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How to Host a Pizza Party

5/2/2022

 
Learn how to host a pizza party for your next celebration! Whether it’s a birthday or family gathering, or a commendation for a team win, these pizza party ideas are an easy way to make sure your event is a success.
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Hosting a Pizza Party

You don’t have to wait for National pizza party day to host a pizza party. (Or course, this holiday, which falls on the third Friday in May, is another great excuse to dig in!) Host a party or pizza night anytime with our easy tips and ideas for the menu, invitations, and more!
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Reasons to Have a Pizza Party

Anytime is a great time to host a pizza party! Here are some of the top reasons to host a pizza party for your next shindig.

  • Everyone loves pizza! This delectable meal choice is a huge hit with every generation — from children to adults. It also requires very little effort. (Unless, of course, you’re making pizzas from scratch at home.)
  • Pizza parties are budget friendly. As a food option, pizza is a lot less expensive than most other party food alternatives, especially when feeding large groups of people. Therefore, if your expenses are limited, you can still have blast without breaking the bank.
  • There are so many different varieties of pizza from flatbreads and veggie to gluten free and vegan. Therefore, pizza makes it simple to accommodate a wide range of food allergies or dietary requests.
  • Pizza is portable. So, it’s easy to have a party at home or on the go! Throw a party at a local park, a destination location, or anywhere you can dream up.
  • Pizza parties are about as low maintenance as you can get! It’s easy to serve and it doesn’t require a planned set up. Just grab some paper plates and your favorite pizza slicer to feed a crowd.
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What Do I Need for a Pizza Party?

Unlike dinner parties, serving pizza requires less planning and fewer utensils to pull off. You can make it as minimal or as extravagant as you like. To throw a basic pizza party, here are the things you will need:

  • Pizza Slicer: Pizza slicers are a must to divide your pizza into individual servings. We love using personalized pizza cutters to make a statement. Some great options include the stainless-steel pizza cutter and serving tongs or pizza serving set from LifeLong Gifts. Or, for large groups or promotional parties, be sure to check out the pizza cutter wheels from Magnets USA ® to make serving food simple, yet effective.
  • Plates: Nothing fancy is needed here. Leave the dinner plates in your cabinet and opt for paper plates to keep cleanup quick and easy.
  • Napkins: Pizza can be messy, especially when kids are involved. Therefore, you’ll want to have plenty of paper towels or napkins on hand.
  • Decorations: While not a necessity, party decorations are a fun way to liven up your celebration! You can make them pizza-themed, decorate as you normally would for a birthday party or tailgate, or deck out your party space with simple streamers and balloons.
  • Drinks: Eating is bound to make your guests thirsty! Be sure to provide age-appropriate drinks at your party to help wash the pizza down.
  • Pizza Party Invitations: While email invitations and social media invites are a popular way to plan a pizza party, sending out traditional paper invitations can make the event feel extra special.  Or send out a personalized thank you card to attendees once the party is over.
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How Much Pizza Do I Need for a Party?

The amount of pizza you need to host a pizza party depends on the number of guests that will be attending. The great thing about pizza, however, is that it makes great leftovers. Therefore, you can safely order more than you need to accommodate unexpected guests or big eaters.
 
There are several factors that go into calculating the correct amount of food to feed a crowd. These include the appetite of the attendees — children and adults tend to eat varying amounts of food — as well as the size of the pizzas you order.
 
A large 16” pizza pie is typically cut into 8 slices. Children generally eat two slices on average, while adults eat three. Using this math, you’d want to order three pizzas for every eight adults. For kids, you’d need one pizza for every four children.
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Pizza Party Menu Ideas

The only party food you really need to host a pizza party are those pies! Therefore, you want to be sure to include vegetarian or gluten free options for guests with dietary restrictions. These mini eggplant margherita pizzas are a great option that works for both.
 
However, in addition to pizza, there are other menu items you can add to the event. After all, most people delight in digging into those side dishes as well!
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What are Good Apps for a Pizza Party?

Here are some other exciting menu ideas for sides and appetizers for the next pizza party you host:

  • Chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers and breadsticks are ideal for a game day or tailgate party. Add chips and jalapeño ranch dip to the mix and you’re set!
  • Authentic Mexican guacamole with chips and frozen mango margaritas are perfect for summer entertaining. (Try this mango and pineapple mocktail recipe for the kids!)
  • Patriotic marshmallow pops and a watermelon jicama salad are great for a Memorial Day or Fourth of July pizza party celebration.
  • Popsicles and ice cream make a delicious dessert for summer birthday parties once the pizza is gone.
  • Create an upscale adult pizza party with gourmet pizzas served with an antipasto platter, or bruschetta bar, and wine.
  • Summer garden salads, like a roasted tomato caprese salad or a simple beet and spinach salad, and pasta salads, such as this cheese tortellini pasta salad, are wonderful additions for hot days or summer pool parties.
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Pizza Party Decorations and Ideas

How you decorate for a pizza party depends largely upon the type of party you are hosting as well as your guest list. However, following we’ve provided some examples of popular pizza party themes along with their associated decorating ideas.
 
