Real Simple Celebrations: Easy Entertaining for Every Occasion

by Real Simple, Valerie Rains, Annie Schlechter (Photographer)

Featuring a host of creative solutions to take the hassle out of entertaining, this colorful handbook guides readers step by step through the process of creating the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, New Year's Eve celebration, child's birthday party, and other special occasions, featuring handy checklists, game plans, advice, and easy-to-follow ideas.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Reference, Food, Design, Coffee Table Books

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2006

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a quick peek at this book at B&N and then promptly ordered it online. When I got it, I was a bit disappointed. It didn't have nearly as many ideas as I thought it would have. It only covers a small portion of the kinds of celebrations that come around every year. The book is broken down into 3 sections:

1. Annual Celebrations which include Thanksgiving Dinner, Holiday Open House and New Year's Eve Potluck

2. Occasional Celebrations which include A Shower (baby/wedding), Milestone Birthday, Summer BBQ

3. Anytime Celebrations which include Cheese Party, Dinner Party and Dessert Party

I was excited about the ideas that were given for the ones it includes, but disappointed that it didn't include ideas for regular types of celebrations (i.e. regular birthdays, Mother's/Father's Day, etc.)

I also don't like that much of the content really isn't about celebrations, but about things like etiquette, cleaning up, etc. I wish that they have used that room to add more decorating, game and food ideas.

On a good note, the pictures are eye candy. Big, colorful and full of inspiration.

If you like the style of Real Simple magazine, these celebration ideas won't disappoint, but overall, the book is lacking content.

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on a kick reading all the Real Simple Books my library has. I just LOVE that magazine. The books they publish are really the greatest hits from the magazine. I love the clean, crisp layouts and the gorgeous, deceptively simple images. This book made me want to throw a party or two. Right now.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well thought out, simple party ideas, but nothing revolutionary.

[Lady Jayme, · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all things Real Simple (might I recommend the magazine as well?), this is full of fun ideas and neat tricks you can do with everyday items. For example, if you are throwing a wine and cheese party, you could make your invitations out of blank yellow index cards and punch holes in them--voila! Swiss cheese invitations. I liked this book better than the Real Simple Organized Home.

[Joyanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was inspirational in terms of making me want to host a party using some of the ideas found in the book. I made copies of some of the table decoration, favors, invitation ideas as well as recipes. It was total eye candy for me. I may never do anything with the copies I made but each idea brought a smile to my face...so it was fun!

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE PARTY'S! Anything from planing them going to them and so on. I LOVE them! I found this book useful as i started planing my 12th B - day party. And there were some cute ideas for summer party's. Loved it!

[Lia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good ideas, but overall a limited scope of different kinds of celebrations. The recipes all looked delicious and I liked the cheese and dessert party ideas, but overall it covered stuff that seems almost common sense ( invitations...decorations for a Christmas party...Thanksgiving dinner)

[Melissa Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun ideas & party recipes!

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library, and loved it so much, I had to run out and buy it. I thought it had tons of clever and beautiful ways to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions.