Party Etiquettes - Dos and Don’ts

Whether you enjoy being part of big bashes or prefer the coziness of home gatherings, it is a good idea to keep yourself brushed up with the behaviors before going for your next get-together. Here are a few party etiquettes for guests and hosts, be it a small or large celebration.

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Make sure you RSVP

Whether it is a printed invitation or a casual invite for a dinner, it is very important to tell the host whether or not you will be able to make it. The host needs numbers to prepare drinks and food. They can also invite someone else if you tell them you are not coming. In case the invite does not tell you to come along with a guest, you should not ask. The host would have made it clear if they wanted you to bring a friend along.

Bring a Gift

It is always a good idea to show appreciation, particularly if you are invited to someone’s home. The best choices are a wine bottle or a bunch of flowers. However, there is no harm in getting a little creative- something homemade or a gift basket will also be appreciated.

Make sure you are Punctual

It is good manners to arrive at a party on time. Make sure you do not reach more than fifteen minutes late, particularly if it is a proper sit-down meal. Also, make sure you are not way too early. Your host will be prepping drinks, food, and decor. It becomes annoying and awkward when the guest arrives before the host is ready.

Be Good

Be polite and always ask the host if they need any help. They will mostly decline, but your gesture will be appreciated. You can offer help at the time of refilling ice trays, opening wine bottles, or clearing dishes from the dinner table.

Socialize with Strangers

Make it a point to interact with other guests. This is particularly important if you have come with a date.

Be Present

You may be addicted to your phone or may be getting bored at the party but that is no excuse to constantly use your phone. You must leave the phone on silent mode when having dinner. Ringtones and lit up screens tend to interrupt conversations. In case you have to be available for a text or call that is important, switch off the ringer and politely excuse yourself when answering the phone.

Engage in Table Talk

Sit-down dinners are usually intimidating. Every move you make is noticed, and you’re usually stuck talking to those around you. A great rule is to keep the conversation balanced by listening as much as you talk. Ask thoughtful questions and allow people enough time to answer.

Enjoy within Reason

It is not a good idea to over-indulge, whether it is food or alcohol. While you should make yourself comfortable, you must not become a nuisance. Drinking to the point of embarrassing others or not being considerate about the food are bad manners. If you really love a dish, request your host to share the recipe.

Following these etiquettes will go a long way in making sure you remain a hit among your friends.  

How to Throw an Easter Dinner Party Your Guests Will Love?

Throw in a charming dinner party this Easter, with a delicious menu, party favors and a gorgeous kid’s table.

Create an Easter table landscape:

Begin by setting a dinner table that is full of charming Easter details. Pick out a color palette such as, green and yellow to usher in spring. Arrange blooms of tulips, maidenhair ferns into simple vases or Easter rabbit vases. Then add a pop of color with colorful flatware. Nestle a center piece on each table with a bunny vase inside a bowl or a wide vase with green grass for creating a festive centerpiece. Add plastic yellow Easter eggs. Top of the day with party favors.

Party favors:

Send your guests home with beautiful party favors to remember you by. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Gift baskets with chocolates

Small Easter baskets filled to the brim with mini white chocolates make a great party favor, that adds an extra touch of sweetness for the guest. Let your guests remember the dinner long after, each time they nibble on one of the chocolates.

2. Truffles and toffee cookies

Offer your guests the experience of delicious chocolate truffles created with the finest ingredients. With each bite, the delicate chocolate will melt on their palate. They will certainly thank you for the decadent gift!

3. Buy scented candles

Choose from different candles made from fragrance oils and vegetable wax! Each time your guest lights up the candle and take in the fragrance filling up their room, they will think of you. You can choose from a range of different fragrances and colors, depending on your theme!

4. Body butters

You can also pamper your guests with a fragrant body butter that will provide the much needed, long-lasting hydration to keep skin supple and soft. You can choose from a myriad of fragrances to match the taste of each guest. Your thoughtfulness will go a long way in impressing them!

Menu Ideas for the night:

Food is always the highlight of a party. Make sure you go that extra mile when deciding your menu.

Brown sugar ham

Cook a traditional Easter ham and brush it with delicious brown-sugar glaze. Make sure you carve the ham so your guests can take easy serving. Display the dish on a tray garnished with fresh lemon wedges. There are plenty of delicious recipes you can find over the internet!

Honey Glazed Carrots

Serve honey glazed carrots as a side dish. It will be a perfect accompaniment to brown sugar ham. The carrots can easily be made ahead of time, just warm them before serving.

Fresh Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls frosted with icing make an amazing addition to your Easter dinner. These can also make a yummy breakfast treat for your friends and family when they wake up next morning.

