YumSugar

Off to Market Recap: Christmas Plate

partysugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:45:35 -0800

When I was growing up, we had a special Christmas plate that was reserved for serving Santa Claus. Every Christmas Eve, my sister and I would take the pretty plate, place the most perfect cookies on it, and set it out by the tree. To relive old memories, I went looking for the long lost plate. Alas, it was nowhere to be found. I asked you to help me find a replacement by heading off to market in search of a beautiful Christmas plate worthy of Saint Nick. You saved your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Christmas Plate.

In what looks like it might be a Christmas miracle, CiaoBella has bookmarked the exact plate that used to be my special Christmas plate! She has the plate (whose design has been a holiday favorite since its introduction in 1938) and also serves cookies to Santa on it. Thanks for helping me restore a family tradition CiaoBella! To select your own Christmas plate, browse the collection below.

To learn how the bookmarking feature functions, please refer to geeksugar's explanation.

Off to Market: Christmas Plate

partysugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:30:57 -0800

Can you help me find a suitable replacement? Head off to market in search of a beautiful Christmas plate worthy of Saint Nick.

Bookmark your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Christmas Plate. Happy Hunting!

To learn how the bookmarking feature functions, please refer to geeksugar's explanation. To get you started, check out a list of my favorite online stores: read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Off To Market Recap: Christmas Plates

partysugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:01:32 -0800

I want to give my grandfather's girlfriend a beautiful set of plates for Christmas, so I asked you to help me search for a lovely set that she can use while entertaining. You looked for plates that are pretty, festive, and perfect for serving everything from holiday cookies to cocktail appetizers. You saved the plates in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Christmas Plates.

When I saw that three of you - Country+Betty, emalove, and aimeeb - discovered the same fabulous snowflake printed plates, I knew I had found the ideal gift. Thanks for your help! Let's hope she likes the plate set.

To see all the holiday themed plates you saved, scroll through below.

Don't know how to use the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar? Have no fear, geeksugar has helped you by creating an easy how to.

Off to Market: Christmas Plates

partysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:01:39 -0800

For Christmas, I want to give my grandfather's girlfriend a set of beautiful plates. She is an extraordinary entertainer so it would be lovely to present her with a set of Christmas themed plates that she can use throughout the holiday season. Let's head off to market in search of the most wonderful Christmas plates. Look for plates that are pretty, festive, and perfect for serving everything from holiday cookies to cocktail appetizers. Save the plates you find in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Christmas Plates. I'm looking forward to checking out your discoveries!

Don't know how to use the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar? Have no fear, geeksugar has helped you by creating an easy how to.

To check out where I shop online, read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:53:50 -0800

With lights, ornaments, and the tree, Christmas is a busy holiday in terms of decorations, but if you let the tree be your focal point, it's easy to create a clean look for any holiday cocktail party. Set a red table runner down the middle of a banquette. Place the appetizers on large gold chargers and arrange on the runner. On another table set out a clear punch bowl, wine, beer, and versatile stemless glasses. The minted brownies look scrumptious when displayed on a three-tiered dessert tray.

Stick the brownies on the bottom two trays and fill the top with candy canes. Stack shiny green appetizer plates and Christmas tree napkins near the food. Gold candles in various shapes and sizes and mini poinsettias are finishing touches to this elegant and sophisticated look.

Source

YumSugar Preview: Come Party With Me - Holiday Cocktail

YumSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 11:22:40 -0800

The holidays are just around the corner and we're happy to announce that YumSugar.com will be here just in time. Starting this Friday, YumSugar.com will be your go to place for delicious recipes, entertaining tips and festive cocktails. See below for a sneak peek:

This week why not plan a cocktail party for you and your friends? The perfect event where ready made meets homemade, a quick, easy holiday themed get together can be thrown any night of the week. For all of the details (invite ideas, serving suggestions, decorations schemes, musical playlists, divine drinks) on how to host this party, see below.

Invites: Make simple invites by cutting out the shape of an ornament (or use this template) on metallic card stock or colored wrapping paper. Write out the super important details of your party-date, time, location, formality-on the back. Slide into an envelope and send. Too busy to send out formal invites? Decided you want to throw this party in three hours? Have no fear: write a text-invitation and send it to all of your friends.

Menu: Don't worry even if you aren't a kitchen goddess, you can still host a fabulous cocktail party by using mostly store bought items. Make one simple yet super tasty tiny bite or decadent dip and assemble the rest of your menu. Assemble a cheese platter: purchase one each of your favorite types of hard, semi soft, and soft cheese. Plate with crackers, baguette toasts, grapes, and bread sticks. Lay out slices of salami, prosciutto, and honeyed turkey on another plate. Fill bowls with mixed nuts, olives, and pretzels. For a sweet treat purchase Christmas themed cookies from your local bakery. Or fill silver bowls with red and green M&Ms, Hershey kisses, and candy canes.

