Here are few ideas to help you “grill up a good time!”

A little festive wording makes for a really fun invitation… Here are a few suggestions:

” Let’s get together for no special reason…Just to celebrate good food, good friends, and the summer season!”

“Come on over for a BBQ, We’ll have burgers and hot dogs and plenty of cold brew!”

“It’s time to enjoy a little bit of sun!  With good friends and food, it’s sure to be fun!”

“Join us for hamburgers and hot dogs as we ketchup with old friends!”

String up a few strands of white lights around your patio, throw a red and white checkered tablecloth on the patio table, and set out a few Citronella candles or torches (to keep the buggies away), and you’re all set for a stellar night of food and friends under the stars.

In addition to the usual suspects (burgers and hot dogs), here are a few of our personal favorite recipes:

Lone Star Rub Drumsticks (LOVE this one- from a Weber grill recipe book)

2 t. kosher salt

1 1/2 t. pure chile powder

1 1/2 t. dried chopped onion

3/4 t. garlic salt

1/2 t. paprika

1/2 t. dried marjoram

1/4 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. fresh ground pepper

1/8 t. ground cinnamon

8 chicken drumsticks

Mix ingredients in a small bowl.  Rub mixture under and on top of the chicken skin.  Grill on medium-low heat, turning frequently (every 5 minutes or so)

Roasted Corn on the Cob

6 ears of corn on the cob (with the husks)

butter

salt

aluminum foil

To get started, gently pull back the husks of the corn, remove the corn silks (using a small brush if necessary), rinse, and pat the corn dry with a paper towel.  In a shallow baking dish or cookie sheet, pour melted butter.  Holding the husk out of the way, roll the ear of corn in the butter.  Sprinkle with salt, reposition the husk to cover the ear of corn, and wrap tightly in foil.  Grill for about 10-15 minutes, turning frequently.

And if your thirst is craving something a little more than lemonade, try this recipe for Lemon Shandies.  It’s one of those great almost-summertime beverages!

Jumpstart your own intimate tea party with this adorable Tea Set!  The set comes with a lime green with white dots serving plate, two flower saucers and tea cups, and one floral tea pot.

Want to dress up?  Hats, gloves, and  jewelry would be perfectly lovely… Want to invite your favorite dolls?  The more the merrier!  Add some flavored tea, bite-size sandwiches, scones or cookies, and you’re all set!

Here are two simple snack ideas sure to please any tea party guest:

Turkey & Raspberry-Chipotle Sandwiches

smoked turkey breast (sliced)

Raspberry-Chipotle sauce (Our favorite is Fischer-Weiser)

cream cheese spread

small sourdough rolls

sliced havarti cheese (0ptional)

Slice each roll in half, spreading the cream cheese on one side and the raspberry-chipotle sauce on the other.  Add turkey and cheese if desired.

Fruit Skewers

strawberries

blueberries

pineapple (diced into bite-size portions)

grapes

cantaloupe (diced into bite-size portions)

shisk-kabob bamboo skewers, cut in half

Thread fruit on skewers and serve chilled.  Provide dipping sauce if you’d like.  (We love a half-and-half mixture of marshmallow creme and cream cheese- yummy!)

Cheers!

Throwing a party?  You’ve GOT to have napkins!  Now you can get fun, festive, and LOL (laugh out loud) napkins for your next get-together.  Whether it’s a Girls’ Night, Cocktail Party, Fiesta, or Game Night, we have a napkin that will add a little extra detail to your occasion!

Don’t have a party set in stone?  You should still keep a couple options on hand for drop-by guests and impromptu parties- after all, that’s what the summer is all about (and having one less thing to worry about and one more thing to get compliments on- is worth it!).

We’ve got invitations for almost any birthday- a specific theme, color scheme, surprise party, or huge birthday blowout!  Now, not only do we have invitations to set the mood for a party, but we also have great birthday party accessories- party favor bags, paper plates, napkins, candles for the cake, party blowers, cupcake place card holders, birthday foam cups, and more!  Before our online store is complete, just call or email us if we can help you find what you’re needing to make that birthday you’re celebrating the best one yet!

“How did your grandparents meet and fall in love?”

“If you had to gain 10 pounds, what would you eat to gain the weight?”

If you’re having a dinner party, place a Table Topic card at each guest’s place setting… Or pass the cube around the table and let each guest read a card outloud, allowing everyone else to answer… Or take Table Topics on the road to help pass the time on a long road trip!

Since great conversation is the key to any party, you can’t go wrong with Table Topics, and they make a perfect host or hostess gift too!