  • To host a classic pizza party, decorate your space with a red and white checked gingham tablecloth, parmesan shakers, and other elements that inspire classic pizzeria vibes.
  • If you’re celebrating the end of a season for a sports team, decorate the pizza party with paper garland, cups, napkins, and plates that represent the sport played.
  • For a birthday party, you can decorate your pizza party with traditional birthday party décor. This includes streamers and balloons, and colorful cups, plates, and napkins.
  • To host a football or Super Bowl pizza party, consider an inflatable field goal post cooler, football-shaped balloons, a turf table runner or tablecloth, football food picks, and helmet shaped banners.
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Don’t forget to thank your guests for being a pizza the party once your event is over. These promotional pizza slicers make wonderful party favors to commemorate the celebration.
 
Need an effective way to connect with clients, build relationships and convert leads? Personalize one of our patented pizza wheels today! Shop our line of branded promotional products now at Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™. You can also subscribe to the Magnets USA® newsletter to stay up to date on current specials and promotions. Or  follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

Knife Care and Maintenance: How to Properly Care for Knives

1/7/2022

 
With regular maintenance, it’s easy to take care of your knives. Discover our top tips for knife care along with a handy guide for sharpening and honing your blades for the best performance. ​
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How to Take Care of a Knife

The quality collections of kitchen knives from LifeLong Gifts™ are carefully crafted from high-carbon German steel to last a lifetime. Superior to stainless steel in that they hold a sharper edge and resist deformation, the blades of carbon steel knives do require regular care and maintenance for the best performance.  

Learn how to care for a knife the right way with these kitchen knife care tips. Plus, discover how to sharpen and hone your kitchen cutlery to keep the blades sharp and in premium condition. 
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Kitchen Knife Care Tips

Regardless of what type of kitchen knives you own, basic knife care and maintenance is paramount to extending their life and keeping the blades sharper longer. 

Following are our top knife care tips to keep your blades in optimal shape. Whether you own Damascus kitchen knives, Chef’s knives, Santoku knives, an Ulu knife, or simply an everyday set of kitchen knives, these valuable pointers will ensure you always make the perfect cut! 

  • Avoid using your knives on metal or concrete surfaces. 
  • Wash your blades by hand with gentle dish soap and a cloth or sponge immediately after use. Never put your fine cutlery in the dishwasher to clean. 
  • Dry your knives thoroughly after cleaning to prevent rust. 
  • Oil the blades regularly as carbon steel rusts easily if left in water. 
  • Store knives properly in a knife block, magnetic knife block, roll bag or sheath. This prevents them from rubbing against other materials and dulling the blades. Proper storage also prevents accidents and ensures kitchen safety. 
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  • Use wooden cutting boards, rather than glass or ceramic, to maintain the blade edge longer. If a wood cutting board isn’t available to you, then a plastic cutting board is the next best thing. 
  • Regularly sharpen your knives. We recommend a good ceramic electric knife sharpener for effortless results. 
  • Hone your blades with a honing steel to keep the edge straight. 
  • Use your kitchen cutlery correctly. Take care not to scrape the edge across your workspace. 

How to Keep Knives Sharp

A sharp knife is a safe knife. In addition to the knife care tips previously mentioned, you can also keep your knives in tip-top shape with regular honing and sharpening. 
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How to Hone a Kitchen Knife

You may recall having seen professional chefs using a honing steel. This rod is made of either steel, diamond-coated steel or ceramic. Unlike a knife sharpener, a honing steel won’t sharpen the knife blade. As no steel is removed from the edge when it is used. Despite this, honing does play an important role in regular knife maintenance and care.

So, what does honing do? And why is it associated with knife sharpening? 

With regular use, the edge of your knife blade will start to bend. A honing steel straightens the edge back to the correct angle for proper alignment. 

To hone a knife blade, place it against the base of the honing rod. Then place the blade along the steel at a 20°-22° angle. Slide it diagonally away from yourself while holding the honing rod in a fixed position. This action is then completed between 5 and ten times per side of the knife blade. 
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Using a honing steel correctly, however, does require some level of both skill and practice. For this reason, LifeLong Gifts™ offers an everyday sharpener for your kitchen knives. This tool hones the blade of your carbon steel cutlery. It also sharpens the blade at the same time, by removing a very small amount of steel to account for small nicks. 
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How to Sharpen Kitchen Knives

The everyday knife sharpener makes it a breeze for even beginners to sharpen a knife. This fool-proof method eliminates the need to hold the blade at a precise angle. It also takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out the proper way to use a whetstone. 

To sharpen a knife with a handheld knife sharpener, follow these easy steps: 
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  1. Wet the knife. You should apply a sharpening fluid, such as water or a light honing oil, for smoother sharpening and to assist with heat dissipation from the friction. As you aren’t using a whetstone to sharpen the blade, you can simply rinse your kitchen or carbon steel knives under water. 
  2. Run the sharpener under water. Like the knife’s blade, you also want to apply a fluid to the ceramic wheels of the sharpener for best results. 
  3. Sharpen the knife. To sharpen the knife, insert the blade edge into the opening on the handheld knife sharpener. Then use light pressure to pull the blade back and forth slowly, but steadily through the sharpener the entire length of the blade. (Each pull should take about 5 seconds.) Repeat up to five times. 
  4. Rinse and dry. Once your blade has been sharpened, you should then rinse the blade and pat dry with clean paper towels. 
  5. Oil the blade. Oiling the blade will help to prevent rust and corrosion. Therefore, this step is recommended for proper knife care and maintenance. 
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Knife Care and Maintenance FAQ

Have additional questions on how to properly take care of a knife? We’ve got you covered! Following are answers to common questions on knife care and maintenance.  

