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YumSugar Gift Guide: Wacky White Elephant

partysugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:54:13 -0800

A White Elephant is a type of gift exchange in which each guest is asked to bring an anonymous wrapped gift. Usually, there is a maximum amount of money that can be spent, and oftentimes the gifts are unpractical and eccentric. If you are attending a White Elephant party bring fun shaped ice cube trays. A set of Emeril's spices are hysterical and could provoke conversation about the future of Food Network. However, my favorite gift is this chicken kitchen timer. It's ten percent bizarre and 90 percent practical. I definitely wouldn't buy it for myself, but it would be fun to get at a White Elephant gift exchange.

For more wacky White Elephant gifts, browse below.

Ice cube tray ($1.99)	Chicken Kitchen Timer ($8.95)
Veggie Ornaments ($9.99)	Wine Bottle Gift Bags ($12.95)
Essence Assortment (Set of 4) by Emeril Lagasse ($14.95)	Way Cool Way Hot Mini-Fridge ($130.00)

Yummy Link: Edible Christmas Ornaments

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:01:38 -0800

What is Christmas without Christmas decorations? These delicious edible ornaments are perfect for the Christmas tree and would be fun to make as well. - The Culinary Chase

Don't Eat the Ornaments!

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:03:31 -0800

If your love for food spills beyond the kitchen table, you'll be thrilled by this roundup. I've gone out and hunted down some of the best - if not silliest - food-inspired Christmas ornaments. How droolworthy would a tree decked out in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups be? Although everyone will probably think they're edible, so be sure to have a bowl of the real thing on hand. To check out the rest of the foodie ornaments, scroll through the list below.

Saving the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake

YumSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:00:15 -0700

It's de rigueur for newlyweds to save the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on the first anniversary. The idea behind this tradition, which dates back as far as the late 19th century, is for couples to savor the cake once again - as well as the memories of the big day and the first year of marriage.

Enjoying a well-preserved piece of wedding cake should be a pleasant reminder of your big day, so make sure it isn't ruined by a dry, smelly cake wrought with freezer burn. Learn how to properly store the top layer of cake when you read more.

To store the cake:

Designate a person to save the top tier once the cake cutting begins.
Set aside any fragile and large ornaments or decorations, such as the cake topper.
To avoid a stale cardboard taste, ensure the cake sits on wrapped cake board. A cardboard cake board should be wrapped with foil.
Place the cake in a freezer until the icing becomes firm, 20 minutes to three hours, depending on the icing.
Cover all of the cake's surface area with a generous amount of plastic wrap, avoiding air pockets.
Follow plastic wrap with two layers of aluminum foil.
Place wrapped cake in an airtight storage container and freeze for a year.

To enjoy the cake:

One day before your first anniversary, begin defrosting the cake: transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator.
After two hours, remove the cake from its wrapping. Continue to defrost in the refrigerator.
Bring the cake to room temperature before consuming.
Serve and enjoy.

If you know you'll be moving within your first year, lack the freezer space, or simply don't want to bother with the process of freezing your wedding cake, order a small, six-inch anniversary cake from the same bakery. Ask for similar cake flavors and fillings and have it adorned like your wedding cake (you can even save your cake topper to be placed on it). Use the cake knife and serving set from your wedding, and enjoy the memories of the special day with fresh cake.

Did you celebrate your first anniversary with the top tier of your wedding cake? What are your cake-preserving tips?

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Party Foul: One-Sided Introduction

partysugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:15:40 -0800

Last Friday night I found myself at an annual ornament-exchange holiday party. The event is in its ninth year, but this was my first time attending. Before we began to open ornaments, white elephant-style, the hostess felt the need to introduce "the newcomers" (myself and another girl). What she failed to do was introduce anyone else!

I was acquainted with a handful of guests but would have liked to have known everyone's name. The hostess's attempt to make us feel like a part of the group backfired: I felt awkward, uncomfortable, and like an outsider.