For Decorations, Music and Drinks, read more

Decorations: Decorations are a no brainer! If you are anything like me your house will be merrily decorated for the Christmas holidays. With that said here's your decorating checklist: Plug in the Christmas tree lights. Check. Light some candles. Check. Make a fire in the fireplace. Check. Decorations? Done.

Music: Seriously girlies this party could not get any easier because everything is already done for you. Put your most played Christmas Cds (my picks: Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, the Beach Boys, and The Carpenters) on random and hit play.

Drinks: For a pro-hostess tip from the party master, don't offer an open bar. You will not enjoy your party. Instead make a big bowl of egg nog or cranberry Christmas punch. Offer beer, wine, and champagne for those who prefer something other than hard alcohol. For a nonalcoholic option serve a chilled apple cider and sparkling water flavored with orange and vanilla bean.

YumSugar is coming soon. Sign up to receive an email notification as soon as we launch!

Come Party With Me: New Year's Eve - Decorations

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:01:01 -0800

New Year's Eve is just around the corner and so is my New Year's Eve party! I've already sent the invitations and prepared the food, so today is all about the decorations. Black and gold are the colors of my party and I want
everything to be over the top! To see how I'll transform my room from everyday to party day, read more

As Christmas was hardly a week ago, all of the decorations: tree (sadly, minus the presents), lights, reindeer, candles, and wreaths will still be intact for New Year's Eve. However, the red, green, and candy cane themed table setting totally must go. Instead, I'll take the leaves (extensions) out of the center of my table to create more space for guests to boogie down during the party.

Next, dimension will be added to the table by placing various sized boxes on top of it. It doesn't matter what kind of boxes you use as they will be covered by layers of sparkling gold and black velvet fabric. I love the coupling of glittering gold and rich dark velvet as it enhances the texture and illusion.

Guests can use small black appetizer plates and champagne glasses for the cava and pink elephants. The food will be laid out on large gold plates that reader Moni B found (and placed in the Yum Market, thanks Moni B!). After I put them on the boxes (which are now covered with pretty fabric), the plates will be at varying heights adding a touch of glamorous sophistication. Candles must be lit and I'll add some Christmas lights to the living room for extra mood lighting - this way I won't have to turn on any of my real lamps or chandeliers. Black and gold NYE confetti will be scattered on all of the tabletops and the railings along my stairway will be lined candy cane style with black and gold metallic ribbon.

Got some incredible black and gold decoration ideas that you are just dying to share? Send them to me or add your delish designs to the Yum Market. Stay tuned because tomorrow I'll discuss the final part of my New Year's Eve party plan (with a little help from BuzzSugar): music!

Come Party With Me: Secret Santa Soiree

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:05:56 -0800

When I was in high school my friends and I got together every year for a party we called 'Friend Christmas'. Instead of having to purchase gifts for all of the girlies in our circle we did a Secret Santa exchange. The sleepover was a highlight of the Christmas holidays, one full of gossip and cookies. This year I decided to get together the girls again for a grown up version of Friend Christmas - a light cocktail style party to start around 8:30 pm. To host this Secret Santa Soiree for you and your girlfriends, read more

Invites: Send out elegant and simple invites in Santa colors: bright red and snow white. In order to assign guests a secret Santa have them RSVP by a certain date. Once the RSVPs are in, make a list of your invitees and put their names into a hat. Have your roommate pull the names until each friend has a secret Santa. Double check to ensure that all secret Santas know one another, then personally call each girl to let them know who they're shopping for. If the party is like mine and will be with a group of friends who have known each other for several years, include the oldest group photo you have in the invitation's envelope. Its a nostalgic touch that's bound to have everyone smiling.

Menu: In most groups of girlfriends there are always a handful of vegetarians so make a meat free menu that's pleasing to all palates. A lack of meat doesn't translate to a lack of flavor so serve appetizers jam packed with taste. Small finger foods are totally female friendly. Begin with a crostini with an assortment of yummy toppings: baked apple and brie, winter squash, olive tapenade, and wild mushrooms. Plates of a variety of cookies (classic chocolate chip, chewy gingerbread, oatmeal scotchies) and white chocolate peppermint bark will tide over everyone's sweet tooth.

Decorations: If you have time (and the skills) make a festive red and white candy cane like table cloth. Choose a simple white cloth from your local fabric store and sew red satin ribbon to create a peppermint swirl print. Don't know how to drive a sewing machine? Pick out some red velvet or satin material to create a runner down the middle of the white cloth. Place the cookies and toasts on silver serving platters and stylish arrange-buffet style- on your table. Vases of poinsettias and red and silver taper candles complete the look. Small silver plates and silver napkins that can be found at party stores save you from having to do the dishes after the party.

Music: I know I've said it before and I'll say it again: create a play list with your favorite holiday hits. Also have a mix of your latest favs on hand if you and the girls feel like dancing later in the night. You did it when you were fifteen at the sleepovers so why not have some music ready just in case? If you catch yourself getting overwhelmed with all of the details: delegate! Ask your music savvy girlfriend to create a play list for the party. When guests comment on the musical selection give her the credit for compiling such an amazing potpourri of songs.

