Burger Bash 101: How to Throw an Awesome Burger Night With Friends

Throwing a party can be a lot of fun, but it also requires you to think everything through. From figuring out what to serve to ensure there are enough drinks and snacks to choosing the best games to play, there’s a lot of planning and organizing involved in throwing a fantastic, memorable party night.

One way you can make a party better? Make it all about everyone’s favorite comfort food – burgers! Juicy and delicious, a burger is an ideal crowd-pleaser and a superb choice for a casual night with friends. Below, a few tips on how you can throw an awesome burger bash and make sure everyone remembers it.

Pick a theme to stick to

When looking to throw an awesome burger night with friends, you want to start by tackling the basics. Imagine how you want your party to look like. Are there any recurring elements, colors, and the like? This can be your party theme. Having a themed party is great for several reasons.

For starters, it makes it easier to decide on the decorations, entertainment, food, etc. It makes everything look cohesive and unified, and it helps your party stand out. What’s more, your guests will know what to expect once they know what the party theme will be. You can take things a step further and have your guests follow a dress code. It can make things a lot more fun and take your burger bash to the next level.

Get cooking!

Once you’ve tackled the party theme and decor, it’s time to move on to the real star of the show – food. Since your party night will be all about burgers, you need to decide how much you need, and then gather up all the ingredients.

If you’re not so great at the kitchen or are simply short on time, no worries! Sometimes, getting the food on the table can be as simple as finding that one place in town that offers the best burgers around and ordering your favorite ones. Depending on your preferences, you can have them delivered or pick them up yourself. Either way, having someone else tackle the cooking part will help you focus on other aspects of your burger bash, ensuring your guests have an amazing time.

Consider the side dishes

Burgers are great and all, but even they need a side dish or two to feel complete. Depending on the type of burgers you’ll be serving, you can offer everything from salads and veggies to pastas and fries. For deliciously perfect pairing, consider the taste profile of each burger. Then, select the side dish that will correspond to it and balance everything out.

Enrich your burger dishes with creamed spinach and baked beans, or serve up the health-conscious steamed asparagus and pickled veggies. Keep it crunchy with zucchini chips, cut calories with sweet potato fries, or make it juicy with roasted tomatoes. You can also freshen things up with a melon and cucumber salad, avocado salad, or pasta salad. Or, go all the way and serve up some sinfully delicious onion rings and some hearty mac and cheese. When it comes to burger side dishes, the world is your oyster!

Serve up drinks and sweets

Alcoholic or not, drinks are an essential part of social gatherings, especially after a hearty dish like burgers. Depending on the seating arrangement, available space, and party theme, you can serve your drinks in several ways.

For a more casual vibe, set up a DIY drink station equipped with patterned runners, colorful straws, and fun garnishes. You can also use your console table as a bar, or put everything in a beverage tub. Don’t forget to serve up some scrumptious treats as a little something to satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth. This can include anything from the perfectly summery s’mores cake to ultimate party desserts such as brownies, donuts, and cupcakes.

Let the games begin!

After a finger-licking good feast, it’s time to move on to activities. If your party is taking place outdoors, take advantage of the weather by playing games such as beer pong, outdoor twister, or giant Jenga.

For indoor parties, card games along with charades are always a good idea. To make your party games even more fun, add a little alcohol to the mix. With a couple of modifications, any game can become a drinking game and turn a party into a memorable feast.

Wrapping up

As a party host, you want to ensure everyone is having a good time. With a little planning and organizing, you can have the burger bash that will have everyone talking about it for days afterward.

About The Author

Taylor Parker is an American-based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family, fashion, health, and lifestyle. Taylor writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

A Guide To Hosting The Best Themed Party At Home

Most people, whether they want to admit it or not, love a good-themed party. They give us adults a way to transform into our favorite celebrity, cartoon or movie character, and anything in between for the night while having a blast. When it comes to hosting any event, though, it can be a stressful time. Who are you going to invite? When is it going to happen? There are so many factors to consider, so adding a theme on top can be a little overwhelming.

We will guide you through every step of hosting the perfect themed party to relieve some of that stress.

Theme

The theme is the most crucial factor if you throw a themed party. Already have a theme in mind? Great! It’s time to consider how you can bring the theme together and to do this, you must consider decorations, food options, drinks, and entertainment. Those planning to host a Christmas party may wish to consider festive drinks such as eggnog or mulled wine or festive foods such as cookies with Christmas-themed decorations.

