EASY PARTY THEME: HOST A CHILI COOKOFF!

Martie Duncan June 13, 2014

Are you ready for some football? Get the whole gang together and host a chili cook-off!

Bring a “throwdown” to your tailgate or your kitchen as the competition heats up when guests battle for first place with their best chili recipes. You might even make it an annual event with a "traveling" award that goes from winner to winner each year.

One of the easiest parties to host for every occasion from game day to neighborhood get-togethers... a chili cook off can become an annual event with big bragging rights on the line!

THE HOW-TO: Send out invitations or call your guests to issue the “cook-off” challenge.

Your guests should bring their best chili concoction in a crock pot or slow cooker. Iinclude printed copies of the recipe to share with other guests, if desired.

When the guests turn in the chili, number or name it for voting and make up a ballot. Ask everyone to taste and vote for their favorite. Award prizes for first, second, and third place.

Decorations for can be as simple as football themed plates and napkins. Instead of flowers, get a simple flowering plant at the grocery. Set out bowls, serving spoons, lots of napkins, and have kitchen wipes on hand for drips and spills.
Have other munchies to have on hand for snacking.
Use bowls and trays for snacks instead of their original packaging.
Pass snacks for guests glued to the game.

Make up ballots and award prizes. If it is an annual event, create a trophy that can be passed down from year to year.

Make a condiment station with different types of crackers, Fritos, grated chesses, sour cream, chopped scallions and peppers, chopped onion, Tabasco or other hot sauces, etc.

Set up a condiment station with hot sauces, crackers, and other toppings.

Ham Delights are one of those recipes I've been making for 20+ years and still get requests for all the time. People never get tired of them!

Find a good spot to set up the bar; make sure it is away from the food to avoid congestion. Bloody Marys are a good choice for this party. Ice down some beer or wine and your bar is set.

PARTY THEME: RETRO ROLLER SKATING PARTY

Martie Duncan June 13, 2014

If you've got a birthday party to plan, one of the most fun parties I've planned lately was a throwback birthday party at the local roller skating rink. We had such a great time! If you're looking for something fun and different to do for your next girls get-together, dust off your pom-poms, break out your striped knee socks, and get ready for some old-school fun that will have you laughing (sore and bruised) for weeks to come!

Retro Roller Skating Birthday Party Theme

Call your local roller rink to find out what the restrictions are for a party. Some will allow you to hold your party during public skate times, others will require that you book a private party for your group. This usually depends on how many you have in your group.

Some rinks allow you to bring in food or cake. Others don't. If they allow food, take something that does not have to be served hot. Gourmet sandwiches, wraps, chips, salsa, or a delish cheese board would be easy to do. If not, meet for a pre-party party before you head to the rink. Our roller rink did not allow us to bring in our own food but we did get to bring in cupcakes and gift bags for everyone containing stuff from back when: Charms' Blow Pops, Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers ( the huge ones) and original Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum! I remember when that was all you needed to get a boy to ask you to go steady or at least couple's skate :)

If your crowd hasn't skated in a while, be sure and add a package of Advil and some Icy Hot in each guest's gift bag!

PARTY THEME: CARD SHARK POKER NIGHT PARTY

Martie Duncan June 12, 2014

So the guys asked for some new ideas for their monthly poker party. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. All you really need for a good poker night is a hall pass from the wife, right? Guys are so simple. (don't take that the wrong way) They don't need a lot of fluff and extra stuff for a get-together. They simply want good food, good friends, good drinks and a good hand at the card table. We can't help out with the cards but here are a few ideas to help you add some style to your next boys night in party--- complete with a stunning rack! (hey-- I'm talking about ribs)

DECORATIONS

We know you don't want to go to much trouble. But you can easily "decorate" for your party by using some of the supplies you have on hand to add a little pizzaz to your party. Dice, decks of cards, poker chips and poker accessories you can find at a party store are all easy party decorations. Use coordinating paper plates so the host home doesn't end up with a sink full of dirty dishes after the gang calls it a night. And while I usually don't like them, disposable cups are a good choice for this party. Set up your bar just like bartender does by displaying one of each type of booze and beer available. Keep the beer cold in a cooler or fridge near the action. Put out large bowls of m&m's, trail mix, peanuts, cashews, popcorn and other salty bar nibbles and provide small bowls or snack bags so the guys can mix up a bag of their favorites.

Use playing cards and card colors of red, white and black to make the room look like a poker den.

Guys Night In Poker Party theme Martie Duncan

FOOD

Some of my guy friends tell me they like to cook a steak at their monthly poker shindig. They are all so "Bobby Flay" these days! Some of my more serious poker playing friends say they prefer to get something sent in so there's more time for the cards. We opted for a bit of both. We ordered ribs and BBQ pork sandwiches from a favorite rib joint. (make sure to ask for plenty of extra sauce) While waiting for those to arrive, we popped some huge potatoes in the oven to bake after rolling them in a little olive oil and kosher salt. Make a baked potato bar with all of your favorite condiments. Jalapeno peppers, shredded cheese, sliced olives, sour cream, bacon bits, etc can be put in small bowls so everyone can build their own super spud. Next, mix a tossed salad or cut a head of iceberg into wedges---men always love the iceberg wedge! Top it with bacon crumbles and bleu cheese dressing. For dessert, we ordered the world's best homemade lemon meringue pie from our rib joint. If you aren't that lucky, keep it simple. A scoop of ice cream on a warm brownie with a little hot fudge sauce is perfect. Pizza, pasta, good dogs or brats, or meatball sandwiches are all safe bets to keep the guys happy on poker night.