Party Planning and More…

Mid-February of each year is a time of courtship and romance. And as they say, cupid’s arrows are aimed at the least suspecting souls. For singles, men and women may find themselves initiating new connections with a newfound confidence. Those who are already in relationships may use especially grand gestures to display their affection for one another. Even children are eager to exchange kind sentiments with their peers. Without a doubt, love is in the air on February 14th, Valentine’s Day.

A History Rooted in Mythology

The day of love is thought to have roots in Roman mythology, a paganistic festival, and the early Christian church. In the month of February, Pagans traditionally observed a feast day to celebrate fertility. According to Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were cared for in their infancy by a she-wolf. Each year on the fertility feast day, Roman priests gathered to sacrifice a goat (the symbol for fertility) at the cave where the founders were raised. After the sacrifice was made, leftover strips of goat hide were dipped in blood and women were whipped with the pelt. Women welcomed the flogging in hopes that they would be more fertile in the coming year. They also put their names into a hopper to be randomly paired with a man for the upcoming year. Once this festival was deemed un-Christian and subsequently outlawed, it was decided that Valentine’s Day would serve as a suitable replacement to commemorate the upcoming mating season. The holiday’s patron saint is said to have been an ordained priest who secretly married young soldiers and their wives-to-be at a time when new marriages were outlawed for those in the military. Once St. Valentine was exposed for his crimes, the emperor had him imprisoned. There, in prison, St. Valentine is said to have delivered the first valentine to a girl with whom he was smitten. Legend has it that his valediction was “From your Valentine”.

Modern-Day Observances

Today, most lovers, family members, and friends express their affection for one another by sending combinations of cards, flowers, and candy as Valentine’s Day favors. Whether store-bought with a run-of-the-mill verse or handmade with a heartfelt dedication, a card is a classic way to convey a sentimental or funny message.  Next to Christmas, more cards are sent for Valentine’s Day than any other time of the year!

Red roses, the signature flowers of passion and beauty, are the ones most commonly gifted, but there are other floral options that can convey different sentiments. It’s a good idea to consult a florist when making a bouquet selection, as certain flowers have varied meanings in different societies.

Appealing to the senses with full-bodied flavor, chocolates are widely chosen for their perceived amatory properties. Conversation hearts are the runner-up, delighting all ages with their pastel hues and cutesy sayings.

If you’re searching for new ways to profess your amorous feelings and celebrate Valentine’s Day, here are some fresh ideas that are sure to warm hearts:

• Personalize it! From making your own candies and piping an icing epithet onto them to penning eloquent rhymes and binding them in an anthology, you can’t lose when it comes to customizing your sentimental offering.
• Instead of dining out, plan to make a candlelight dinner for your paramour. Julienned green papaya and beets on a bed of spring mix salad followed by a course of red snapper, asparagus, and orzo is vivacious and appetizing. A bottle of Riesling or Chardonnay complements the flavors especially well. A red velvet cake for dessert is a happy ending to a good meal.

Extend the theme by warming your home with Valentine’s Day decorations:

• Add spice to your garnet-hued floral arrangement by filling the space between nested glass vases with cinnamon heart-shaped candies. The sweet scent will invigorate any passerby. For an unscented version, use pastel candy hearts and coordinating pale flowers to achieve the same visual effect.
• Fashion a heart-shaped wreath to hang on your front door. A wreath made of raffia or heart-shaped felt pieces could be reused year after year.
• For singles, hosting a Valentine’s Day party can be a great way to introduce friends to one another. Stock up on plenty of Valentine’s Day party decorations, blush wines, and tasty treats.

Whether you’re planning a quiet night at home with your loved one or an exciting night out, make this Valentine’s Day the best one yet!

When the hustle and bustle of the holidays comes to an end, it can start to feel as though winter will drag on forever. With warm weather still calendar pages away, it’s easy for spirits to dip as low as the mercury. Why not warm up—and nip the winter doldrums in the bud—by hosting an indoor beach party? With a little planning and creativity, your indoor beach party will help put an end to the “cabin fever blues”.

Setting the Scene with Beach Party Invitations

Post cards with beach scenes make fantastic indoor beach party invitations, and are certain to whet your guests’ appetites for a little tropical fun. On your invitation, be sure to let guests know that they’ll be enjoying a “day at the beach,” and ask them to wear their favorite summer and beach attire. Some more fun ideas include sending a “message in a bottle,” writing the invitation on a rubber flip-flop, or including a small bottle of sand and shells. Make sure to send out the invitations two to three weeks before your party, so your guests will have plenty of time to round up their bathing suits and dust off their sandals!