Why Won’t My Knives Stay Sharp?

There are several reasons that your knives won’t stay sharp. The angle you use when making cuts as well as the surface material you are cutting on both determine how quickly knives may dull. 
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When sharpening knives on a whetstone, it’s important to sharpen them at the proper angle. Otherwise, your kitchen cutlery may take longer to sharpen. There's also the potential to dull the blade. If the angle is too high, it will take longer to sharpen the blades. Additionally, if you rock the blade during sharpening, you’ll end up with a dull rounded edge. 

Likewise, not using a cutting board, or using the wrong type of cutting board, can also dull the blade faster. We recommend using a wood cutting board, like these cherry cutting boards, to extend the life of the blade between sharpening. 
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Further, the materials in which the blades are made also impact how quickly it dulls. Stainless-steel knives, for example, dull faster than carbon steel knives which are made from a harder material than stainless. 

In general, knives forged from harder materials hold an edge longer. Therefore, if you find you are having to sharpen your stainless-steel knives more often than you like, consider upgrading to a higher quality set of carbon steel kitchen knives. 

Will a Dishwasher Dull Knives?

The harsh detergents, water and extreme temperatures of a dishwasher will not only damage the handle of your knives, but they can also dull and warp the blade. We therefore recommend that you always hand wash your kitchen knives. 

Do Knives Dull in Water?

Leaving your knives soaking in water is never a good idea. Not only is it dangerous to leave a knife in a sink, but the water also has the potential to damage the blade. Not only is there an increased possibility of the blade rusting, but it will almost always cause the handle to degrade. In addition, most stainless-steel blades result in microscopic loss of metal when left to soak. 
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Leaving a knife in water may cause the blade to dull more quickly. However, it can also cause more serious damage — and safety issues — that you want to avoid.  
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Should I Oil Kitchen Knives?

It’s a good idea to oil your carbon steel kitchen knives a few times a year to help prevent rust and corrosion. Oiling knives can also help to condition the metal and keep the blade sharp depending on the type of oil used. 

How Often Should You Oil A Knife?

To properly maintain an expensive kitchen knife, it’s recommended that you oil carbon steel knives after each use. Stainless steel knives, on the other hand, can be oiled once or twice weekly. 

What Oil Do You Use for Knives?

There are several types of oil you can use on your kitchen knives. We recommend that you use synthetic oil as it lubricates the blade, resists dust and won’t go rancid like natural oils, such as olive oil. Food grade knife oil is non-toxic, odorless, and flavorless, making it the best option. You can also use food grade mineral oil. 
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If you prefer to use a natural oil, then we suggest using camellia seed oil. This natural oil is similar in composition to fractionated coconut oil. It is odorless and flavorless and has a lengthy shelf-life. However, unlike other natural oils, it won’t make the blades feel greasy or go rancid. Nor will it leave behind a sticky residue.
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Are Dull Kitchen Knives More Dangerous?

Using dull knives can be more dangerous than using a sharp knife. While you can get cut with a sharp blade, these wounds are generally not as deep or as serious as those caused by a dull knife. The reason being is that you need to use more force than usual when making cuts. Therefore, should the knife slip, the resulting injury is more severe due to the additional pressure that was used. 

Can You Clean a Knife with Rubbing Alcohol?

As most steel is non-porous, it’s not necessary to sterilize a knife after use. Typically, rinsing and drying a knife before food has a chance to stick is sufficient. However, you can use 70% isopropyl (or rubbing) alcohol to clean and sterilize the blade if desired.
  
To clean a knife with rubbing alcohol, just wipe the blade with alcohol, then put it away. There’s no need to rinse or dry the blade afterwards. 
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However, it is important to note that alcohol is a solvent. As such, it will remove any oils from the surface of the steel blade. Therefore, you may want to oil your blade after sterilizing to help prevent corrosion. 
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Why Do High Carbon Steel Knives Discolor? 

The blades of carbon steel knives tend to tarnish and develop a blue-gray or purplish patina over time. This happens when the blade is exposed to either air or acids. This type of oxidization is common and no cause for concern. While rust will damage your blades, patina does not. It can also aid in the prevention of damaging rust. 
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Foods that promote discoloration include fatty fish and meat, fruits and acidic or alkaline vegetables. 

How Do You Remove Oxidation from a Knife?

Sometimes, despite all precautions and proper knife care, high carbon steel knives do rust. If your blades develop rust or tarnish, there are several methods you can employ to remove oxidation from your knives.  

