HowToDoThings.com Recent Family Events & Holidays Articles

How To Get VIP Service from a Restaurant

marcalex — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 09:28:54 -0600

Have you spent a few too many evenings stuck next to the kitchen or worse, the bathroom, while trying to enjoy a night out for dinner? If so you can change your luck. Follow these instructions and you can get VIP service at restaurants you enjoy.

How To Vote

coffeebuzz — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:55:05 -0500

How To Write a Resolution for a Funeral

gonzo — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:25:09 -0500

Funeral resolutions are meant to offer comforting words during trying times. The death of a loved one is a difficult time and preparing a statement that celebrates that person’s life may seem overwhelming. Still, you can write a resolution for a funeral by following these steps and keeping some key principles in mind.

How To Celebrate Pi Day

gin rummy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:54:22 -0500

Pi is the Greek symbol for the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Pi is one of the most famous mathematical constants and Pi Day is celebrated across the world on March 14 each year. The value of Pi over time has been calculated to over a trillion digits after the decimal (not manually, of course!!). Most commonly these days people say its value is 3.1415926 - which is why we honor Pi on March 14 (3/14 - get it?!). On this day (and at 1:59 PM in particular, if you want to get really specific) students across the US celebrate Pi by participating in various fun activities. March 14 also has more special significance asthe day Albert Einstein was born, so March 14 actually becomes a double celebration for mathematicians all over the world who hold both Pi and Einstein sacred. For those who do not follow the above MM-DD-YYYY date format, Pi Day might instead fall on 3 January at 4.15.92 AM.

How To Organize a Long Distance Baby Shower

mcdesign — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:08:29 -0500

How To Make a Diaper Cake

Cassandra — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:33:18 -0500

Decorating for a baby shower can have limited options. For a fun and creative decoration, consider making a diaper cake. Creating this cake lets you gift the new mom with items she needs while serving as a decorative centerpiece. Just follow these directions and you can make a diaper cake quickly and easily.

Materials:
1-2 packages of diapers (amount depends upon the size of the cake)
Ribbon – ½” in width or less
Package of pacifiers
Package of booties
Small doll, truck or rattle

Tools:
Scissors
Double-sided tape

How To Make Ukrainian Easter Eggs

teacher — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:54:54 -0500

What is Pysanka? It is a technique to decorate Easter eggs according to the Ukrainian tradition. This technique takes a lot of time, patience and...creativity. Although you can use specific traditional patterns, you can also use some creativity to display various designs of your choice.

The original intention behind this tradition was to send good wishes to family and friends when handing the eggs out as gifts. It is a bit similar to a card in which you've written best wishes, but the eggs were an easier way to express those wishes throughout the years when writing was not an acquired skill by all. At home, these eggs were meant to attract specific blessings (such as having a good crop, benefiting from good health, etc). How do you make Ukrainian Easter eggs? Let's see...

How To Garden Safely with Children at Home or in School

Marilisa560 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:56:26 -0600

Gardening is in my list of top five learning activities. It's natural, therapeutic, hands-on, interactive and a great learning tool. Whether you teach plant care, botany lessons or gardening at home with your children or in school as a teacher, there are several areas to consider and steps to follow to ensure safety.

How To Make Moving with Children Easier

afriedl — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:01:54 -0600

The house is chosen, the paperwork is started and the bank visit is scheduled. In theory, your move from one house to another is going smoothly. However, the packing is taking longer than expected and now the children are upset about a new house. Where do you start? How can this possibly go smoothly? And will it be better once we're in the new place? Some simple things to consider can make moving much easier for children to handle. Older children can be easier to reason with and coerce into involvement. But what about younger kids?

How To Keep New Year's Resolutions

CVRAJAN — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:07:55 -0600

Why does everyone seem to have a record of failures when it comes to sticking to New Year's resolutions? It is the simple reason that while most of us are good in theory, we flounder in practice! We recognize that the difficulty in getting rid of a bad habit is directly proportional to our attachment to it and the length of the time we've been doing it.

We normally make a resolution to get rid of some of our bad habits - like smoking, drinking, overeating, workaholism, procrastination, etc. To become successful in keeping our New Year's resolutions, we need a few essential ingredients:

How To Stick with New Year's Resolutions

teacher — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:28:58 -0600

New Year's is a synonym for resolutions. This is the time of year when you want to make changes and start anew. It is also the time of year filled with good intentions and empty promises. Why? Well, mostly because you either forget about them, your goals seem unreachable or you simply count them as failures as time goes by. Why not make them a long term success by staying focused on each one of them? How can you make it easier? The answer is obvious...visualize them. You see, 70% of people are considered to be visual, 20% are auditory and 10% are kinesthesic-tactile. You can use this info to help you out.