Create an Indoor Paradise with Beach Party Decorations

To set the stage for your indoor beach bash, hang beach balls and shells from the ceiling, cover your walls with tropical and beach destination posters, and drape tabletops and furniture with beach towels. Remove any furniture you can from the party area, and replace it with lawn chairs, patio tables, and beach umbrellas. To add extra floor seating, unroll bamboo beach mats and top them with brightly colored throw pillows. Enhance the warmth of the scene by replacing lamps and overhead lighting with red light bulbs, and don’t forget to add some upbeat beach party music.

Create an Appetite for Summer with Beach Party Food

For your indoor beach party, replace the savory stews, soups, and comfort foods of wintertime with classic cookout fare for your party menu. Fire up the grill for burgers and hot dogs, paired with potato salad and coleslaw, baked beans, diced tropical fruit, deviled eggs, and boiled ears of frozen corn on the cob. Serve the food buffet-style with side items in sand buckets, using Frisbees as plates and sand shovels as serving spoons. For dessert, nothing says summer more than ice cream. Set up a sundae buffet, complete with sliced fruit, flavored sauces, chopped nuts, and whipped cream. (Important note: When grilling during the winter months, don’t be tempted to move your grill indoors or any closer than five feet from your house. Be certain to remove any dirt or debris from your grill before lighting. Allow extra heating and cooking time, and keep scarves and other clothing away from the heat.)

Beach Party Attire, Party Favors & Games

Turn up the thermostat, set up heat lamps (if you can find them), and wait for your guests to arrive. Greet your beach companions dressed in full summer garb—complete with sunhat, cocoa butter, and zinc oxide. Provide a private dressing area and a designated spot for stowing bulky winter gear, and invite guests change into their summer attire. Give each attendee a few fun indoor beach party favors, such as sunglasses, sunhats, flip flops, bubbles, and beach toys, and engage your guests in some fun indoor beach party games. Hula-hoop and limbo contests, beach ball volleyball, scavenger hunts, and an indoor Frisbee toss are sure to be loads of fun for all.

When properly planned, your indoor beach party is sure to be a hit. Your guests will leave with warm memories, and with the renewed energy they need to face the remainder of the cold months ahead. Maybe a happy guest will reciprocate by inviting you to their Christmas Party…held in July, of course. Enjoy your indoor beach party!

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting task, especially if you wait until the final days—or hours—to begin your planning. By being prepared and taking baby steps along the way, you’ll be able to pull off a spectacular event while barely breaking a sweat. So, just how do you pull off a fantastic dinner for which everyone will be lining up to give thanks? The same way you would eat a 24-pound turkey: one bite at a time.

Who’s coming to dinner?

Establishing a guest list well in advance is essential for efficient planning of your menu, seating arrangements, and food purchases. While it’s important to obtain an accurate head count, you’ll also need to consider whether any of your guests have dietary restrictions, require special seating, or will need overnight accommodations. Menus can be easily modified to include a no-sugar pumpkin pie, an unsalted bowl of mashed potatoes, or an onion-free pan of dressing, and dining room chairs can be made suitable for little ones by adding some boosters.
When planning your food purchase, here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Turkey: 1 pound per guest
• Mashed Potatoes: 1 potato per guest
• 8” or 9” Pie: 8 servings
• Gravy: ½ cup per person
• Rolls: 1-2 per person
• Side dishes prepared in 9 x 13 pan: 12-15 servings

Preparing your home

Fall is an excellent time to deep-clean and rejuvenate your home. When preparing for Thanksgiving guests, concentrate on the public areas that will see the heaviest amounts of foot traffic. Below are a few tips to get you started:

• De-clutter: Have a few boxes handy for packing up books, games, mail, and personal items. If little ones will be visiting, remove breakable or fragile items from public areas.
• Deep Cleaning: Begin at the top of the room and work your way down. Remove cobwebs from corners, and dust ceiling fans and chandeliers. In the bathroom, give the grout a thorough scrubbing and put up a new shower curtain liner. Schedule a carpet cleaning appointment, or rent a steam cleaner and tackle it yourself. Thoroughly clean and disinfect all hard surface flooring, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. After each room has had a deep cleaning, the final spruce-up will be a snap.
• Appliances: Clean your oven and refrigerator the weekend before Thanksgiving. Most self-cleaning cycles can take several hours, so plan to spend the day at home. Adjust refrigerator racks to accommodate larger loads, and place condiments you won’t need for Thanksgiving dinner in a small cooler. Free up additional refrigerator space by placing chilled beverages in coolers or in garages or basements.
• Guest Room: If you’re hosting overnight guests, freshen the spare bedroom with clean sheets and blankets and be sure to have additional towels and toiletries on hand.
• Entryway: Spend additional time sprucing up your porch, foyer, and front hall. Sweep the front steps, clean the door, remove all clutter, freshen up your welcome mat, and check to make sure all outside lighting is in working order. Affix a fall wreath to your door, or decorate your entryway with a “harvest scape”. Inside the front door, dedicate an area for guests to hang their coats, hats, and purses.
• Take Inventory: Make certain that you have the proper supply of baking dishes, dinnerware, serving spoons, gravy boats, serving pieces, and storage containers on hand. Inventory spices and baking supplies, foil and plastic wrap, and prepare a shopping list accordingly.
• Gather Supplies: Launder and iron linens, polish candleholders, and fill salt and pepper shakers. Insert the extra leaf in the dining table, and be sure to have table pads and trivets on hand. Sharpen the carving knives, and round up the turkey baster and meat thermometer.
• Prepare the Shopping List: After deciding on your menu, begin your shopping list. Read recipes thoroughly, paying special attention to required spices and seasonings. If freezer space isn’t a concern, avoid the crunch and buy your turkey well in advance.

