’20s-themed party? Plan your theme and the perfect menu of drinks, appetizers, and entrees to match. Next, pick out your summer guest squad and invite them at least a month in advance to give them ample notice. Ideally, you want to keep the guest list to about 15 people, mixing in long-time friends and new acquaintances to keep the conversations lively and the party manageable. MIX, MINGLE, MOVE AROUND Set up an inviting scene with cute cocktail glasses, festive decorations, and different seating options that encourage guests to mingle and have fun. Clear space for a makeshift dance floor, and provide snacks at every little grouping of comfy chairs to entice guests to nosh while they chat. Having an attractive and central bar area can set the party’s mood. You can go all out and hire someone to handle a full bar, create a drink station in the kitchen, or set up a DIY bar cart with recipes and all the ingredients for your friends to be their own bartenders. SHAKE UP CONVERSATIONS No celebration is complete without engaging conversation and entertainment. Help your guests get to know each other by putting out fun icebreaker questions on the tables or serving each drink with one. This will get people to open up, laugh, and make new friends (the ultimate party favor). You could also come up with some fun games that encourage a little goofiness, like charades, a board game, or your very own talent show.
Ready to shake or stir things up this summer? Grab your martini glasses because there’s nothing like a summertime soiree. Whether mixing it up with a tropical tiki night, pouring classy spritzers in the garden, or sipping something cool at a poolside bash, hosting a summer cocktail party is the perfect way to serve up flavor and fun. Get ready to be the host or hostess with the mostest with these delicious tips (and sips) to throw the ultimate party this summer! PERFECT PARTY FORMULA Do you want to keep things casual with familiar beers and classic finger foods, or do you want to see your friends in their best “Great Gatsby” attire sipping on a sidecar for a roaring Sip, Sip, Hooray! YOUR PERFECT SUMMER SOIREE FORMULA
Dodge the Wallet Waves
SWEAT-FREE SAVINGS FOR SUMMER
In the excitement of getting out and enjoying great weather and everything else this time of year offers, many people easily lose sight of wise spending. Here are four quick hacks to beat the money blues at the beach or on the road. BYPASS BIG BRANDS. If summer typically leads to a fuller fridge or pantry than usual, stick to store-brand items instead of splurging on the big names at the store. In addition to often providing the same quality as their big-name competitors, store brands offer small savings that can greatly benefit your finances over time. BRING THE RESTAURANT TO YOU. Summer is a great time to hit restaurants for family meals or get- togethers with friends, and an easy way to diminish your dollars through
high-priced meals. Instead of bringing a group to your favorite eatery, host a backyard meal or party at home instead. You have more control over the quality of the dishes, can make your budget last longer, and avoid the crowds — all without needing to leave a tip. REEVALUATE YOUR ON-ROAD DIET. Whether you need gas or a quick meal on the go, few sights are more welcome during lengthy highway travel than a rest area. However, these seemingly convenient spots — created with captive audiences in mind — typically sell goods at markups you wouldn’t
the way instead of pulling over and giving your wallet a ride.
PREPARE FOR YEAR-END PRESENTS. We’re already halfway through 2025, which means another holiday season will be here before we know it. If you experienced a financial crunch last December, save a little each paycheck now to save up for end-of-year spending. Even $50 saved per paycheck can add up to better flexibility come December, and that figure may already be feasible just by following some of the earlier tips in this article. You may be amazed at how skipping just one restaurant visit with your
imagine paying under any other circumstance. If you anticipate being on the road for several hours, it may be smarter to pack homemade meals you can eat on
significant other every two weeks will lead to a windfall by December, and less shock on your credit card bill in January.
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