How To Choose Valentine's Day Flowers

Denise639 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:02:22 -0600

Valentine's Day is the day set aside for lovebirds. It is a time to express your innermost feelings to the one who brings joy to your life. In short, Valentine's Day is for couples. One of the most popular gifts purchased for Valentine's Day is flowers. Whether you are considering buying your better half carnations, a bouquet of roses, or a mix of different varieties, choosing flowers should be just as important as the day itself. Follow these steps, and you will be sure to bring delight to someone this holiday.

How To Keep Your Children From Driving You Crazy During The Holidays

ralexander — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:03:17 -0600

Prepare yourself. Your children are getting ready to invade your house during their Christmas break. Your home will no longer be filled with quietness during the day, but instead will have the noise and chaos that can only be brought about by children. Use the following tips to make the Christmas-break time a fun season for yourself and your children:

How To Buy a Gift for Someone Who Has Everything

omehaney — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:58:57 -0600

Many of us have someone in our lives that has absolutely everything and then some. Buying a gift for that special person can prove quite stressful around the holiday season and with each upcoming birthday. Sit back and relax. Here are a few pointers aimed at making difficult gift buying a little bit easier.

How To Decorate a Christmas Tree

bronwyn — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:05:24 -0600

There are virtually endless ways to decorate a Christmas tree. From traditional to modern, simple to elaborate, Christmas tree ornaments reflect the personalities of the families decorating the trees.

How To Throw a Baby Shower

Cherish21 — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:16:30 -0500

Finding out you're pregnant can be the best news in the world. But as a new mother it can be a difficult as well as expensive task to search for and purchase all the necessary clothing, accessories, feeding supplies and equipment the new baby will need before arrival.

This is where a baby shower comes in handy. Baby shower gifts are the best way for a new mother to receive almost everything she needs for the new baby at no cost to her. These items will be given as gifts from friends and family. Baby showers are also a great time for everyone to come together and celebrate the arrival of the new baby.

So here are all the details you need to think about in order to have a successful baby shower:

How To Choose a Flatware Set

Marilisa560 — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:17:03 -0500

I have used, purchased, broken, cherished, tried and discarded many different styles and types of flatware in my lifetime. And I have learned a secret: 'Not all flatware is created equal.' Even comparably priced flatware varies in several important ways. And nowhere is it so evident as it is in flatware options, that you get what you pay for. Here are some considerations for anyone planning to begin a bridal registry, set up housekeeping, purchase new flatware or replace flatware.

How To Stay Safe Around Fireworks

Brian263 — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:49:00 -0500

Ah, the smell of gunpowder hanging in the air on the Fourth of July... the crackling and sparkling, the giant displays that light up clouds of smoke, the tar marks and refuse strewn all over the street for the sweepers to clean up in the morning - what child can resist the call to light fireworks on Independence Day?

How To Create a Place Setting

Staff468 — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:20:00 -0600

You've made all the necessary preparations for a soiree to remember - Cornish game hens, a peat fire burning unobtrusively in the fireplace, and the finest Washington State wines money can buy. The evening proceeds without a hitch, until Martha Stewart reaches for her soup spoon... but where is it? Nobody knows! It's not where it should be - it's not even on the left side of the knife. Was it delivered with the soup? No. How uncouth - are we to use the dessert spoon, or just scoop handfuls of broth into our mouths? Oh good heavens, there it is - on the left side of the plate....

Do you hear the frustrated whispers and smell the mortification mingling with your butternut squash? You've just committed a major place setting faux pas. Now you must get on your knees and beg for Martha's forgiveness (good luck)!

How To Dress for Graduation

D605 — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:33:00 -0600

Graduation is a festive occasion - and one with surprisingly few rules when it comes to what you wear. While what you wear under your gown may not seem important, graduation is still a big occasion in your life. Follow these guidelines and you'll enjoy your big day with both comfort and dignity.

How To Take Pictures at a Graduation Ceremony

D605 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:45:00 -0600

Congratulations - you or your child finally graduated! Or maybe it's a close friend who is the graduate. No matter who is graduating, you will want to take pictures of this important occasion. But it isn't as simple as bringing your camera and snapping a picture when your loved one is receiving her diploma. Follow these simple steps and you'll have great pictures by which to remember the day!

How To Make the Perfect Snowball

Brian263 — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:40:00 -0600

The perfect snowball... when you've made it, you'll know. It's unmistakable - that perfect weight and texture for packing, the ease on the elbow as you throw it, splattering perfectly across your hapless victim upon impact. So how do we make the best possible snowball, the winter projectile of our dreams? You have to know where to get the best snow, and then how to shape it for best results.

