or man cave. Nothing sparks some good storytelling like a realistic taxidermy specimen mounted on the wall, and the Jackalope Wall Mount from Kotula’s is sure to turn heads. No two of these creatures are alike, so regale your pals with epic tales of the chase until you can all get out on the trail again.

Embrace the elements
​

You know what they say: “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” The only surefire way to overcome stir-craziness is to get outside, no matter what the elements may present. If it’s snowing, try an hourly or full-day snowmobile rental. If your area has been hit with heavy rains, fight back by taking the truck out. Be creative and get the whole family involved so that when the day is done, all will be happy to enjoy the comforts of the indoors once again.

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5 Steps for Game Day Party Success

1/24/2019

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Whether you have been planning for months or you’re inviting guests the day of, hosting a huge crowd on game day requires a bit more than RSVPs and a welcoming setting. Whether a “huge crowd” to you means five guests or 50, starting out with a plan can help make the day more enjoyable for everyone.


5 Steps for Game Day Party Success

(Family Features) Whether you have been planning for months or you’re inviting guests the day of, hosting a huge crowd on game day requires a bit more than RSVPs and a welcoming setting. Whether a “huge crowd” to you means five guests or 50, starting out with a plan can help make the day more enjoyable for everyone.

To help make your game day soiree a success, knowing which snacks are top picks for the event might make shopping a little easier. The experts at Frito-Lay North America conducted the inaugural U.S. Snack Index – a poll that surveyed Americans for insights on which snacks rose to the top for consumers this year – to share what guests want on game day.

Get Organized From Guests to Groceries
From sending invites to selecting the snacks you’ll serve, start by organizing your thoughts and writing down the details. For starters, create a guest list so you’ll know exactly how much food and drink you’ll need to buy and map out your grocery list for a stress-free trip to the store.

Game Day Setup
A picture is worth a thousand words, and you can rest assured many game day viewers will plan to share images of their spreads on social media. To make sure your game day setup is ready for primetime, start by decluttering your space, arranging furniture for ample seating and laying out the picture-perfect snack table so guests can reach for snacks, plates, napkins and utensils, with easy access.

Snacks for All
While it may be first instinct to feel like you need to cook crafty dishes and artsy snacks, that may not necessarily be important to game day guests. In fact, according to the index, nearly all game day party-goers will enjoy snacks during the competition, and 80 percent of viewers said they’ll eat either potato or tortilla chips. Chips aren’t the only thing to consider. Score big with your guests by picking the perfect pairings, like salsa for tortilla chips, which ranks as the most popular dip overall, or French onion dip, which is the most popular choice for dipping potato chips.

Encourage Fun for Everyone
Of course, the game is the reason for the party and the center of attention, but the fact is it’s possible not every person in attendance is a sports fan. By bringing out board games or cards and setting up tables in adjacent rooms, you can encourage a fun environment for everyone at the party. Plus, by creating a secondary station away from the TV, you’ll allow for non-sports conversation without upsetting the diehards.

Keep it Simple
Generally, game day watch parties are of the more laid-back variety. This no-fuss attitude carries over into party snack prep, as more than half of viewers surveyed in the U.S. Snack Index prefer to prepare simple recipes whether they’re hosting or attending. On top of laid-back snacks, more than one-third of consumers polled plan to simply put snacks in the closest bowl rather than planning out a social media-worthy snack table.

Find more survey details and snacking ideas at fritolay.com/snackindex.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Frito-Lay

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Good lighting, games and garlic bites: 5 outdoor party tips

6/27/2018

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Good lighting, games and garlic bites: 5 outdoor party tips


Whatever the occasion, you can take advantage of the sun and extra space outside for the perfect backyard party. Let these tips help you plan and get your outdoor space ready for guests.


(BPT) - Whatever the occasion, you can take advantage of the sun and extra space outside for the perfect backyard party. Let these tips help you plan and get your outdoor space ready for guests.

1. Cluster the conversation spots

When planning your backyard layout, think beyond the patio table, and provide more than enough seating for all. Arrange sofas and chairs into conversation clusters to keep people outside and enjoying each other’s company. It’s also smart to provide coffee tables, side tables and other spaces where people can set their drinks and snacks. Don’t be afraid to borrow pieces from a friend or neighbor to make the party set complete.

2. Add the right lighting

Consider the time of day of your gathering and what that means for your lighting. Intense late-day sun glare is unpleasant for all, but a few strategically placed patio plants can make a dramatic difference (and make the space feel more intimate). For the post-sundown festivities, light up the party zone with holiday lights along deck rails or zig-zagged overhead. Add a fire pit, and, if it’s chilly, an extra stash of throw blankets and jackets and you’ll have a cozy, well-lit space for those late-night talks.

3. Keep flying invaders at bay

No one likes it when uninvited guests like flying, biting insects show up. Bottles of insect repellent in a conspicuous place are a good bet on buggy nights, but keep these (and the spraying area) well away from the food. For a chemical-free alternative, set out a fan or two on a low setting to stir up enough of a breeze to keep the pests away.

4. Get your game on

For the ultimate crowd mixer and crowd pleaser, keep a few fun and easy yard games on hand. Dust off the old bocce ball set. Or, with a few simple materials from your local hardware store, you can create and customize DIY versions of your favorites, including bean-bag toss, ring toss or even target shooting with water guns.
​
5. Keep the snacks simple and stress free
The secret to a good party is not stressing over every detail of the décor and the same goes for the food. An array of delicious but simple snacks are more than enough to get the party started. Soft pretzels are always a party favorite, but did you know that most people — 69 percent of them, to be exact — prefer to eat their soft pretzels dipped? Another 28 percent prefer cheese toppings. For the perfect snack to spice up the festivities, include a batch of Superpretzel Parmesan Garlic Bites or Superpretzel Everything Pretzel Bites (see recipes below).

Parmesan Garlic Bites

Ingredients:
  • 9-12 Superpretzel Soft Pretzel Bites
  • 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons wet, minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons dry parsley
  • 2 tablespoons pretzel salt
  • 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

Directions:
  • In a bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, garlic, pretzel salt, parsley and cheese and set aside.
  • Deep fry the pretzel bites in your favorite cooking oil at 360 degrees F for about 2 minutes.
  • When done, dredge the pretzel bites into the oil and cheese mixture.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Everything Pretzel Bites

Ingredients:
  • 20 Superpretzel Soft Pretzel Bites
  • Everything bagel seasoning
  • Melted butter
  • Optional: whipped cream cheese (for dipping)
​
Directions:
  • Prepare soft pretzel bites according to instructions on the box.
  • Lightly coat soft pretzel bites with melted butter.
  • Season soft pretzel bites with everything bagel seasoning and soft pretzel salt.
  • Bake in 350 degree F oven until golden brown.
  • Serve with whipped cream cheese.

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