Easter kid’s table:

Use the same color theme you used for the adult table and set up a table for your little ones, complete with delicious treats, favors and Easter egg touches. Make sure you add pops of color to the table with paper plates. Fill in mini baking cups with chocolate eggs for the children to nibble on.

Give the children a special treat by organizing an Easter egg hunt around the garden or backyard. You can snuggle in little toys, edible bunny-shaped cookies, mini chocolates, and much more inside the egg. Hand every child a small basket and ask them to collect as many eggs as they can. The adults can also join in the fun and festivities!

With just a little effort and creativity, you can come up with the most beautiful theme for your Easter dinner party and have your guests enjoy and leave with the most memorable Easter dinner they ever had!

Five Unique Gift Basket Ideas You Should Try

Expensive gift wrapped in an attractive box has a charm of its own. It is always exciting to receive such a basket as you keep anticipating what will tumble out of the box! On the other hand if you want to present such wonderful moments to your loved ones then it is important that you know how to plan the perfect gift basket. The one thing to keep in mind in this regard is that planning a gift is not always about including costly items but it’s more about conveying your love and care thoughtfully.

The gift basket concept has become quite popular these days as it fits every budget and appeals to all. Discussed below are five unique gift basket ideas which are not just affordable but quite attractive too!

Organic Gluten Free Gift Basket

If you are planning the gift for someone who has dietary restrictions then try out gluten-free gift basket. The idea also suits those who prefer food items that come with the organic tag only. Such a basket can include fresh seasonal fruits, organic cheese, crackers, organic pistachios, green tea and other such items. It always helps if you have some prior idea about the recipient’s preferences in this regard.

Wine and Snacks Basket

The combination itself sounds enticing. Bring such a basket for a week-end party and your friends will thank you for that! The celebration can start with some refreshing wine, dried apricot, roasted sea salt almonds followed by some creamy mild flavored cheese. You can try out other combinations as well to make the basket even more appealing.

Assorted Cookies Bouquet

Gift her beautifully arranged bouquet with freshly baked chocolate cookies inside and make the day memorable for her. With cookies you can find out umpteen ways to surprise your loved ones. For instance you can fill up a beautiful vase, treasure chest or any other eye-catching gift container with fresh cookies of different flavors. If you know his/her choice of cookies, even better!

Spa Products Basket

If you are planning a gift for your girlfriend or a special friend then a soothing spa gift can never go wrong. You can pick up a theme basket containing specific flower products like rose, jasmine, lavender, melon, Hydrangea, citrus and so on. Generally the Spa gift basket contains shower gel, bath soap, moisturizing cream, body butter, body lotion and similar items. You can always incorporate new items which you are sure will be loved by her.

Theme Based Basket

A theme based gift basket is suggested if you know the particular occasion or is very confident of own innovativeness. Typically theme baskets encompass occasions and events like birthday, baby shower, marriage anniversary, Halloween, Christmas, Fall, Holiday gift, Get-well-soon, Thank you and many more. The best part about theme based basket is that you can include different combinations of items and personalize it the way you want.

Now that you have some interesting gift ideas, make sure you pick up the best items for the basket, package it attractively and send it to your dear one in time. If you are not sure of handling so many tasks on your own then hire a gifting expert to arrange the perfect gift basket for you!

Gift Baskets for the Elderly

Finding the ideal gift idea for an aged person is often a tough proposition. Whether you are looking to buy gifts for an elderly family member or friend, or need some gifts for seniors in assisted living, a lot of careful planning and thinking need to go into the act to finally get the right gift. From the freshest of organic, handpicked fruits and gourmet chocolates to classic or award-winning wines, you have a lot to choose from. If you are struggling to decide what would be a good gift for seniors, here are some gift basket ideas that will be loved by them for sure:

