Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Entertaining

  • Have a Thanksgiving You Will Always Treasure – Home, Hearth and Holidays with BHGRE®

    Whether you’re hosting an intimate Thanksgiving dinner or having the entire family over, we can help you make the holiday one to remember. Below you can find ideas to create stunning handmade centerpieces, DIY fall decorations, and clever, entertaining tips. Check out a large variety of incredible recipes, from make-ahead Thanksgiving side dishes to mouthwatering desserts. Let’s join together and have a day filled with food, family, and gratitude. 

    Thanksgiving Décor, Crafts, and Hosting Tips 

    • Create a gourd-geous centerpiece by carving out a squash or gourd and turning it into a vase. Nothing is more beautiful than a DIY pumpkin planter filled with your favorite flowers. You can also cut the top off a faux pumpkin and add drainage holes in the bottom. Hollowed-out pumpkins with fresh succulents and moss also make beautiful succulent pumpkin planters

    •  Elegant and gold – discover how to make gold-leaf pumpkins to give your home a classy feel.  
    • Table décor galore. Bring nature indoors and fill a tall glass vase with pinecones, acorns, apples, and colorful dried berries. You could also fill various sizes of glass cloches with your favorite fall items. 
    • Any way you slice it, this felt pie slice garland is the perfect Thanksgiving decoration.  
    • Remember, there is beauty in simplicity. Learn how to set a welcoming Thanksgiving table using these easy ideas that can go a long way

    • Host a stress-free Friendsgiving so you can focus on what matters most – being able to spend time with your friends. Gather your squad for a night of delicious food and drink. 

    • Gather old mason jars or upcycled glass bottles and paint them your favorite autumn colors to transform them into vases. Another option would be to wrap twine around the bottom third of a few mason jars and use them as rustic utensil holders. 
    • If you’re feeling fun and festive, check out these unbe-leafable craft ideas using leaves.  

    • Don’t forget to add décor beyond the front door. Uncover various fall door decor ideas that go beyond wreaths.  
    • Mantles are often the focal point of many living rooms. Uncover farmhouse mantel decor ideas that can add cozy charm to your space. 
    • Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be stressful. These hosting tips can help you host with ease so you can spend more time creating wonderful memories.  
    • Although the past few years have been challenging, it has also reminded people what they value most. Have everyone spend a few minutes jotting down what they’re grateful for on different colored paper leaves. Once everyone is finished writing, thread a string through each leaf, and create a gratitude tree.

    Unforgettable Thanksgiving Recipes 

    • Creamy and delicious, this butternut squash soup is simple, and you can even make it in the microwave.
    • Cooking and baking a ton of complex dishes in one day is exhausting. Discover these make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers so you can spend more time with your family on Thanksgiving day.   
    • Easy, cheesy. Parmesan asparagus is a dish that goes great with all your turkey day dishes.   
    • Just in case you don’t want to wear stretchy pants, we included several healthy Thanksgiving snack options.  
    • Use a muffin tin to perfectly portion several scrumptious side dishes.  
    • Liven up your night with this flavorful spiced cranberry sauce.  
    • If you’re serving vegetarians or picky eaters, don’t worry; these 25 Thanksgiving menu ideas will result in everyone leaving the table satisfied.

     

    • This vegetarian Thanksgiving menu is something that everyone will enjoy.  
    • There is no other way to say this…deep-fried turkey is pure perfection.  
    • If you want to spruce up your pie crust, try adding a few simple yet cute designs. Cut different-sized leaves out of pie crust and place them around the edge. You could also roll out the pie crust and cut out any design you want. Cut out little flowers, diamonds, or chevron shapes before laying them on top.

  • Home, Hearth and Holidays with BHGRE®

    Transform your home into a warm and inviting space where you and your loved ones want to gather. We have compiled cozy decor inspiration, delicious recipes, memorable gift ideas, and ways to celebrate and bring joy to those around you as we head into the holiday season.

    cozy-decor
    Cozy Decor
    fall centerpiece
    Decorate Using Supplies You Already Have

     

  • Recipes You Will Remember – Home, Hearth and Holidays with BHGRE®

    Tis the season to fill your home with joy and your stomach with delicious foods. Below you will find recipes for appetizers, savory small bites, an assortment of dishes, and of course, mouthwatering desserts and drinks.