Here is how to remove oxidation from a knife: 

  • White vinegar: This is a common method for removal as the acetic acid found in white vinegar reacts with iron oxide and separates it from the metal. To remove oxidation from a knife with vinegar, soak the blade in the solution for up to 5-minutes. Then rinse with water and dry. If there’s any discoloration left behind, you can then use baking soda to remove it.  
  • Turpentine: Turpentine is another alternative that works similarly to vinegar. Wipe the blade down with a sponge soaked in the solvent to remove rust or white spots. Then rinse and dry. 
  • Baking soda: Sodium bicarbonate is perfect for light staining or rust spots. Simply apply a thick paste comprised of baking soda and water to a freshly cleaned blade. Allow to set for an hour. Then use a toothbrush or steel wool to lightly scrub away any rust. Rinse clean with water, then dry with a paper towel or soft cloth. 
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  • Potatoes: The oxalic acid content found in potatoes also make them a cleaning powerhouse. To remove oxidation from a knife using a potato, you only need to place the blade into a large potato. After it sits for several hours, remove from the potato. Then wipe the blade with an approved knife oil.  
  • Onions: Onions are another natural option for cleaning your knives with food! The sulfenic acid found in onions that makes you cry, is also ironically miraculous at cleaning. To effortlessly remove oxidation or rust from a knife, you only need to slide the blade back and forth through the onion when cutting. 
  • Lemon and salt: Just as you use a combination of lemon and salt to sanitize wood cutting boards and remove stains, this combination also works on your stainless or carbon steel kitchen knives. First, coat the rusted areas of the blade with salt. Follow with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice, then allow to rest for two hours. After time is up, scrub the affected areas with the rind from the lemon. You can also use steel wool or a wire brush as a an alternate. Then rinse and dry. For black spots on your carbon steel knives, soak the blades in a 1:5 ratio of lemon juice to water for several seconds, before cleaning. 
  • Cork and powder cleanser: Polishing your kitchen cutlery with a cork is a great way to remove rust and even older stains. First, run the knife blade under water. Then place it flat onto a cutting board. Coat the blade with a powder cleanser, paying extra attention to rusted or discolored areas. Next, dip a wine cork into water. (Another variation of this is to dip the cork first into water, and then into wood ashes from your fireplace.) Then use it to polish the blade, while holding the knife stationary. Once the oxidation has been removed, rinse and dry. Then follow with an oil designed specifically for knives. 
  • Burnisher: A burnishing steel is ideal for tarnish or patina that may develop on high carbon steel knives. Mechanical burnishing will restore the original shine to tarnished knives with a yellow, blue or gray tint. 

Regardless of what method you choose to remove oxidation from a knife, we do recommend that you apply a lubricant to the blade afterwards. Oiling your knife is an important step in knife care and maintenance to help prevent future or further rusting. ​
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Where to Buy Custom Kitchen Knives

We hope these knife care tips instruct you on the proper use and care of a kitchen knife. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a new kitchen knife set, or if you need personal or corporate gift ideas, be sure to check out the line of custom kitchen knives from LifeLong Gifts™. 
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Just as the name implies, LifeLong Gifts™ offers superior-quality, heirloom-worthy products designed to last a lifetime. Fall in love with our engraved kitchen cutlery, custom cutting boards, wood wine gift boxes and more! Shop this unique line of luxury gifts today. Or sign up to receive the latest deals and promotions. 

How to Host a Holiday Party with Creative Ideas for Holiday Party Food

10/29/2021

 
Learn how to host a successful holiday party with these easy tips. Plus discover fun food ideas and party favors to make your festive event one to remember!
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How to Host a Holiday Party

There’s a lot of work that goes into hosting a holiday party. While the food and decorations are obvious, there are a lot of preparations that need to be made ahead of time.
 
Following is an easy guide to hosting a successful party for the holiday season.

Select a Date

The holiday season is incredibly busy for most folks. Therefore, you want to carefully choose the date to host your holiday party. Plan early so you have time to check with attendees and make sure they haven’t already made other arrangement for the date you have in mind.

Mail Out Invites

Rather than an impersonal text message, email, or a Facebook event, send out personal invites via snail mail. Minute Mail Gifts makes it easy to send handwritten cards. Choose a festive holiday card for your invites, then create a template so it’s quick and easy to send a card to each of your guests. You can even include a small gift with your card to help build on the excitement leading up to the day. Your cards and gifts are then mailed out within one business day.
 
When sending invites through the mail, we recommend you mail them so that they arrive at three weeks prior to the event, but no less than two weeks before. As people quickly make plans during this time of year, earlier is always better, and up to six weeks prior to the event is acceptable.
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Pick a Party Theme

If you aren’t sure what to serve when you host a holiday party, pick a festive theme! This can help you narrow down ideas for both food and decorations. It can also add excitement to the event. Your theme can be something as simple as a color choices or food highlights.
 
If you are planning more of a celebration than a dinner party, choose a theme that encourages guests to participate. Host a tree trimming party, have an ugly sweater contest or throw a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Enlist Help

Hosting a holiday party can be a huge undertaking. However, it doesn’t have to be daunting. We recommend that you ask for help if it all seems like a bit too much for one person to tackle. Enlist friends or family members to help with the planning. Or assign holiday sides or desserts they can bring to free up time you would otherwise spend in the kitchen.

