Bring the lush greenery of the 50th state to your own backyard: Party snacks plain or exotic get an upgrade when served in cones fashioned from banana leaves (which are available at Asian and Latin food markets). Cut them into six-inch squares, roll each into a cone, and fasten at the seam with a bamboo skewer.
As if being the perfect portable snack weren't enough, one of Georgia's most famous exports reveals a little-known talent at picnic time: Peanuts can cushion delicate items such as peaches (speaking of Georgia), sandwiches, and glass bottles (or Champagne flutes, if you're getting fancy). And when their work is done, the peanuts make a tasty addition to the meal.
Picnic basket, $16, chelseamarketbaskets.com. Parma linen kitchen towel, $22, libecohomestores.com.
Cool down a room-temperature bottle of wine in record time with this handy tip.
Wet and wring out a linen dish towel, wrap it around a bottle, and place the wine in the refrigerator for half an hour. Can't wait that long? Try the freezer for 15 minutes.
A basic white platter (this one's from cb2.com) just might be the most versatile item in your cupboard. We've used it here to corral cocktail garnishes; try it at your next party!
Offer accompaniments to cocktails: citrus wedges (for gin and vodka tonics), olives and caper berries (martinis, Bloody Marys), and cocktail onions (Gibsons).
If you're expecting numerous guests for the holiday dinner and have only one seder plate, create one or two extras so everyone around the table can participate. Arrange five elegant saucers or small bowls on a large plate that matches them, and then use the small dishes to display each of the symbolic foods.
Use this tailor's trick whenever you need to cut a straight line through a woven fabric such as cotton or linen. Tease several threads loose at the point where you'll make the initial cut. Then gently pull out the threads to create a trail of perfectly aligned holes in the fabric, which can then guide your shears.