    Holiday Appetizers and Small Bites

    Holiday Meals

    • Start your morning with these mouthwatering apple buttermilk biscuits with sausage-cider gravy.
    • Sometimes we wake up hungry and don’t want to spend a ton of time whipping up a complicated meal. These quick and easy breakfast recipes are perfect for when you want a yummy but quick breakfast, and then you can start enjoying the rest of your day.
    • Using frozen veggies means your food is partially cut, prepped, and ready to be cooked. Save time without sacrificing taste with these creative frozen vegetable recipes.
    • Who wants to spend an hour in the kitchen on a busy winter weeknight? Say goodbye to lengthy prep times and check out these winter ideas that are ready in only 20 minutes and feature in-season ingredients.
    • Comforting meals with seasonal ingredients are just a click away. Warm up any winter night with this collection of winter chicken main dish recipes.
    • These easy and irresistible slow cooker barbecue recipes include mouthwatering ribs, brisket, pork, and chicken that you can savor any time of the year.
    • This grilled pork and pineapple recipe is an ideal sweet and savory dish that will result in many smiling faces.
    • Add some flair to your meals and try this Italian-style slow cooker meatloaf.
    • Check out tons of satisfying and healthy slow cooker recipes that are low in calories but high in taste. There are even a few twists on traditional favorites, such as sloppy joes and lasagna.
    • If you are looking for a Hanukkah brisket that will fall apart in your mouth, this is the recipe for you. It will be a dish to remember.
    • These Hanukkah recipes are a phenomenal blend of old and new traditional pieces. Read more to learn about these festive new twists.
    • Uncover 21 festive Kwanzaa recipe ideas for a successful celebratory dinner.

    Delicious Holiday Desserts

    • Do you want to build a snowman… that you can eat? These snow folk dipped pretzel rods are adorable and fun at any festivity.
    • Crank up the cranberries! Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying something new, these cranberry desserts are perfect for a holiday meal or a special weeknight.
    • No matter how you pronounce p-e-c-a-n, these pecan pie recipes will make your guests swoon.
    • Uncover yummy slow cooker dessert recipes that are crowd-pleasing and easy to mix up.
    • Satisfy your tropical sweet tooth with coconut desserts. Check out seriously delicious recipes for coconut cheesecake, southern-inspired coconut cake, or coconut milk ice cream.
    • This best-ever chocolate cake is a triple-layer cake that is rich and unforgettable. Your guests will be begging you for the recipe.
    • Satisfy your sweet tooth with these holiday baking recipes.
    • Your turkey day needs these festive Thanksgiving dessert ideas. There are drumstick cereal bars the kids can help make, pumpkin pie turkeys, donut hole acorns, and more.
    • Pumpkin pie is good, but toffee pumpkin pie is even better.
    • These red and green pinwheels are a must-have if you’re attending a holiday get-together. They are festive and fantastic.
    • Try these new Hanukkah desserts that are a mix of new and traditional desserts.

    Cheers to Holiday Drinks

  • Give the Gift of Joy – Home, Hearth and Holidays with BHGRE®

    Put a smile on your loved ones’ faces with these holiday gift ideas.

    • Create a customized calendar using photos of their favorite places and things or use pictures of memories you’ve shared.
    • Make some fun and useful coasters. There are designs for beer lovers, clay pieces that resemble artwork, and several nature-inspired options.
    • Frame a map of somewhere you went on vacation together and pin photos from that trip around the map.
    • A family recipe book is the perfect gift for the home chef. Gather all of the family’s recipes and magazine cutouts and either organize them like a scrapbook or type them up and have a book printed.
    • Gifts for pet lovers:
      • Get their pet’s face printed on items such as pajamas, pillows, a blanket, or socks.
      • Have a photo of their pet made into a custom pet portrait.
      • A water or food bowl with their pet’s name on it.
    • Find an attractive bag and fill it with your loved one’s favorite things. Items you may want to incorporate include their favorite candy, something that will remind them of a moment you shared, your favorite photo of you together, and a list of your five favorite things about them. It will show how much you care.
    • Check out incredible resin craft ideas that can spruce up anyone’s home.
    • These easy crafts with photos make incredible, personal gifts.  
    • Take drinking glasses up a few notches by etching something personal onto them. You will need Armor Etch, an Exacto knife, masking tape, and a set of plain beer or cocktail glasses. One option would be to tape a stencil to the outside of the glass wherever you want the shape or letter to go. Put on gloves, dip a paintbrush into the Armor Etch, and apply a coat onto the stencil. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, and then wash off the etching cream and peel off the tape and stencil. You can also use the Exacto knife to cut out a shape, sports logo, or anything they might like out of thick paper and tape it to the glass. Make sure the paper isn’t too thin or the Armor Etch may go through the paper.
    • Help your friends and family dress up their houseplants by making these folded felt planters.
    • These cookie gift ideas are inexpensive and can be made in bulk for parties, holidays, or as presents for your coworkers.
    • Buy an online learning class for something they love or have shown interest in. You can gift cooking classes, wine tastings, craft classes, acting classes, exercise courses, and tons more.
    • Photo transfers are personal, homemade, and something your friends and family will cherish forever. Simply pick the photo they would love and follow these photo transfer steps. You can also watch this video for tips on how to photo transfer.
    • We could all use a little relaxation. Create a relaxation kit with some of the following: DIY bath bombs, candles (with relaxing scents such as ylang ylang, lavender, or lemon), warm string lights, face masks, a soft blanket, tea, or fuzzy socks.
    • If you’re not very crafty, have no fear; there are several gifts ideas that people will enjoy. A few options include a temperature-controlled mug, photo printer, weighted blanket, resin art kit, chocolate tasting box, personalized cutting board, or outdoor string lights.
    • Check out tons of affordable holiday gift ideas.
    • Grab a needle and thread and try out these easy-sew Christmas gifts.
    • Learn how to make a gnome cookie jar in just two simple steps.