When hosting a party, remember that introductions are a formal presentation of one person to another in which each is told the other's name.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? Please share your introduction horror stories with us below!

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Download Our Free Holiday Invites!

partysugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:15:14 -0800

OK, so you're not throwing an ugly sweater party this holiday season, but what about a holiday party? A festive cocktail, a delicious dessert soiree, or a laid-back brunch are great ways to gather friends together. Set the tone by mailing them a red and green themed invite. We've created two free, downloadable invites that celebrate the season. One features a girl and a Christmas tree and the other has an ornament theme. Start by clicking on the links above to download them. Next print, fill out, and send. So what are you waiting for? Go get your holiday party on!

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.

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Reader Tip: Elegant Icing Spheres

YumSugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:10:18 -0800

I was checking out the Cake Decorators Unite group when I discovered this Christmas Cake from TeamSugar member 4BYRDS. It's a beautiful cake that's been dusted with gold luster dust and topped with three golden ornaments. If you're wondering how she crafted those elegant ornaments, her secret was to inflate small balloons and then pipe royal icing on to the outside. Once it had set, she popped the balloon and voila, beautiful cake toppers. To check out more pictures and see what she had to say about her cake, read more.

From TeamSugar member 4BYRDS

I made this cake today for a christmas party. It's a white chocolate cake with rasberry filling. Then I iced it with buttercream and poured ganache over the top. I made ornaments using royal icing drawn onto a balloon and then popped the balloon when it was dry. I added gold luster dust to them and put them on top of the cake. I also sprinkled luster dust across the ganache. Finally I made Holly out of buttercream fondant which is so easy and quick to make! This is my favorite cake so far. It was fun and a lot easier than it looked!

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Come Party With Me: WInter Wonderland Weekend Getaway - Decorations

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:00:15 -0800

This weekend I've invited a group of couples up to the family cabin for some fun in the snow and delicious food. I've already planned the menu and invitations, so next up on the agenda is decorations. Even though the party is a weekend long, I still want to have lots of little extras to make this weekend different from every other weekend in the mountains. For my evergreen, silver, and white decoration scheme, read more

The easiest step to changing your house from everyday to party day is with the table setting. Currently the table at the family cabin is set in its winter dressing: a red tablecloth with white lace overlay. The second I arrive at the cabin (I begged my husband to take off work early so we could arrive before the rest of the party) I will transform the table from Christmasy to wintery wonderland chic. I'll replace the red/white tablecloth with a dark green one. A silver running made of shiny - not tacky - fabric will cover the middle of the table and on top of it I'll arrange an assortment of white and silver pillar candles in various shapes and sizes.

Usually my mom decorates the cabin with lots of fake ivy covered in ornaments. I plan on removing the ornaments and leaving the green garlands sprinkled with white lights for mood lighting.
It's important to drape blankets over the sofas and chairs so guests feel comfortable enough to curl up and relax while they watch a movie or read a book.
Lots of firewood is key to maintain a cozy fire the entire weekend.
Silver accents can be added in the form of ribbon or silverware and plates.
As this is a party that celebrates the natural beauty of the terrain around you, the decorations should act as a border for what one sees when they stare out the windows.

Have I forgotten to include your shiny white snowflakes in the decor? Tell me all about your great winter wonderland weekend decoration ideas below. Coming tomorrow...the final chapter of this party...the music!

Come Party With Me: New Year's Day Brunch - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:31:38 -0800

Create the look for your New Year's Day brunch with a cool, lush palette of white and silver. Keep things casual by serving the brunch buffet-style in your living room. Cover a table with a white tablecloth and festive silver runner. Plate the frittatas on silver platters. Use silver plastic plates and silver paper napkins so you don't have to worry about doing the dishes. Choose a versatile glass that works well for both Bloody Marys and flavored water. Fill vases with silver ornaments and place a beautiful white floral arrangement by the entrance. Toss icy blue pillows onto seats and couches. Don't forget to light candles for
perfect party lighting.

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