Hot Hosting & Entertaining How-Tos

How To: Make the head table centerpiece

The Flowergod designs a head table centerpiece for a wedding in a low flat container. The design incudes hot pink roses, gladiolus foliage, white calla lilies, pearl corsage pins, ivy leaves, rose petals, and colored marbles. Make the head table centerpiece.

How To: Make flaunt cards

Crafter Shannon Barnes shares her technique for making flaunt cards, adorable greeting cards that can be used for any occasion. You will need mulberry paper blank folded cards, templates (you can get from the article part of the video), glue stick, 3-D fabric paint, pen or marker. Make flaunt cards.

How To: Make a pumpkin flower vase

Emily and Martha carve a pumpkin flower vase. Pumpkins wear many hats this time of year, appearing in pies and soups as well as in centerpieces. Here's another use: Transform one into a colorful homemade vase. Make a pumpkin flower vase.

How To: Make a simple gingerbread house

Martha shows Carson Kressley of Queer Eye how to make a gingerbread house. Warm, spicy gingerbread and sweet, sturdy royal icing serve as the brick and mortar for this classic holiday decoration. Gingerbread houses are actually quite easy to construct, especially if the gingerbread pieces are baked ahead of time. Once the gingerbread is done, gather all the materials needed to construct a finished home and place them in a decorative box. Template is on article part of video. Make a simple gin...

How To: Make a pom-pom bunny

Jennifer Murphy shares her technique for making pom-pom bunnies. Materials needed are yarn, waxed thread scissors, feltfelt glue (such as Beacon's), hemostat, tiny black beads, pink embroidery floss, needle, heavy thread, chenille stem, paper cupcake liners

How To: Plan a kids bandana party

Martha Stewart shares some great ideas for throwing a kids' bandanna-theme birthday party. If you're planning a child's celebration, creating a theme from scratch can be as simple as selecting fun paper and rubber stamps. Here, Martha used bandanna and dot patterns to create a festive and fun celebration that's perfect for children of all ages. Plan a kids bandana party.

How To: Make blood splatter effects

Want to do something cool for Halloween or your next horror flick? Learn how to make fake blood splatter just like the professionals. Here is a cheap and easy way to make gun shots look real. Make blood splatter effects.

How To: Make homemade christmas gift from rose petal soap

Here is an idea for a nice smelling homemade christmas gift. This video will show you how to make rose petal soap in a matter of minutes. Remember you can use items other than rose petals! Supplies needed: fake roses, alligator clips, scissors, tall glass, fragrances, glycerin melt and pour soap. Make homemade christmas gift from rose petal soap.

How To: Make a wedding bouquet

Trish Horrington shows how to make a wedding bouquet. Trish covers which roses, tools and tips are needed to accomplish the bouquet. Cutting the lengths of the stems as well as breaking off the ivy are covered in this fabulous instructional video. Make a wedding bouquet.

How To: Make a kaleidoscope ornament

This is a tutorial showing how to make a Kaleidoscope ornament. Using the computer to change any photo, along with a little cutting, glitter and assembling you have a beautiful ornament. Make a kaleidoscope ornament.

How To: Make a metal monogram

This video shows how to make a metal monogram. Using monograms to dress up an album to make the perfect holiday gift. The technique is simple. The finished piece is truly a piece of art. Make a metal monogram.

How To: Create basket liner

Kirsten designs a pattern and using designed templates and cloth to sew together a holiday cheer and great style for hanging over a basket on Easter. In this project stabilizing a hooping is essential. Create basket liner.

How To: Set up a formal dinner place setting

Ever wonder which side of the plate to put a fork? This video will show you piece-by-piece how to create a formal place setting for two different meal sizes. This is useful if you are hosting a fancy dinner, or are just having friends over for a nice meal. Some people even enjoy having a formal setting on their dining room table all the time.

How To: Carve a pumpkin freehand or with a stencil

Carving pumpkins is a seasonal tradition in many families. Learn how to carve shapes into a pumpkin freehand or using a stencil. f you can, it's fun to pick your own pumpkin at a pumpkin patch. You can also get a fresh pumpkin at a market or farm stand. Choose a pumpkin with a bright orange color that has no bruises, soft spots, scars or mold. The stem should be attached and be dried or slightly brittle. You will need a long thin knife, an ice cream scoop, a poking tool and a saw knife. A beg...

How To: Have an original Southern food party

The owner and chef Carl Redding of Amy Ruth's restaurant shows the foods one should serve at a true Southern dinner. One dinner would be spareribs, steamed okra and candied yams. Dinner two would be catfish, macaroni and cheese and collard greens. The third dinner would be fried chicken and waffles. The dessert for all three dinners would be red velvet cake.

