Forecast: Summer with a 100% chance of parties!

According to this week’s weather forecast and the fact that the swimming pool is opening in a few days tells me that summer is here – finally! Many of us thought it would never get here this year. With summer comes picnics, parties, barbecues, and reunions. During my 20+ years in event planning, I have picked up a few tips for hosting and entertaining that I hope will keep you in the fun zone during your summer gatherings.

Tip #1 –Choose a style and go with it. By style, I mean, are you hosting a potluck? Cocktails and appetizers? Full blown BBQ with all the fixings? Decide how much effort you want to put in and want your guests to put in early on to make sure everyone knows what you need from them. There’s nothing like having a barbeque and 10 guests all show up with Grandma’s famous potato salad….unless you are holding a potato salad contest.

Tip #2 – Let guests know the menu and what you would like them to bring, if anything. I personally like to make all the food so I know I won’t have duplicate dishes (see Grandma’s potato salad reference in tip #1). However, over the years, I’ve grown and am now comfortable asking for help or letting guests know what I need when they ask that famous question….”what can I bring?” Don’t shrug it off and say nothing – let them know if a bottle of wine, bag of chips or bottle of barbeque sauce would make the event even better! Most of us hate showing up empty handed to someone else’s house.

Tip #3 – Relax and enjoy the party! I admit I used to get so wrapped up in cleaning and setting the perfect table that by the time my guests arrived I was tired and a little cranky (you can ask my husband if you don’t believe me, on second thought, don’t ask him). If your party is confined to your backyard, deck or family room, don’t knock yourself out cleaning your entire house top to bottom. Make sure it isn’t a total wreck, but you are hosting a party with friends, not an open house to sell your house.

Tip #4 – Use any party or occasion to bring out your prized serving pieces. How many of us have been saving that set of dishes or platter for a special occasion? Well, right now is a special occasion. Bring out the good stuff for your friends.

Tip #5 – Involve your guests. One of my favorite shows on TV is Breakfast at Tiffani’s – Tiffani being an actress who also has serious cooking and decorating skills. Each episode involves her friends coming to dinner and she has them arrive early so they can help her cook. People enjoy being useful and having a sense of purpose. Most of us want to pitch in and at least stir a sauce, plate a salad or fix a cocktail for another guest. Start the social hour early by inviting a few guests to arrive early and help you prepare.

I’d love to hear your go-to party hosting and planning tips. Feel free to leave them in the comments below! Oh, and did I mention Adela’s has all your favorite serving pieces, barware and décor you need for your next fiesta?

Happy summer and happy entertaining!

Spring gift giving season is upon us. Mother’s Day is fast approaching, followed quickly by graduation and Father’s Day. I always enjoy a homemade gift from my son for Mother’s Day to remind me how creative and thoughtful he is even though he seems to be aging beyond his years at a rapid pace – much faster than I would prefer!

Each person defines their perfect gift in their own way – for some it’s flowers, stationary, collectibles, photos, jewelry, food, wine, etc. I’m secretly hoping to have my car detailed professionally as my Mother’s Day gift. Hint- hint - dear husband!

In these first few weeks at the store, I’ve met so many new customers and friends and heard their gifting stories – from a woman whose group of friends gave another friend a Pandora bracelet with charms representing all of them for her to wear during her chemo treatments – to another woman who purchased two Pandora crown rings to wear with her father’s wedding band as a tribute and remembrance of him.

Many who come into the story have an idea of what they want to convey with a gift and our job is to help focus that feeling toward a particular item. We strive to carry items for every person in your life no matter the occasion or sentiment.

Of course we have many gifts for all the moms and mom-figures in your life. We also have a selection of gifts for the graduates whether they are starting college or starting their first job and entering their first apartment or home. New to the store are mens’ gifts – from man cans (candles) to Iowa and ISU aprons, bags, bath products, frames and more.

Your gift to us is to stop by, take a look, say hello and be inspired. Even if you are just shopping for yourself!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the people moms, pet moms, mom influencers and caretakers out there – I wish you a wonderful day to celebrate you and your families. I’ll be celebrating at the baseball field with a walking taco – at least I don’t have to cook it!