They say no two snowflakes are the same, and the same is true of snowballs. But there are different kinds of snow that we can define. There's slush, light powder, heavy snow and popcorn snow, to name a few kinds. The Inuit have many more names for snow than we use (though I bet we Seattleites have them beat in the rain department), and we can learn a lot from their distinctions; we're down here trying to make the best possible snowball, but for them, knowledge of snow is a matter of survival.

How To Make a Campfire

Brian263 — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 15:15:00 -0600

We've all been burned (figuratively) by lousy campfires in the past. Perhaps because making fires is such an age-old human endeavor, failing to make a good one can be a humbling experience. You might use up several days' supply of newspaper trying to light a campfire for day one. You might smell even more like hot dog smoke than you otherwise would have. You might worry that your fire-making ineptitude, together with that protruding brow of yours, could prompt comparisons between you and Ron Perlman in the classic "Quest for Fire." Far worse, you might be cold. Avoid this unfortunate fate!

How To Make a Disco Ball

Staff468 — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:22:00 -0600

Have you ever been to a party and seen a disco ball hanging from the ceiling? You might have thought to yourself, "I can't believe there's a disco ball here! It must have taken ages to make." Though you ought to know what to expect from it, you're still surprised as the ball showers a majestic aura over the entire reckless scene. A mirror ball is the most poetic accessory to a party; it's tarnished romance, beautifully fractured, but unabashedly romantic nonetheless. Who doesn't enjoy being dappled by the disco ball's light?

If you found yourself thinking you could never devote the time to making a disco ball, think again! By following these simple steps, you too can make a disco ball and let its presence elevate your festivities.

How To Take Photos with Santa

Tonya249 — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 18:48:00 -0600

When you step outside, you can feel the nip of winter in the air. If you listen very, very closely, you can almost hear the jingle of Santa's sleigh bells in the distance. You know what this means - it's time to cart your children off to Santa's workshop and try to get at least a tiny little smile out of them for that treasured photo with the big guy. There are a few tricks to making this easier for both you and your kids!

How To Get Along With Relatives

Tonya249 — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:47:00 -0500

Everyone has a picture in their mind of what an ideal family holiday should be. Usually this involves lots of family members of all ages sitting around a large table, eating, drinking, laughing and never, ever disagreeing. Unfortunately, this is somewhat unrealistic. When large groups of people gather, personality conflicts are bound to arise. This doesn't mean a ruined holiday, however. All it takes is a little forethought and a bit of tact to create an atmosphere where everyone can have fun and celebrate!

How To Celebrate Baby's First Christmas

Tonya249 — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:10:00 -0500

Having a baby will completely change the way you look at the holidays. There are a lot of things that will be much more fun than they were pre-baby, but also some things that will be a lot more work. You'll need to consider what your priorities are, so that baby's first Christmas is enjoyable, not exhausting.

How To Buy Gifts for Grandparents

Tonya249 — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:23:00 -0500

Buying Christmas gifts for grandparents can be a bit tricky. More than likely, they don't need any of the typically "useful" gifts, but on the other hand, you don't want to get them another knick-knack to sit on a shelf gathering dust - and possibly, getting broken by the grandkids! Here are some ideas to delight even the most difficult-to-shop-for grandparent.

How To Pack for a Family Beach Vacation

Victoria116 — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:03:00 -0500

Packing for a family vacation at the beach can be an overwhelming task, but if you're organized you can get the job done in no time at all. Here are some tips on how to pack for a family beach vacation:

How To Plan a Baptism

Amy 302 — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:31:00 -0500

Many religions have a ceremony to introduce their children into their church and community. Depending on your religious affiliation, this may be called a christening, a naming ceremony, a baptism, or a dedication to the church. Perhaps the most commonly known ceremony is a baptism. Planning a baptism is a relatively easy procedure, and can be done with the help of your church.

How To Create Family Reunion Invitiations

Amy 302 — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 16:56:00 -0500

If you are looking to make your family reunion an unforgettable event, you should start with a sharp looking invitation. You can go to the store and buy them readymade, but in most cases, these are impersonal, and you may not find exactly what you want. Creating invitations for your family reunion is not that hard, and the finished product will be immensely more pleasing. When you create your own, you can add personal touches that represent your family and your shared memories.

How To Find Family Reunion Cruises

Amy 302 — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 16:31:00 -0500

Family reunion cruises have become a popular way for families to reconnect and enjoy an exciting vacation together. Cruises offer a variety of fun things to do, great places to see, and the opportunity for all family members to relax and enjoy catching up with one another. One of the best features of a family reunion cruise is that no one has to worry about the menu or activities for the kids. When you book a cruise, all of that is taken care of for you.