Let’s talk turkey (and dressing, and mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie).

A frozen turkey takes time to thaw, so plan accordingly. If you plan to thaw it in the refrigerator (the recommended method), allow five hours per pound of thawing time. To speed up the process, you can also submerge it in cold water (be sure to change the water every 30 minutes to accommodate temperature changes). Cold water thawing takes about 30 minutes per pound. Never leave a turkey on a countertop to thaw. For cooking time and safe handling instructions, consult the USDA Thanksgiving fact sheet.

To help cut down on frenzy, prepare dishes ahead of time. Here are some time-saving tips from the professionals:

• Peel and dice potatoes, then place them in the cooking pan and cover with water. Change water prior to cooking.
• For macaroni and cheese, boil the macaroni the night before and refrigerate in a zip lock bag.
• If serving deviled eggs, boil eggs the night before.
• Cook onions and celery for dressing the day before, then refrigerate.
• Bake pies the night before.
• Prepare cranberry sauce up to one week in advance.
• For cornbread dressing, bake the cornbread up to two days in advance. For white bread dressing, cube bread and let dry well in advance and freeze until you’re ready.
• Most casseroles can be prepared and refrigerated in advance; increase cooking times to adjust for cooler start temperatures.
• Have a sink full of hot, soapy water and wash all prep dishes as you go.
• Line the turkey baking pan with foil, or use an oven bag for easy clean-up.
• Whenever possible, opt for pre-made items, such as piecrust, rolls, jarred gravy, and canned sweet potatoes.

If you will be having overnight guests, plan for a simple, light breakfast. As luck would have it, day-old bread works great for dressing and French toast.

Setting the table

Whether you’re planning a casual buffet or a sit-down meal, be sure to add a few special touches to your table. Folded napkins, candles, table runners, festive tablecloths, and a harvest-themed centerpiece are simple additions that will add elegance to the feast.

Sit back and relax

Now that the work is behind you, allow yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Reflect on the spirit of the holiday, and take time to reconnect with family and friends. Remember, in hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you’re building traditions and lasting memories that will endure for decades to come. By preparing ahead of time, you’ll enjoy the holiday and have enough energy leftover to hit the after-Thanksgiving sales. Go ahead and have an extra scoop of whipped cream on your pumpkin pie. You pulled off a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner, and have earned a little indulgence.

It’s hard to believe, but the nip in the air, colorful foliage, and earlier sunsets are unmistakable signs that Halloween is just around the corner. As your little ghouls and goblins gear up for another trick-or-treating session, we thought it would be fun to share some history of the delightfully frightful season, as well as some common ways in which it’s celebrated.

The modern-day Halloween is rooted in a traditional Celtic festival called Samhain, an observance of the end of the harvest season. Also known as the Celtic New Year, this ancient holiday commemorated Catholic saints on November 1 of each year.
Halloween gets its name from All Hallows Eve, the eve of what was originally known as All Hallows Day and is now dubbed All Saints’ Day. Commemorating ancient European Pagan beliefs, this religious festival was originally held on May 13, and was later moved to November 1. Legend had it that the spirits of everyone who had passed away during the previous year would return on All Hallows Eve to find living bodies to occupy, a story that reflected the Celts’ belief in the afterlife. Many believed that some of the spirits posed a potential harm to livestock, crops, and personal property. Each October 31, the night before All Hallows Eve, the locals would don menacing costumes and organize riotous processions through town, creating as much noise and destruction as possible to scare away the prowling spirits.

In the 1840s, the earliest version of our modern-day Halloween was introduced into America by Irish immigrants. Early observances were marked by relatively harmless pranks, such as knocking over outhouses and opening gates to farms.

The trick-or-treating aspect of Halloween was derived not from the Celts, but from an ancient European tradition called All Souls Day. Observed on November 2, this 9th-century holiday was marked by beggars who walked throughout town soliciting villagers for “soul cakes,” a form of fruit pastry. In exchange for each soul cake, the beggars promised to say a prayer for the family of the charitable villager.