1. Fruits: A basket full of your recipient’s favorite fruits would be a good idea to help him/her live a healthy life while tasting delicious, fresh picks of the season. However, it’s best to select gift baskets with a small quantity as food gifts are perishable. Keeping the senior’s dietary restrictions in mind, if any, is another important thing to do while shopping for fruit gift baskets.
2. Organic Gift Baskets: If your elderly recipient has a penchant for eco-friendly items, let him/her enjoy nature’s bounty with organic delicacies. From delicious, high-quality, farm fresh, sustainably grown fruits, organic cheeses, crackers and organic dried strawberries to organic California cabernet sauvignon, you have a lot to choose from.
3. Relaxation Gift Baskets: This is somewhat of an unconventional gift where you treat the elderly to the fragrant pampering and joy of a spa vacation right at home. All you need is to select gift baskets that include bath lotions, gels, stress relieving aroma oils and delicious treats to let your recipient have a relaxing time in the comfort of his/her home.
4. Wine: From a premium selection of fine wine gifts to gift baskets where world famous wines are expertly paired with delicious gourmet foods, you can never go wrong with this. Most seniors love their wine and a few are even quite attached to their bottles of red wine, thanks to the health benefits it brings their way. Depending on what your recipient’s preference is, you can select wine gift baskets to bring a smile on his/her face.
5. Gifts for those with Dietary Restrictions: Once in their golden years, seniors often have specific nutritional needs, which make it difficult to find food gifts for them. The difficulty level goes a few notches up if he/she has dietary restrictions due to diabetes, high blood pressure or other ailments. However, this shouldn’t be a cause of concern as reputed online stores offer sugar-free and gluten-free food gift baskets to let seniors with dietary restrictions enjoy delicious treats.

Many seniors are somewhat isolated due to their limited physical mobility or inability to drive. This even makes it difficult for them to shop for items of everyday use. Thus, you can select a few items of daily use to gift them. But above all, give them your time and select gifts that will make them feel special and loved.

Celebrate June Solstice with Gourmet Gift Baskets

The June Solstice, also popular as the Northern Solstice, typically occurs on the 20th/21stJune according to the Gregorian calendar. It’s the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere; whereas it’s the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the summer solstice signals the onset of summer, many festivities are planned during this time of the year. If you are also planning family gatherings or just want to visit the local festivals, some delicious gourmet gift baskets can add up to the festivities around.

Here are the most favorite picks for celebrating June Solstice in style:

• Organic Gift Baskets: The June Solstice heralds new beginnings. As the crops start to ripen, this is the time for taking stock of things, and set goals to get started with a new life by incorporating healthy eating habits and a fitness regime, if you aren’t already doing it. Organic gift baskets are the ideal way to celebrate the summer solstice. They pack fresh and seasonal fruits and veggies, as well as organic herbs, which are tasty and also healthy. So, whether you are planning a barbeque with friends or a family gathering, having some organic gift baskets for company can be a great way to ensure good health for all.
• Choco-licious Gifts: Chocolates+ Delicious =Choco-licious gifts. Almost everyone falls in love with chocolates irrespective of their age group. Delicious and classic chocolates wrapped in artistic packages can be the ideal gifts to celebrate the June Solstice.
• Delicious Munchies: Be it freshly baked cookies, chocolate chips, raisins, oatmeal or Sonoma cheese, these cookie gift baskets are packed to the brim with delectable munchies that can be the perfect accompaniment for summer solstice celebrations. From kids and teenagers to adults and elders, everyone is sure to munch on these delicious items while partaking in the festive spirit.  
• Spa Gift Baskets: The summer solstice promises that balmy, warmer days are ahead. So, many consider this to be the perfect time to indulge in some self-love and self-nurturing. You can opt for spa gift baskets for your loved ones to help them spend some quality, relaxing me-time at home with the magnificent products of these baskets – right from the bath essentials to scented candles, bathrobes and slippers. Some of these spa gifts may even come with soothing musical CDs that can recreate a zen-like atmosphere right at home. Your recipients will surely thank you for such gifts that will soothe their frayed nerves.
• Sports Gift Baskets: Summer is the perfect time to go outdoors and play your favorite sport. Be it golf, football, beach volleyball, rugby or any other sport, you should plan to sweat it out in the sun to celebrate the June Solstice in true blue style. Many online gift stores have a variety of sports gift baskets, sorted on the basis of the type of sport, from which you can take your pick. Some of these may even pack quite a few delicious goodies, to replenish the energy of the players in between their on-field duties.

The June Solstice is an excellent time to strengthen your bonding with your loved ones. It’s also the time to start afresh in life to match your aspirations and goals. So, if you have been thinking of starting a fitness routine, opting for healthy eating habits, or indulging in a sport, do it now. And remember to spread the festive cheer around with novel gourmet gift baskets. 

Why choose fresh fruit gift baskets?

Be it your co-worker, best friend or teacher, a nicely decorated gift basket can turn out to be an excellent gift, when customized with special care. If you have been bored with gift baskets of wine and beer, tea and coffee, chocolates, flowers and delicious candies, which are the most common ideas for gift baskets, you can take a break and tread a different path, while looking for something really exceptional such as fresh fruit gift baskets. With the fresh and juicy seasonal fruits, some of which are often coupled with delicious chocolates, these baskets happen to be one of the most preferred gift baskets among both the buyers and the recipients. If you have always looked for something organic that combine the best seasonal flavors, fresh fruit gift baskets are going to be the ideal choice for you. 

