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About Entertaining

Plan a Wimbledon Viewing Brunch for this Weekend
One of the fun activities I always anticipate over the July 4th holiday weekend is watching the final rounds of Wimbledon, the world's oldest tennis tournament. If the weather is bad, or you need a break from barbecues and outside parties, Wimbledon is a great event for gathering fellow tennis fans who like air conditioning better than mosquitoes in the summer. Here's a Wimbledon party plan with a brunch menu to enjoy while taking in the relaxing sounds of tennis balls bouncing on grass.
_{Photo © Getty Images/Paul Gilham}

It's Easy to Make a Patriotic Centerpiece
I always look forward to seeing the fireworks on July 4th. But, even though it's less dramatic, I enjoy even more the display of patriotic colors that can be seen everywhere you turn on this holiday. I think it just solidifies for me the presence of the summer season.
_{Photo © Donna Pilato}

Planning Your Child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah
Because of the ages of my daughters, I am friends with many parents who are going through the planning process for their child's bar or bat mitzvah. I have attended these parties, and witnessed the months of preparations, and all I can say is that party is well-earned by both the child and the parents. After extensive research, I've managed to put together a guide to the steps a parent planning a bar or bat mitzvah celebration will need to take to pull off this milestone event in their child's life.
_{Photo © Donna Pilato}

So What If You Don't Have Enough Food?
In my last post I talked about how to take a "scientific" approach to estimating how much food is needed for a party. But surprises happen. Readers have told me how, when they don't receive firm RSVPs from guests, they plan food for the number of guests they know will show. But what happens when the rest of your invite list shows up too? Or, what if guests bring along other uninvited guests. Even though we know they shouldn't have done that without checking with the host first, no one wants to send guests home hungry. So that's why you should plan what you'll do if you need more food during your party.

How Much Food Do You Need?
For many people, myself included, estimating how much food you'll need for your party is difficult. My family tends to overdo it, as evidenced by the leftovers I brought back last night from my mom's Father's Day dinner. The girls and I enjoyed them for lunch today, and will probably enjoy them again tomorrow. But, you don't want so many leftovers that they spoil before you can eat them up. And you certainly don't want to have too little food, and send your guests home hungry. That's why it's good to estimate how much food you'll need at your party in a more scientific way, so that the amount you prepare is just right.

Celebrating a Milestone Birthday
A few people I know already have, or will be celebrating milestone birthdays this year including, ahem, me. I can either find a cave in which to hide until the day passes, or share the best advice I know on how to plan a milestone party, just in case there will be a party thrown to help me take my mind off the number. (Can you imagine throwing a party for me? I'm going to do my best to stay out of it!)
_{Photo © Donna Pilato - My daughter decorated this cake for me on last year's birthday!}

Hire a Caterer
I was just able to manage doing everything by myself for the number of guests we invited to my daughter's party a few weeks ago. The shopping, cooking, and cleaning were completed on schedule, so you would think it would be a breeze to host the party once guests arrived. Wrong. It's funny, but when you're in the throes of entertaining, you suddenly realize that cooking the food is only half the work. As the hostess, you spend a lot of time simply setting out the different courses, clearing the last one, fixing drinks, and fetching things that guests need which you may not have anticipated. Which is why, in hindsight, I might have hired a caterer to help out - not necessarily with all of the cooking, but to help with all of the other tasks of hosting a party.

Mix, Shake, Stir
There's nothing like an exciting cocktail to start off a party on the right foot. It can set the tone for your entire event and provide conversation for your guests. If you're tired of serving the same old standby drinks, you'll want to take a look at this collection of cocktails from Danny Meyer's popular New York City restaurants. "Mix Shake Stir" is as beautiful as it is inspiring and it will turn you into the most stylish host in your neighborhood.
_{Photo © Donna Pilato}

Gift Ideas for Dad, the Host with the Most
Once upon a time, home party planning was the exclusive responsibility of the woman of the house. Dad mixed the drinks, but his party responsibilities ended there. These days, there's a very good chance that it's dad who is planning the parties, cooking, and running the show. If that description fits your dad, these Father's Day gift ideas were chosen with him in mind.

A Perfect Summer Pool Party Cake
Most homes with little girls are familiar with Polly Pocket dolls, those skinny little fashion dolls with shoes so small, adults require reading glasses to see them. I guess that's why I immediately fell in love with this reader cake photo because it shows me that Polly Pockets can be used for more than stabbing parental feet in the dark. While I was at it, I added a few other reader submitted cake photos to the Cake Gallery. Enjoy.

Polly Pocket Pool Party Cake
Hot Cat Cake
Baby Shaelyn Shower Cake
_{Photo © Vicki}