Aside from that, you may consider Christmas-themed decorations such as winter inflatables, as they are the perfect way to add a little something extra to your party. Whether you’re looking to decorate your yard for a party or event, or just want to add a little something extra to your winter at-home party, custom-made winter inflatables are the perfect solution. You can choose from a variety of designs, including Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, and more. Plus, custom winter inflatables are easy to set up and take down, so you can use them year after year. So if you’re looking for a fun and festive way to add a little holiday cheer to your backyard, or home, custom winter inflatables are the way to go.

There are so many theme options you can choose from eras like the 20th century or Egyptian times to genre themes like sci-fi and horror. A great way to get you started is by doing your research online. You can find inspiration by checking out sites like Pinterest and Etsy. Whether you are looking for unique ideas for fall parties or inspiration for a winter wonderland-themed Christmas party, a simple internet search will help you out.

Invitations

The excitement builds from the get-go when we are invited to a themed party. We immediately start to think about what we will wear and who we will be. Utilize this excitement when you make your invitations, whether they are sent via email, message, or post. As previously mentioned, the theme is the most critical part, so setting clear instructions on your invite is essential. Invitations with a clown or circus tent imply your theme will be Circus; those with Christmas trees and robins show a Christmas theme, and poker tables, chips, and cards are a good route for a casino soiree.

Shop Etsy for themed invites if you want to send something physical to your guests, or if you want to be more creative, you can make your own with editing software, a printer, and some strong paper. If you’re thinking of sending paperless invites, you could create your own poster and share it with friends online.

Entertainment

When choosing what entertainment to have, your choices are endless when you host the event at home. Entertainment is also going to depend on the type of theme that you choose for your event. If you plan a 90s dance party, you may want to deck your house out like a club and hire a DJ for the night. On the other hand, if your theme is horror, you can watch some spooky films to add to the horror atmosphere.

If your theme is a casino, you could even organize a small poker game by purchasing chips online or hiring the equipment and dealer if you really want to go all out. Those guests who don’t know how to play poker can learn and play free live poker games online rather than having someone teach them and taking up time or having them sit alone with nothing to do so they can learn and join in on the next games. There are platforms that list the best online casinos in the UK where you and your guests can play together. Online casinos are an excellent way to learn the fundamentals of gambling and to practice new games. Even seasoned players will have a good time. It provides endless entertainment, and you don’t need a casino theme party to enjoy it. You can’t go wrong when you combine incredible decorations with fantastic entertainment.

Conclusion

Getting the theme right from the beginning is the key to a great themed party. Everything else comes together pretty seamlessly once you have this in place. To let your guests,have plenty of time to plan their outfits, ensure you send your invitations well in advance, so they have plenty of time to think about them. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

How To Plan the Perfect Surprise Birthday Party

No one can be sure who the first person was to convince family and friends to wait in a darkened room for the thrill of shouting surprise at an otherwise unsuspecting birthday boy or girl – thus giving birth to the surprise party. But we all should be thankful, as this anonymous hero has given us one of the most durable and diverting types of parties.

If you think the task of planning a surprise party seems a tad too intimidating, fear not! A surprise party doesn’t go off without a hitch without proper planning. To help, we’ve compiled five tips to help anyone plan the surprise party of their dreams below.

Start Planning Now!

With something as logistically complex as a surprise party, there is no better time to start planning than now. This is for various reasons, including the fact that venues and schedules both fill up. The best restaurants are often booked out for months at a time. You’ll also want friends and family to have plenty of time to include your party in their plans. When it comes to planning a surprise party, the details can take a while to hammer out.

Of course, there can be a lot to remember when planning a surprise party. Be careful where you leave any notes you may make, as it would be a shame if prying eyes ruined their surprise.

Distract Your Target

One notable aspect is the importance of a subtle approach toward distracting your birthday boy or girl. You’re probably going to have to lie a little. It can be helpful to enlist friends or family that are visiting from out of town for this task, as they can quickly request the target take them to an event or activity without arousing suspicion. This step is vitally important as it will allow you to have the proper amount of time for the next steps.

Get Setup

Depending on where your party takes place, someone could have already done this step. For example, if you plan to celebrate at a third location (such as a restaurant, play place, or bar), the prep work should already be done for you ahead of time. Be sure to check the terms of your rental agreement to know how you are responsible. (No one wants to throw a surprise birthday party where the surprise is that you were supposed to be the one providing the cake!)