The Jack-o-Lantern, with his crooked smile and flickering glow, has a deep-rooted history in Irish folklore. Legend has it that an Irishman named Stingy Jack, a notorious practical jokester and drinker, lured Satan up into a tree. Jack agreed to let the devil come back down only if he would promise never to tempt him again. After Jack died, he was forbidden to enter Heaven because of his drunken debaucheries, and was also blocked from Hell due to his deception of the devil. According to the fable, Satan condemned Jack to wander through the cold shadows of limbo for all eternity, with only a single glowing ember inside a carved turnip to light his way. The modern-day Jack-o-Lanterns use hollowed-out pumpkins, which are more abundant and decorative than turnips. Originally a symbol of harvest time, pumpkins didn’t become emblems of Halloween until the mid- to late-1800s.

Today, many centuries later, the ancient practice of dressing in costume each October 31st continues—not with the objective of warding off spirits, but to celebrate with candy, fun, and revelry. In addition to trick-or-treating, modern-day Halloween is celebrated by such activities as bonfires, ghost tours, visiting haunted houses, pumpkin-carving activities, and watching scary movies. During the 1900s, observances of the holiday became widely commercialized, with trick-or-treaters’ costumes transitioning from ancient ghouls, ghosts, and goblins to reflect pop culture icons and trends.

Variations of Halloween are observed in several different Western countries, including the United States, Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, and parts of Australia.

Tips for Safe Trick-or-Treating

Before you unleash your little witches and warlocks for their annual neighborhood begging, take a few minutes to educate them on these trick-or-treating safety guidelines. Following these words of wisdom will help ensure fun, worry-free Halloween festivities.

• Always bring along a flashlight. After sundown, unfamiliar steps and uneven terrain can trip up your costumed crusaders, especially when their vision is impaired by masks. Make sure the flashlight has new batteries. For added precaution, you might also want to provide glow sticks and reflective accessories.
• As excited as they are, trick-or-treaters should always walk rather than run. Nothing derails a good time like skinned knees and spilled candy.
• For older trick-or-treaters who are heading out with friends, make sure they wear a glow-in-the-dark watch and carry a cell phone for use in emergencies.
• Advise children to always stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in the street. If they must cross the street, they should do so at the corner and always be accompanied by an adult. They should also avoid cutting through neighbors’ yards.
• Trick-or-treat only on familiar streets. If a house is dark, skip it and go on to the next one. Always knock at the front door rather than a side or back entrance.
• Kids should pair their costumes with comfortable shoes to avoid pain and blisters. Make sure all laces are securely tied to prevent tripping. Check your child’s costume to make sure it doesn’t drag on the ground and pose a tripping hazard.
• Avoid approaching or petting unfamiliar dogs or other animals.
• Make sure all props are safe and flexible. Don’t allow trick-or-treaters to carry sharp or pointy swords or wands that could potentially injure others.

With some sensible planning and foresight, Halloween can provide a sensationally spooky opportunity for friends, families, and neighbors to spend time together and observe the transition from fall to winter.

Creative Costume Ideas

Whether you’re looking for an ensemble that’s scary, sexy, or funny, BuyCostumes.com is sure to have the perfect Halloween attire for you. Shop hundreds of costumes for adults, teens, and children. Among the features of this well-designed online Halloween store.

• Durable, high-quality materials that endure multiple trick-or-treating seasons
• Quick, same-day shipments and courteous customer service
• A wide selection of more than 15,000 costumes in a wide variety of genres
• A 100% satisfaction guarantee for each and every purchase
• Unrivaled values that allow you to achieve your vision without busting your budget

As the hot days of summer draw to a close, football fans across the country begin to anticipate the sizzling action of football season. While watching the big game with friends at a local sports bar can be a blast, it’s often quite expensive and isn’t conducive to including the whole family in the fun. As an easy and affordable alternative, why not host a football party? With fall just around the corner, it’s a great time to begin planning your big event. Let’s explore a few ideas and suggestions that will help your party score big.

It’s likely that you and your friends will attend some (if not all!) of the home events, so it’s best to plan your party to coincide with an away game. Pore through your team’s schedule and select a date. To create maximum excitement and anticipation, try to choose an away game against one of your team’s biggest rivals.

Once the date of your party is set, you can begin spreading the word to guests. Invitations can be as simple as printed fliers using your team’s colors or sending envelopes affixed with football-themed stickers. Sending simple, ticket-sized invitations printed on cardstock is also a fun way to announce your event.

Decorating for your football-themed party can be as easy as hanging balloons, pom-poms, or streamers in your team’s colors. Banners painted on fabric or poster board can be hung inside or stapled to stakes and used as yard decorations. Face painting and the wild, colorful wigs traditionally worn at the stadium can be included as spirited in your party line-up. When selecting paint for your guests’ faces, be sure to look for the variety that’s designed for use on skin. Paint labeled “non-toxic” is not poisonous if ingested, but may cause allergic reactions. Using “washable” markers on the skin is also not advisable, as the washable properties of the ink apply to fabric rather than skin. Stains left behind by washable markers can linger on the skin for days.

