The key to the perfect New Year’s celebration is to keep it sweet and simple. It’s more about celebrating the past year with those who made it special and ringing in the new with those who mean the most to you, not having the biggest block party. With a few simple decorations and just a little bit of preparation you will have a fun, sweet (and inexpensive!) New Years party that everyone will enjoy.

1. Gold, black and sparkles are your friends! Following this color scheme will make sure everything looks good together and add an elegant finish to your soiree. Curled ribbons can be hung from the ceiling, doorways, mirrors, light fixtures, anywhere! They look great and are so easy to curl. Reuse any metallic and gold holiday decorations you have. Christmas ornaments look dazzling in a bowl or tall glass vase. Place candles everywhere (but remember safety is your first concern!) for a soft, elegant glow.
2. Set up a simple and sparkly photo backdrop. Buy some sparkly streamers, gold and black balloons and create a sign that says “Happy New Year!” and t. For added fun, set up a table of silly props that people can use in their pictures such as: giant glasses, feathered boas, floppy hats, and printable photo props. You can even designate a friend as the “official photographer” and create a quick slide show of all the photos before the countdown then share as an online album.
3. Set the mood with a rockin’ playlist that everyone will agree on. Mix in some popular songs from the year with classics. A couple must haves are:
   • “Fly Me to the Moon,” Frank Sinatra
   • “Night Time is the Right Time,” Ray Charles
   • “The Best is Yet to Come,” Michael Buble
   • “It Had to Be You,” Harry Connick Jr.
   • “Golden Years,” David Bowie
   • “It Was a Very Good Year,” Frank Sinatra
   • “Tequila,” The Champs
   • “I Got You Babe,” Sonny and Cher
   • “Auld Lang Syne,” Jimi Hendrix
4. Save the champagne for the midnight toast! Have a party cocktail prepared for your guests to enjoy throughout the evening (like our Hive & Honey Sangria!) plus an assortment of wines and other beverages to imbibe before the bubbly.
5. Prepare some silly games for added laughter.
   • Have everyone write a prediction for the new year on a piece of paper and put all the predictions in a hat. Draw the predictions out one by one and have everyone guess who’s it was.
   • Have the guests each bring a crazy noisemaker. Have each guest demonstrate their noise for the group and then vote on the crowd’s favorite. The prize can be a new set
6. And remember, at the end of the night make sure everyone gets home safe. Call a car service and look up the local cab service phone number. Be safe and start the year right, offer to host a simple eggs and bacon breakfast to any guests that need to come back for vehicles or even spend the night and you will be remembered as the best party host!

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With only two weekends left this summer we wanted to celebrate the last sunny days with a fun and quick end-of-summer backyard party! Whether it’s an afternoon party with family or an evening barbecue with friends, everyone loves a great party with delicious food, refreshing drinks and good company.

• Don’t stress about the venue. Keeping it causal allows you and your guests to stay relaxed, happy and in the summer-time spirit. A few blankets on the grass, lawn games, and a couple tiki torches and you have a warm, memorable experience for everyone.
• Keep it cool with an ice cream bar. Set up a table with your favorite ice cream flavors and toppings for everyone to make their own summer sundae. Spice it up with a few bottles of root beer and orange soda for a fun float twist.
• Have fun with some giant lawn games or an outdoor movie. Water balloon toss, giant Jenga®, lawn Twister®, and corn hole are just a few fun activities to keep the laughter going. You can also easily set up a temporary “theater” with a giant white sheet and projector.
• Stay refreshed with Hive & Honey wines. Sharing sweet moments with friends and family is what summer is all about, raise a glass of Hive & Honey Riesling or Gewürztraminer to the sweetness of life!

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Make entertaining easy and stress-free with these tips

• Be sure the dishwasher is completely empty and the trash has been taken out before the party begins.
• Prep or make all food the day before if possible–prevents dishes and extra mess on the day of.
• Use what’s in season for some extra pops of color and texture when decorating. Flowers or brightly-colored fruits, vegetables and herbs add an elegant, put together and comforting feel to the room.
• Have a pitcher of filtered water with lemon slices and ice in it at the ready right before your guests arrive.
• Create a perfect cheese plate:
  

  -Something sharp
  -Something creamy
  -Something nutty
  -Something fresh
  -Something funky

• Shop at your local Farmer’s Market. It’s usually cheaper and everything there will be in season.
• Invest in good-quality white dinnerware. It matches everything.
• If eating outside don’t fight the wind. Forego the table cloth and try some earth-toned place mats instead.
• Showcase the menu. It will make guests more interactive and spur conversation. Plus this is an ideal photo op for those who want to remember that delicious dish you made.
• Candles are so much more than lighting. They add a touch of elegance, softness and warmth to any gathering.
• Overhead lights are great for reading, but lamps, candles and even market string lights bring your atmosphere game to the next level.
• Be sure your music complements the tone of your dinner party and your guests. If you’re hosting a game night, pick something that’s lively and fun, whereas if you’re hosting an intimate dinner party, keep the music to soft jazz and acoustic Spanish guitar.

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