Use What You Have on Hand

We tend to spend a lot of money throughout the holiday season, whether it’s on home décor or gifts. You can save money when hosting a holiday party by repurposing existing Christmas decorations into your party décor rather than buying new ones.
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Don’t Skimp on Food

People love holiday parties. What they love most about these parties, however, is generally the food. Therefore, it’s always a good rule of thumb to overestimate the amount of food you’ll need to provide. It’s always better to have leftovers then to run out of food or drink mid-party.
 
If you’re concerned about having too many leftovers in the fridge after the celebration, then invest in inexpensive storage containers or take-out boxes. Then send guests home with the extras.
 
Not sure what to serve at your Christmas party? We offer some holiday ideas for party food below.
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Set Up Food Stations

If you aren’t hosting a sit-down dinner, then we recommend you set up food and drink stations throughout the area. This not only encourages guests to move around and mingle, but it also keeps them from hovering in the kitchen.
 
Set up a designated area for appetizers or grazing platters as well as a separate dessert table. You can also create a hot chocolate bar for the kids. And, to save yourself from serving drinks all night, make the bar self-service with pre-made pitcher cocktails and a nice selection of wine.
 
After all, a good host doesn’t spend the entire evening hiding out in the kitchen! Self-serve food and drink stations make it easy for you to mingle and introduce guests to one another without feeling overwhelmed.
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Create a Holiday Party Playlist

While the hope is that guests will interact and talk amongst themselves, it’s always nice to at least have festive music playing in the background. If you don’t subscribe to a commercial-free music service with holiday channels, create your own playlist for the party. Or drag out your old records and give the classic Christmas songs a spin.

Provide Games

If your party isn’t a formal event, providing games is a fun way to break up the monotony if conversation dwindles. Provide card or board games by coffee tables for interested parties. Or create a craft station to keep people busy decorating ornaments, icing cookies, or making handmade Christmas greeting cards.
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Set Up a Photo Booth

While not a necessity, setting up a photo booth with props is always a hit. People love sharing their memories on social media. So, something as simple as providing a designated photo space with selfie props makes a nice addition to any holiday event.
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Holiday Party Food Ideas

Now that you know how to plan and host your upcoming holiday party, you may be looking for party food ideas. Here are some of our top ideas for holiday food that you can serve at your next holiday or Christmas party.

  • We all know that kids can be picky eaters. Cater to their tastes with pizza in the shape of a Christmas tree. Or make this Christmas tree pull-apart bread.
  • Desserts can sometimes be overwhelming. With all the food you have to cook, sometimes it’s just easier to skip the homemade pumpkin pie from scratch. Make something simple to satisfy your sweet tooth instead, like these make-ahead eggnog cinnamon rolls.
  • If baking is your forte, then go all on dessert with a beautiful yule log cake.
  • Who says you must serve dinner? Have a breakfast themed Christmas party instead and celebrate with holiday themed gingerbread pancakes.
  • Not everyone drinks cocktails during the holiday season. That, however, doesn’t mean the drinks you serve at your holiday party need to be boring. Check out these nonalcoholic Christmas drinks guaranteed to delight all your guests.
  • If you need an easy main course, this Instant Pot cranberry pork tenderloin from Sugar Spices Life is great choice! (You can also find this holiday recipe featured in our 2022 recipe tear-off calendars.)
  • Rosemary is the perfect herb for the season. Put it to use with a delicious rosemary & peppercorn beef tenderloin roast.
  • A holiday cheese board is perfect for grazing. If you don’t plan to serve a full dinner, this option is highly recommended. Learn how to create the perfect charcuterie with these holiday charcuterie board ideas.
  • If you’re looking for creative ways to serve cheese as an appetizer and a grazing board is out, then give this pomegranate & pistachio brie a try. Or give the standard cheese ball a holiday upgrade with this Christmas tree -shaped cheese ball appetizer.
  • Much of holiday food tends to be heavy. Therefore, we recommend you serve a healthy side dish like this winter salad with candied walnuts and balsamic fig dressing.
  • Mulling spices are huge during the holidays. Why not make slow cooker mulled wine to serve guests? Or mix things up with a tasty pomegranate cider recipe.
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Holiday Themed Party Food

While having a theme for your holiday party isn’t a necessity, it can make your seasonal celebrations more exciting! By including holiday themed party food, such as a Christmas charcuterie board or a hot chocolate bar, you can make your festivities even more memorable.
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Homemade Holiday Party Favors

If you don’t plan to spend a lot of on gifts this holiday season, send your guests home with party favors instead. Homemade Christmas food gifts make the perfect for party favors for large groups of friends, family, and neighbors. Not only are they a thoughtful gesture, but they’re also an affordable option if you’re on a budget.
 