Since your guests will likely be noshing in front of the TV, plan your menu around foods that can be eaten with the fingers or using a single utensil. A buffet style set-up works well, enabling guests to serve themselves and hop up for seconds (or thirds!) quickly. In addition to snacks and dip, pizza, chicken wings, chili, and deli-style sandwich platters are popular fare for football parties. Melon, cheese, and pineapple cut into finger-food-sized wedges and baby carrots and celery with dip are a few healthy additions for your food line-up. Be sure to have plenty of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on hand for your guests. Halftime is a great opportunity to serve dessert. A sheet cake with goal posts at each end and sprinkled with green coconut or iced with yard lines is a snap to make.

When it comes to watching the game, the bigger the screen the better. Although a gigantic screen size isn’t a hard and fast requirement, it’s crucial that all of your guests can see the TV. If you have multiple televisions on hand, one smart option is to set up a second viewing area. A bleacher-style seating arrangement also helps to ensure that everyone enjoys a good viewing angle.

It’s a great idea to set aside a separate space for kids. Soft footballs and pom-poms can be used for indoor games, and kids can have loads of fun with clackers and other noisemakers. Having child-appropriate movies and games on hand will ensure that the kids are entertained and will allow the diehard sports fans to focus on the game.

After the last play, plan on spending some time with your guests re-capping game highlights and socializing. Replenish the buffet if needed, and invite guests to enjoy seconds of cake. Serving a hot beverage, such as coffee or hot chocolate, is a nice way to wind down the party.

Whether or not your team is victorious, your guests are sure to be “bowled over” by your well-planned football party. Friends may follow your lead and kick-off the next party at their place. Whether in the stadium or at home, sharing the season with fellow fans adds to the excitement. Enjoy the season!

It may not feel like it just yet, but the arrival of September marks summer’s swan song. Temperatures may still be sizzling, but the calendar nudges us into a new sense of purpose. As the season draws to a close, lazy days at the pool are replaced by back-to-school shopping and preparations for the crisp activities of fall. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy one last soiree to bid farewell to summer.

History of Labor Day

Falling on the first Monday of every September, Labor Day has become synonymous with the transition from the dog days of summer into the early days of autumn. First instituted by the Central Labor Union in New York City in 1882, it originated as a day of recognition for blue-collar workers. In 1894, Congress decreed Labor Day to be a federal holiday for all employees.

In its attempts to get the holiday approved, legislators had drawn up a proposal that included the specific ways in which it should be celebrated: a street parade consisting of all labor unions, and a subsequent festival for all of the workers and their families. The modern-day celebrations we take part in today closely mirror the original intentions of those early lobbyists.

In 1909, the American Federation of Labor decreed the Sunday before Labor Day as “Labor Sunday,” intended to observe the social and economic achievements of the labor movement.

There has been some controversy as to who first created the Labor Day holiday. Some attribute the credit to Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. Others claim it was Matthew Maguire, a machine worker who later served as secretary of the Central Labor Union, who suggested the holiday.

What makes Labor Day so different from other national holidays is that it’s not devoted to any one single person, race, gender, or battle. It’s simply an all-encompassing tribute to all of the country’s workers, spanning all industries, sectors, and classes. Our country would not enjoy the freedoms and strengths it boasts today if it weren’t for the millions of citizens who have devoted their time and effort each day to their trade of choice.

Modern-Day Celebrations

Today, every state in the USA observes Labor Day as a state holiday. Typically, a majority of American families celebrate with cookouts, picnics, parades, and fireworks. The festivities generally stretch through the entire three-day weekend. Many areas also host cultural events, such as public art festivals and music festivals. Water sports are also highly popular activities—Labor Day weekend sees a significant spike in boating, waterskiing, canoeing, and swimming. It’s also a major travel weekend, as many families take advantage of the holiday to enjoy a mini-vacation or visit family.

For football enthusiasts, the Labor Day holiday indicates the swing into football season, as the NFL and NCAA gear up for its pre-season games.

Public events often include appearances by prominent politicians and local celebrities. When it happens to be an election year, Labor Day festivities are more politically motivated, as candidates who are running for office use the opportunity to address potential voters.

Fall into Fashion

For hundreds of years, style etiquette has decreed Labor Day as the cut-off point for wearing white clothing. After the Labor Day weekend, it’s generally considered a fashion faux pas to wear pure white, although “winter white” is acceptable. In recent years, however, this restriction has become less widely observed, as more and more contemporary fashion designers flout the rule by promoting white ensembles well into fall and winter.

International Observances

Labor Day is celebrated in many other countries on May 1st. These international celebrations often include speeches and demonstrations of a more political nature than here in the USA.

