Candles > Dessert Parties

Dessert Parties

by: Amanda Baker

Dinner parties are a hot trend and a great way to get together with all of your friends.
But do you and your friends have a serious sweet tooth?
Do you get more enjoyment out of the desserts than dinner?
Why not host an evening dessert party?
A dessert party can actually be hosted any time of the day, but a late evening party is typically best.

With desserts, the tiny touches really do completely the big pictures.
For instance, doilies on dessert plates when serving a fine piece of cake is a beautiful touch.
A nice espresso goes well with pastries.

If have a tasty pound cake and want to make it look beautiful when serving?
Use wine or champagne glasses and a flavor or two of ice cream to serve desserts a la mode.
Serve flavored coffees and teas with some fresh fruit.
All by itself, it can serve as a dessert.
Just don't forget the decaf!
Frozen desserts are a great idea for an unexpected get-together.
Most of the fancier desserts can be frozen and thawed in warm weather for only about an hour.

Need a quick cake decoration?
Keep some butterscotch, chocolate, and caramel sauce on hand.
Nice thin swirls of a flavored sauce across the dessert plate works especially well with a nice torte or cheesecake.
Mini chocolate chips are fabulous when coupled with fresh raspberries and a rich chocolate cake.

Any particular season coming up?
A seasonal dessert leaves a great impression on your guests.

Chocolate-coated strawberries are an ideal dessert party treat.
You can begin with a carton of large ripe strawberries with stems.
Melt two to three large dark or milk chocolate bars per carton in the microwave, in a pyrex measuring cup.
Be very careful not to burn the chocolate.
Hold strawberries by the stem, dipping them one by one into the cup.
On a large plate coated with wax paper, rest the strawberries (which should only be dipped just over halfway) and chill for about forty-five minutes.
Serve with Columbian coffee or a designer coffee drink.
If you're crafty with drinks, you could concoct a drink specifically for your event!

Always pre-slice cakes, but serve to guests one at a time.
Do not have the cake already on a dessert plate, unless the event is directly after a dinner.

Dessert parties are becoming more popular and a little more sophisticated, so soft lighting, candles, and appropriate music are a must.
Remember not to serve pies, as they are informal and casual and interfere with the class and mystique of a dessert party.

About The Author

Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered: http://AllThingsPondered.com.

This is Your time to Shine Bright

This is Your time to Shine Bright

by: Debbie Friedman

I personally love the analogy of candles on a birthday cake.

Like a candle on a birthday cake, each and every one of us has come here with a special light, special talents or gifts, to contribute to the celebration of life.
If we are playing small, ignoring our gifts or barely living, our light cannot shine bright and the celebration is diminished.
When we all step into our full power, realizing our hopes and dreams, our lights shine bright and the celebration is truly remarkable!

We are all here to BE an expression of higher wisdom.

When we all begin to claim our power, live the life we came here to live, treat each other with respect, dignity, love, kindness and compassion, there can be no darkness!

The darkness we see on our planet now is full of fear, worry, control, anger, and hatred.
This is lower vibrational energy that cannot...

This is Your time to Shine Bright

Candles > This is Your time to Shine Bright

7-point Checklist For Choosing The Right Candle Holders

7-point Checklist For Choosing The Right Candle Holders

by: Justine van Zyl

While candle holders are obviously key elements in any candle setting, all too often they suffer a sort of benign neglect.

Sometimes they're used "just because they're there", and sometimes because choosing the right candle holder seems a rather daunting task.

If deciding what to use is your problem, then this handy checklist could help to simplify the process.

While glass and metal candle holders are the most popular, there is an absolutely huge variety available, in all sorts of materials.

As you run down the list, you will see that as you make decisions you are led naturally to the right kind of holder and the right kind of candle.

Making your own is also an option if you have the patience and skill - or perhaps just the patience!

1 The event

* Are you going to use the candle holder as an integral part of the event...

7-point Checklist For Choosing The Right Candle Holders

Candles > 7-point Checklist For Choosing The Right Candle Holders

Setting A Festive Table ? Tips For A Striking Presentation

by: Bob Kiefer

You'll be slaving over a hot stove for hours, preparing a feast fit for kings this Christmas. From the turkey to the desserts, you put love into every recipe, and your family digs in with gusto. Why not add some festive touches to the table as well, and make the presentation as breathtaking as the dishes you'll be serving? It doesn't take much time or money to transform your table from humbug to very merry.

Choosing a Theme

The easiest way to coordinate your decor is to choose a theme. Your theme can be as specific as a single Christmas carol, or as broad as a certain style or colors. For example, you could choose "Jingle Bells" as your theme, making the centerpiece a miniature one-horse open sleigh, and attaching bells to everything that doesn't voluntarily move. Or, choose a "Country Christmas" theme and add lots of country touches to your table, like felt cut-outs...

Setting A Festive Table ? Tips For A Striking Presentation

Candles > Setting A Festive Table ? Tips For A Striking Presentation

Home Decorating: Where Are My Surfaces?

by: Keller Hawthorne

Many of you probably remember visiting your grandma's house as a child. I can still see how my grandmother had decorated her home. Every inch of surface and space was filled! The mantle, the kitchen counters, and of course the floor. She was a self-proclaimed pack-rat! When you walk into a home drowning in "stuff", it immediately bombards you and creates overwhelming vibes. So, how do we show every little nick knack we love, without going overboard?

I have a very strict rule with myself that every surface in my home should be clean and almost completely cleared. I enjoy showing off my candles, vases, and other items. However, I have learned when it becomes too much. As a teenager I had covered every inch of my dressers and desk with decorations. My bedroom had become more of a showplace then a home. My decorations were nicely placed as sort of a retail window display, but I could never...

Home Decorating: Where Are My Surfaces?

Candles > Home Decorating: Where Are My Surfaces?

A Valentine?s Dinner That?ll Knock His Socks Off

by: Michaela Scherr

A few years ago I wanted to do something really special for my husband on Valentine?s Day.
I didn?t want anything in return, only that the evening was fun and enjoyable, and that was how it turned out.

The look on my Valentine?s face when he came home for dinner was priceless and shall remain with me forever.
I?d never seen his eyes or smile so wide!

I?d like to share this special Valentine?s Dinner with you now, it had the effect I wanted including an evening filled with laughter and great conversation.

What you?ll need:

A white table cloth

Approximately 20 silver balloons

Silver ribbon for the balloons

Selection of white candles of differing shapes and sizes (unscented)

Several sheets of red cardboard (thin enough to cut)

Blu-Tack or other safe, removal adhesive

White platter for prawns...

A Valentine?s Dinner That?ll Knock His Socks Off

Candles > A Valentine?s Dinner That?ll Knock His Socks Off