  • Outdoor Halloween Party Ideas for a Spooktacular Weekend

    Outdoor Halloween parties will be popping up everywhere – from backyards to front porches, from tree lawns to patios. This Halloween weekend, you can take advantage of all of your most bewitching ideas and outdoor spaces, allowing you, your family, and your friends to have a safe and ghoulishly fabulous celebration. Are you ready to have some Spooktacular fun? Read on as we reveal our favorite outdoor Halloween party ideas.

    Haunting Outdoor Movies and Football

    What do you do when the desire for Halloween fun lands in the middle of Sunday football? Choose Halloween party ideas that celebrate both. Remember all those movies you streamed outdoors during the summer? Make a plan to stream football on your backyard fence, garage wall, or sheet screen (or flat-screen TV) while guests nosh on delicious Halloween-themed nibbles. Then, when the games are over, you can screen classic Halloween titles, from It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to old episodes of The X-Files or the original, 1922 Nosferatu. 

    Fun-Filled Family Party Games

    One of the most popular Halloween songs of all time is Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett. It’s no surprise that it is also the name of a much-loved children’s game and one of Real Simple’s favorite games for all ages, from the very young to the young-at-heart. The idea behind this outdoor Halloween party game is simple: Fill balloons with water and spread them out on the ground. When you yell ‘go’ (and the music starts playing), contestants stomp and burst as many balloons as they can either until the song is done or all the balloons have been squashed. You can keep score and offer prizes for the most balloons stomped, or you can play for the joy of it. You can use the balloons you have in your craft bins already or buy ones that are orange and black or printed with a Halloween theme. Don’t forget to have towels ready for when the game is finished and the happy participants are soaked.

    Len Saunders, exercise physiologist, tells Real Simple that he is also a fan of the Scarecrow Race to get the whole family involved in Halloween activities. The only tools necessary are old clothes and pieces of newspaper. Clothes that would form an outfit are placed on the ground with newspaper off to their side (a set for each player). When you yell ‘start,’ everyone races to their assigned clothing and newspaper pile. As Saunders explains to the Magazine, “‘[they] crumple up the newspapers and start to stuff the paper into the clothes.’” When the game is done, you have several fantastic-looking scarecrows.  

    Other Halloween party game ideas that are good for all ages include the Spider Web game (using string tied to trees and bushes), Guess the Number of Candies in a Jar, and Guess the Spooky Theme Song.

    “How To Host A Murder Mystery” Halloween Event

    What could be better than hosting a murder mystery event by candlelight in your backyard? Whether you choose an upscale mystery filled with champagne cocktails and glam costumes or a mystery of your own devising that closely mirrors the levity and zany creep factor of Clue, your Halloween party will be remembered for years. 

     Bewitching Bite-Sized Appetizers

    Jalapeño poppers are a welcome addition to any football party, so it’s a given that the Mummy Jalapeño Poppers from Rachael Ray In Season are the perfect idea that appeals to both football fans and Halloween revelers. Bake and prep take less than 30 minutes, and the results are a delicious yet spooky delight.  

    How does a savory popper complete with sword skewer sound as a Halloween party appetizer for your adult guests? Martha Stewart Living’s Prosciutto-Wrapped Fig Hearts recipe adds just the right sense of the macabre while also being delicious. Surprisingly easy to make, the Magazine explains that “[dried] figs get stuffed with tangy goat cheese, then wrapped in rich prosciutto for a very adult Halloween bite.” Yum!  

    Do you want to add something seasonally appropriate, healthy, and ideal for vegan guests? You’ll love including Food & Wine’s pumpkin hummus, pita chips, and crudités to your table. It takes only 15 minutes to make, but it offers a deliciously healthy alternative that all of your party guests can savor.  

    Spooky and Delicious Desserts

    No Halloween party is complete without decadent treats. One of Martha Stewart Living’s much-loved Halloween dessert ideas is the Devil’s Inferno Cake. Why? The Magazine explains: “[It’s] a dessert that’s also a party centerpiece … [a] truly devilish take on devil’s food cake.” Picture the sugar flames jumping from the top of this incredibly rich creation as your guests take in all the goodies that await them. Every ghost and ghoul at the party is sure to be wowed!  

    Do you love mud pies? If so, you’ll love the ‘I Scream’ Graveyard Pie that is also one of Martha Stewart Living’s favorites. The tiny cookie “tombstones” and skull candies make this dessert a Halloween winner. It’s also a great way to use extra Halloween candy (like those mini Mounds bars).  

    Vampire bites when they are in the form of indulgent brownies are always welcome. Martha Stewart Living’s Scaredy-Cat Brownies are a wonder for anyone who loves chocolate and a hint of mint. What’s the other reason they are a Halloween party tradition? The Magazine raves: “They’re easy for kids to decorate too (which saves you some pre-party prep time!).”  

    Are you searching for something quick and colorful? Rachael Ray In Season adores Frankenstein Cookies. If you have the time to make the basic sugar cookie, go for it. But if you don’t, the recipe works just as well using store-bought sugar cookie dough. Then it’s just a matter of baking them up with some green food coloring and decorating them with melted chocolate. Part of the fun is creating unique faces, and the kids will love giving you a hand.  

    Devilish Drink Ideas

    Are you stumped for new and uniquely tempting adult drink ideas for your Halloween party? Start with mixing a batch of Rachael Ray In Season’s Spicy Devil’s Brew. Poured into a salted martini glass with fresh chilis acting as horns on the rim, this brew is an enticing blend of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice cocktail, lime juice, and jalapeños. It’s almost as eye-catching as it is delicious! 

    Blood-Moon Punch is among Martha Stewart Living’s go-to Halloween libations. It looks fantastic on a drinks cart or in the center of a buffet. While it does take some preparation to properly freeze the “moon,” it is well worth the effort. This eerie, kid-friendly punch is “a fruity combination of grape juice, lime juice, seltzer water, and ginger soda, all of which add a bit of fizz to your festivities,” according to the Magazine. The candy bats floating on top make it a “next-level” Halloween party punch. Also, the Magazine reveals that it is wonderfully easy to turn it into an adults-only punch by spiking “grown-up ghouls’ glasses with an ounce (or two) of vodka.”   

    The combination of light and dark rum makes the Creepy Cocktail another favorite of the editors over at Martha Stewart Living. In addition to the rum, this cocktail features pomegranate juice, lime, and simple syrup. Black sanding sugar on the rim and the black licorice spider hanging off the glass take this tasty libation up a notch to a truly fun Halloween party drink idea.  

    More Halloween Party Ideas

    Whether you are hosting a small group of adults or a gaggle of kids, you will want the space lit up to set a festive tone and keep people safe. LED string lights look terrific when they are draped between tree branches and around porch posts. Light your walkways with pumpkins that are illuminated from the inside with votive candles. Use solar lanterns on outdoor dining tables or buffets. Luminaries made from paper lunch bags can feature cut-outs of “Boo” or images of ghosts and pumpkins, like the ones featured in Rachael Ray In Season. Even adding a glow-in-the-dark set of “tombstones” can help guide your guests toward the festivities.  

    Keep the weather in mind. If you are planning a scary outdoor movie as part of your Halloween party, think about having soft  blankets available for guests. Event planner Elisabeth Accardi suggests to Martha Stewart Living that a Halloween party is the perfect time to “set up a fire pit to provide an extra-cozy spot for conversation,” and that “if you do live in an area where temperatures have dropped significantly, add outdoor heaters that allow your guests to stay comfortable outside.”  

    Audio can make the night. Whether you want your favorite Halloween party tunes playing or have a super-creepy sound effects playlist ready to go, the right sounds can instantly elevate pumpkin carving, cookie decorating, and other family games.

    Happy Halloween!

  • Have a Hauntingly Good Halloween

    Let’s get spooky and crafty! Below are a ton of fun Halloween recipes, critter-approved craft ideas, and of course, tons of clever costume ideas. 

    Halloween Recipes for All Creatures

    • Grab your spoons and get ready for delicious soup. Try this incredible pumpkin ginger soup or this curried coconut pumpkin soup recipe.  
    • This pumpkin bread recipe will result in one spectacular loaf that friends and neighbors will love.   
    • These spider deviled eggs are just as cute and creepy as they are yummy.           
    • It’s safe to say everyone loves pizza. Add a fun twist this Halloween by using each pepperoni as the center or body of a spider. Then place leftover red sauce into a piping bag and draw eight legs on each pepperoni side. Create a non-meat-lovers pizza that will be so good that people will not be able to take their eyes, or hands, off it. Start by placing slices of mozzarella around the pizza. Cut olives into slices and put a slice in the middle of each mozzarella to form the pupil. Then pipe red sauce around the olive to create a bloodshot look. 
    • This tombstone taco dip is to die for. Get ready for tortilla tombstones and refried bean dirt. 
    • For a healthy, spooky snack, grab a few apples and a jar of peanut butter. Take a green apple and a few strawberries and cut them into slices. Take a slice of apple and carefully cut out a sliver in the middle to resemble an open mouth. Shmear peanut butter in the sliver (the mouth) and place a thin slice of a strawberry sticking out of the bottom to create the tongue. Use sunflower seeds to make rows of teeth and place two candy eyes on top.