Ways to Celebrate Labor Day

• Throw a block party. What better way to bid goodbye to summer than throwing a street-wide celebration? It’s a fun, easy way to turn passing acquaintances into built-in friends, and to form family connections that will endure for seasons to come. Gauge the neighbors’ interest, and then assign tasks to each participating family.
• Throw a parade. You can incorporate this with your block party. Set a time for a good old-fashioned parade. It doesn’t have to be particularly elaborate—have the kids decorate their bicycles with red, white, and blue streamers and balloons, deck out a few cars, put on some patriotic music, and send the convoy slowly down the street. To make your parade even more fun, consider including pets, a school marching band, baton twirlers, hula hoop experts, unicycles, cheerleading squads, and more. The only limit to any street parade is the neighborhood’s collective imagination!
• Let Old Glory wave. Don’t forget to fly the venerable stars and stripes to commemorate this patriotic holiday. Our country’s flag always has a place outside any American home, but it’s especially fitting around Labor Day.
• Don’t forget the music. No summer party is complete without a soundtrack. For Labor Day, patriotic tunes are fitting. Increase the energy level with such stirring favorites as The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and America the Beautiful.
• Perfect your swan dive. Most public pools officially close after Labor Day, so take advantage of one last opportunity to get in some splashing and sunbathing. If you have a pool, consider hosting a pool party. Whether you’re relaxing in the backyard with a small, inflatable pool or entertaining guests on the deck of a luxurious, in-ground swimming pool, adding a little water to your Labor Day events can instantly boost the festivity level.

However you choose to spend Labor Day weekend, be sure to obey one rule of thumb: relax! After a long, hot summer, you deserve one last laid-back weekend before the hustle and bustle of fall begins.

As summer winds to an end and the number of daylight hours begins to dwindle, many parents wish they could cram a few extra hours into each day. The start of a new school year is looming in the not-so-distant future, but there’s no need to fret. Being fully prepared will alleviate back-to-school mania, and will ensure your child has everything he or she needs for a smooth transition. Let’s take a look at some simple tips and helpful suggestions to ease the stress of beginning a new school year:

• Forms, Forms, Forms: The start of school means homework for parents. It’s important that we complete all paperwork thoroughly and accurately, as these documents will be the school personnel’s first line of defense should an emergency arise. Creating a “tip sheet” ahead of time will facilitate the form completion process, and will ensure that the information you provide is accurate. On your tip sheet, write the name, address, and telephone number of your child’s doctor and dentist, the home, work, and cell phone numbers for each of your emergency contacts, and your child’s social security number. (If you’re apprehensive about carrying your child’s social security number with you, you can disguise the number by writing it backwards, or by adding your house number at the beginning or end of the digits.) Slip the tip sheet into your wallet or billfold, and use it as your reference when completing forms. Make a copy of the tip sheet for anyone else that may be filling out forms on your child’s behalf.

• Health Screenings: Schools require that students have up-to-date immunization records and medical forms on file, and may also require a vision screening. Before the start of the school year, schedule your child for a preventative health care examination and eye examination, and verify that your child is current with all immunizations. To enter kindergarten, you child will likely need to be vaccinated for diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella); some states also require the Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. Additional vaccinations will likely be needed when your child enters sixth grade.

If your school requires a particular form for exam results or immunization records, make certain that you have the form with you at the time of your child’s appointment. It’s a great idea to make a copy or scan all medical records and keep them in a safe place in the event that your child’s records are lost or misplaced.

• Clothes Shopping: Unless your child has had a recent growth spurt, it’s not necessary to purchase an entire back-to-school wardrobe. A few weeks prior to the start of school, begin the task of tackling your child’s closet. Have your child try on clothes to check for a proper fit, and inspect items for stains, rips, broken zippers, or missing buttons. Items that are too small may be donated or, if in excellent condition, re-sold on consignment. If items still fit but need a few simple fixes, gather your sewing and mending supplies and make repairs while watching TV. If your child’s shoes still fit, freshen them up by washing, polishing, or adding new laces.

That said, it’s nice to have a few new back-to-school outfits, and also a nice picture-day outfit ready for the camera. If you do find that your child needs clothing, keep in mind that excessive buttons, snaps, or straps may be cumbersome for little fingers. Also, if you plan on shopping without your child, it’s a good idea to have your child’s waist and inseam measurements and a ribbon-style tape measurer with you while you shop. Taking a few simple measurements can save you the hassle of returning items that do not fit.

