Hot Hosting & Entertaining How-Tos « Hosting & Entertaining

How To: Throw a Naked Sushi Party

The Japanese know how to party. Browsing the internet for my daily fix of Weird Asian News, I stumbled across this article on Cannibal Banquets.

How To: Make an edible 24 carat gold bar with gold leaf

Don't know what to get your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Why not something sweet? In this how-to, we get a step-by-step process on how to turn a regular old chocolate bar into a sparkling 24-carat bar of gold! Materials you will need include chocolate candy, gold leaf, and a paint brush. The finished project also makes for a great goody for a gift bag or perhaps a pirate-themed birthday party!

How To: Fold a napkin like a peacock (Pliage paon)

Use the following Gourmandia napkin folding secrets to impress and surprise your guests at private parties, restaurants, weddings and date dining. Learn how to fold a napkin like a peacock. Fold a napkin like a peacock (Pliage paon).

How To: Make a Coca-Cola Can Rose for Valentine's Day

This video shows a step-by-step guide for making a Valentine's Day rose out of an empty Coke can (or soda of your choice). All you need is an empty Coca-Cola can (or other soda can), a knife, and a pair of scissors.

How To: Make Gorgeous Patterned Easter Eggs Using Your Own Natural Homemade Dyes

If you grew up dying eggs for Easter, you've no doubt used or at least seen those boxed kits that turn your eggs neon colors. Admittedly, they're easy—just plop a dye tablet into some water, dunk the eggs, and wait for them to dry.

How To: Make a bow using satin ribbon

Jane from A Floral shows us how to make a bow using satin ribbon. You should first get a long length of ribbon from the spool. You should next determine how long you want the tails of the bow to be. It's okay to make them a little longer because you can cut them off if needed. Start with a loop that is crossing over the top. Take another loop and cross it over the top so you make an X. Scrunch it together as tight as you can. Flip the satin over to one side, dull side down and shiny side up. ...

How To: Gift wrap a t-shirt if you don't have a box

If you find yourself running out of boxes with piles of clothes still left to wrap, have no fear. Just watch this tutorial and follow along as you're shown how to gift wrap t-shirts with pretty wrapping paper and ornaments. You'll amaze with your pretty wrapping paper skills.

How To: Make a moving jaw for your werewolf mask

This is a visual demonstration of how to make a moving jaw for your werewolf mask. Watch Make a furry werewolf mask for some more ideas!

How To: Do the right makeup to look just like Charlie Chaplin for Halloween

Charlie Chaplin was the biggest star of his day, and his films hold up surprisingly well today. If you love the man and want to dress as him for Halloween or a costume party, watch this video to learn how to use makeup and props to transform yourself into Charlie Chaplin.

How To: Keep ants off your picnic table

Don't let ants ruin your next outdoor outing. Picnics are a wonderful way to share yummy food in the great outdoors. Ants think so too! You can keep pesky ants away with just a few simple actions.

How To: Box a tablecloth for catered events

Boxing a table doesn't mean getting into the ring, but it does require a certain degree of skill to successfully complete. Boxing the tablecloth is a great technique for any occasion or party, and every caterer should know these moves.

How To: Cut an oval style wedding veil

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to cut an oval style wedding veil. The oval cut veils are exactly like the standard cut, except the sides are straight and the corners are curved. Only begin cutting 72 inches from the bridal illusion. Do not cut the veil any less than that. The standard width is 72 inches. The oval cut veil creates a more angular/squared off look. The oval cut style is only available in 2 layer styles. This video will benefit those female viewers who are getting marr...

How To: Fold a cloth napkin into the shape of a woman's bra

In this clip, the Napkin Lady shows you how to take an ordinary cloth dinner napkin and fold it into the shape of a brassiere. This clip is quick and easy and you will have everyone at the table laughing in just a few simple steps. This bra napkin design is also great for bachelorette parties, showers and anywhere else where you need a little lighthearted napkin folding!

