Although the history is not entirely clear and the path not altogether certain, party favors seem to have originated in England sometime during the 16th or 17th century. During this time period, favors were most often given to the guests at a wedding. These favors were generally “love knots.” Love knots are essentially lace and ribbon tied and braided together. And while the favors have changed over the years, the spirit of this practice remains the same.
Today, there is a huge and varied assortment of party favor ideas out there. They can be given at any kind of party from weddings to baby showers to graduations. With people loving to create and consume off the wall products, these favors truly run a gamut. There are classic favors available such as tiny picture frames, candles, or bottle stoppers, but there are also less classic examples such as poker chips, salt and pepper shakers, and many more.
Caviar is so decadent and delicious that it’s really no wonder the gourmet foodstuff was once reserved for royalty in Europe. Americans demonstrated a sort of culinary egalitarianism, on the other hand, going so far as to serve caviar in taverns and saloons during the 19th century. Its rich, salty flavor paired perfectly with the brews people enjoyed in their beer mugs, driving up sales of that already in-demand beverage.
Although the upscale snack has long been harvested from sturgeon around the world, Russian caviar remains a highly coveted treat. It’s commonly believed that the caviar from Russia’s cold interior rivers is among the most flavorful available. Sturgeon have been overfished over the years in America, but the same cannot be said for Russia and Europe in general where those fish are still plentiful.
Parties are always better when there’s a theme, and during the summertime, a wine tasting party is ideal. Who doesn’t love tasting an assortment of vintage varietals while chatting with friends and nibbling on hors’ d’oeuvres? One problem I always seem to run into however is that people get their wine glasses confused with one another.
Last summer I found a simple solution to this problem: wine glass charms. Now when guests arrive I allow them to choose a distinct wine glass charm that will allow them to easily identify their glass throughout the evening. I bought a cache of them for this exact purpose, so when the guests go home, I let them keep the charm as a party favor.
Even if you don’t get to enjoy a three-month hiatus from work during the summer, the season is still rife with festive opportunities. From barbecues and cocktail parties to family reunions, it seems like every weekend brings a different social function. And while it’s certainly fun to go to a friend’s house and not have to worry about investing in food or cleaning up the mess, you should occasionally take on the responsibility yourself and host your own fete.
When you do, be sure that you have made of the proper preparations before hand. Compose a list well in advance to ensure you have enough food, drinks and entertainment. Cleanup is easier and there tends to be less of a mess if you can keep the party outdoors, but always be prepared for adverse weather conditions; that means keeping a supply of drink coasters and carpet cleaner on hand at all times in case the party has to move indoors.
Absinthe is a drink laden with dozens of myths, legends and misconceptions. This anise-flavored beverage has a high concentration of alcohol and is made using wormwood. There are several references to the iconic beverages throughout literature, where it adopted the moniker “the Green Fairy.” For most of the 20th century absinthe was banned from the United States and most European nations, but it has seen a revival as of late.
Although absinthe has a very high proof, it is typically diluted with water before it is consumed. One of the most common means of diluting absinthe is via a device known as an absinthe fountain. These tend to be ornate glass structures with several taps for dispensing ice-cold water into tumblers of the potent spirit. This piece of equipment may seem superfluous, but a slow, steady stream of water is required to louche—which is a process where the absinthe clouds and turns from emerald to an iridescent light green, releasing oils from the herbal ingredients.
Caviar connoisseurs would freely admit that the dish’s presentation is just as important as its taste. As is the case with all high-end food stuffs, caviar is meant to appeal to the eyes just as much as the palate. If you’re hosting a dinner party and salmon caviar is on the hors d’oeuvre menu, don’t skimp on presentation. You should use your creative talents to set up a striking display.
The caviar should be removed from the refrigerator approximately 10 minutes before service and allowed to stand at room temperature. Then remove the lid and place the bowl or container on a bed of ice. Most caviar spoons are light in color and fashioned out of bone, which enhances the overall ambiance of the experience. Metal utensils work just fine, but they don’t provide the same light-dark contrast as bone. While you may be concentrating on the caviar, don’t neglect to put out fine glassware as well.
It can be a bit difficult to purchasing the perfect wedding gifts for a newlywed couple, but for my cousin and his bride, I bought them this great serving set and champagne glasses. Some couples will buy their own before the ceremony, but more times than not, they are so busy with every other major detail, that something as simple as serving sets will be forgotten.
My cousin and his wife were no exception and there was brief panic at the reception, until I ran out there with my box in tow, and they were able to cut the cake and drink champagne with this customized present. Luckily for me, they also have great taste, and their wedding favors left nothing to be desired.
When planning a romantic dalliance with your significant other, it’s important to get all of the details just right. If you’re going for an intimate dinner at home, for example, you’ll want to make sure that the atmosphere is free of interruptions and everyday distractions. Let grandma handle the kids for a night. Break out your finest bottle of red wine along with your finest glass wine sets and indulge in each other’s company over a home-cooked meal.
You can enhance the effect by putting on a little romantic piano music. This will add a new dynamic to your special night in - lending your home or apartment the ambience of an elegant restaurant. Few things enhance or strengthen a relationship like a bit of quality time together in close quarters. By incorporating the above elements, you can practically guarantee your liaison will go off without a hitch.
In recent years, there has been a plethora of sushi establishments opening in my community, and with good reason. Despite there being a sushi restaurant on virtually every street corner, the lines at these eateries still go out of the door on a Friday or Saturday night. Tired of the long waits and exorbitant prices, I have recently endeavored to learn how to create my own sushi.
Admittedly, my first few attempts were feeble at best. However, after some trial-and-error, I have become adept at making the basics like maki and nigiri. I’ve even done some experimenting and developed a few of my own original dishes. This weekend I am going to invite a few friends over to serve as guinea pigs for my raw cuisine, and I’ll probably breakout a couple of my traditional sake sets to ensure the party is a success.
Not everyone has the time or inclination to create the social event of the season. When you invite friends to your house, you just want to enjoy their company without the hassle of trying to impress. With proper serveware and glass barware your problem is solved. Even simple food comes out elegant and seemingly labored upon for hours. It lends the professional touch that will get oohs and aahs from your guests.
Complete your dinner with stylish serving bowls and platters; no more chipped and broken pieces. Because of this, this serveware should not only be reserved for guests. They can be used for daily meals as well.