    • Check out these wickedly fun Halloween cupcakes that everyone will want to sink their fangs into. 
    • These spider web cookies will get you eight thumbs up. The first step is to cover a sugar cookie in white icing. Use black icing to draw a few circles that resemble a bullseye or target. Before it dries, take a toothpick and draw lines from the center of the circle outward, so it starts to look like a web. 
    • Mummy Oreo critters are a fun dessert that everyone will admire. First, dip your Oreos in white chocolate or white icing, covering the entire cookie. Then put white icing in a piping bag and going back and forth across the cookie pipe horizontal lines across, so it looks like mummy wraps. Then add two candy eyes, or you can pipe yellow eyes on yourself.

    • Dip caramel apples in the chocolate of your choice and add little candy eyes to make spooky yet scrumptious treats. Dip one apple in white chocolate to make a mummy and pipe on the eyes. To make a pumpkin keep the apple covered in caramel and use chocolate to pipe on a jack-o-lantern face. Create a Frankenstein by adding green food coloring to white chocolate and covering the entire apple. Then use dark chocolate to pipe on hair, stitches, and a face. Using caramel, attach little pretzel sticks to either side of the apple to create Frankenstein’s bolts. 
    • This boo-tiful dirt and worms cake is covered with crushed chocolate cookies and slimy, gummy worms. Your kids will love helping bake and decorate this delicious treat.   
    • You knead these spiced pumpkin doughnuts in your life. 
    • Creep it real with this tasty but gross-looking brain drink.  
    • Create spooky and sweet Halloween drinks that will raise your guests’ spirits. 

    Boo-tiful Halloween Crafts and Décor  

    • Upcycle toilet paper rolls to make a bunch of monsters. Paint a few rolls in a variety of colors and once they’re dry, draw on polka dots or scales. Create a mummy by wrapping thin strips of toilet paper around it. Paint one green and make a Frankenstein friend. Then use a black marker to draw on hair, a mouth, and stitches. Create as many as you want using items like googley eyes, glitter, tinfoil, and anything else to add some flair.

    • Use balloons to create fun floating ghosts and spooky creatures. Once the balloons are blown up, gently draw ghost faces on the white balloons, Jack-O’-Lanterns on orange balloons, or make any monster faces you want.  
    • Recycle old tissue boxes to create a merry band of mischievous monsters. Flip the empty tissue boxes upside down and paint the outside to make spooky little creatures. Paint one box green for Frankenstein, one orange for a pumpkin, and one white for a scary skeleton. Then just paint on their faces with permanent markers or paint pens. 
    • These wickedly fun witch decorations will put a spell on you and your guests.  
    • Light it up on Halloween. All you need are lanterns and black construction paper. Cut out moons, stars, bats, or any shape you want and attach them to the outside of the lanterns. Light the lanterns with battery-operated candles, and the black paper will form fun silhouettes as the light dances around the lantern. 
    •  Learn how to create Halloween decor from ordinary objects you already have at home.  
    • Use pom pom balls to make scary little spiders. For the body, glue one large black pom and one medium black pom pom together. For eyes, glue many small googley eyes to the front of the medium pom pom. To create the legs, cut black pipe cleaners into eight pieces and glue four along each side. 

    • Upcycle glass bottles to form spooky cool Halloween décor. Use different colored wax or old crayons and carefully drip wax down the top of the bottles. We recommend using black, red, and white wax. You can also drip red crayons down the sides of old white candles to give the appearance of oozing blood. 
    • Discover an assortment of Halloween wreaths that will result in a hauntingly good-looking door.  
    • Stitch together your very own Frankenstein. Since Frankenstein is a creation assembled from an assortment of humans… stick to the same approach. Each person in your family can contribute an article of clothing and stuff it with newspaper. Set up all of the limbs and pieces in a chair, so it resembles a body. For a face, decorate a pumpkin, place it on the shoulders and boom… your own personal Frankenstein. 
    • Uncover tons of frighteningly fun haunted front door ideas.  

    Clever Halloween Costumes 

    • Create an adorable sundae costume. Get a white t-shirt for vanilla ice cream and brown pants that look like a cone. Grab a white tutu that you will wear over the pants. Using various colors of construction paper, cut out a bunch of rectangles that will be your sprinkles. Glue the sprinkles onto the shirt. Glue a red pom pom ball onto a headband for the cherry on top and attach a stem cut out of paper. 
      I think we can all agree that pets in costumes are purely amazing. Check out these clever costume ideas for you and your pet.  
    • Get popping with this DIY popcorn costume. Buy a pair of red and white vertical striped bottoms to resemble the popcorn container. If you cannot find striped pants, buy red pants and use white duct tape to make the stripes. Grab an old white or light-yellow t-shirt and some white computer paper. Rip each piece of paper in half and crumple them up. Spray-paint the crumbled paper with yellow to give your popcorn some butter. Then glue the crumbled popcorn balls onto the shirt and all done. 
    • Transform your little one into an adorable yet mischievous mouse with this simple DIY mouse costume.  
    • Here are tons of easy-to-make kids costumes that you can make at home.  
    • Do the robot! Grab a small moving box for the head and one of the top four flaps off. Then cut a rectangular window for eyes on one of the sides. For the body, cut the top and bottom flaps off of a larger box. Then cut out two holes where the arms can stick out on either side. Paint the boxes silver or cover them in aluminum foil. Create robot buttons and added details by painting different colored bottle caps and gluing them on the front. You can cut out gears and other things using construction paper. Don’t forget to use straws or pipe cleaners to make its antennas. 

  • Healthy Family Meals to Encourage Coming Together

    If you often find yourself eating a sandwich for dinner while the rest of your family eats at other times or elsewhere, you are missing out on important bonding opportunities. When parents and kids have different schedules and tastes, it can be hard to prepare healthy family meals that everyone will show up for – and enjoy. It doesn’t have to happen every night, but making the effort at least a few times during the week can really bring families together in a good way.

    Breakfast and Lunch

    Parents Magazine points out that families who cannot come together for dinner can enjoy healthy family breakfasts and lunches. They share some easy-to-prepare recipes, like Peanutty Overnight Oats, Fruity PB&J Tortilla Pizza and Stuffed French Toast. The prep work can be done the night before, be made quickly in the a.m. and eaten during a leisurely weekend or holiday breakfast.

    One easy lunch option is soup. It can be a real super-food, is perfect for lunches and kids love it. Homemade chicken minestrone is a good choice because it is easy to make and contains high-fiber beans, high-protein chicken and tasty vegetables. Another way to sneak in some fiber is to make veggie burgers. These can be served on whole wheat buns, topped with organic cheese and served with homemade sweet potato fries and some raw sugar snap peas.

    If your kids aren’t fans of veggie burgers, Martha Stewart shares some easy recipes for chicken sandwiches that can be served hot or cold. Instead of traditional fried versions, you can try her pulled bbq chicken, grilled chicken and delicious chicken salad sandwiches. These go well with healthy soups, salads and sides of raw vegetables. Even if your family balks at swapping out fries or chips for raw veggies, hold your ground. They will probably come to love them.

    Healthy Dinners for You and Your Family

    Adults work late. Kids have sports and club meetings, and before you know it the dinner hour has passed. The first step towards planning healthy family meals is to put them on the schedule. Keep one main calendar that shows every meeting, game and appointment and schedule 90 minutes for a sit-down meal at least twice a week. Even if it doesn’t work out some weeks, keep making the effort.

    One of the cleverest ways to get the gang to the table is to have them help plan the menus. Make sure to have something in there that everyone likes, whether it be a favorite kind of fish or a fruity dessert. Try introducing something new once a week – you might be surprised to see how much everyone likes cauliflower rice, lemony salmon or kale salad.

    Delicious Dinner Ideas

    Although many families shun meat, there are healthy ways to prepare it. Although some doctors and financial gurus suggest it would be wise to only serve it a few times a week, it can really be something to look forward to. Martha Stewart’s traditional Shepherd’s Pie uses lamb shanks instead of beef, and also incorporates creamy mashed potatoes, root vegetables and peas. Once the family gets a whiff of that in the oven, you can bet they will show up to the table. Lasagna is another favorite, and can be made with ground turkey or spinach instead of meat.

    Shrimp is also perfect for healthy family meals, because it is high in protein and healthy fats, yet low in calories as long as it is not fried. Stir-fry shrimp is quick and easy, and your helpers can chop up the veggies if they are old enough. Cut up boneless chicken also does well in stir-fry dinners. If the weather cooperates, you can thread shrimp and/or chicken on skewers, alternating them with zucchini, peppers, onions and other vegetables. After all, who doesn’t love a barbecue?

    Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

    Many children and adults have become vegetarians, and there are countless ways to prepare these kinds of healthy dinners. As an added bonus, vegetables cost less than meat, chicken and seafood – unless you shop at an artisan farmers market or high-end grocery store. This added expense isn’t really necessary, especially if you prepare rich-tasting sauces.

    Better Homes & Gardens offers a recipe for Whole Wheat Tortellini with Broccoli that has cherry tomatoes, beans and creamy cheese. Another great option is Four-Cheese Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, which is high in flavor and low in carbs. Or try the Mediterranean Kale & Cannellini Stew, which has farro, carrots, tomatoes, beans and feta cheese. Any one of these healthy and satisfying meals will encourage families to meet up at the table for dinner – or lunch.

