Halloween Party Ideas

Here Ye! Here Ye! The Holidays are coming! The Holidays are coming!

Stealing a page from Paul Revere, I'm hear to tell you about the most exciting part of the year! Our magnificent Holiday season!

For me the Holiday season officially begins with Halloween. Trick-or-treating, costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, telling scary stories, and watching horror films with friends, makes this one of my favorite days of the year!  

Tell your friends and family about your bloodcurdling gathering, with a creative invitation. Websites,like tinyprints;  http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/halloween-party-cards-invitations.htm, offer a wide array of wonderful, and unique Halloween party invitations, or be creative, and make your own!

Decorating your home for your Halloween party is half the fun! Check out DIY & CRAFTS, to get you started with 40 Easy to make DIY Halloween Decor Ideas: 

http://www.diyncrafts.com/3263/homemade/40-easy-to-make-diy-halloween-decor-ideas

Transform your food into a scary affair! Check out Better Homes and Gardens, for 24 horrifying food ideas:

http://www.bhg.com/halloween/recipes/quick-halloween-party-food/

You can't serve spooky food, without spine-chilling drinks. You'll find 23 To-Die-For Halloween Cocktails at; 

http://www.hgtv.com/entertaining/13-to-die-for-halloween-cocktails/pictures/index.html

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

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Outdoor Party Ideas!

Well it’s September, which means Autumn will soon be here; the season that many people refer to as Fall, because of the falling leaves.  

 

Autumn is also harvest time for many crops. The leaves are starting to turn colors, the weather will be getting colder and colder... but not here in beautiful Southern California!  Why not enjoy those wonderful crops, with an end of the summer outdoor bash!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Party Tips:

 

 

Place citronella candles throughout the party area to keep the bugs away.

 

Simple to elaborate centerpieces are one of the best ways to illustrate your party's theme.

 

Tablecloth grips are the best way to secure plates and napkins on a windy day.

 

Stringing small white lights around a few trees will look magnificent when it gets dark.

 

For great table lighting, fill small metal pails with sand and use them to hold candles.

 

Choose the right music for your party. You never want to play music that is too overwhelming. 

 

Prepare food in advance. Do as much as you can the day before your party.

 

A buffet is the perfect way to serve your food!

 

You can be enjoying my gluten-free menus at your next event, or party!

 

Give PartyCharlie,  the grand genie of the catering world a call. Your wish is my command. Sit back, relax, have a drink, and let me turn your next event into a magic carpet ride. 310-542-1234

 

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter:http://www.charliescola.com   

Gluten-Free Salads

My business philosophy has always been to cater to the different needs of my clients, which is why I'm happy to offer gluten-free menus, that are that are super-tasty, and enjoyable for everyone.

Eating a gluten-free diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and other health-related conditions, like diabetes. 

Gluten-Free Salads

Colorful Baby Greens

Baby Greens with Cucumbers, Radishes, Shaved Carrots Tossed in a Citrus Seasoned Rice Wine Vinaigrette

Asian Coleslaw

Crisp Coleslaw Tossed In a Seasoned Rice Wine Vinaigrette

Red Quinoa Salad

With Red Shiso Micro Greens Drizzled with a Pomegranate Dressing Served in Bamboo Serving Boat Trays

Kale Salad with Quinoa

Tangerines and Roasted Almonds Tossed in a Lemon Olive Oil Basil Dressing

Mixed Field Greens Salad

With Cherry Tomatoes and Oranges, Served with an Orange Vinaigrette

Fresh Mozzarella

Vine Ripened Beef Steak Tomatoes Topped with Fresh Basil Served with Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dusted with Pink Himalayan Salt

Curry Chicken Salad

Tossed with Grapes, Pineapple, Shredded Coconut, Raisins and Curry Dressing over Mixed Field Greens

Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata Cheese

Baby Red and Golden Beets, Arugula in a Lemon-Pistachio Vinaigrette

Pear Salad with Mixed Greens

 Bleu Cheese, Walnuts and Dates, Served with a Pear Vinaigrette and Balsamic glaze

Chilled Iceberg Wedge

  With hickory Smoked Bacon and Roquefort Cheese Dressing

In the next few months, I will continue sharing my gluten-free menus, that you can be enjoying at your next event, or party!

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

 

Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter:http://www.charliescola.com 

 

Garden Party Tips

The PartyCharlie Summer Party Series continues with an elegant Garden Party! 

 

The first course of action, when planning a summer Garden Party, is ATMOSPHERE! 

 

Choosing a location is crucial.  Perhaps you already have an idyllic backyard, but if you don't, not to worry! Contact your local parks department, to request a permit for your party.  This should be done, at least a month in advance. 

