Party Foul: Don't Let the Whistle Be Blown on Your Next Get Together

We've all been to a party where red wine ruined the hostess' new cream carpeting, or brought veggies to a potluck just to realize they're ice cold by the time you serve them. Don't worry, these "party fouls" happen to all of us once in a while. But they don't have to keep happening.

For Christmas I was given a book called Heloise Hints for All Occasions, copyright 1995 by The Hearst Corporation. This book is amazing! It has tips and hints for everything you could think of when planning for a special occasion. From pre-party planning, to cooking for a crowd, to special gift ideas - it's got it all! Pick this book up on Amazon or at a local used book store; it'll be a life safer at your next party and save you from those embarrassing party fouls.

To give you a taste of the ideas in this book, I've included a few hints that will help with some common party fouls:

• A glass of red wine was spilt on my new tablecloth. How can I save it?
  Heloise says "pour salt on the stain to absorb the liquid...remove the tablecloth, let it soak in cold water" then "rinse and wash as usual" (p. 99).
  I've also seen this work on carpet, too. Red wine was spilled on an expensive rug at a party I attended. The hostess covered the spot with salt, and let it sit. When she cleaned up the salt, it had absorbed most of the stain and she simply cleaned up the rest with soap and water.
  
  
• My apple pie recipe calls for cups but they're only sold in pounds.
  According to Heloise, for "apples: 1 pound equals about 3 medium or 3 cups sliced" (p.17). This isn't the only measurement hint in Heloise's book. She covers everything from fruit to coffee to flour.
  
  
• My daughter's birthday party is today, and I forgot to buy gift wrap!
  Heloise suggests that you "save the shiny helium balloons you receive for birthdays...and then use them for gift wrap after they deflate. Carefully slit the edge of the balloon to make an opening large enough to insert the gift, then realign the open edges and tape them shut with transparent tape" (p. 125).
  
  
• It's my turn to bring veggies to our family potluck, but they never seem to stay hot.
  When transporting hot vegetables, Heloise suggests you "put the hot vegetables into a wide-mouth half-gallon thermos" (p.65).

I have fallen in love with the handy tips in this book. I recommend it to anyone planning a party, be it a small dinner gathering or an anniversary party for 200 guests. You'll find everything you need to know to keep the whistle from being blown on your next get together.


Image found at www.heloise.com/booksocc.html.