How To: Plan a Halloween party

In this video series, learn how to throw an adult Halloween party. Matt Cail gives you advice on everything you need to know to plan a successful party. Learn how and when to send out Halloween invitations. Also, learn about Halloween music for dancing, Halloween decorations, and Halloween games. Also, learn how to structure and manage your Halloween party. So, if you are looking for a little bit of fun during this special time of year, learn how to plan a Halloween party today!

How To: Make a zombie costume for Halloween

In this video series, learn how to make an easy homemade zombie costume. Matt Cail shows you step-by-step instruction for making this Halloween costume. Learn how to transform old shirts and pants into a zombie costume. He shows you how to cut, apply dirt, and stain blood all over your clothing.

How To: Make a giant spider web for Halloween

Now the werewolf and the vampire are no longer threats, but we have heard reports of the giant spider going on drinking binges and webbing up large buildings and even entire towns in the California wine regions as well as in Kentucky bourbon country. It even left a slurred message on our answering machine about plans to step up the devastation this October 31st. We can’t protect each of you from this sticky conclusion, but we can offer a suggestion: build your own giant spider web and you wil...

How To: Make a ghost costume

In this video series, let Matt Cail show you how to make a scary ghost costume for Halloween. Matt shows you how to drape, cut, and trim a sheet for Halloween. He even shows you some makeup tricks to achieve your inner ghost. Learn how to walk like a ghost too.

How To: Make Halloween party treats and decorations

When your children have finished trick or treating throughout the neighborhood, watch this video series and learn how to throw a children's Halloween party. Karen Weisman shows you great Halloween decoration ideas. Learn how to make a scary tree, a spider, and a spiderweb tablecloth. Learn how to make flying bats for your party. Once you have learned some decoration ideas, learn how to make tasty Halloween treats. Karen shows you how to make ghost lollipops, spiderweb cakes, and scary cupcake...

How To: Plan an indoor picnic

What happens when you want to have a picnic and it raining or cold outside? How about having an indoor picnic right in your living room or bedroom! In this video series, our expert will show you how you can turn a bad weather day, into a fun and delicious indoor picnic. You will learn about how to pack your picnic basket, how to find a good picnic location in your house, and how to set everything up. This is a great rainy day activity for children or adults, and one the whole family can enjoy!

How To: Make decorative gourd art

In this video series, our expert will demonstrate how to make gourd art. She will give instructions on how to create several gourd crafts. She offer tips on how to cut into a gourd, how to clean out the inside of the gourd, and shows you how to decorate gourds through several methods. You'll learn how to draw, paint, and scorch your own unique designs into gourds. Gourds add to the harvest time theme in the Fall.

How To: Make Halloween centerpieces

In this video series, our expert will demonstrate how to make Halloween centerpieces for your next Halloween party. You will get step-by-step instructions on how to make a variety of Halloween and autumn centerpieces, including a dead tree, Halloween candle holders, and a cornucopia. These are great tips for anyone planning a Halloween party or fall themed get together for friends or family. So put on your Halloween costume and get the kids involved in these fun and easy Halloween crafts.

How To: Arrange bridal bouquets

Wedding flowers and floral arrangements play an important part in helping us celebrate one of the major milestones of life. In this video series, learn how to arrange bridal bouquets in several different styles, including the cascade, the pageant bouquet, the standard hand-tied bouquet and the nosegay.

How To: Organize a charity bachelor auction

In this video series, let Jenelle Taylor show you how to organize a charity bachelor auction. She will walk you through all the steps: budgeting, venue selection, and finding bachelors. She also offers tips and advice for creating the kind of atmosphere you want at a bachelor auction. It can be as formal or informal as you want it. So, go ahead. Learn about this fun and entertaining way to raise money for your favorite charity today!

How To: Fold napkins in decorative ways

Well fret not, frantic dinner party hosts! In this video series, learn how to fold napkins in a variety of fancy, fun, elegant and eclectic ways. Our expert will show you step-by-step napkin folding techniques that’ll you can learn in a few minutes. No guests have arrived yet, so with 20 minutes to spare, watch a few video clips and get some good housekeeping tips on how to liven up your place settings. Remember: it’s the details that count. A specially-folded napkin is sure to add that je ne...

How To: Make elegant gift baskets

In this video clip series our expert, Rachel Fish, will show you exactly how to put a gift basket together. She will take you through every step including choosing the basket and how to arrange its contents. She has been working in the gift basket world for many years so take her advice to heart when you design your next basket creation. Be creative, have fun and remember why you are making this basket. It's an extension of how much you care.