How To: Make a diaper wreath for a baby shower

Notthecoolmom gives a craft lesson on how to make a diaper wreath for a baby shower. To make the wreath you will need the following materials: a package of 56 size 1 diapers (preferably with a design of some kind), a Styrofoam wreath, a spool of ribbon, and rubber bands (optional). Start by laying your diapers around the wreath to get an idea of spacing. Be careful not to make your wreath too full. You don't have to use all of the diapers it depends on the size of your wreath. To put the diap...

How To: Remember what sides of the plate cutlery goes on

Rebecca Robeson shows you how to remember which side of the plate to put the fork, knife and spoon. To set a table the correct way, follow these steps: The word 'fork' has four letters, as does the word 'left'. So, the fork goes on the left. The word 'knife' has five letters, as does the word 'right'. So, the knife goes on the right. The word 'spoon' also has fiver letters, so it goes alongside the knife. Remember that the safe side of the knife, the dull side, faces out to anyone sitting nex...

How To: Craft a ribbon butterfly favor box for your wedding

Weddings are super expensive these days and can cost as much as a new car - seriously. The average wedding costs about $27,000, so you want to save money where you can, right?

How To: Create super hero cape party favors

In this tutorial, we learn how to create super hero cape party favors. First, take a plastic red table cover and remove it from the package. Next, open it up and fold it in half twice, so you end up with a rectangle. Then, take scissors and cut a large triangle shape out of the material. When finished, open up the cover and it will be in the shape of a cape! Then, cut out some "s" for Superman signs and tape it on the back of the cape. Then, tie string around the top so it can be worn and you...

How To: Make a DIY Star Wars Jedi or Sith Halloween costume

The robes of the Jedi and Sith are great bases for all sorts of Star Wars costumes. If you have some DIY flair and want to make your own Star Wars costume for Halloween or cosplay watch this video to learn how to make your own Jedi or Sith robes, depending on your character.

How To: Make a big ribbon bow

Have you run out of ideas to decorate your Christmas tree? Well, here is a fantastic video on how to make big ribbon bows. The video shows how to make bow ribbons in a single color and in a double color. It is quite interesting to see a strip of ribbon change into a wonderful bow. This can be used to decorate homes for Christmas, birthday party or any festive function. Attach one onto a gift packet and see the reaction on the faces of the recipient. This sure is one easy and simple idea to tr...

How To: Stuff balloons inside of balloons for party decor

An interesting party decor idea is to place balloons inside other balloons. This can be accomplished easily by first inflating a large balloon. Using a small stick, push a second, smaller balloon inside the larger one and then inflate the smaller balloon while it is inside the larger one. You can then tie up the second balloon, leaving the smaller one inside the large balloon. This can be repeated with multiple small balloons, so your balloons will have a unique and interesting look. This tut...

How To: Decorate a wedding with Threadbanger

In honor of DIY Wedding month, Meg shows us some awesome wedding lighting solutions and nice personal touches to make your day extra special. This how-to decorating video will show you ways to plan a beautiful, personalized wedding.

How To: Body Paint SpongeBob SquarePants

Body painting is a fun and exciting way to explore your artistic abilities. Learn to paint SpongeBob SquarePants from a body painting expert in this free video series.

How To: Make a balloon arch decoration drop for a party

Have a balloon arch for your next party. It doesn't cost that much when you make it yourself. This how to video shows you how to make a balloon arch for an event decoration. The event could be a wedding, a birthday party or any holiday gathering.

How To: Play a kids party game "all tied up"

Planning a party for kids? Does your child have an event coming up? Here is a helpful how-to video on the game "all tied up".

How To: Give Your Easter Eggs a Different Spin This Year with These Twisted Spider-Bunny Eggs

When it comes to Easter, I usually dig plastic eggs with money or chocolate inside but hard-boiled eggs shouldn't be missing from the party. And simple hard-boiled eggs won't do. You need to decorate them because we all know bunny eggs are extravagant. What's even better than bunny eggs, though? Spider-bunny eggs.