How To Throw a 25th Wedding Anniversary Party

Ann110 — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 21:48:00 -0500

A 25th wedding anniversary is a momentous occasion. Often, people choose to celebrate this "silver" anniversary with a party. This useful guide will outline everything you need to know to throw a fabulous 25th wedding anniversary celebration.

How To Throw a Great Housewarming Party

Andrea143 — Sun, 21 May 2006 19:06:00 -0500

Moving into a new and larger home can often give the new occupants an empty feeling. The house literally feels empty. A housewarming party will fill the house with family and friends, as well as providing a few great gifts that will help fill the house after they are gone. Use this guide to throw a great housewarming party.

Find a friend to host: Hunting, buying, and moving into your new home is a lot of work. It would be easier on you if a sibling, parent, or friend were to do the hosting.

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How To Throw a Great Graduation Party

Andrea143 — Sun, 21 May 2006 18:08:00 -0500

Throwing a graduation party is often an honor for a proud parent as well as one of the most memorable life moments for the graduate. As parents you will want to give your graduate a party he will always remember. Use this guide to throw a great graduation party.

Talk to your graduate before the party to find out who he wants on the guest list and to communicate limits, on your part and his. He won't want to be treated like a child, but at the same time, you will be throwing the party, which may very well be in your home.
Make a guest list allowing for a few party crashers and send out invitations. By mailing the invitations, you can get the names and addresses of most of the people who will be at the party. You can look up phone numbers from the names and addresses, just in case you need them.

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How To Order Personalized Kids' Party Supplies

Andrea143 — Sun, 21 May 2006 17:02:00 -0500

The only thing cooler for a kid than having a party, is having a party that is personalized with her name and other important information. This guide will help you order personalized kids' party supplies for that special event.

You have two basic options when purchasing personalized items for your child's party. By using one or all three options, you will be able to create a wonderful atmosphere. The options are:

Purchasing individual personalized party items.

How To Throw a Great Party for Your Teen

Andrea143 — Sat, 20 May 2006 21:42:00 -0500

Statistics say that teens are most likely to consume alcohol and participate in inappropriate activities during parties. It is also a known fact that too much parental participation at a teen party may embarrass your child "for life." Finding a balance between cool parent and responsible parent can be difficult at best. Here are steps you can follow to help you strike a balance between a great party and a well-supervised party for your teen.

Have a talk with your teen about the party. Set expectations in advance.
Set a limit for invitees. Just like in any restaurant or elevator, there are a maximum number of people that should be in a house before it becomes a hazard to the occupants. Having too many cars around your home or too much noise may also anger your neighbors.

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How To Throw a Sweet 16 Birthday Party

Andrea143 — Sat, 20 May 2006 20:51:00 -0500

For many girls, having a sweet sixteen party is second only to their plans for a future wedding. Whether you are planning a sweet sixteen party, or a Quinceanera, here is a guide that will allow you to make it a day to remember.

How To Find Baby Shower Poems

Ann110 — Thu, 18 May 2006 15:41:00 -0500

Whether you are hosting a baby shower or just attending one, you may want to use a baby shower poem. We'll help you find the best assortments of free poems online as well as providing free baby shower poem invitation samples you can use!

How To Throw a Great Retirement Party

Elizabeth69 — Wed, 17 May 2006 10:38:00 -0500

Most of us look forward to the day when we will be able to retire. No more alarm clocks, no more overtime, and no more answering to the boss. Retirement is freedom -- and a wonderful reason to have a party! If you are planning a retirement party, here are a few good ideas:

How To Throw a Great 50th Birthday Party

Elizabeth69 — Wed, 17 May 2006 07:05:00 -0500

Everybody loves a good party. What could be more fun than a festive gathering of friends and family? Landmark birthdays are often the times when adults choose to have a birthday party. If someone you know is about to turn 50 and you want to throw a terrific bash, here are a few tips:

Start the fun with the invitations. Do a little research on events of 50 years ago and include them on the invitation. For example, "In 1956 Eisenhower was in the White House, The Wizard of Oz was shown on TV for the very first time, folks stood in line to see The King and I at the movies, Elvis Presley was all over the radio, you could mail a letter for three little pennies and in Chicago, Illinois, the Walker family welcomed baby Thomas James."

