Suzy's Helping Hands - June/July Newsletter

LET'S PARTY!

Everything you need to know about throwing that phenomenal and stress free summer party!

I just finished a graduation party. This is how I made it fun, inviting, and relaxing all at the same time.

1) Theme it - whether it's the 4th of July or a backyard barbeque, give yourself a theme to work around. I went with a color theme, even though the school colors were black and gold, I decided to do it country style with blue and white.

*TIP - Having your party outside also makes for easy clean up.

2) Forget the snail mail - email it! Make up fun invitations and email them to all your guests, this is cheaper and less time consuming and it also makes RSVP's simple.

*TIP - Personalize it, I used a photo of the graduate kissing a fish.

3) Create ambiance matching your theme - along with the blue and white theme, I used white roses, hydrangeas and blue flowers in matching ceramic vases. I utilized my quilts for table cloths and placed oil lamps on the tables for light and decoration.

*TIP - Find what you can from inside your home and check for what's missing at TJ Maxx or check out your local garage sales.

4) Food - order in! If you do not want someone to slave over a hot grill, cook up your meat beforehand and heat and serve, or get it to go from your favorite bbq place. We had a pig roast which made for great food and easy clean up.

*TIP - Buy in bulk from GFS or Sam's Club to cut cost. Use plastic or paper plates and cutlery, but use crystal pitchers with lemonade or water and lemon slices to add that extra zing of ambiance. **Also see my special recipe for potato salad below.

5) Spirits - have a friend or family member work the bar or do the drinks buffet style letting everyone help themselves to soft drinks, beer and wine.

*TIP - Remember, people came to enjoy you and your party, not to watch you serve. Have everything set up beforehand and pretend you are your own guest.

My party was a great success because it's all in the planning!

Need help with your phenomenal party, Suzy's Helping Hands can assist you with all of your special needs, from organizing and planning to the use of our cleaning team!

Suzy's Potato Salad

One bag of Yukon Gold potatoes (cooked and peeled)
One large white onion
Mayonnaise with 3 tablespoons of French dressing

Mix together with salt and refrigerate over night... be sure make a lot because this is a winner recipe!

"As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness."
Henry David Thoreau