Here are some of the most popular fruit gift baskets, from which you can choose the one that best suits your budget and your recipient’s tastes:

Fabulous fruit gift basket – With a nice looking basket, decorated with a bow, this gift item packs juicy and fresh seasonal fruits, along with a variety of cheese, crackers, crunchy almonds, mini mustards, summer sausage, chocolate fudge cookies, truffles, raspberry bar, Ghirardelli bar etc. With so many types of exciting things to munch and savor, these baskets are sure to delight anyone’s palate! 

Fruit and Chocolate gift baskets, especially for fall – Autumn comes with its own charms and you can make things all the more beautiful by presenting an autumn fruit and chocolate gift basket to your recipients. Shaped like an elegant tower, a beautiful gift basket, which contains dark chocolate caramel gems, juicy oranges, milk-chocolate covered cashews, crispy biscuits etc, it is perfect to celebrate the magic of fall. Pick one of these baskets and enjoy the hot chocolate and cocoa to stay warm on autumn nights.

Fruit medley gift basket, a fruit lovers’ delight – If you are a real lover of fresh fruits, this one may attract you the most. Comprising of the best collection of apples, pears and oranges of the season, it’s an absolute delight for any fruit lover’s taste buds. What’s more, you can always customize the collection according to your preference and availability of fruits.

Dried fruit gift basket – If you are not quite fond of those juicy fruits or want to try out something with a bit of difference, you may pick dried fruit baskets. A collection of dates, ruby red palms, jumbo pears, peaches etc. will surely make an exciting gift to give away to your loved ones. You can use them as a birthday gift basket or even as a corporate thank you gift basket.

Share the health gift basket – A large array of fresh fruits along with cookies and best chocolates in a well decorated basket is another fabulous option for you. Share healthy wishes with your loved ones with a bunch of crispy apples, juicy oranges, cheese, Columbus salami, almonds, focaccia crisps, pistachios and cookies.

Organic fruit box gift basket – You can make a picturesque box with the best fresh fruits of the season that will exemplify sustainability and health for your recipient. Such a collection will comprise of ten organic certified fruits such as pears, apples and oranges. Including the seasonal fruits in the basket will surely add an unmatched charm to the entire process of gift giving.

Well decorated gift baskets have always been attractive to all. Including fresh fruits in them will definitely add to their glory. So, take your pick from the above mentioned options and wait for the glimpse of joy on your recipients’ faces.

Season's Pick: Customized Autumn Gift Baskets

After those long and scorching days of summer, autumn comes as a relief. With a charm of its own, this season is all about cozy dinner parties with co-workers and friends, family gatherings, and some really delicious food. What you can do to make things more beautiful is to gift something interesting to your hostess. While a bouquet of flower or a bottle of wine might be usual gifts that you can fall back upon, you should make an extra effort to pick customized gift baskets that are far from your mundane gift items and would be the perfect choice for your hostess.

Just like any other gift, you need to be a little thoughtful about choosing autumn gift baskets, which is why some homework, planning and preparation should go into the process. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your gift being appreciated by your recipient!  

Since gift baskets, are available in different shapes and sizes and with varying contents, you can easily choose the ideal type based on what your intended recipient’s tastes and preferences are. Here are some interesting autumn gift basket ideas to be considered –

• Relaxation gift basket – We often forget to thank people who make our lives beautiful. An autumn gift basket picked with the relaxation theme in mind would be the best idea to express your love, honor and appreciation for a particular person. Make him/her feel special by giving one of these luxurious gift baskets, which usually pack a wide variety of items in a cane basket such as organic hard candies, a box of Davidson tea, an elegant looking ceramic mug and some organic roasted almonds etc. It’s better if you are well aware about the personal choices of the concerned person and can customize the gift basket accordingly. For instance, if he/she is fond of spa and body care, you can include products like hand lotion, massage oil, moisture crème, loofah, body soap etc. in the basket.
• Gift tray – Try out something like this if the host or hostess is extremely fond of chocolates and fruits. Usually, such unique gift baskets contain fresh seasonal fruits organized neatly on a tray shaped like an autumn leaf. Milk chocolate walnut apples, triple chocolates, walnut toffees etc. could also be included in these baskets.
• DIY autumn gift basket – If you are planning to give a pleasant surprise to the host, consider making a gift basket yourself. Get a simple cane basket and a can of spray paint. Paint the basket in several coats and make sure that all the crannies and the corners are covered perfectly. Include varied things like hazelnuts, notebooks, little kitchen towels, stamp, some message cards/gift cards etc to make the entire gift a special one bearing your personal touch.
• Tea gift basket – If your host is one who just can’t live without a cup of tea, this would be the perfect choice for him/her. Just imagine how soothing he/she would feel to sip a warm cup of Ahmad cinnamon tea from a nice looking ceramic mug! These baskets could also include Guylian chocolates, gourmet English tea cookies, holiday chocolate cookies, biscotti etc. By gifting such a basket that’s full of holiday goodies and teas in special flavors, you are sure to bring a smile on your recipients’ lips.  
• Beach relaxation gift basket – This is perhaps one of the best gift baskets for the season of fall. After all, who wouldn’t love to enjoy the relaxation and scent of the beach? A typical beach relaxation basket would include all the essentials like a plus size robe, set of white towels, slippers and varying range of bath products like shower gel, bath salts, bath scrub, body lotion, hand soap, bath tea, scented sachet etc.

