Pizza

Nothing like a good pizza pie to kick off a holiday weekend. I've just prepped my dough and toppings for my own little celebration. I thought I'd share my favorite recipes for homemade pizza that you can make for your family and friends. Better yet, save yourself effort by making a simple pizza dough and provide the toppings. Let your guests have fun doing the rest.

Recipes. Here are two great recipes for homemade pizza dough. You'll save time making these recipes. They're quicker to make than ordering take-out and much cheaper to make than buying a pre-made pizza.

King Arthur Flour - Easiest Pizza You'll Ever Make. Great basic recipe that is easily completed by hand. Consider adding 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of a herb (e.g., rosemary or Italian seasoning) for an extra flavor boost.

Sarah Moulton Food Processor Pizza Dough. Another great recipe but this recipe requires you to use a food processor rather than hand mix. Try making her Middle East Pizza or Grilled Southwestern Pizza. Fantastic combinations of flavors that can bring out the very best in your pies!

Music. When I make pizzas, I play Italian music. I think music adds alittle something to the dinner. So head off to the library, and check out compilation of Italian bistro music or perhaps so Pavarotti. Or download some songs:
- songs for your Italian dinner. recommended by my friend Robert
- the ideal Italian dinner party - recommended by Global Journey
- The Godfather and Cantable for the Violin and Guitar - by LastFM

Games. While the pizzas are baking in the oven, it's always good to have a few activities planned to keep friends and family entertained. A few ideas listed below that are fun for both adults and kids.
- Personalize Chef Hats.
- Kitchen Charades
- Hot Pizza (a twist on the "hot potato" game)
- Trivia (take a few cards from a Trivia Pursuit Game and pass them around for guest to read and ask others for answers)

Fab and Frugal Holiday Parties

Still contemplating throwing a holiday bash, but budgets and time a concern. Be resourceful. Throw a fabulous party by using some of these great tips:

Online PartyPlanning. Get organized. Get tips and tools to party planning with ease. Invite by e-cards and save yourself the cost of postage. Check out My Punchbowl and Evite.

Keep track of your RSVPs. Keep track of your headcount to help manage the quantity of food. Rule of thumb - 10% of those individuals who confirm attendance don't show up. Factor this % into your meal planning efforts

Off to Costco You Go. Buy the wine by the case, flowers, and beer. Pull some appetizers from the freezer and you're on to a well planned menu.

Potluck. It's not the dirty word it once was. If someone offers to bring something, be ready with assignments.

Music: Go to your local library, borrow a few holiday CDs and burn them on to your MP3 player.

GingerBread Houses. Buy a few gingerbread house kits. Set up a table with candies and tubes of frosting. Have teams of people decorate. Give a prize for the best one. Raffle off the others.

Hit the sales for platters and pitchers. Great deals for platters, pitchers (for water, instead of the more expensive option, bottled water) are currently being advertised by Macys, Kohls, TJ Maxx, ect.

Sparkle your home with homemade decorations. Do candles in votives in mason jars; group ornaments in a large glass vase; make a snowflake paper chain; snip some firs from a tree in your backyard. For other clever low-cost holiday ideas, check out suggestions from popular magazines like Real Simple; Martha Stewart Living; Good Housekeeping or Country Living. And when you head out to the craft store for your supplies, don't forget your coupons!

Inexpensive china. Fancier than buying paper products, but you can re-use them. Target offers a number of holiday dinner lines. In-store discounts are better than the online store.

Linens. Head to JoAnn's (with a 40% off coupon) and buy some inexpensive holiday fabric to drape over tables for tableclothes or to use as decorative banners around your home.

Party starter. Kick start your party with a ice breaker game or two. Christmas Trivia, Christmas Right Left Game, Name that Carol, are a few good options.

Have yourself a Merry Merry.

Great Gifts Under $25

Having a budget for Christmas presents, doesn't mean you need to be a scrooge! As requested, here are a few great gifts that won't break your bank this season.

For The Coffee Lover: Chalkboard coffee mug (AC Moore for $3), chalk, and a $10 Starbucks gift card.


For The Magazine Lover: Magazine subscriptions - its the gift that keeps on giving all year long. Purchase individual subscriptions or purchase a bundled offer from Maghound (FYI- Its a great new Internet service that likes Beer of the Month Club meets Netflix). Wrap up a current copy with a complementary gift for a extra gift giving punch (e.g., This Old House & $10 Home Depot Gift Card; Martha Stewart Living with $10 Michael's gift card; etc.)

For The Craftster. Buy a Gingerbread House Kit. Pick one up at CVS for $10; snag one at Michaels for $12 or order one online at the Dancing Deer Bakery.


For The Gamester On the Go. Travel Scrabble. Pick one up at your local BJs for $10 or buy online for $12 at Amazon.


For The Kid or The Kid at Heart. Nothing says "I'm fun" like being the owner of a Marshmallow Shooter. Available at Drugstore.com for $14.

For The Luxe Living: . Soap. Soap. Soap. Great gift for someone stressed out or needs a little pampering. Target's Soap and Glory offers a great selection of items priced $4- $10.


For the The Sentimentalist. Dust off your old photos and load them into a Photo Calender or digital photo keychain. Do a retrospective through the years, collection of favorite trips, or collection of favorite people. Upload the photos, Create personalized notes. Pick them up at a local store. Staples, Wal-mart, Costcos offer the services, starting at $8.95.

For the Retro Hipster. Buy a cool vintage logo t-shirt from Desteenation or Cafepress or bundle up a selection of retro candy from Pennycandy (e.g., mint juleps, bit o'honey, and charleston chews)

For the Nor'ester. Scarfs, Mittens, and Hat. Old Navy is offering the trio of items for $15. For a unique package, package them into a trio of chinese food containers available at a craft store.

For the Book Lover. Books are always a great option. I like to bundle books with the common themes (e.g, F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby & Caroline Preston's Gatsby Girl; Nero Blanc's Crossword Delights & NY Times Crossword Puzzles; (3) Julie Powell's Julie and Julia & Julia Child's Essential Kitchen Wisdom.


Would love to hear your great ideas for gifts under $25. Send them along and I'll post them!