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monkey themed birthday party ideas

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When it comes to gatherings for kids, nothing’s more fun than a day at the beach. However, for those of us not lucky enough to live near the ocean, sometimes you have to bring the beach to you. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to create a tiki-style table setting that’s sure to have your little monkeys hooting and hollering.

• Start by wrapping your table with a grass table skirt (available at craft stores), or substitute with your greenest, most tropical-looking tablecloth. • Consider using a chocolate brown table runner or a large coconut leaf as your base. • Create a centerpiece using tropical fruit (bananas, papayas, kiwis, coconuts), banana leaves, palm fronds or other oversized leaves and vines, and even add a stuffed animal monkey to the mix. • Set the table using large banana leaf or rattan placemats. • Write each guest's name on a single banana using a brown marker and set at the top of each placemat for unique and playful place cards. • Use bamboo servingware and coconut cups. CHERYL'S TAKE

 

Other Things You Might Enjoy

• Keep it simple but not boring—there’s nothing wrong with serving burgers and dogs so long as you offer up plenty of fun, colorful fixings. A nice spread of fresh-cut toppings and gourmet sauces can class up any offering, from chili and Buffalo wings to nachos and cheesesteaks. • Personalize it—if your man is into sports, think about using foam fingers as lap trays or turning his old trophies into beer buckets. If he’s into cars, maybe use old oilcans as utensil holders and set out a roll of shop towels for napkins. Clean ones, of course. • Think beyond the BBQ—sure everybody loves a good backyard barbecue, but when the big game is on, or the weather takes a turn for the worse, the garage or the game room can make a great makeshift venue. • Finger food—think about serving kabobs, sliders or anything else that can be eaten with one hand (because the other will be busy holding a beverage!) • Can the can—set a stack of chalkboard beer glasses and a white marker next to the drink cooler so they guys can pour their beers into a personalized cup. Or order some custom beer cozies online and pass them out to each guest. CHERYL’S TAKE “When hosting an all-guy gathering, I like to serve everything in cast iron dishes, so I can set them out early and then slip away for a little gal time, knowing that the food will stay warmer longer.”

guy’s night in: create a space in the garage

If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then the key to throwing a great guys’ gathering is serving up super-manly dude food, right? Before you consign yourself to another ho-hum menu of burgers and beer, check out this can’t-miss guide for combining guy-friendly food with clever presentations.

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DIY onesie baby shower bunting

Throwing a baby shower? We love multi-functional creativity! Hang a onesie bunting and have guests choose one to design as a special gift for the mom-to-be.

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how to host a traditional tea party

From scrumptious finger sandwiches to fabulous floral centerpieces, a tea party is a great way to gather the gang for some chai and conversation. Here are five tips for hosting a beautifully casual tea party.