  • Let’s Celebrate Labor Day

    Summer is coming to a close, so make sure you enjoy the warm weather and sunshine by celebrating Labor Day the right way. Below you will find fantastic craft and décor ideas, an assortment of scrumptious recipes, and tons of outdoor activities.

    Creative Labor Day Décor

    Get crafting and tap into your creative side with these excellent décor and outdoor design ideas.

    • It’s time to upcycle! Use old glass vases or mason jars to create starry candle holders. Place star-shaped stickers on the outside of a clear vase or mason jar and spray paint the vase with a color of your choosing. Once the paint has dried, remove the stickers and place a candle in the center of the vase. The light will shine through the stars and create a beautiful ambiance.
    • Check out these red, white, and blue decorating ideas to make your home super stylish.
    • Transform old tin cans into stylish decorative vases. Paint the outside of the cans or jars with red and blue stripes, and once it dries, you can glue white stars onto the outside. Use the cans as centerpieces and place flowers or utensils in them.
    • Turn your balcony into an outdoor oasis using these tips and tricks.
    • Create red, white, and blue band sand candles that are perfect for a patriotic centerpiece.
    • Spruce up your pillows and give your plain white pillows a facelift. Cut a star shape out of cardboard and use it as a stencil. Hold the stencil against the pillow and spray around it with red or blue fabric paint. The result will be pillows that will leave you starry-eyed.
    • Uncover how to transform your patio into an incredible gathering space.

    Delicious Recipes

    The recipes below will result in happy stomachs.

    • Grab a toothpick and get ready to enjoy these scrumptious small bites.
    • Fresh and easy to make, your guests will love this cilantro cucumber-melon salad.
    • Perfect pesto! From sun-dried tomato pesto to basil pesto, you can’t go wrong with any of the following quick and easy pesto recipes.
    • This buffalo-style spicy chicken sandwich is finger-licking good.
    • You’re bacon me crazy with this maple-bacon corn on the cob recipe.
    • These healthy labor day recipes will keep you satisfied.
    • Dig into this berry delicious and berry refreshing blueberry ice cream pie.
    • If you’re in the baking mood, try making a three-layered funfetti cake with a Labor Day twist. You will need to make three cakes that are the same size. Add red food coloring into one, blue into another, and leave the third as is. Once the cakes have all cooled, stack them together using your favorite icing. When you cut into the cake, you will have a red, white, and blue surprise!
    • If you’re feeling patriotic, this red, white, and blue tart is tasty and quick to make.
    • Cheers to an assortment of fresh garden cocktail recipes.
    • Bake a strawberry or raspberry pie, but fill about 1/4 of the pie with yummy blueberries. Cut stripes out of a pie crust and place them across about ¾ of the pie. Cut out a few stars from the remaining pie crust and place them on the blueberry section, the ¼ that doesn’t have stripes. The entire pie will resemble an American flag.

    All Around Fun Activities  

    Discover a variety of games and activities that will result in lots of fun.

  • Get Ready for the Summer Olympics

    The Olympics are finally right around the corner. Whether you’re a fan of gymnastics, tennis, synchronized swimming, archery, or diving, we have great ideas so you can invite a few pals over for a watch party. Uncover tasty recipes to enjoy while you cheer on your team and awesome at-home games you can play. Below is everything you’ll need to throw the ultimate Olympics watch party.

    Gold Worthy Décor and Crafts Ideas

    • Take sheets of yellow and orange tissue paper and stick them out of a silver or black paper cone, resembling a torch with flames.
    • Cause a racket with tennis-themed centerpieces. Just fill glass vases or bowls with tennis balls and add a few flowers to top it off.
    • Create golf-inspired centerpieces by placing sand at the bottom of a tall glass vase and filling it up with golf balls. Make a flagstick by cutting out a paper triangle, gluing it to the top of a chopstick or wooden dowel, and sticking it in the center of the golf balls.
    • Hang different colored ribbons from the doorways to support gymnastics.
    • If you’re looking for slam dunk décor, make a basketball-themed table using a solid orange table paper cover and white tape. Simply drape the orange cover over a rectangular table and place white tape on top to mimic the court lines.
    • Spruce up your backyard with these clever outdoor patio ideas. You can also place tiki torches around the yard to create a beautiful visual. They are easy to install, affordable, and even help repel mosquitos. While they create the perfect ambiance, make sure there is at least 6ft of clearance on all sides, and they are firmly placed into the ground.
    • Spray paint hula hoops so that they resemble the Olympic rings and hang them on your fence.
    • If you want to row up some fun, fill a kayak with ice and make it into a cooler to keep your drinks cold.
    • Visit your local party store and pick up gold and silver plates so your guests can eat like winners.

