Entertaining

When  you plan your child's graduation party, you want to plan an event that all of the kids will want to attend. After all, there's a lot of competition from the other graduation parties in the neighborhood. A menu that can accommodate the flow of guests who will be hopping between parties will make your life as host easier. This graduation party barbecue, with a burger bar,  should help you on both counts and it's tasty and fun too!

_{Photo © Getty Images/Iconica}

• Learn more about this Luau Decorating Idea.
• See other Hawaiian Luau Decorating Ideas.
• Find out how to plan a luau for a graduation party or other fun event.
• Show off your own decorating ideas.

Photo ©Donna Pilato

Over the weekend my daughter and I watched the classic Disney movie "Sleeping Beauty." We hadn't watched it in many years, so it was almost like seeing it for the first time. I couldn't believe this movie was as much about the hazards of entertaining as it was about true love conquering all. If only the parents of Princess Aurora had invited Malificent to their baby party, all of the future trouble when their daughter turned 16 could have been avoided. Which proves that preparing your guest list for a party deserves as much attention as your menu planning.

Our high school is holding its senior prom tonight. What's most significant about this to me is that another school year is almost over. Wow, that went fast, didn't it?  The prom also means that you can count on your fingers the weeks until graduation. That's if you're feeling nostalgic and would like to relive those preschool years. And it also means if your child is among that senior prom group this spring, you'd better get started planning his or her graduation party.

Just in case you need a little reminder, it's Mother's Day on Sunday. It's the one day of the year when you have the chance to go out of your way to show Mom just how much you appreciate what she does for you and the family all the rest of the year. In case you weren't sure just how to start out her special day, here's a breakfast menu that's guaranteed to make her feel pampered. You don't have to make everything on this menu, but if you did I wouldn't turn it down! (Okay family, I'll stop hinting now.)

Photo ©Getty Images/Stone

• Learn more about this Bumblebee birthday cake.
• See other garden theme cakes.
• Show off your own decorated cakes.

Photo ©Marja

When it comes to entertaining the biggest issues facing most hosts have nothing to do with planning the menu or decorations. No, the bigger issues usually relate to the stickier matters that fall under the umbrella of etiquette. For example, many hosts have to deal with guests bringing along other people who weren't on the list of invitees. Was it rude of them to assume that they could?

Most people know to think about the food, drink and decorations when they plan a party. But often we forget to think about whether the group will be comfortable chatting with one another, which is really the most important ingredient in any successful party. That's why it's helpful to turn to conversation starters to help get the party started. Here's a list of conversation topics you might want to use at your next party. You're also invited to share conversation topics you've found to be successful at parties you've attended.

Mother's Day is almost here, but there's still enough time to give some thought to how to make her day special. The first thing to consider is just where she is in her mothering career. Because the mom of toddlers has very different parenting responsibilities when compared with the mom of older kids. Therefore, how she would like to be appreciated on her special day is going to be different too. I've given this a lot of thought during my years as a parent, and I share my ideas for how to Mother Mom on Mother's Day depending on which stage of parenthood she is in right now.

• Find nacho recipes for your Cinco de Mayo party.
• Show off your Cinco de Mayo party pictures.

Photo ©Donna Pilato