The entire process will be much more involved if you host the party. Make sure your target is well taken care of and that you will be kept abreast of their movements. Enlist helpers to make setting up go faster. Do as much prep as you can beforehand without raising suspicion. But blowing up balloons in the living room the day of is a no-no.

Make Sure Everyone is on the Same Page

It should go without saying, but give your guests very detailed instructions. Be succinct. You want people to read everything, but make sure everyone knows WHO the party is for and that it is a SURPRISE! Feel free to call any friends or relatives you fear may miss the point. Surprise parties have been ruined by a well-intentioned text message to the target on the day of the party. Don’t let this happen to you!

Surprises Are Hard, Make Hosting Easy on Yourself

As noted above, a quick setup is crucial for a surprise party’s success. Unfortunately, this can be tricky for aspects such as preparing and serving food, areas where hosts typically can plan and be ready ahead of time. Luckily, with a little bit of effort, these tasks can still be accomplished – in a roundabout way.

For example, you can still chop up celery and carrots for crudité ahead of time, and if anyone asks what you’re doing, say you’re making a salad. (Martha Stewart has tips on putting one together quickly for the uninitiated.) Invent little excuses for other tasks, and you’ll soon have made the arduous task of getting ready and hosting much more manageable – all without ruining the surprise!

If you’re hosting the party at your home, another trick is to employ serving methods and vessels that are easy to store out of the way when not in use – such as food boats. It is an excellent method of serving as it doesn’t draw attention to itself. Be sure to stash some disposable dinnerware out of the way and bring it out while you’re setting up. Furthermore, for an adults-only dessert, you could order an alcohol-infused ice cream to serve at the party. The rich and unique boozy flavors can add a festive twist that would be a fun treat for your guests.

Enjoy the Party!

With everything else taken care of and the big “Surprise!” finally sprung, it’s time to exhale deep. Even if everything didn’t go to plan, try your best at this point to have fun! Surprise parties are unpredictable, and not everything will go according to plan. At this point, it is essential to remember that surprise parties are like gifts. It is undoubtedly the thought that counts.

Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best

There you have it. Five tips anyone can use when planning the perfect surprise party. This type of party can be as much work as it is satisfying to pull off. You can’t plan the unpredictable, but with a little bit of work, you should be able to surprise your intended target. When you see the smile on their face, all the planning and stressing will be well worth it. Surprise!

7 Great Ideas For Hosting a Hawaiian Luau in Your Yard

Have you considered hosting a Hawaiian Luau in your backyard? This incredible backyard bash can be done if you have adequate space in your yard to do it. Don’t worry, even if you don’t have enough space or you don’t have enough money to rent an event hall, it doesn’t mean that you can’t host the party in your home. Read on for more great ideas on how to do it.

Setting Up a Luau

A Hawaiian luau provides the perfect opportunity to get dressed up, enjoy delicious food and drink, and celebrate together with friends and family in an exotic location, even if that location happens to be in your backyard. If you’re planning to throw an authentic Hawaiian luau party in your yard, there are several different elements you should think about including the following:

Choose Tropical Flowers

While most flowers are only in bloom for a short period, tropical flowers like hibiscus can bloom throughout most of your Hawaiian luau’s duration. The big bonus here is that they produce edible petals and stems, which you can use to garnish meals and cocktails alike. Consider adding food coloring (like red dye) to create tropical-looking drinks like pina Coladas. Just make sure it’s edible; use food coloring or natural extracts instead of artificial dyes.

Add Tiki Torches

Having a backyard luau wouldn’t be complete without torches. Torches are a must-have when you have guests over, especially if it gets dark early or is chilly outside. You can purchase them from most hardware or home-decor stores, but they’re easy to make yourself with supplies from a craft store. Simply nail them into the soil so they stand upright and add a votive candle for ambiance.

Serve Island Hors D’oeuvres

The more elaborate your snacks, drinks, and decorations, the better. Plan a buffet or cocktail hour with a raw fish bar where guests can make their poke bowls or sushi rolls using fish from your local fish market. Since you’re hosting a luau, of course, rum drinks are a must. Add an outdoor blender to mix up fruity concoctions like pina Coladas and mai tais in pineapple bowls with custom-made garnishes.

Give Away Hawaiian-Made Products

If you’re worried about making a Hawaiian feast from scratch, don’t be. There are plenty of prepackaged goodies available at grocery stores that will ensure your party is a hit. You can find everything from shell necklaces and grass skirts to pineapple cutters and leis online or from local retailers. Of course, if you want to do it right, visit a specialty store or get authentic Hawaiian products from Mana Up Gifts from Hawai’i for your event.

Create Bamboo Lanterns

Create bamboo lanterns for an authentic touch. Take a trip to your local hardware store and grab yourself some bamboo. Using small nails, start threading your bamboo with a vertical pattern.

When you’re finished, thread a thin line of tape across each section of bamboo to keep it all together. Next, use scissors to cut slits into your strips every few inches – you don’t need very many cuts – just enough so that light can travel through them when they’re finished glowing.

Have Tropical Drinks

The first step to planning a tropical luau is picking up some drinks for your party. Create an island-inspired concoction by adding pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, and rum to soda water. To keep your kids hydrated, give them ginger ale with Hawaiian Punch.

If you’re making non-alcoholic beverages for other guests, consider offering tropical juices like guava or papaya nectar. By serving these drinks in tiki cups made of coconuts or mini pineapples, you’ll make everyone feel like they’ve stepped off the mainland and onto a tropical island.

Play Some Island Music

Select a variety of island music to play on your party’s speaker system as guests enter. Hawaiian party music ranges from contemporary pop hits to local, traditional tunes. If you don’t know where to begin, choose a fun song from one of Hawaii’s most famous musicians: Israel Kamakawiwoʻole or Bruddah Iz.

A Hawaiian luau is a great way to bring people together while enjoying the outdoors. If you’re planning on hosting your Hawaiian luau in your yard, keep these seven great ideas to keep it simple and avoid stress.

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12 Easy Costumes You Can Throw Together for Halloween

It’s time to nix Jim and Pam.

Halloween is a time to hang out with friends, eat candy, and dress up in great costumes. Of course, there is the typical alien, hippie, Jim and Pam… But, if you’re looking to elevate your costume game this Halloween, there are some costumes that will make you stand out in the crowd. And, even better, you can find these items on your own for a cheap DIY.

1. Scarlet Witch (Endgame)

Re-made famous by the recent show, Wandavision, a Scarlett Witch costume is both cool and easy. For the costume found in Endgame, you’ll need black pants, a red crop top or tank top, black boots, and a long, red jacket (or long sweater).

2. Loki (Loki on Disney+)

Another character re-made famous by a Disney+ show, Loki is the bad guy that everyone secretly loves. An easy costume would be one found in the TV show. You’ll need a grey suit, green vest, white shirt, and green tie.

3. Britney Spears (One More Time)

Celebrate the #FreeBritney movement and duplicate one of Britney’s iconic looks over the years. One of the easiest may be her look from One More Time which consists of a white tied shirt, grey sweater, black skirt, and black knee socks. And don’t forget the pigtail braids.

4. Cruella

The movie, Cruella, recently premiered and starred Emma Stone as none other than Cruella de Vil, herself. As soon as this movie came out, a huge emphasis was placed on fashion, since that was a majority of the plot. Because of that, there are several outfits you could use for Halloween. However, the easiest may be one of her all-black ensembles that includes a mid-length black skirt, black leather jacket, black gloves, and a cane. Tie it all together with a black and white wig you can find at just about any place that sells Halloween costumes.

5. Steve (Blues Clues)

Who can forget the moment not long ago when Steve from Blues Clues released a heartfelt video message? It definitely brought back nostalgia to the kids who used to watch that actor on the show before he left. Thankfully, the costume is very easy to replicate, if you’re looking to relive your childhood. All you need are khaki pants, a white collared shirt, and a green striped sweater.

6. Olivia Rodrigo

I think we all can agree that Olivia Rodrigo took the music world by storm. Between her catchy songs, incredible talent, and bubbly personality, we’ve grown to love her and her music. For an easy Olivia Rodrigo costume, all you’ll need is a pink tank top, a blue plaid skirt, some jewelry, and tons of stickers for your face. If you have a hard time keeping the stickers on, get some lash glue that is safe for your skin.

7. Bridgerton Characters

Although it seems like more work, dressing up as these iconic characters is much easier than it seems. Your best bet is to go to a thrift store and check out their dresses and/or. Nine times out of 10, you’ll be able to find something that fits the Bridgerton vibe.

8. Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building)

Only Murders in the Building is a whodunit show that is streamed through Hulu. The story follows three people who start a podcast to figure out who killed someone in the building they live in. Mabel Mora, played by Selena Gomez, is one of those people – and her outfits are incredible. To dress up as her, you’ll need a yellow sweater, a yellow or orange jacket, checkered pants, a yellow beanie, black boots, sunglasses, and a pair of big headphones (preferably red).

9. David Rose (Schitt’s Creek)

Another easy costume is David Rose from Schitt’s Creek – the TV show that totally took comedy to the next level. One of the most lovable characters, David Rose, has some great outfits that are easy to replicate. One of the most popular ones is the black and white outfit that he wears which can be made from a black and white sweater, black leggings or pants, a black skirt, and white sunglasses.

10. Beetlejuice

One of my favorites (and my costume this year) is none other than Beetlejuice. This iconic Halloween movie features many incredible characters to copy, but the most popular is Beetlejuice, himself. If you’re looking to copy the costume as close as possible, try and find a vertical black and white stripe suit. If not, you can improvise, much like I am this year. For a DIY version, you’ll need a vertical black and white shirt or jacket, black pants, black boots, and green hair spray (for an extra bonus, check out two makeup products I found specifically for my Beetlejuice costume).

11. Harley Quinn – The Suicide Squad

Not to be confused with Suicide Squad, the sequel to the original movie came out and featured several of the classic characters from the first movie – one of which being the infamous Harley Quinn. Harley got a drastic makeover in the second movie which makes her outfits perfect for this Halloween. You can copy one of the most popular ones with a frilly red dress, black combat boots, and two low pigtails.

12. Joe and Love (You)

Season three of the beloved TV thriller, You, dropped on October 15, with a promise of season four following soon. In seasons one and two, we (unfortunately) fell in love with two psychopaths. Why? You’ll have to watch the show and find out. Needless to say, these costumes will be hot this year. For Joe, all you’ll need is a baseball cap, blue shirt, dress pants, and a belt (bonus if you carry a book). For Love, there’s a lot of outfits you could go with, but the most iconic is one she wore at the end of the season (if you know you know). For that, you’ll need a low-cut cropped peach or tan cardigan, a long necklace, hoop earrings, and jeans.

If you haven’t given much thought to a Halloween costume for this year, take a look at the above list and see if there are any that you can piece together. Grab a friend, go thrifting, and enjoy the rest of spooky season!

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About the Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

How to Organize a Nightclub Event

Planning an event is no easy feat, and nightclub events are no exception. You have to make sure that everyone has a good time, keep the crowd on their feet, and keep everyone safe at the same time. On top of that, you need to find a venue that fits, figure out the best promotional strategies to draw in as many people as you can, and make sure that your event stands out from the rest.

It’s a lot of work, but if you manage to pull it off, you can ensure maximum entertainment and minimal casualties. Below, five useful tips on how to organize a nightclub event and make it a memorable one.

Know who your audience is

When organizing a nightclub event, you want to make sure you do everything you can to grab your audience’s attention. You want them to be engaged in the upcoming event and provide the best experience so they keep coming back. For that to happen, you need to have a good understanding of who your audience is. And it’s not only about the demographics. You need to find a way to cater to their needs, and that involves learning everything from the music they like and the type of alcohol they prefer to drink to their interests and the trends they follow.

You’ll also need to consider their needs and decide what you need to add to provide a great guest experience. For instance, if you’re hosting your event in the evening, take care of the catering aspect of the event. That way, your guests won’t be leaving the party early just because they’re hungry.

Choose the right venue

Once you’re sure about who’s coming to the event, it’s now time to figure out where it will take place. The venue you select for your event will play a vital role in how successful and smooth the event is. Because of that, you want to make sure that you’re making the right choice. Pay special attention to the location as well as the reputation of a nightclub when choosing one. Remember to prepare event signage in advance, organize security, and make checking in as smooth as possible.

Once you’ve found the perfect venue, make sure to secure it in advance. Don’t risk it with bar takings since you can’t guarantee how many people will show up at the event. Instead, play it safe by paying a pre-arranged flat hire fee to secure your event venue.

Have a themed night

Heading for a night out is a perfect excuse for your attendees to dress up and dance the night away. To make things even more interesting, organize a themed nightclub event. Themed nights are the ideal option if your event is taking place during a holiday or if it’s tied to a particular time of year. Plus, there’s a wide range of options to choose from, from Halloween and Christmas to Saint Patrick’s and Valentine’s Day.