Following are our favorite choices for food gifts you can give your guests to take home:

  • Chocolate dipped spoons
  • Hot chocolate bombs
  • Bourbon balls
  • White chocolate covered pretzels
  • Vanilla chai tea mix
  • Snowball cookies
  • Christmas chocolate bark
  • Cocktail bitters
  • Candied pecans
  • Hot chocolate ornaments
  • Holiday fudge
  • Homemade biscotti
  • Pumpkin pie spice mix
  • Cocktail syrups
  • Pumpkin cheesecake brownies
  • Gingerbread cookies
  • Nut brittle
  • Lemon almond cookies
  • Pumpkin butter
  • Dulce de Leche
  • Chocolate cake in a jar
  • Mason jar gifts
  • Chocolate covered marshmallow reindeer
  • Christmas tree Rice Krispie treats
 
These homemade food gifts are also great if you’re putting together a holiday gift basket with personalized kitchen gifts!
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We hope this collection of ideas help you host the perfect holiday party. For more hosting help, be sure to check out helpful Thanksgiving tips and tricks for holiday dinner along with these Thanksgiving safety tips.
 
Also be sure to check our Christmas shopping tips to help you plan and prepare for gift giving this holiday season.
 
For even more great holiday ideas, follow us on Facebook or Instagram!

Helpful Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Holiday Dinner

10/22/2021

 
Learn how to make your Thanksgiving easier with these helpful tips for Thanksgiving. We’ve pulled together an epic collection of tips and tricks for hosting your holiday dinner. Discover our top recommendations for preparing, cooking, and carving your Thanksgiving Day turkey! And don’t forget to download and print our free Thanksgiving shopping list.
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Hosting Tips for Thanksgiving Dinner

Preparation is the key to being a wonderful host. With advanced planning, you’re able to avoid mishaps and undue stress. So rather than feeling frazzled, you’re sure to be this year’s hostess with the mostess.

Put together a game plan.

Start with a game plan. If you’re hosting dinner, then menu preparation is a must. Create a tentative menu of what you’d like to serve. If your guests will also be bringing a dish, you can then make suggestions as to what to bring and mark off any excess from your own menu.
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Prepare a guest list.

Write out your guest list and get a headcount early. This will help you to prepare your shopping list, so you know how much food to buy. While leftovers are common, you don’t want to buy more food than you and your guests can handle leftover in the fridge.

Double check for dietary restrictions.

When planning Thanksgiving dinner, be sure to check with guests to see if they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. This way, you can ensure there’s something that everyone can enjoy.
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Make two shopping trips.

Make two shopping lists for the holiday to make sure you don’t forget anything or have to make unnecessary trips. We advise making two trips to the grocery store when stocking up on staples and recipe ingredients.

​Buy your non-perishables early to avoid running around to multiple stores to find that sold out cranberry sauce. You’ll also want to pick up your frozen turkey at this time. (Not only do you want to make sure you get it while it’s available, but it will also take several days to thaw.) Then buy the remaining perishable items a few days before the holiday.
 
We created a handy, printable Thanksgiving shopping list to assist you. You can print and download two copies, one of each shopping trip.
printable_grocery_shopping_list_for_thanksgiving_dinner.pdf
File Size: 128 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Set the table ahead of time.

Not only should you set your table for Thanksgiving a day ahead, but you also need to double check to make sure you have enough platters, serving bowls and utensils for everyone who will be in attendance.
 
If you aren’t sure whether or not you have enough serving ware, inventory what you have at least a week ahead of time. This allows you ample time to purchase any pieces you are missing.
 
You’ll also want to make sure you have ample seating and table space for everyone that is attending. If not, see if you can borrow additional table and chairs from a friend, family member or neighbor who is attending.

Keep notes on recipes.

Take notes when cooking and preparing. This is especially important for those fall recipes that need to be tweaked and can save you time when baking next holiday season.

Plan for leftovers.

There are always leftovers. And you certainly don’t want to send you cousin, Martha, home with your favorite $10 glass storage container that you take to work every day. Therefore, invest in a set of disposable containers to make sure everyone gets to take their favorite dish home without having to worry about bringing it back.
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Cook ahead where you can.

Make things easier and less stressful on Thanksgiving Day by cooking ahead. Sides dishes and desserts and easy to prepare a day or two before to free up time for guests on the big day. We recommend that you make these dishes in advance:
 
  • Turkey stuffing
  • Any casseroles like the ever-popular green bean or sweet potato casseroles
  • The gravy, which can be frozen up to 3 months ahead
  • Cookies, cakes, apple bread, and the classic homemade pumpkin pie
 
Things you should wait to prepare the day of include:
 
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Turkey and other meats
  • Cornbread and rolls
  • Any sides made using fresh greens
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Provide appetizers for grazing.

Set out snacks and appetizers for guests that arrive early. This gives them something to nibble on while waiting on dinner. It also keeps people out of the kitchen while you finish up cooking tasks and make final preparations. A holiday charcuterie board is perfect if you don't want to cook any additional dishes.

Create a separate drink station.

Refrigerator space is precious. For this reason, you don’t want to tie up needed room with things like drinks. Instead, drag out your summer cooler and fill it with ice for storing cold beverages. This also gives guests room to add their own libations as they arrive. And it’s a handy way for them to grab ice without interrupting you in the kitchen.
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Thanksgiving Tips for Preparing and Cooking the Turkey

For many of us, eating turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is a huge tradition. However, there’s a lot that goes into roasting a giant bird versus cooking an everyday family meal. Following are some tips for preparing, cooking and carving your Thanksgiving turkey to guarantee the best results.

