(Invitation, Football Truffles, Napkin Ring & Beer Bottle Charm, Playing the Field Centerpiece)

The Super Bowl is just around the corner… here are a few fun ideas to get you started! Delicious game-day food to come…

(s’more favors, invitation, programs, wafer cake, favors, sake box set, Tiffany Box candle favor, pom poms)

(Cupcakes, Hamburger & Fries Box, Cake, Poppies Table, Napkins, Boutonniere, Umbrellas)

This time of year is the time where family and friends migrate home and reunite with loved ones they don’t often get a chance to see.  If a family member or a friend of yours in pregnant this could be the only opportunity to throw a baby shower with everyone near. Penguins are not only gender-neutral but they fit well with the winter/cold weather ambiance of much of the country most recently. Plus, you can use your leftover orange and black materials left over from the Snowman Treats!

Ever since Ms. Carrie Bradshaw donned a peacock feather in her hair for her upscale wedding with Mr. Big in Sex and the City The Movie, brides everywhere have been incorporating this very regal bird’s designs in their own special day.

(cake, save the date, napkins, peacock sash, invitation & boutonniere)

It’s never too late to plan a party!  If you’re really wanting to get everyone together and love Christmas carols this party is perfect.  And– SUPER EASY!

Here is a perfect invitation for the occasion.

Keep the decorations light.  Subtle pops of light blue are perfect with ivory and tans.  With a relaxed atmosphere guests will feel more comfortable belting out the tunes.

But, just in case some of your guests are a little shy to share their vocal talent with the whole room, offering a cocktail might ease the stage fright.

There’s usually some part of a song that you might not be completely sure of the words.  This Christmas Caroling Songbook will help guide you. You can print off sheets for your guests.

As favors, hand out these adorable little boxes.  Just print out sheet music on some light blue paper and wrap!  You could even fill the boxes with a sweet holiday wish or a piece of fudge!

If you’re the more crafty type, or you have a little more time, try decoupaging the sheet music to an ornament.  This ornament is simple and classy and will remind your guests of your caroling party every Christmas.

Oftentimes the tablescape is the most stressful part of hosting a dinner of any kind.  Not only do you have to have an exact head count, once you do you have to figure out the whole “look” you want to go for and then try to remember the proper way to set a formal table.  And,  if you want to go the extra mile, place cards are one more thing to add to the list. This week’s workshop will help you solve all those problems!

- Plan Your Holiday Centerpiece

- Custom-Tailored Candle Holders

- Tree-Shaped Candles

- Holly Napkin Holders

- Tree Place Cards

- Learn How to Set a Formal Dinner Table

- Successful Seating Arrangements

- Seasonal Strategy: Make Space in Advance

This Week’s To-Dos

1. Mail gifts to family and friends early in the week.

2. Polish silver.

3. Plan Christmas table settings.

4. Leave holiday tips for service providers.

5. Iron holiday linens.

6. Order roast, turkey, or goose from the butcher.

* For the full shopping list for the above, click here.

The holidays are always a time to remember.  Many do-it-yourself projects are so versatile that they can be implemented into most any area of your social or personal life.  These paper evergreens can be given out as hostess gifts, used as a project for you and your friends to work on  (think centerpiece!), something you and your kids can create together (a memory and a keepsake to last forever) … or just for your own pleasure!

Tools & Materials

• Adjustable circle cutter
• Green card stock, from paperpresentation.com
• Bone Folder
• Scissors
• Wooden skewers
• Hot-glue gun
• 1 1/8-inch (for small trees) and 1 15/16-inch (for large trees) wooden spools, by Woodworks, from craftparts.com
• Gold beads, from tohoshoji-ny.com

Steps 1-3

Steps 4-5

If you still need some inspiration this Thanksgiving eve for your big gathering tomorrow, here’s some festive images to feast your eyes on. Remember- don’t fret.  You can always call the Butterball Turkey Hotline: 1-800-288-8372 for all your bird-related questions or the Crisco Pie Hotline: 1-877-367-7438 and get advice from two National Pie Championship winners and other pie professionals. Any time you start to get frazzled stop, close your eyes, take a deep breath and remember something for which you are thankful.

(above images via: Amy Atlas, Hostess with the Mostess, Real Simple, Disney Family Fun, Digs Digs, Better Homes & Gardens, iVillage, Martha Stewart)

If you’re extremely ambitious and feel like braving the lines or if you already have the goods… try out these DIY place cards and tags! Wrap a string around a jar and voia!  the perfect vessel for sending home left over gravy, cranberry sauce or whatever else won’t fit in your fridge.

(above via Kim Vallee)