If you opt to have a themed night, be sure to specify that on the invitations. That way, your guests will know whether to browse the latest MODA fashion collection or head to the nearest costume store and find something more fitting for your themed event. Once you have a theme in mind, you can use that as a base for other event choices. These include everything from music and venue decor to marketing and entertainment.

Hire the right talent

Entertainment is an essential component of event planning. It’s what lures people into the venue and to your event. Because of that, you want to do everything you can to enhance the experience for your guests and maximize profits. Now, the type of entertainment you select for your event will largely depend on your guests’ preferences. It’ll also have to do with the theme you’ve planned and the nature of the event.

Will a band be more suitable for your event or do you plan on hiring a DJ? Are there any other entertainment options that you can add to boost the overall experience such as sound equipment and lighting? Research the acts carefully, look at your options, and hire the right talent for your event while staying within budget.

Get the word out

Once everything has been planned out, it’s time to get the word out and pack the house. Your goal is to spread the word word as quickly and efficiently as possible. The best way to approach the promotional aspect of event planning is to use a multi-channel strategy.

Promote your event on a popular social media platform (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat), and consider creating giveaways to hype everyone up. Text message marketing is a great tactic to draw in those last-minute attendees, while flyer distribution in front of nightclubs similar to yours will draw even more attention to your event. There are some amazing concert flyer examples you can use to create templates for your own nightclub event. Just make sure you have a “flyering” pass so that you don’t get fined.

Wrapping up

There is a lengthy to-do list that needs to be tackled before you’re ready to party. While it’s definitely a lot more difficult than it seems, with these tips in mind, you can ensure a fun and memorable experience for your guests and keep everyone entertained while also generating revenue.

About The Author

Taylor Parker is an American based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family, fashion, health, and lifestyle. Taylor writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

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10 Tips for Hosting Your First Post-COVID Get-Together

If you’re like most people, you’re anxiously awaiting your first post-COVID get-together with friends and family. Needless to say, you want to make this party one to remember.

With that in mind, here are ten tips for hosting your first post-COVID get-together.

Consider Your Budget and Location

The pandemic was a feast-or-famine affair — hopefully, you ate well and invested your stimulus wisely. However, you can still party heartily if your wallet contains little but moths due to using yours to cover living expenses.

Depending on your budget, you might do anything from a backyard barbecue to a full-fledged reunion. If you’re considering the latter, you may need to clear your property to provide enough space for multiple banquet tables. To that end, a skid steer is usually a good option.

Whatever you ultimately choose, the following ideas work for any price-point:

● Luau: You can pick up inexpensive leis at the dollar store or go all out and build a firepit big enough for roasting a pig.

● Sports camp: If you have an active clan, throw your bash at the home with the biggest lawn. If you have more cash, rent out a park, including the playing fields, and have a ball.

● Cosplay: If you and your friends spent some of the quarantine perfecting your outfit for the next ComicCon, why not show off your duds a little early? If you have deeper pockets, rent an outdoor screen and recreate the drive-in movie experience.

Start With Respect

Hopefully, every attendee to your first post-COVID get-together chooses vaccination, giving them extra protection against the virus. However, there is still much scientists don’t know, and not everyone has gotten their shots.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you are fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose or following a one-shot vaccine. Until then, you should continue to take precautions such as wearing masks and staying six feet apart from others when gathering in indoor places.

Please note that if you take medications that impact your immune system, you are not considered fully vaccinated, even after having your shots — talk to your doctor.

Break Out the Bubbly

Now that you covered the bases, it’s time to party. Pop the champagne!

If you have the means, why not break out an exclusive brand deserving of the occasion. Please ensure that you keep a non-alcoholic bottle or two on hand so that even those who abstain can share in the toast.

Make It a Finger Food Affair

The centerpiece of hosting your first post-COVID get-together is mixing and mingling. You don’t want to weigh people down with overladen paper plates.

Get your finger-food game on-point. Treats like tiny cucumber sandwiches and chicken skewers travel well, letting people devote most of their attention to socializing.

Or Go Formal Sit-Down

However, you might have more exclusive tastes — or merely the desire to share the same table with loved ones again. If so, go all out with a formal dinner party.

Remember, much of the elegance lies in the presentation. A single scoop of ice cream served in a champagne glass with strawberries makes a 4-star looking dessert in seconds.

Share War Stories

What’s the craziest thing that happened to you during quarantine? Did you embrace those tips to plant a victory garden or learn a second language, or did you spend much of the time catching up on lost sleep?

Why not have a contest? You can play charades to guess what you did to fill the lockdown time or collaborate on a master list of disaster survival tips — like how to find toilet paper when store shelves run bare.

Play Games

It’s finally time to break out the Twister again. However, it could take folks some time to readjust from over a year of restrictions.

If you want to be the post-COVID host with the most, make sure your event includes a mix of games, such as the Vertellis conversation starter game, the #1 game for togetherness that sparks meaningful memories and stories. Or play some other socially distancing friendly games, like Frisbee golf, while others can involve contact for those who feel comfortable.

Get Creative

Even if you got crafty in lockdown, it’s lonely to knit by yourself. Why not get creative with the crew?

You can even build your get-together around a craft theme. Have a mix and match earrings party or a spa and wellness day — you can even make things for a fundraiser.

Do Some Good

Volunteering is a heartfelt way to give back as a group. Why not make your post-COVID get-together benefit a cause? You could participate in a neighborhood cleanup or help put together care packages for less fortunate families who didn’t weather the storm as well as you did.

Reduce Cleanup Hassles

Any party worth remembering creates a bit of a mess. However, you can minimize cleanup hassles by placing trash and recycling containers around your pad and establishing a soaking station for dirty dishware.

Follow These 10 Tips for Your First Post-COVID Get-Together

You want your first post-COVID get-together to be memorable and fun. Follow these tips for an unforgettable bash.

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.

7 Delicious Mocktails to Enjoy During Dry January

Dry January is a challenge to not drink any alcohol for the entire month of January. Whether you don’t drink at all or are taking part in the challenge for the first time, there are mocktails you can have that will still make you feel like you’re celebrating.

Roy Rogers

Ingredients:

Grenadine
Cola
Maraschino cherries

Lime Rickey

Ingredients:

Lime juice
Simple syrup
Seltzer
Lime wedges

Virgin Mary

Ingredients

Tomato juice
Lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce
Celery salt
Pepper
Hot sauce
Celery
Pickle spear

Sweet Sunrise

Ingredients:

Orange juice
Grenadine
Orange slice

Baby Bellini

Ingredients:

Peach nectar
Sparkling cider
Peach slice

Designated Appletini

Ingredients:

Apple juice
Simple syrup
Lemon juice
Sugar
Apple slice

Sparkling Peach Sunrise

Ingredients:

Peach juice
Grenadine
Lemon-lime soda

Even if you’ve already broken the Dry January rule, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try these drinks. Throw a COVID-19 approved party, buy some great board games, and serve these drinks for friends.

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9 Grilling Hacks for Game Day

Looking for a good grilling hack? How about nine of them? What goes better with football than grilling? Whether you’re planning a tailgate party or kicking it at home for game day, you can create a memorable barbecue for family and friends. You just need to have your Grill FAQs in order to make it all work perfectly.

Before you fire up the barbecue, review these tips to create the perfect bash. You don’t want to run out of propane before the hotdogs are ready or accidentally hand your friend an uncooked burger. With a little creativity, you can eat great and enjoy time with your guests.

Consider the following 9 tips!

1. Check Your Propane Levels

Your chicken breasts are just starting to turn white… and then your tank runs dry while they’re still pink in the middle. Avoid this pesky problem with this grilling hack. Try to check the propane levels before game day.

Pour a bucket of hot water over your propane tank. It will feel cold to the touch where propane remains and warm where it’s empty. You have the power to test your levels in the palm of your hand.

2. Follow Food Safety Rules

If you’ve never worked in a restaurant, brush up on your food safety rules. This grilling hack is important. Keep vegetables and side dishes stored in a separate cooler from your meats if you’re tailgating. Marinate meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop. When cooking ground beef, make it at least medium-well.

Keep all food preparation surfaces clean by wiping them down regularly. If you’re heading to the stadium, take an empty laundry container filled with a solution of clear dish soap and water. Use this to disinfect where you prep — and to wash your hands.

3. Lightly Boil Sausage Before Cooking

Do your sausages char on the ends while they’re pink in the middle? Because pork is dense, you need to boil or poach these meats before grilling them lightly. This process helps reduce the fat content as well as makes them cook more evenly.