    Award-Worthy Activities

    • Check out these incredible tips for hosting an Olympics watch party.
    • Play ring toss using soda bottles and pool toy rings.
    • Set up a face-painting station with brushes, water cups, a mirror, and paper towels so your guests can paint their teams’ colors on their faces.
    • Hit the links and set up a putting green in the backyard for successful par-tee
    • Instead of archery, swap out arrows for darts. Pin or tape the tail of balloons to an old fence or wall and try to pop them using the darts. Create different difficulty levels by placing lines of tape on the floor at varying lengths from the wall.
    • Uncover tons of fun outdoor yard games. There are many fun games for the backyard that you can buy or even make yourself. Get playing.
    • Set up badminton, table tennis, or a volleyball court in your backyard and get practicing.

    Game-Changing Recipes 

    • When I dip you dip, we dip… into a bowl of these incredible recipes. Discover tons of one-bowl summer dip recipes perfect for the summer Olympics.
    • There’s a reason this pesto is so popular, but you’ll have to try it yourself.
    • Don’t go bacon my heart, instead, try these bacon-wrapped appetizers your guests will gobble down.
    • The following muffin tin appetizers are a perfect size and easy to make.
    • These fast and fresh burger recipes will make your taste buds dance.
    • Check out several quick and easy vegetarian dinners that will make everyone happy.
    • This vanilla cake with buttercream, berries, and jam is red, white, blue, and delicious.
    • Have a berry good time and a berry full stomach after whipping up this patriotic flag cake.
    • Make an ice cream bar using waffle cones, so they look like torches.
    • Bake round sugar cookies and paint them with edible gold icing so they resemble medals.
    • Create cookie rings that look like the five Olympic rings. Roll out your cookie dough and cut out circle-shaped cookies. Take a cup or shot glass, flip it upside down, place it in the center of the cookie to trace it, and cut out the center to form a ring. After they are baked and cooled, paint them blue, yellow, black, red, and green.
    • Make American flag pretzel sticks by dipping a pretzel into melted white chocolate about 5 inches. After it has cooled, dip the same end of the pretzel into melted blue chocolate about 1 inch and place white start sprinkles on the blue portion before it dries. Fill a piping bag with red icing and drizzle it back and forth across the white chocolate to create the stripes.
    • Create golf-inspired Jello shots! Make green Jello shots in small clear cocktail cups. Once they have cooled and solidified, place a small white round mint or candy in each cup to look like mini golf balls. Add a small paper triangle to the end of a toothpick to resemble the flagstick and place one in each cup.
    • Start the races and kick off your events with these delectable drink recipes.

  • Host a Summer Seafood or Crawfish Boil

    For those who love critters and crawdads, these recipes will make your taste buds dance. Set up your yard using clever décor ideas, and you’ll be sure to have a successful lobster boil party. Prepare for a feast you’ll never forget.

    Fresh Recipes

    Backyard Preparation and Décor

    • Discover how to make your backyard the best spot for entertaining.
    • In-season flowers are an easy way to decorate for an outdoor gathering. Sunflowers, hydrangeas, and peonies are beautiful options for a centerpiece.
    • Use a cake stand to display condiments and hand wipes. Put hot sauce and all other dips on the top layer and lemon wedges on the bottom.
    • Take old planters and paint them red and blue. Once they are dry, wrap utensils in a fun napkin, perhaps with crabs or lobsters on them, and use the pots as utensil holders. If you’re looking for a more nautical feel, wrap and glue a rope around a planter. Don’t forget to put out lots of paper towels for sticky fingers.
    • Print out lots of lobsters and crabs on thick paper and then cut them out. Hang a string across your patio or fence, and then glue the lobsters and crabs to the string for a fun banner.
    • If you have a punny soul, take a nautical or rustic-looking frame and print out “Let’s Get Cray” on paper and place it in the frame for cute table decor.
    • Use an old fishnet as a table runner. Place a few lanterns on top of the netting to keep it from flying away, plus it will spruce up your decorations.
    • Don’t worry if you’re short on space, these 10 small backyard ideas and design-smart landscaping tips will have you living large.
    • The one must-have for a great lobster boil is an awesome outdoor bar.

    Hosting Tips & Activities

    • Uncover all the best tips and tricks for a successful crawfish feast.
    • It all boils down to good food, cute décor, and fun friends. Read how to host a bayou shrimp boil to celebrate summer in style.
    • Paint chopsticks red and use them as your lobster claws. Play a game where each person has to pick up various objects and place them into a bucket using nothing but their “pinchers” (chopsticks). Make the item each round more and more difficult to pick up. The first person to place all of their items in the bucket wins.
    • Bocce ball is a fantastic outdoor game to play, especially if everyone is full of delicious lobster.

    More Backyard Fun: