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Earnings and pricing updated June 1, 2007
A few friends, a few laughs... get the party started, it's summer!
Big or small, your summer gatherings and special events can mean big earnings toward your cash payout when you and your friends shop through uTANGO!
When the weather gets better, suddenly, we feel like having friends over again after a long winter in social hibernation. Entertaining and summer go hand in hand-and having a few friends over for a backyard get together doesn't seem nearly as daunting as a dinner party for eight. No matter what your personal style happens to be, it is easy to plan an outdoor party with minimum fuss for maximum fun with just a little advance planning and preparation.
Pick Your Spot: Find a place in your yard, patio, or garden to gather. It can be fun to do something just a little different. You could head out into the yard, string up some lights and dine under the trees. It is always best if you have easy access to your kitchen or food prep area, but if you plan and prepare everything in advance, you can take your party anywhere as long as guests have access to bathroom facilities. Remember to have a plan in place for inclement weather-too much heat or rain will force your party indoors.
Pick a Theme: From an afternoon garden party, to a Jamaican BBQ, a Southern style shrimp boil, Cuban or a Cajun inspired cuisine or just some ribs or burgers on the grill, select a theme that will be fun and easy for you to pull off-don't try to do something that may be too challenging. You want to have fun at your own party so keep it simple.
One easy theme is Asian inspired. Hang some colorful Japanese paper lanterns. Order sushi from your favorite place- stick to the basics, nothing too exotic. Put some Japanese beers on ice. Mix up pitchers of sake-tinis with a very good quality Sake. Steam and pre-package brown or wild rice in individual cardboard takeout containers- you can find them at any party store. Place the containers in one of those cheap Styrofoam ice cooler and tighten the lid. This will not only keep the rice warm, the steam will keep the rice moist prior to serving. Steam some edamame and put in the cooler with the rice to keep it hot. Make up a quick Soy-Maple Glaze. Whisk equal parts maple syrup, soy sauce, and Asian sesame oil with garlic, ginger and scallions. Grill some salmon steaks and you're all set!
Electric Lantern 4-pk
These authentic looking Asian-inspired electric lanterns are not only pretty for a party, but will look lovely any time you’re in the yard. $119.99 = 359 Points |
Margaritaville Party Cooler
Try this fun Margaritaville Party Cooler that not only keeps beverages cold, also keeps up to 4 liters of your favorite beverage on tap. $349.95 = 2,449 Points |
Set Your Guest List: Call your guests a month in advance if possible to check their availability. Summer schedules fill up fast. Send a little note or invitation to your guests once you've secured the date and time that lets them know enough about the festivities to determine attire and length of the party in case they need to hire a babysitter.
Plan Your Menu: There are lots of easy, fast recipes that work well outside. Grilling doesn't have to be an all day chore and you can do much of it prior to your guests' arrival if you plan ahead. Don't overestimate your skills ala Bridget Jones or you'll end up with blue soup. Go online and research to find quick and easy dishes that won't have you in the kitchen for days. A fun idea? Individual shrimp boil packets. In the south, we've used these little aluminum foil packages from the time we were in scouts to quick cook our meals over a fire. Just place the ingredients you want to cook onto a 12 x 12 square of foil. Top with a larger piece of foil and seal the edges. Place the packages over the fire- they're ready in no time and guests like getting their own little surprise bundle. If you have the time, a real shrimp boil is easy and always a hit. Your selection of drinks should compliment your menu. Make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic choices available for the designated drivers.
Décor and Music: Flowers can be expensive. Luckily, in the summer, you can get herbs, annuals, or other small potted plants from your local garden center and plant them in your yard after the party's over. Any large container can make a good ice receptacle-so much more attractive for serving than an ice chest. Tin or copper tubs, glazed ceramic garden containers, or large plastic tubs can all make colorful containers to ice down your drinks. For music, just create a playlist that you can download from iTunes and you'll have non-interrupted ambiance that's just perfect for your party. If you don't already have one, get an iPod speaker system like this Bose SoundDock Digital Music System for iPod from Brookstone. (Brookstone $299.99 = 2,999 Points)
Make a List-Check it Twice: Once you have your menu, décor, music, and guest list, you can start your shopping and to-do list. Every party planner worth their money lives by their to-do list. If the pros need a list to stay organized, you should follow their example. Cross off items as you have them. Don't forget to add the necessities and last minute items to the list. Charcoal, charcoal starter, trash bags, bottle openers, corkscrews, flashlight, batteries, candles, and matches are all things you will need to have on hand so double check your supply. You may need fishing line to string up decorations or extension cords, just make sure you have any items you need including a ladder before you begin to decorate.
A Day Before: It is always a good idea to email or call guests you haven't spoken to recently to confirm or answer any questions they have. Do all of your major house cleaning the day before. Cook and prep anything you can the day before. Slicing, dicing, chopping, and baking all take more time than you think and can usually be done in advance without sacrificing quality. Double check your to-do list and visually inspect your decorations, The day before, press linens and set out dishes, glassware, serving dishes, utensils, serving pieces, and trays. Affix labels to them indicating what they are for and you'll be able to visually determine what is missing.
The Day Of: Cut the grass that morning. Begin to set your decorations if they are complicated. If you are using fresh flowers, take care not to place them into direct sunlight as they could wilt. Make your arrangements in your garage or a cool, dry place and set them out at the last minute. If you live in a place where bugs are a problem, make sure to use an insect fogger several hours before your guests arrive and before you begin to take food outside. Empty all of the trash cans in the house and make sure there are plenty of trash cans clean and available outside, too. If you are using ice chests, spray or wipe them down and leave them open to air out in the sun. Move them into the shade several hours before filling them so that they have time to cool down. Make sure you have all of your food items ready to go into the oven or on the grill.
Last Minute: Ice. Get lots of ice — more than you think you'll need in the summer because it will melt quickly and there is nothing worse than a lukewarm beverage that is meant to be served cold on a very hot day. Now, just light the grill. Light the candles. Turn on the music and greet your guests!
Earnings opportunities mentioned in this article include: |
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