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Awesome Tips to Throw the Best Party Ever

I absolutely adore throwing parties. Big, over-the-top, incredible parties that people talk about for years.

I take any occasion and turn it into a time to celebrate. I love being surrounded by friends and family and just enjoying life together, while eating great food and sipping stiff drinks.

It’s an unbelievable feeling to produce such events. There is certainly an art to it, and here are some of my tips for coordinating a sure-fire good time.

Believe it or not, sending out an invite is extremely important. It sets the tone for the entire party experience. If the gathering is more casual, utilizing the Internet is smart and sensible. A quick Facebook event or email is perfectly fine. But, if the event is on the larger scale, especially if you are asking guests to bring an item or dress in a specific attire (whether that be costume of tuxedo), a physical invitation and phone call follow-up is the best fit. If you are working with a party theme or celebrating a special occasion make it very clear on the invite. Have fun with it! Just because an invitation and save-the-date are informational, it doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Consider including confetti in the envelope, perfect for birthday parties or New Years gatherings, it’s a great way to start the experience off in a fun, memorable way.

Most parties are to celebrate a certain occasion (graduation, birthday, wedding, holiday, etc.), but that doesn’t have to be the case. Some of the best parties are just for fun. They often have the best turnouts, because the spontaneity peaks interests and doesn’t conflict with other possible events – especially during wedding season or the holidays, when parties are often back-to-back. But, it’s still important for each party – even random ones – to have a clear message, whether it is a theme or a goal. It creates great opportunity for conversations between guests, and creates a sense of community. It’s all about the vibes of the guests.

Create an atmosphere for your party by designating specific areas open to guests. If the party takes place at a home, choose rooms that you feel comfortable dedicating to the party. Create control and a warm, full feeling by keeping access to some rooms (such as bedrooms, offices, etc.) off limited. This will also make decorating less time consuming. If the weather is nice, always opt for the outdoors. This helps make clean up easier, especially if budget for a rented venue or space is not an option.

Outdoor locations, like those found along the stunning Sydney Harbour, offer not only the advantage of easier cleanup but also open up a plethora of creative design options for events. To enhance your experience, considering SydneyHarbour Escapes boat hire could add a unique touch to your occasion.

For instance, you could decorate for an Easter celebration with inflatable bunnies, eggs, and other thematic elements. Consider using blow-ups created together with Custom Inflatables to get creative solutions, that precisely represent your theme and provide a fun and distinctive touch to your outdoor party. This will help you to really connect all of your decor requirements with your selected theme.

When decorating, think outside the box. Be original and creative. Never settle for just the supplies available at your local party store. For example, if you are hosting a themed party based on a specific era, visit a vintage shop; if you are planning a garden party visit an outdoor supply store. Also, thrift stores are great resources when looking for unique items to decorate with, and save a lot of money – which can be spent on more important items.

Food and drinks are very important at a party. First of all, alcohol can be a deal breaker for many, so clearly state in the invitation whether or not alcohol will be served or if a gathering is BYOB. The same goes for food. Always state far in advanced whether a meal, appetizers or hor d’oeuvres will be served or if the event is potluck. Keep the menu simple and easy, so that many can enjoy it. But, don’t be afraid to play off of your theme when it comes to food and drinks. If your party is London-themed choose fish and chips; if it 50’s themed serve root beer floats and other soda shop favorites; and so on.

Music is also very important to a party. Playing music that guests will want to dance to and sing along with is important, even if you are opting for a certain theme. The music plays a big role in setting the mood as well. Keep it upbeat, and energetic. If you have the budget, always choose a D.J. over your own music. That way that’s one less thing you have to worry about during the party, because keeping a constant flow of music and organizing guests’ song requests can be stressful. D.J.’s also usually offer a wider selection of music, and keep up with hip and trending artists. Something you should keep in mind if you are taking on the music challenge yourself.

It’s always nice to also offer the guests special, take-home presents for attending. If you are hosting a luau, offer fresh leis; if you are hosting a masquerade, offer a DIY mask. Also, think of a hashtag that guests and yourself can use during the party. It’s a fun way to share images and thoughts on social media during the party with other guests, and great for revisiting after its over. Make sure to advertise your hashtag throughout the venue and even consider including on the invitation. That’s because the most important rule to any party is making it memorable. Be wild, crazy, creative, and unique, and your party will be a hit.