These are some of the most popular autumn gift baskets from which you can take your pick.

The Best Types of Gift Baskets that Work

Gift is not only about the product you are purchasing, it’s price tag, or to what brand it belongs to. Rather, it should show how much you love or care about the person for whom you are buying the gift. While wine and beers, chocolates and flowers could seem to be a little boring, as they have been done to death when it comes to giving gifts, you can give them a little twist and opt for unique gift baskets instead, which pack a punch and offer an attractive blend of 2-3 products, neatly tucked in a decorative basket. These baskets are available in different sizes and shapes and the contents, too, vary widely. In fact, you will surely get to choose something personal and meaningful from the huge options that many online stores offer these days. Here are some of the best gift basket ideas that you can consider –

Gourmet gift baskets – If the person for whom you are buying the gift is a foodie or loves to experiment with his/her beverages and drinks, these customized gift baskets would be the ideal option. Consider something like Berry Caramel Apple gift basket, which is made up of apples, rich golden caramel, Belgian chocolate, decorated with colorful confetti, or some snacks gift baskets that hold a delightful arrangement of different types of snacks, filled with cheese, crackers, almonds, cookies, all of which are placed in a beautifully crafted hand-made bamboo basket. Be it chocolates, fresh and organic fruits, or exotic wines, you can get them all and more when you choose gourmet gift baskets. What’s more, you can even add a personalized message to make the entire giving process a unique, personal touch.  

Holiday gift baskets – Gifts are an integral part of holidays. Be it the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, or any other holiday, you can up the fun and cheer quotient by selecting some holiday gift baskets. Be it some gift baskets to celebrate the autumn season or the upcoming Christmas, you can get a lot to chose from. For instance, while a California Holiday Gift Basket that packs California red wine along with delicious Brie cheese, California smoked almonds, three cheese sourdough crackers etc would be a great way to celebrate the holidays in style, the Golden Sleigh Ride Gift Basket that packs the goodies in a whole sleigh, and includes chocolate-covered cherries, Ghirardelli hot cocoa mix, a Jacquot truffles, shortbread cookies, Cashew Roca, Walkers peppermint bark Ghirardelli bar, and Ghirardelli chocolate squares is surer to usher in Christmas in style. You may even shop for gift baskets for kids that pack items like hand-decorated crispy rice bars in the shape of kids’ favorite holiday characters like the endearing Santa, the cute snowman or the red nosed reindeer, Rudolph. 

Personalized gift baskets – The best way to show your feelings through gifts is to give it a personal touch. You can select items of your recipient’s preference by browsing the extensive repertoire of online gift stores, and get them all packed in a gift basket, adding a personal note along with it to make the entire giving process somewhat customized. While food aficionados would jump with joy if you send gift baskets packed with truffles, chocolates, cheese, crackers, smoked salmon, biscotti and many more such things, those looking for a bit of pampering to beat the blues would thank you if you send a spa essential gift basket that include all the required things for a relaxing bath like relaxing bubble bath gel, aromatherapy candle, soft bath pillow, a wooden body massager, tea light candles, nylon scrubby etc.

Event special gift baskets – There is a wide variety of these types of gift baskets for occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, birth of a baby, purchasing a new home etc. You may even get a wide variety of corporate gifts like the ones that pack an assortment of freshly baked yummy cookies, arranged beautifully in tin box or bamboo baskets. You can also think about a basket full of candies, dried fruits and spreads. Starting from flowers and wines to gourmet delights and more, you can get them all based on what event you want to celebrate. 

So, take your pick from these gift baskets and you would never go wrong when it comes to gift giving.