How To: Dress up your poinsettia with golden fabric wrap

Chances are you will have a poinsettia plant in your house before the end of the holiday season, whether it's due to them being on sale at the local grocery store or you receiving them as a hostess gift.

How To: Decorate your table top like an interior designer for the holidays

With Christmas coming up in a little more than a week, it's prime time to start thinking about how you'll be adorning your holiday table. While we know you're probably focused on getting together the perfect menu, what good is sumptuous turkey and beautiful sugar cookies if they're arranged messily on the table?

How To: Create custom Yoshi loot bags

In this video, we learn how to create custom Yoshi loot bags. First, take some lime green paper bags and cut the top of them so they resemble the shape of Yoshi's eyes. After this, print out lots of Yoshi's eyes on a white piece of paper. Cut out the eyes from the paper and then put glue on the back of them. After this, glue the eyes onto the paper where they belong. When finished, let this dry and you will have a cute Yoshi bag to put little treats in! You can follow the template as well if ...

How To: Customize a pinata buster stick

In this tutorial, we learn how to customize a pi–ata buster stick. First, choose a couple streamer colors that match the theme of your party. Next, roll the streamer around the stick, covering the entire stick. Tape down the end on both sides so the streamers stay on. Next, wrap a different color streamer around the stick and tape that down as well. You can also add on ribbon around the stick to make it more decorative. When finished, make sure everything is taped down at the end and you will...

How To: Identify different types of dinner glassware

Don't know much about the dinner table? You know the basics: you eat from a plate, you use silverware to shovel it in and you drink from glassware. But what about if you're at a fancy dinner? Would you be able to distinguish a juice cup from a champagne glass? A white wine glass from a martini glass? If not, these two videos will show you which ones are which.

How To: Chill drinks quickly at a party using ice and salt

In the midst of all your party planning it's easy to forget the little things, such as purchasing napkins for your guests or even remembering to cool your sodas and tonic waters before the event starts.

How To: Gift Wrap Using Recycled Materials with Threadbanger

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to gift wrap using recycled material. The materials need for this project are: a potato, large paper bag, tape, ribbon and paint. Begin by cutting the potato in half and draw a simple shape onto the sliced surface of the potato. Then cut out the negative part of the shape with a knife. Now open the bottom of the paper bag and cut down the side so that it lays flat. Then brush some paint onto the potato stamp and press it down along the paper to form a...

How To: Fold a cloth napkin into a flower

In this Hosting & Entertaining video tutorial you will learn how to fold a cloth napkin into a flower. First fold the napkin in half. Then lift one corner and fold it back up to the center fold line and do the same for the other corner also. Now fold the center point back up to the center fold line. Flip the napkin over and repeat these steps. Then open up the center fold and fold the protruding triangles back up to the center point of the napkin. You now have a square folded napkin. . Now fo...

How To: Make Custom Boxes from Cardboard for the Holidays

In this video tutorial, learn how to make a cardboard house with leftover cardboard that you may have sitting around from the holidays. You will need cardboard and plastic box rivets.

How To: Make a toilet paper wedding dress

The video gives tips to participate in a toilet paper wedding dress making contest. It gives the participant tips on how to make a winner's dress. Contestants are asked to begin with some inspiration by looking at previous winner's dresses, going through real dresses or by using their own imagination. Their next step is to gather the required materials. Participants must take good photos of their dresses in multiple angles and they can even shoot a video of their dress making. Some points on ...

How To: Place a table setting

Follow these simple steps and learn the fundamentals of setting a perfect table for your next dinner party. This video is an easy guide to setting a formal table. Your forks always go on the left side, the salad fork on the outside, the dinner fork closest to the plate. Remember to always work from the outside to the inside. Your knife goes on the right hand side, with the blade pointing inward towards the plate. if you are serving soup, your spoon goes directly next to your knife. Your desse...