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How To Play Kids' Party Games

Elizabeth69 — Tue, 16 May 2006 06:44:00 -0500

Everybody loves a party, and kids are no exception. Festive decorations, yummy food, tons of balloons and of course, fun party games, help to make the day memorable. If it's been a while since you played children's party games, here is a quick refresher:

Bozo Buckets: Line up 6 buckets and stand a child at one end. Instruct the player to toss a ball into the closest bucket. If the child is successful, she gets to try the next bucket. The child gets to continue tossing the ball into each progressively further bucket until she misses. Award a prize for each successful toss, with the prizes getting a little larger for each toss.

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How To Buy a Graduation Cake

Elizabeth69 — Mon, 15 May 2006 17:06:00 -0500

Graduations are wonderful causes for celebration. Whether from junior high, high school, or college, graduation marks academic advancement and deserves recognition. Graduation parties are fun events for family and friends. If you are planning a graduation celebration, one of your tasks will be to buy a graduation cake. Here are a few tips:

Plan ahead. Order your cake well in advance since good bakeries are often especially busy at graduation time. The same months in which graduations are at their peak are also popular months for weddings, so be sure to get in touch with your favorite bakery as soon as you have decided on a party date.
Get recommendations. If you do not currently have a bakery in mind, ask friends and relatives for referrals. Many people have a personal favorite baker and would be happy to make a recommendation.

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How To Throw a Great Pool Party

Casey47 — Sat, 13 May 2006 18:12:00 -0500

Ahhh the summer pool party...the staple to summer fun! There are many things to keep in mind when throwing a pool party! You will want to have everything possible to make the best time for you and your friends and family. Just follow these simple ideas to create the best pool party imaginable!

How To Create a Baby Shower Corsage

Elizabeth69 — Fri, 12 May 2006 11:33:00 -0500

A baby shower is a wonderful opportunity to honor an expectant mother and help to welcome her to the world of motherhood. The gifts are for the baby, but the day is all about Mom. On special occasions, many women enjoy wearing a corsage. Creating a special corsage for the mom-to-be does not have to be complicated. Here are a few ideas:

Color matters. Consider using either pink or blue, depending on the sex of the baby. If the gender is unknown, you might want to choose the mom's favorite color. If you want to be safe, you can always choose white or ivory since you can be sure that they will not clash with her outfit.
Formal or informal? Depending on the setting, the corsage can go from elegant to fun and silly. Take into account the decor and locale of the shower, as well as the personality of the mother-to-be.

How To Buy Children's Party Supplies and Decorations

Elizabeth69 — Thu, 11 May 2006 06:53:00 -0500

Planning a party for children? You'll need kid-friendly food, a few games to play and festive decorations. Are you also hosting the party? In that case, you'll need a good sense of humor and a lot of patience, too!
Getting your house or yard ready for a children's party requires a little bit of planning. Once you've mailed the invitations and decided on the menu, you'll need to shop for party supplies and decorations. Here are a few tips:

Consult the guest of honor. Your child will be your best guide in deciding on a theme for the party. You might choose a popular cartoon or television character, sports, nature, music, fishing, ballet or music. Once you have settled on a theme, you can begin to choose coordinating party supplies and decorations.

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How To Plan a Graduation Party

Becky109 — Tue, 09 May 2006 15:32:00 -0500

It is that time of year again when students in high school, college, graduate school, law school and medical school are all graduating. That means it is time to start planning a great graduation party! Here are some tips on how to make your graduate's party special.

How To Play Family Reunion Games

Elizabeth69 — Tue, 09 May 2006 11:10:00 -0500

Family reunions are wonderful opportunities for family members to talk about old times, catch up on each other's lives and have a little fun together. If you are planning a reunion for your family, there are a number of games that might be fun to try.

Active games:

How To Follow Baby Shower Etiquette

Victoria116 — Tue, 09 May 2006 10:34:00 -0500

A baby shower is a wonderful event for any new or expectant mother. Still, there are many guidelines and unspoken rules regarding the practice of baby showers--from who should throw the shower to who should be invited. Here are some tips on how to follow baby shower etiquette:

Throwing the shower. A baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend or relative of the mother-to- be. If you're not sure if you should be the one to throw a shower for a friend of yours, then you probably shouldn't.
Footing the bill. Generally, as with any other party, the hostess should pay for the cost of food, beverages and decorations for the baby shower. That's not to say that the hostess shouldn't accept help or delegate responsibilities to others. It's perfectly acceptable to take guests up on their offers to bring appetizers or other items.

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How To Throw a Great 50th Wedding Anniversary Party

Victoria116 — Mon, 08 May 2006 09:44:00 -0500

A 50th wedding anniversary is a big milestone for any married couple. The 50th wedding anniversary is often known as the Golden Anniversary--and it should be celebrated with family, friends and loved ones. Here are some tips on how to throw a great 50th wedding anniversary party: