Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion</font></h2><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">(ARA) -Do you love the idea of entertaining, but feel like getting your home ready for a social event requires too much time and attention? Not to worry, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your home is always ready to host guests and they may not be as difficult to accomplish as you think.</span></p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">First and foremost, decide what type of ambiance your event needs and embrace it. If you are having an evening event, indulge in deep colors, soft lighting and upbeat music to keep your company awake! If it’s a daytime event, go bold and bright with your color scheme. "I love to target my audience and add things to my table settings that inspire my guests," says Angela Giannopoulos, a premier New York event stylist and owner of SC3 Group who has worked with brands such as Estee Lauder, Donna Karan and Missoni. "I recently decorated a birthday table for a group of grade school children. I used oversized legos and bright candy to entertain them." For unique ideas such as these, Giannopoulos has offered several tips for easy at-home entertaining. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Versatility is key.</strong> Make considerations when stocking your kitchen cabinets — consider cookware and serving dishes that can be used both for smaller and larger occasions, as well as casual and formal ones.<span>  </span>I also love expandable kitchen tables because you can accommodate a house full of guests and break it down for breakfast for two the morning after. My last bit of advice is to choose dinnerware that is versatile. Consider something that is durable enough for daily use and chic enough for evening occasions, such as Oneida’s Chef’s Table Collection.<span>  </span>This mix and match collection was designed with a modern look and crafted in all white porcelain to complement any table setting.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Accessorize your home.</strong> I often hang on to things that I shouldn’t, but have learned that any little knick knack can come into play when decorating for events. I’ve made candle holders out of mason jars, a menu with a chalkboard and centerpieces using old pitchers. I’m not encouraging clutter- just keep a stash of items that could be useful when entertaining and it may save you that extra trip to the store. </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/2b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/2b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Use nature to your advantage.</strong> When decorating, use sprigs and blooms grown near your home to add life to your table settings. Various shades of colors found in wildflowers often create an organic energy making a table setting more inviting for guests. Also, arranging flowers in different sized vases can be visually appealing on a long table while single, tall flowers work well with a table for two.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Accumulate a beverage collection.</strong> Nothing makes your visitors feel welcome like offering them a drink when they walk in the door. Rather than going out and stocking up on wine, liquor or soft drinks before you host, gradually accumulate a collection.<span>  </span>Your guests will be impressed by your selection when you have an assortment to offer. Also, consider outfitting your home with drinkware for every occasion. <a href="http://www.oneida.com" target="_blank">Oneida.com</a> offers affordable items such as their Angelina stemware that go from every day to every type of soiree. </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>* Be prepared for overnight visitors.</strong> Always keep clean sheets on your guest bed and be sure it is made, as you never know when someone might stop by for an overnight visit. If you really want to make your guests feel welcome, impress them with soothing products in the bathroom or on their nightstand along with a sweet treat on their pillow.</p>  <p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>