Drinks: Offer one white wine, one red wine, and one light beer. My picks: 2005 Navarro Vineyards Mendocino Old Vine Cuvee Chenin Blanc, 2004 Fattoria di Basciano Chianti Rufina, and Heinken Light respectively. Offer one of the two dessert cocktails: Orange Jewel Martinis or Creme Brulee Martinis and make a big batch before the ladies arrive.

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Day Single Gal Soirée - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:01:51 -0800

As cheesy as it sounds red and pink decorations - with lots of hearts - are fun for any Valentine's Day party. Start by covering the table with a vibrant red tablecloth. Scatter heart confetti across the cloth. Set up the fondue pots and arrange large platters with the dippers around the pots. Stack appetizer plates and cocktail napkins on the ends of the table. Instead of using regular fondue picks use metallic heart picks. Fill vases with lush red tulip arrangements. For a super-festive atmosphere hang a Valentine's Day garland or banner, light-pink Christmas lights, and pink candles. Oh and the best part is, if you're hosting your party this weekend like I am, you may be able to pick up a lot of these decorations at half price!

Source

Come Party With Me: Red and Green Themed White Elephant

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:08:15 -0800

When I was little, my parents always threw a White Elephant Christmas party. I ran around in my Clara (from the Nutcracker) pajamas and watched quietly as everyone fought over the best gifts. The most memorable parties were the ones when my dad would let me pick his gift. Now that I'm all grown up I'm planning my own version of a White Elephant party with a red and green theme. Not only am I asking guests to bring a wrapped gift, I'm asking them to come dressed in red, green or a combination of both colors. To carry the theme throughout the party, I'm only making red and green food. Wanna host this party too? read more

Definition: For anyone who doesn't know exactly how a White Elephant works, here's a quick definition: a White Elephant is a type of gift exchange in which each guest is asked to bring an anonymous wrapped gift. During the party guests draw numbers to reveal the order in which they select the gifts. The person assigned with #1 picks, unwraps, and displays a gift. Next the person assigned with #2 has the choice to either steal #1's gift (#1 then must select and unwrap a gift from the pile) or open a wrapped gift. For each subsequent number, players can choose between any of the opened gifts or any of the unopened gifts. Read more on how to host a white elephant.

Invites: I am going to create an elephant stencil using the picture of this elephant (I will remove the elephant's tusks because I want a friendly elephant). Next I will cut out elephant shapes on white card stock to create an elephant shaped invite that will fit in a regular 5x7 card envelope. To make him festive you decorate with red and green glitter, sequins, ribbon, shiny paper, and thread. I'm going to give mine a necklace of red and green sequins with red and green thread. I'll make sure to put sequins on both sides of the card, then leave one side blank and put the party information on the other. At the bottom of the invite I'll write, Red and Green Attire Requested, to let guests know I want them to come dressed in bright reds and merry greens. I'll send the invites in red or green envelopes written in contrasting green and red ink.

Menu: Although you may think I'm crazy to create a whole menu with only red and green ingredients it's actually a lot easier than you realize. Tons of foods are red and green. Make three little appetizers for people to nibble on while unwrapping gifts. The first is bruschetta: the red ingredient: tomatoes, the green ingredient: basil. The second is an Italian quesadilla with roasted red peppers. The recipe calls for regular white tortillas but to get a green ingredient I'll substitute green spinach tortillas. The third and final appetizer will be meatballs in a red sauce served with green toothpicks. Put out bowls of red cherry tomatoes and green olives for guests to snack on. Red velvet cupcakes with green frosting (tinted with food coloring) and bowls of red and green M&M's round out the food. Note: Don't arrange all the food on one table, spread it around the room to create a flow for the party that promotes mingling.

Decorations: Red and green everywhere! Red and green candles, plates, napkins and tablecloths. See if you can get a few bouquets of fresh poinsettias-if not, use the fake and sparkly kind to add a super Christmasy feel. Designate a spot for guests to place their presents when they arrive. Write out the number of guests on green paper and place in a Santa hat. Place chairs together to form clusters for guests to sit on during the White Elephant.

Music: Create a red and green play list with a compilation of old and new CDs by Red Hot Chile Peppers, Green Day, or Al Green. Toss in a few Christmas classics like Green Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Drinks: Serve Heineken or Heineken Light for green and red wine for red. For a red cocktail make a red apple martini (recipe below), for a green cocktail shake up dead grasshoppers, and for a nonalcoholic option serve Shirley Temples (Sprite with grenadine).

Red Apple Martini
From Instyle (December 2003) magazine

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 cup finely crushed candy canes
5 cups vodka
5 cups sour-apple schnapps
7 cups apple juice

Dip martini-glass rims into a bowl of fresh lemon juice, then into a dish of finely crushed candy canes.

Mix vodka, sour-apple schnapps, and apple juice; chill several hours until start of party.

When ready to serve, mix in ice-filled shaker. Pour into glasses; garnish with apple slices.

Serves 20.