Sometimes even the best of parties need a little nudge to get things going. It can be hard to mix different groups of friends who don’t know each other so what you really need is a good icebreaker. Something tells me that the usual set of silly games you played in summer camp aren’t going to cut it now. As an adult, you need to be a little more creative, perhaps something like…
…the Dinner Party Napkins (Perpetual Kid, $7.99). Sure, the idea of games on paper napkins might seem a little juvenile, but hear me out. Yes, it is. You didn’t think I was gonna admit that, now did you? It doesn’t matter that it’s a little dumb, what matters is that you and your guests will have a blast filling out lists of your favorite things or taking quizzes to see what your handwriting says about you. The games are quick and easy so there’s not a lot of setup or instructions to each one.
You know, Thanksgiving is next week and you could sure use an effortless activity to enjoy while you digest. I think you just found it.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 6.5″ x 6.5″
- -Set of 16 dinner size napkins
- -Multiple games
Sometimes I stay up late watching TV and I end up falling asleep on the couch. When I wake up, it’s in the wee hours of the morning and there’s nothing on but awful infomercials. Of course, I could always turn the TV off and go to bed, but I almost never do that. I get sucked into the terrible product sales pitches and how ridiculous it all is. One of the things I’ll never understand is why people buy super expensive knife sets when you can get by with something on the cheap.
I’m not saying that you should get your knives from the Dollar Store because that’s just stupid – trust me, they break in half almost immediately. However, you can buy a decently priced knife set and make it last with something like the Kitchen Magician Knife Sharpener (Plasticland, $16.00). It’s hella easy to sharpen a knife and why wouldn’t you want to? It makes your knives like new and as long as you don’t let them go too long without sharpening, one set of knives should last you a long time. So if you’re gonna go the knife sharpening route, why not get one that looks like you’re a magician? It’s pretty much a no-brainer.
Tips for knife purchasing: Make sure your knife has a plastic handle (wood traps germs) and at least two tongs in the handle for maximum stability. I prefer a serrated edge, but to each their own.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 8.5″ x 2.25″ x 2.5″
- -Sharpens dull knives
- -Made of plastic
My kitchen utensils are so boring. I mean, I have more than enough gadgets to get by, but they’re just not any fun. Wouldn’t you rather use a peeler that looks like a beehive hairdo than that generic one you got from the dollar store? My thoughts exactly.
Sure, I could buy a trillion basic toothpicks, but where’s the fun in that? Also, they’re disposable so you’re pretty much committing yourself to killing the Earth. If you’re a friend of Mother Nature’s and/or a geek, then you’ll appreciate the Foodfighters Party Picks (ThinkGeek, $9.99) as an exciting alternative to banal kitchen accessories. The set comes with twelve army men, six green and six grey, in a variety of poses with two toothpick feet attached to the bottom of each one. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy concocting elaborate battle scenes with your food!
May the best man win!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Set of 12 army men toothpicks
- -Includes 6 green and 6 grey
- -Handwash recommended
- -Made of plastic
Sometimes I feel like I take entertaining a bit too seriously. I mean, I’m the type of person who goes all out for theme parties, making sure that every snack served pertains to event or else it has no business being there at all. Needless to say, I’ve become somewhat of a snack connoisseur and yes, I am judging your snack selection.
Just because you go through all the trouble of making sure you have a wide selection of tasty treats, doesn’t mean that your sustenance will be a success. For that to happen, you not only need to make sure you have enough food but that it stays in optimal condition for the duration of your get together. What you need is the Electric Heated Dip and Chip Snack Tray (Kegworks, $39.95). What good is your homemade queso dip if it congeals into a cold clump halfway through your party? With its removable ceramic dip bowl and heating base with inline power switch, your dips and spreads will stay hot all night long. Sure, you could break out a mini crock pot and a separate chip bowl but why go through all that trouble when you this duo does the same thing all in one convenient location? And if you’re not all about hot dips all the time, you can use this snack tray without the heating base to serve cold dips as well.
I have another chips ‘n’ dip tray that looks just like this one, only it plays “La Cucaracha” every time you open the dip bowl.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 14″ x 3.25″ x 14″
-Capacity: 21oz (dip bowl)
-Electrical: 120VAC, 60Hz, 0.22A
-Keeps dips tasty and warm
-Heating base with attached inline power switch
-Retro 1950s design
-Removable ceramic dip bowl
-Plastic melamine chip tray
-Use without heating base for cold dips
I really love to bake, but the problem with baking is that it’s very rarely single serving style. I mean, sure I want a few leftovers but I don’t think it’s healthy for me to eat a whole tray of brownies by myself just so they won’t go to waste. And even if you have a larger amount of people to bake for, there’s no guarantee that they won’t wuss out and spout some nonsense about being on a diet or being full – whatever, dude, it’s still totally your fault that I have to throw away 16 out of 24 delicious cupcakes.
If only there was a way to still be able to make your favorite dessert without the guilt of throwing away most of the leftovers…something like the Split Decision Pie Pan (Taylor Gifts, $16.98), perhaps? Who in their right mind would make one giant pie that no one will finish when they could make two pie halves that everyone can enjoy? Ok, so if you were of the one giant pie persuasion, you can still do that with this pan because it comes with removable nonstick inserts. Once the pie is done baking, just lift and serve for easy removal that won’t break the crusts.
I can’t stress enough how great of an idea this is for holiday baking – nobody wants to bake a whole mince pie just because it’s Grandpa’s favorite when they could instead bake half a mince pie and half a pecan pie.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ diameter
-Bake two pies in one pan
-Includes pie pan and two inserts
-Create two halves or one full size pie
-Lift and serve
-Nonstick coating for even baking
-Easy cleanup
-Made of coated carbon steel