Garden Party Tips:   Colorful Invitations will set the tone for your summer affair. Music is crucial for setting the "vibe," for your Garden Party.  Start out "mellow," and build. Inexpensive Chinese lanterns in a variety of colors will brighten things up nicely. Chose a color pattern for you party.  You can never go wrong with yellow, and blue.  Flowers, flowers, and more flowers... Set your table with glassware, that will sparkle in the sun. The menu should be a light affair.  Chilled soups, finger sandwiches, quiche, colorful salads, and an antipasto, will always be a hit.  Iced tea, lemonade, and a fruity punch will quench the thirst of your guests. Croquet, badminton, frisbee, horseshoes and bocce ball are all awesome activities for a Garden Party.  Make a batch of all natural bug spray, to keep the pesky, little critters away.     Here is link to a natural bug spray recipe:  http://gardentherapy.ca/all-natural-bug-spray-recipe/   My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!   Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter:http://www.charliescola.com

 

Backyard Barbecue, With A Twist

It's summertime, and the PartyCharlie Summer Party Series is back for the third year in a row!  

This year I would like to kick the series off with a good-old, backyard barbecue, with a twist! 

In the last few newsletters I've been featuring my YUMMY Gluten-Free menus.  I would like to continue that theme, with our Summer Party Series. 

 This month's blockbuster, backyard barbecue will feature the best in grilled Gluten-Free entrees, with out-of-this-world, Gluten-Free sides!

 Delight your guests with these Gluten-Free Entrees;

Grilled Prawns Brushed with Caper Butter Sauce with Fresh Herbs Served on a Bed of Fluffy Organic Long Grain Rice.


 Grilled Salmon with a Lemon Butter Sauce.

Served with tasty Gluten-Free sides;

Skin on Red Smash Potatoes Made with Creamy Sweet Butter, Almond Milk, Himalayan Pink Salt Fresh Ground Black Tellicherry Pepper.

 Assorted Grilled Seasonal Vegetables, Drizzled with Seasoned Rice Wine Vinaigrette.

These recipes and many more, are all featured on my Gluten-Free menus. Give me a call for more information.  
 
 In the next few months, I will continue sharing my gluten-free menus, that you can be enjoying at your next event, or party!

Give me a call, and I will make your next event, or  party a spectacular gluten-free experience for all five senses! 

  My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

Spring is in the air, giving us cause for celebration. It's a time for backyard barbecues, and family gatherings!

 

In the past, if you were sensitive, or intolerant to gluten, you would have a hard time enjoying yourself at an event or party. 

 

Gluten is hidden in many products. It is found in rye, barley and wheat , commonly used as a thickening agents.

 

 

Thankfully today, event planners, and caterers like myself are offering gluten-free menus, that are that are super-tasty, and enjoyable for everyone.  

 

Eating a gluten-free diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and other health-related conditions, like diabetes. 

 

In the next few months, I will be sharing my gluten-free menus, that you can be enjoying at your next event, or party!

 

Check out my Gluten-Free Hors d'oeuvres Menu.

Gluten-Free Hors d'oeuvres Menu - Part 1

 

 

Endive Spears

Stuffed with Red Pepper Mousse, Fire Roasted Pepper and Topped with Sprouts

 

 

Crab Filled Mushroom Caps

Filled with, Spinach, Pesto & Topped With Aged Parmesan Cheese

 

 

Pineapple Pico De Gallo

Crisp Corn Tortilla Chips

Home-Style Fresh Guacamole

 

 

Caprese Skewers

Imported Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Fresh Basil Tear Drop Tomatoes

With an Lemon Olive Oil Glaze

Dusted with Pink Himalayan Salt and Black Pepper

 

 

 

Roasted Vegetable Skewers

Served with Brushed with Butter Maple Glaze

 

 

 

Mini Red Potatoes

Stuffed with Crème Fraiche

Topped with Crispy Toasted Shallots and a Dash of Lemon Pepper

 

 

Fresh Sweet Seasonal Fruit Kebobs

With Mint Sprig

 

 

Black Garlic Chicken Saté 

Korean Black Garlic Roasted

Mixed with Almond Butter and Coconut Milk and a bit of Red pepper

 

Give me a call, and I will make your next event, or  party a spectacular gluten-free experience for all five senses! 

 

  My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

Saving Money on Floral Items

 

 

 This month's party tips are taken from my book:

 

Party Planning Secrets

The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Party

 

 

 

 

Saving Money on Floral Items

 

Order your floral items far in advance. 

 

Be sure to ask what will be in season at that time.

 

Avoid exotic flowers unless you can strike a deal with the florist. 

 

Avoid flowers that are in high demand for the season. For instance, roses are beautiful, but if your party is on or around Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, the cost will shoot up.

 

 

My “Five Steps for Creating the Energy for an Outrageously Successful Party,” will provide you with all the necessary ingredients to plan and host memorable events that you and your guests will rave about. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, grand opening, holiday party or family celebration, let my 30+ years in the party planning and catering business be your guide to hosting an outrageously successful and stress-free event. Order your book today!

Sign Up For My FREE Monthly Newsletter:http://www.charliescola.com