Category: How to Ideas

(NAPSI)-Hosting a holiday soiree doesn’t require a gift for flair as much as it calls for attention to detail.

For instance, party-planning experts suggest choosing the finger foods and snacks you serve carefully, being certain they complement any beverages you offer. Cheeses are always a classic choice, but consider foods with a seasonal flair as well, such as rum and nut cake and caramel popcorn.

When it comes to beverages, do some prep work ahead of time, such as slicing up a supply of fruit garnishes. Also, be sure to offer guests a variety of nonalcoholic choices, in addition to any cocktails. Remember to encourage only moderate alcohol consumption.

If you’re looking for some festive cocktails to match the mood and ambience, consider these unique drinks. They capture the holiday spirit and can be simple to mix:

BACARDI® LIMÓN™

Jingle Bell Hopper

2 parts BACARDI® LIMÓN™

½ part sweetened lime juice

½ part melon liqueur

Pour ingredients over crushed ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with cherry.

BACARDI® Party Punch

1 750 ml bottle BACARDI®

Gold Rum

1 L cranberry juice

2 L ginger ale, chilled

8 oz. orange juice

1 oz. lime juice

1½ oz. lemon juice

Extra citrus fruit for garnish

Ice

In large container, combine rum and fruit juices. Chill. Just before serving, pour into large punch bowl. Add ice and gently stir in chilled ginger ale. Garnish by floating orange, lemon and lime slices on top.

Makes 16 cups.

Other stress-reducing tips include cooking well ahead of time and serving on eco-friendly, disposable ware to minimize cleanup.

For more recipes, visit www.bacardi.com.

Jingle Bell Hoppers can be a festive way to raise holiday spirits.

This posting is sponsored by the CookbookFundraiser.com which helps schools, churches, community groups and other groups create community cookbooks that are easy to make and earn money for your organization. Holiday parties are a great time to talk up an cookbook project.

(NAPSI)-Taking the time to create homemade treasures remains one of the most cherished traditions of the holiday season. Flower arrangements leave fresh, fragrant, personal touches that can brighten any room.

“Fresh floral arrangements can range from basic and simple to more creative and elaborate,” said flower designer Jill Slater. “Regardless of the design, the charm and allure that a homemade floral arrangement offers will add a warm and inviting feel to any room of the house.”

She offers the following festive flower recipe to add elegant and distinctive decoration to your home or to give as a unique present:

Gerbera Daisy Topiary

A holiday-inspired mug is filled with a topiary Christmas tree of red gerbera daisies and tied with a festive holiday ribbon. Cranberries–a holiday tradition–cover the foam for a picture-perfect look.

You will need:

10 red gerbera daisies

One red or green mug

One-half brick floral foam

Flower food/preservative

Two feet holiday ribbon

Fresh cranberries

One rubber band

Step 1: Fill container with floral foam that has been soaked in water treated with flower food/preservative for at least 30 minutes. Gather the flowers in the web of your hand (between thumb and other fingers), holding them just under the bloom. The flowers should tuck neatly into each other. If right-handed, gather the flowers in your left hand. Secure the stems together with the rubber band and bring the rubber band up just under the blooms. This will make the gerberas perky and straight.

Step 2: Hold all the stems of the flowers in a neat bundle and cut off about one inch from the bottom of the stems. Insert the bunch into the center of the floral foam.

Step 3: Cover the floral foam with fresh cranberries. Using your favorite holiday ribbon, tie a bow around the rubber band. For trans-seasonal appeal, change the color of the gerberas or try other flower varieties such as iris, standard and miniature carnations, chrysanthemums, roses and lilies. Be sure to match the container and ribbon to the season.

You can get more flower-arranging tips and ideas from the Flower Promotion Organization Web site, http://www.flowerpossibilities.com.

Decorating with fresh flowers such as this topiary Christmas tree of red gerbera daisies adds a personal touch to the holiday season.

This posting is sponsored by the Family Cookbook Project which helps families and small groups create personalized cookbooks that are easy and affordable. A Family Cookbook makes a great holiday gift!

(NAPSI)-Aside from juice, profit and fun, another thing your child can squeeze from his or her lemonade stand is an appreciation of the value of giving. Simply put, lemonade stands have become a unique way for children to become philanthropists by donating what they make to charity.

According to studies, today’s youths are more involved in philanthropy than ever before. As youngsters become more aware of social issues around the world, programs such as Sunkist’s Take A Stand provide children with a voice and role in the community. This year once again, kids are being encouraged to kick off lemonade stand season by learning about the joys of giving. So children can support worthy causes more safely, Sunkist offers these safety tips:

Safety Tips

• Always wash your hands with hot soapy water before preparing food.

• If your hair is long, tie it back or wear a cap.

• Have an adult help you slice the lemons, using a sharp knife and a clean cutting board.

• Use plastic pitchers and paper cups instead of glass.

• Cover the lemonade and ice cubes between servings to keep the bugs out.

• Use a ladle or tongs to serve ice.

• Never operate your lemonade stand alone. Have your friends and older brothers and sisters help. Ask your parents or another adult to supervise your sale.

• Set your stand up in your front yard or in an area where there are lots of people.

• Never approach anyone in a car to make a sale.

Remember, your stand does not have to be elaborate; a card table, a chair, a sign and some balloons still do the trick. To help, Sunkist offers “Lemonade For Sale” signs, and a guide to help young philanthropists price lemonade, on its Web site.

For more tips, visit www.sunkist.com/takeastand. While supplies last, kids can also visit that Web site and sign up for a free lemonade stand if they pledge to donate their proceeds to a charitable cause.

Never operate your lemonade stand alone. Have friends and older siblings help. And never approach a car to make a sale.

This posting is sponsored by the Family Cookbook Project which helps families and small groups create personalized cookbooks that are easy and affordable.