• Supplies Shopping: Your child’s school will likely provide a supply list. Carry the list with you, and as you pick up items cross them off of your list. If you come across exceptional bargains, you may wish to purchase extra items to donate to your school, or to keep on hand at home for art projects. Take advantage of back-to-school sales to replenish home office supplies and purchase organizational materials. Keepsake artwork and school papers can be three-hole punched, then neatly stowed away in binders, and two-pocket folders with prongs are terrific for organizing receipts and tax-related paperwork.
  High-quality, durable backpacks are more expensive initially, but will likely save money in the long    run.Character or theme backpacks made of flimsy material are likely to rip or fade in appeal. Opt for hard-wearing, neutral backpacks that will last through several school years.

• Transportation: If your child will be riding the bus, provide a refresher on bus stop safety. Advise your child to approach the bus only after it has come to a complete stop, and to always walk at least ten feet in front of the bus to ensure visibility to the driver. Remind your child not to play or run at the bus stop, and to always remain on the sidewalk. Keep in mind that winter mornings and rainy mornings are dark, so it’s best to select outer gear with reflective piping or stripes. Brightly colored hats also increase your child’s visibility.

If your child will be picked up from school by grandparents or other family members, make certain that proper safety measures are in place. If your child needs to be in a booster seat, be sure the car used to transport your child is properly equipped. Educate whoever will be transporting your child so they understand proper restraint techniques.

• Finding Your Groove: Establishing a routine for bedtime, bath time, homework time, and mealtime will make your days flow more smoothly. Designate a special spot in your home for books, backpacks, and school papers, and carve out a distraction-free, well-lit area for homework and reading. It may be easiest to tackle homework as soon as your child arrives home, or you may find that after dinner works best for you. Find what works, and stick to it.

Keep in mind that school-aged children require about ten hours of sleep each night, so adjust bedtime accordingly. Helping your child pick out the next day’s clothes, organizing their backpack the previous night, and having easy breakfast items on hand will save time in the morning.

Incorporating some of these simple steps will help alleviate back-to-school anxiety, and will make the start of the new school year feel like an exciting event rather than a source of tension. Save the stress for your child’s wedding day…it will be here before you know it!

Opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games begin tonight and we are excited. You don’t have to be a professional athlete—or even an amateur one—to enjoy the Olympics. An Olympic-themed party is a fun, interactive way to commemorate the celebrated event and create gold-medal memories for your guests. And the best part is, you won’t need four years of planning to pull off a party of Olympic proportions.

A Little Olympian History

The first Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, a sacred site revering the Greek gods. The games began in 776 BC and were celebrated every four years until 393 AD, when Roman emperor Theodosius I, a Christian, terminated the competitions because of their believed pagan influence. This era of the games is referred to as “Ancient Olympic Games.” The first Olympics featured a single competition, the stadion (origin of the word “stadium”), where runners would race across the 190-meter length of the arena. The competitions of the Ancient Olympic Games grew to include the events such as boxing, discus, equestrian events, wrestling, running, jumping, and javelin, many of which are still popular in the modern-day competition.

Following their abolishment in 776 BC, the Olympic Games lay dormant for 1500 years until Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin worked to spark their revival. Coubertin’s efforts in re-establishing the Olympic Games were fruitful, and in 1896 the first Modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. With the exception of 1916 (World War I), 1940, and 1944 (World War II), the Olympic Games have been held every four years since 1896.

Olympic-worthy Game Ideas

Modern and Ancient Olympic Games can be easily modified for every skill level and incorporated into your Olympic-themed party. Select a few representative countries, and then pick names from a hat to make up each country’s team. Next, let the games begin!

• For relay races, participants can hand off lit flashlights to one another and be timed for speed. For an added challenge, use lit candles rather than flashlights, and have competitors try to cross the finish line with their flames still burning.
• Cycling events can be held by setting up simple obstacle courses, or by having a slow race where whoever crosses the finish line last without letting their feet touch the ground is the winner.
• Field hockey events can be modified with a croquet set, and balls can be kicked around poles or cones for slalom races.
• Wagons make terrific bobsleds, where helmeted children can be pulled through obstacle courses and then hop out for a foot race, followed by a jumping competition for an authentic Olympic triathlon event.
• Frisbees can be used for discus events, where participants toss them through hula-hoops or into baskets.
• Medals made of ribbon and decorated with candy coins can be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners of each event, and small gifts such as flags, sunglasses, or sweatbands featuring various county colors can be given to all participants as party favors. For added fun, have a Polaroid camera handy and take pictures of winners as their ribbons are awarded, then give the photos to guests as keepsakes.

Festive Party Decorations

Red, white, and blue streamers and balloons can be hung as Olympic party decorations. The American flag, the Olympic flag, and flags from your team’s countries can also be displayed.

Hula-hoops painted blue, yellow, black, green, and red can represent the Olympic flag, and can be hung from a porch, fence, or swing set.

A tiki torch can be used to represent the ever-burning Olympic Flame. Traditionally, the Olympic Flame is lit by the sun and is kept alight throughout the Olympic Games. You can light your torch when your guests arrive, and extinguish the flame with the conclusion of the games.

Award-winning Fare

One fun idea is to serve your guests traditional dishes from the hosting country’s cuisine, or offer a combination of party foods from your team’s countries. For example, if your team’s locales are USA, China, Italy, Mexico, and Greece, a sample menu may include hamburgers, egg rolls, pizza, burritos, pita with hummus, and baklava. An Olympics Ring cake is a snap to make, and is sure to serve as a winning dessert for your guests.

Incorporating some of these ideas with your own original inspirations will help ensure your Olympic party will be a hit. After just one, it will likely become a family party or block party tradition. Take turns hosting the event by “passing the torch” to a family member or neighbor. Four years from now, you may win the gold in the wagon slalom; for now, revel in your victory as a gold-medal party planner.

The official Summer Solstice may be a couple of weeks behind us, but to many, the Fourth of July marks the unofficial shift into the heart of the season. Synonymous with fireworks, cookouts, and celebrations with family and friends, it’s one of the most relaxed and festive occasions of the year.

If you’re like millions of other Americans, you’ll most likely commemorate the Fourth by slapping a few burgers on the grill, stringing up some patriotic party decorations, and settling into a lawn chair with a cold beverage or two. But how often do you think about the true significance of the holiday? Sure, we all have a vague perception of the Fourth being tied to the freedoms we enjoy as Americans–hence its oft-used moniker “Independence Day”–but as another star-spangled celebration approaches, we thought a quick history refresher may be in order.

History & Significance of the Fourth

Independence Day was created to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration officially asserted the freedom of the original thirteen American colonies from the kingdom of Great Britain. Penned by Thomas Jefferson, the document was signed by all of the delegates of the colonies, including John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress. After a somewhat anticlimactic reception, the document grew in prominence over the years, and today it serves as a highly respected symbol of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Early Observances

The earliest observance of the Fourth of July took place in 1777, the year after the adoption of the Declaration, when thirteen guns were fired at sunrise and sunset in Bristol, Rhode Island. Other commemorations were very similar to the modern-day activities we indulge in today: dinners, parades, fireworks, music, and the display of red, white, and blue bunting and decorations. Respected national leaders, such as George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, used the holiday as an occasion to deliver stirring political speeches, hold tributes for American soldiers, and host extravagant dinners.

Independence Day was first recognized as an official state celebration in 1781, voted so by the Massachusetts legislature. It wasn’t until nearly a century later, in 1870, when the Fourth was declared a national holiday for all government employees. In 1941, it was changed to a paid federal holiday for all U.S. workers.

Unique Ways to Celebrate

In the more than two centuries since the Declaration of Independence asserted America’s freedom, the events surrounding the Fourth of July have focused on the same core festivities: cookouts, fireworks, music, picnics, and parades, all of which comprise the essence of summer. We aren’t proposing fixing what’s not broken, but if you’re looking for a more unconventional way to commemorate Independence Day this year, we invite you to check out these unique ideas:

• Play a patriotic CD. Trade in modern-day music for a traditional medley of star-spangled tunes. Crowds can’t help but sing along to stirring favorites as The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and America the Beautiful. For more contemporary tastes, there are many modern-day remixes available of these classic songs.
• Let them eat cake! Making a flag cake is easy. Bake a large, one-layer sheet cake using white cake mix, and then cover it with a base layer of white icing. Next, use red and blue decorative icing to draw the stars and stripes.
• Throw a block party. Canvass the surrounding houses to gauge the neighbors’ interest in participating in a street-wide celebration. You only need a few families to make it worthwhile. Ask each household to volunteer to bring something to contribute, such as a folding table, an entrée or dessert, or a fun game for the kids to play. If there’s a great deal of interest, you may even consider hiring a band and requesting permission to officially close down the street for the party.
• Extend the red, white, and blue theme. One fun idea is to fill an ice tray with red, white, and blue colored drinks and freeze them overnight. At your party, you can use these patriotic ice cubes to keep drinks chilled. Other easy ways to incorporate the theme into party fare is to serve strawberries and blueberries with whipped cream and make red, blue, and white Jell-O shots.
• Throw a presidential costume party. Encourage guests to come dressed as their favorite president or political figure from the annals of American government. The props and possibilities are limitless: George Washington’s wig, Abe Lincoln’s beard and hat, Ronald Reagan masks, Martha Washington’s colonial dress, and more.
• Set your nighttime party glowing. When the sun sets, create a luminous venue with glow sticks, twinkling white lights, tiki torches, and sparklers. Scented candles in red, white, and blue combine patriotic colors with pleasing fragrances.

No matter how you decide to celebrate the Fourth of July, don’t lose sight of what the holiday signifies: a celebration of our country’s rich history and heritage, diverse communities, and above all, the liberties our founding fathers worked so diligently to obtain.