Tackle Prep Ahead of Time

In addition, you can also save time by planning ahead. You need to prep your Thanksgiving turkey for roasting ahead of the holiday. This includes thawing and brining the turkey so it’s ready to go on Thanksgiving Day. Or you can make the compound butter for your poultry and store it for up to one week in the refrigerator.
 
If you plan to brine your turkey, you need to allow time to completely thaw it beforehand. Combine the thawed turkey and brine in a clean brining bag or large stock pan. Brine for 8 to 18 hours before roasting. Take care, however, not to exceed this timeframe as over-brining can lead to overly salty meat and a spongy texture.
 
In addition to the prepping the turkey to be cooked, you can also prepare the gravy ahead of the big day using low-sodium turkey, chicken, or vegetable broth. We like to add sweet onions, butter, flour, soy sauce and fresh herbs for flavor. Once made, you can freeze the gravy for up to three months. Simply thaw it overnight the day before your dinner. Then reheat over low heat, whisking occasionally to counteract any separation that may occur.
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Allow Ample Time to Thaw Your Turkey

Allow plenty of time to thaw out your turkey prior to cooking. Otherwise, dinnertime will roll around and your main entrée will still be in the oven! The safest way to thaw your turkey is in your refrigerator. Just keep in mind that it takes a minimum of 24 hours for a 5 lb. turkey to thaw. Therefore, a large bird weighing 20 lbs. will need 4-5 days to completely defrost.
 
We advise against thawing a turkey at room temperature or in hot water as this can lead to bacterial growth and the potential for food borne illness.
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Tips for Roasting Your Thanksgiving Turkey

The second most important part of Thanksgiving dinner (other than the quality time with loved ones!) is the main course. If you’re serving turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, then here are some tips for roasting the best Thanksgiving bird:

  • To get a crisper skin on your turkey, unwrap it the day before you plan to roast it. Then leave it uncovered overnight in the fridge.
  • Roasting a Thanksgiving turkey is a slow process. Plan on roasting your bird 15 minutes for every pound to ensure it is cooked thoroughly. If you’re short on time, then you can spatchcock your turkey to cut the cooking time in half.
  • If you aren’t planning to stuff your turkey, make sure it hasn’t already been done for you! Check inside your bird before you put it in the oven. Often the giblets from the poultry, like the heart, neck, gizzards, and liver, and contained inside. You’ll want to remove this bag from the cavity before cooking.
  • While filling your turkey with Thanksgiving stuffing is common, what you don’t want to do is overstuff it. It’s hard to get even airflow with a turkey full of stuffing. Therefore, we recommend cooking the stuffing in a casserole dish. You can then add vegetables and aromatic herbs to the cavity instead for extra flavor. Loosely stuffed ingredients provide better air circulation and result in more even cooking.
  • Cover your prepared turkey with aluminum foil prior to roasting. We like to lightly coat the outside with avocado oil or butter first, then lightly salt and pepper. Alternately, you can also use seasoned mayonnaise to help lock in moisture and attain a crisply skin. We also like to rub a flavorful blend of roasted spices inside the bird. This way they won’t burn but impart their flavor during the roasting process.
  • Opening the oven door to check on your turkey can be tempting. However, resist the urge! Fluctuations in temperature can result in a dry meat. Instead, keep an eye on your main course through the window in your oven door.
  • Wait 45 minutes before the cook time is up to remove the foil from the turkey breast. This will keep it from getting too brown or charring.
  • If your turkey is dry or overcooked, you can replenish some of the lost moisture by drizzling it with warm chicken broth. Not only will this add additional flavor, but it will also help to moisten the meat.
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How to Carve a Thanksgiving Turkey

Before Thanksgiving Day, it’s a good idea to decide on who will carve the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll also want to be sure you have the right tools to get the job done. If you’re new to carving cooked birds, we have a great video (below) on how to carve your turkey for the holiday to avoid any mishaps.
Before you carve your turkey, tent the foil, and allow the bird to rest for at least 25 minutes before carving.
 
Once you’re ready to get started, use a very sharp knife or a carving set designed to handle the task. You want to remove the drumsticks first, followed by the thighs and then the wings. Finally, carve the breast into half-inch slices for serving.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Safety is another important consideration this time of year. Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is the top day for cooking fires in the US. Therefore, we rounded up precautions to take when cooking, traveling, and preparing food for your guests. You can avoid the most common mishaps that occur on this holiday by checking out our post filled with Thanksgiving Safety tips here.
We hope you find these tips for Thanksgiving useful! If there’s someone you know who loves to cook, then also be sure to check out LifeLong Gifts™ for a wonderful selection of personalized kitchen gifts you can give for the holidays.
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Top Safety Tips for Thanksgiving for a Safe, Happy Holiday

10/22/2021

 
Discover our top Thanksgiving safety tips for a happy and healthy holiday. This post covers precautions to take when cooking, traveling, and preparing food for your guests.
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Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is a top day for cooking related fires in the home. There also tend to be a lot more kitchen and travel accidents this time of year. To help avoid turning your holiday upside-down with a mishap, we rounded up a collection of the best Thanksgiving safety tips. These tips are just a basic reminder of where you need to take extra precautions to keep you and your family safe. So, you can simply enjoy a well fed and happy holiday without incident!

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

When you think about Thanksgiving, staying safe likely isn’t something that automatically springs to mind. (Unless maybe you have relatives that terrify you every holiday for one reason or another.)
 
However, cooking fires are common this time year, with Thanksgiving being a peak day for cooking fires. Not only are more people spending time in the kitchen preparing for guests, but there are also a lot of folks who are making Thanksgiving dinner themselves for the very first time.
 
Therefore, in order to help you avoid any unanticipated surprises, as well as any potential disasters such as a kitchen fire, we’ve put together a list of our top Thanksgiving safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
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Cooking and Fire Safety

  • This is probably the #1 safety tip when cooking Thanksgiving dinner as it seems to be a common occurrence. If you’re planning to deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey, make sure it has completely thawed before adding it to the hot oil. Otherwise, it will explode. (Case in point.)
  • Don’t leave your home while you have the turkey cooking in the oven. Fires can happen while you’re away and you won’t know until it’s too late. You should also check on your turkey regularly.
  • Just as you taught when you were a child, never leave food cooking unattended on the stovetop. Pots can boil over or food may overcook and burn.
  • Keep small children out of the kitchen while you’re preparing dinner. If they’re old enough to help with tasks, then make sure they stay at least three feet from the stove to avoid accidental burns.
  • Avoid leaving candles lit in empty rooms where you can’t keep an eye out for fires. You also don’t want to leave kids alone in a room where you have candles burning.
  • Don’t leave knives, matches, or lighters out where children have easy access. When parents are busy with tasks for holiday preparations, kids’ inquisitive nature can sometimes get the best of them.
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  • Double check your smoke alarms to ensure they are in proper working order. You can easily test them by pushing the test button.
  • Take care to keep electrical cords contained. You don’t want them to hang off the counter where they can be grabbed by little hands. And you definitely don’t want to trip over a stray cord yourself.
  • Never try to put out a kitchen fire with water. Instead, invest in a small fire extinguisher or keep baking soda on hand.
  • Take care to keep belongings picked up off the floor to avoid tripping.
  • More than 300K people end up in the ER each year from knife lacerations. Therefore, be extra cautious when using cutlery and avoid being distracted when you have a blade in hand.
  • Put your phone down while cooking! Research shows that distractions while cooking most often result in knife-related injuries.
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Food Safety Tips for Thanksgiving

Foodborne illness is never fun. Not only do we want to protect ourselves from getting sick unnecessarily, it’s also vital that we keep our pets in mind as well. Here are some simple rules to follow this Thanksgiving to ensure food safety.
 
  • Always wash your hands well with soap and water after handling raw poultry.
  • You should also use separate cutting boards for preparing raw meat and produce to avoid cross contamination.
  • Cook your turkey thoroughly to avoid illness cause by under-cooked meat. It’s recommended by the USDA that you cook your bird a minimum of no less than 325°F. It’s safe to consumer once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 to 180 degrees.
  • Leftovers should be put away in the fridge within two hours for food safety. Anything that’s been left out too long should be tossed.
  • Don’t feed pets remnants from your Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and chicken bones are a huge choking hazard for pets. Dogs should also not be given anything that contains onions, leeks, garlic, raisins, grapes, or chocolate, as these foods are toxic to your furry friends and can cause health problems.
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Thanksgiving Travel Safety Tips

Most of us travel for the holidays. Whether we’re visiting friends or family or need to make that last minute run to the grocery store, it’s important to be cautious and extra diligent on the holiday. Following are our best Thanksgiving safety tips to consider when you travel.
 
  • 40% of car accidents that occur over a holiday are caused by driving under the influence. Therefore, don’t drink and drive. If you’ve been drinking, call a ride or get a sober friend to drive you home.
  • Many of us travel for the holiday season. However, weather conditions this time of year are constantly changing. Be prepared and keep an emergency kit in your car. We also recommend the 5-in-1 LifeTool which comes equipped with a tire pressure gauge, glass breaker, seat belt cutter, LED light, and compass.
  • If you are traveling to visit friends and family, make sure to plan your route ahead of time. You should also make sure your vehicle is properly maintained. This includes checking things like oil life, tire pressure and brakes.
  • Make sure to wear seatbelts when traveling and never text and drive.
  • Stay aware of changing weather conditions to avoid unsafe situations. You should also look up the weather forecast prior to traveling or solidifying plans.
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We hope you found our Thanksgiving safety tips helpful! For more ways to stay safe and help protect your friends, family and community, be sure to check out our emergency and safety tip magnets. These custom magnets can be personalized with your business information. So, they’re a great way to look out for your neighbor, while also staying in the forefront of your customers’ minds.
Stay up to date on everything Magnets USA® has to offer! Make sure you follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Or subscribe to our emails.
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