Real Simple: Celebrations (Hardcover)

by Editors of Real Simple Magazine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
If only it were as simple as popping open a bottle of Champagne. But as every hostess knows, life's myriad celebrations - whether they come in the form of a big holiday blow out or a small birthday party - require planning and effort to pull off. And in the midst of all that hors d'oeuvre making and centrepiece arranging, it can be easy to lose sight of what you're actually celebrating (whose birthday is it, anyway?). "Real Simple Celebrations" is filled with smart solutions to take the hassle out of entertaining. Each chapter is dedicated to a different occasion - such as Easter, New Year's Eve, a child's birthday party - and guides you every step of the way, from inviting the guests to cleaning up after they've gone. With its handy checklists, foolproof game plans, practical advice, and truly doable ideas, "Real Simple Celebrations" will make all your parties a lot easier to pull off. So, you can stay focused on what you're celebrating-and, more important, why.

About the Author
Real Simple magazine has nearly 5.4 million readers and over 400,000 copies per issue are sold on the newsstand

Real Simple has been named #2 on Adweek's Hot List three years in a row (2006, 2007, 2008)

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Real Simple (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193340518X
• ISBN-13: 978-1933405186
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,780 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #19 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Business > Entertainment
  #37 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Tablesetting
  #68 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Intellectual Property

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate Good Times!, October 19, 2006

By	Lee Mellott "www.SkinCareForWrinkles.com (my ... (Frederick, Maryland) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Real Simple scores again with this gorgeous, oversized hard cover book, "Real Simple Celebrations"! Over the years I have found the Real Simple books to be lush & lavish yet perfect for explaining special touches to make life more lovely! And Real Simple Celebrations does just that.

In this book you will find lots of unique ideas to make your occasion more fun. Even though I have read more than my share of women's magazines, holiday books etc. I found lots of ideas in the book I had never thought of!

The book covers 3 different types of Celebrations. The first section is on Annual Celebrations and includes Thanksgiving, A Holiday Open House and A New Year's Eve Potluck. The Occasional Celebrations section includes A Shower, Milestone Birthday and Summer Barbecue and the Anytime Celebrations Section includes a Cheese Party, Dinner Party and Dessert Party. Each of these celebrations can be adapted to other occasions.

Each Celebration is described in detail with information given on invitations, decorations and set up, the table, food and drink, activities, etiquette, and wrap up.

The book includes beautiful full color photographs a Real Simple trademark. Many yummy recipes are included from chunky guacamole for the Summer Barbecue to beef bourguignonne for the Dinner Party to Elephant Ear cookies for the Dessert Party.

One unique feature included in the 192 page book is the party planning wheel at the back of the book. Just dial the removable wheel to a food or beeverage item like wine, beer, cheese etc and it will tell you how much to stock for 6, 12 or 24 guests! A great feature!

Overall a terrific book to make entertaining fun and easy for your special celebrations!

Lee Mellott

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the wannabe Party Giver!, November 3, 2006

By	lp (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

I really, really enjoy this book! I adore looking at the pictures of Martha Stewart magazines with a wistful "someday." But, this book brings me "today!" The ideas are fabulous, but manageable and affordable! I consider myself inept at any creative decorating for the holidays, but always envy those who can. The book gives fabulous, yet simple, methods for making every party a success, whether for your two-year old or your annual neighborhood bar-b-que. Excellent pictures (and lots of them) and helpful tips!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book . But before you buy this, be aware that there's a softcover/magazine format of it on newsstands now that's cheaper., December 7, 2006

By	Shashi (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This is a great book. Beautiful pictures, great ideas, very easy looking, approachable yet appealing recipes. I actually bought it, and ended up returning it after I saw basically the same thing on the magazine rack at the supermarket. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, the magazine version has great Thanksgiving recipes in it that look great and aren't in the book, though I can't be certain because I've already returned the hard cover. Anyway, just thought some of you might want to know this information. Whichever version you end up getting, it's great! But I'm glad I spent less on the softcover/magazine format version.