Use pretty potted flowers for a centerpiece – either one large pot or several smaller pots with different flowers and/or herbs.  A potted plant works especially well for a party in the garden or any outdoor event, and will last longer than fresh-cut flowers.  Tie ribbons around the pot for added interest.  For a shower or birthday party, place a colored napkin under one plate on each table and let the guest who chooses that seat take the centerpiece home.

Photo Credit:  Flowers Quata (potted Hydrangeas)

Host a garden party with ideas from my July 2010 column on The Family Groove.

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/jul10_EntertainingOnTheEasy.htm

I recently hosted a bridal shower brunch for my sister and came up with a fun signature drink to serve:  Sara’s Love Potion.  Similar to a mimosa, it’s a champagne cocktail made of 2 parts champagne and 1 part strawberry nectar* (you don’t need exact measurements – just pour some bubbly into the glass and add a splash of the nectar).  Serve in champagne glasses and garnish with fresh strawberries.  Print a sign with the name of the bride and the name of the drink.  Add some hearts of cupid clips and you’ll have yourself a hip signature drink.

*Several organic brands sell strawberry nectar which are pure strawberry juice.  Other brands, such as Goya, sell a strawberry nectar that is strawberry flavored (it has apple juice, added sugar, etc.).  Either will work in this drink.

Save yourself the trouble of having to cut and serve a cake at your next party by serving cupcakes.  Cupcakes are a huge hit for many reasons, but they really are a very practical dessert to serve.  It can take a while to cut and serve cake to a large group of people (trust me, I know!).  Consider serving cupcakes when hosting a large birthday party, shower or other event where cake is the norm.  Streamlining dessert means more time for you to enjoy the party.

Check out my April 2010 column on The Family Groove for a make-ahead spring brunch menu. 

http://www.thefamilygroove.com/apr10_EntertainingOnTheEasy.htm

Stop spending your precious time pondered the words for your party invitations.   Use the sample invitation wording from any of the great sites listed below.  They offer sample invitation wording for weddings, showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, save the dates, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, corporate events, retirements, fundraisers, birth announcements and more.  Now you’ll have the perfect words for all your special occasions.

Sample Wording Sites:

www.tinyprints.com/sampleverses.htm

www.invitationconsultants.com/sw-main.aspx

www.lcipaper.com/invitation-wording.html

www.colorsbydesign.com/store/WORDING/wordlist.shtml

www.mygatsby.com/wording_for_invitations.jsp

Photo credit:  www.tinyprints.com

I’ve found that most shell place card holders look cheap or kitchy, until I saw these Neptune Shell Place Card Holders from Two’s Company.  They’re perfect for a beach theme party, whether it be a rehearsal dinner, dinner party or beachy bridal luncheon.  Even if you don’t use formal place cards, these can be used for marking food on a buffet table (i.e. writing the name of the dish on a place card so guests know what each dish is without having to ask).  They can also be used to display pictures on a guest table at the party, or at home after the party is over. 

Neptune Seashell Place Card Holders (set of 6), $18.50 – http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=2111/1657.0.57238.56866.0.0.0

I know I may seem a little obsessed with the mini version of wedding cakes (see prior post on mini wedding cake candles), but Godiva’s delectable little version is noteworthy.  The ”Couture Favors” come individually wrapped in an ivory box.  The mini cakes will appeal to both milk and dark chocolate lovers alike – they are made of milk chocolate and filled with dark chocolate ganache.   

The chocolates are not inexpensive, but they would make a great favor for an intimate bridal shower or wedding if your budget permits.

Godiva’s Chocolate Couture Favors come in sets of 4 individually wrapped favors for $38 ($9.50 each).
Available at:  http://www.godiva.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=1303&SE_Section=Shop&SE_Category=43

Champagne and sparkling wines are the ultimate festive drink.  Mini bottles of these bubbly libations make great party favors for any celebratory event.  Many companies are now producing mini versions of their larger champagnes and sparkling wines, and by ordering them by the case you can often get a small discount. 

For my sister Sara’s 40th birthday party, we chose mini bottles of Asti Spumanti, an Italian sparkling dessert wine, to give as favors.  We had gift tags printed (“Sara’s Fountain of Youth”) and used satin ribbons to tie them around the bottles.  Everyone loved their festive favor!

Many of the mini wedding cake candles out there are pretty tacky.  I found a few that are simple and look nicer than most on the market. 

Small Pearl Wedding Cake Candle – available at Candles.com for $5.99 each
http://www.candles.com/productDescription1.aspx?product_id=730
*A little more expensive than the average mini wedding cake candle but, unlike most of the others I found, they are very simple.  They are also available in a larger size, so you can vary your display with large and small candles.

Elegant Lace Wedding Cake Candle – available at icestandar.org for $1.84 each
http://www.icestandard.org/products/view/5239/elegant-lace-wedding-cake-candle.html
*This one even comes with its’ own mini cake stand you can use as a candle holder, but it does have the extra pastic packaging, which isn’t very eco-friendly.  Try asking for it without the plastic box if you are using them decoratively and not giving them as a favor.