Hot Hosting & Entertaining How-Tos « Hosting & Entertaining

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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: Forget Flowers—Give Your Sweetheart a Bouquet of Mini Alcohol Bottles on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a day full of clichés. Roses, chocolates, and a nice dinner are always at the top of the list, and while there's nothing wrong with any of those things, how...boring. These traditions may be great for florists and the greeting card industry, but for those who want to break the mold, it takes some creative thinking.

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 a pew bow

Sandy from Afloral.com shows you how to make a pew bow with this step by step tutorial. This is a great addition to any church event such as a wedding or christening. Watch this how to video and you will be tying pew bows in no time.

How To: Throw a champagne brunch

It’s time to celebrate! What better way than with a bubbly brunch? You Will Need

How To: Make werewolf stilts

Here is a three part video series which explains the function and parts of constructed stilts, and how to turn them into werewolf stilts by adding fur and padding for your comfort! Make sure to check out the mask - Make a furry werewolf mask!

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: 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: Make a seaside inspired floral centerpiece with flowers

It doesn't have to be the middle of summer for you to craft a seaside-inspired centerpiece. Whether you live on the coast or closer to the Grand Canyon and lots of cactii than anything else, you can bring a piece of the sea home by making this craft.

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: Set up a hayride

Take a break from the city and treat your friends and family to some good old-fashioned fun. You Will Need

How To: Make a baby diaper cake step by step

This video is a tutorial on how to make a baby diaper cake. To begin, you will need to roll all your baby diapers from the waist down and secure them with rubber bands. Your top tier will have 8 diapers, the middle tier will have 19 diapers, and the bottom tier will have 40 diapers. Use rubber bands to secure all your tiers together. Next, glue thick ribbon around the tiers over your rubber bands. Follow up with decorations such as bows and extra ribbons. Use a cake stick to secure the tiers ...

How To: Apply Pinhead from HellRaiser Halloween makeup

Want to go as Pinhead from Hell Raiser for Halloween or your next themed party? This clip shows you how you can do a convincing make-up with little money and a lot of free time.

How To: Wrap a bottle

Arona Khan shows us a stylish way to gift wrap a bottle. The present might be obvious, but the presentation will give you bonus points with your loved ones. Wrap a bottle.

How To: Fold a napkin into a horn (Pliage en cornet)

This video shows you how to fold napkins into a horn. It makes a fun table setting. Fold a napkin into a horn (Pliage en cornet).

How To: Make flower arrangements for weddings

In this series of expert videos, you’ll learn about different flower arrangements and uses of flowers for your wedding. Our expert will introduce you to the variety of projects that you can incorporate into your wedding. Watch as our expert gives expert tips on choosing the right flowers and greenery for your event. Get tips on caring for flowers and bouquets before and after the wedding. Watch as our expert makes beautiful hairclips and head wreaths for your flower-girls and bridesmaids. Lea...

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: 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: Make a simple latex prosthetic werewolf nose

This video demonstrates how to make a simple latex prosthetic for a mask or face piece. This process is a lot easier than the traditional method. Great for special effects or Halloween!

How To: Make a bow using wired ribbon

Bows are so beautiful. They make a great accessory and an awesome accent to any gift. The bigger the bow, however, the more likely it is to flop and not look as beautiful as it should. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautifully large holiday bow using wired ribbon so that it doesn't wilt. Soon, your gift will be the talk of the party and no one will ever want to open it - it will be too perfect!

How To: Make a costume of the Michael Jackson "Jam" suit with the bandoleers

While the song might have come out a little past Michael's prime, the video for "Jam" featured one of his classic looks, with the bandoleers of bullets around his shoulders and waist. Watch this video to learn how to start making a DIY Halloween costume of this classic outfit.

How To: Fold napkin roll-ups with silverware inside

Folding napkins takes precision, but a simple napkin rollup is the easiest of them all. You don't need to be a professional caterer or waiter to get this method down. Watch and learn how to make a nice, snug, rolled napkin with silverware inside. It's the most common way to present silverware at restaurants.

How To: Set the buffet table at your dinner party

Clinton Kelly, the lifestyle expert, shows the right way to ‘Set your Buffet Table’ for a buffet party, in this video. He suggests that all the serving dishes and utensils are laid on the buffet table, the night before the party. This will throw some light and give ideas as to how to place the dishes on the table. You could place the plates on one side of the table, the food at the center and the napkins to the other side. You should also decide the heights of the various serving platters, co...

How To: Throw a Harlem rent party to raise money

Originating in Harlem in the 1920s, a rent party is a fun way to stave off eviction. You will need a place to party, food and drink, musical entertainment, paying guests, party flyers, a hat to collect donations, and lots of beer. Fact: The going rate for a Harlem rent party admission was usually 25 cents, plus extra for the homemade concessions sold in the kitchen or hallway.

How To: Make a lifesize Halloween zombie corpse prop

The spooky Halloween prop in this how-to video is a great addition to a haunted house or a front lawn display. Scare kids and trick-or-treaters with this surprisingly life-like for the undead looking zombie corpse. This prop may be a little time intensive, but the finished product is worth the effort. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a zombie corpse for Halloween.

How To: Set the dinner table properly with glass & silverware

A great dinner party is great because of presentation, and you know that everything has its place on the table, but where exactly does everything go? Learn about the placement of everything, from silverware to glassware.

How To: Screen print holiday snowflake gift wrap with Etsy

This week, Etsy How-Tuesday presents Kari aka ikyoto and Stella aka lookcloselypress of The {NewNew} York Team. Today we're going to learn how to screenprint our own snowflake gift wrap for the holidays. Kari and Stella remind us that recycling paper bags is a great source for materials for this kind of project.

How To: Paint white taper candles

Judy of A-BnC Parties and More, Inc. demonstrates how to jazz up your white taper candles. All you need are candles, a latex glove, and some hobby paint to turn those drab candles into something spectacular.

How To: Make a hidden blade from Assassin's Creed with a metal bearing rail

The hidden blade that Altair uses to murder his victims in Assassin's Creed is a great costume piece, and if you don't mind working with metal then you should be able to use the instructions in this video to make a really cool one.

How To: Host an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party

AMICLUBWEAR created a tutorial on how to host a tea party based on "Alice in Wonderland". The video begins with a step by step instructional on how to make tissue paper "flowers" as decorations for your tea party. The tissue papers are layered in opposite colors, after which the tissue paper is accordion folded and tied together using a pipe cleaner. Afterwards, the tissue paper is carefully extended layer bay layer and shaped into a flower. Next, there was a tutorial for making the "EAT ME" ...