•INCelebrate hearted friend who brings you something (a box of chocolates, a nice serving dish), despite the fact that you insist he shouldn't. Make it a point to write your friend afterward and tell him how much you appreciate his thoughtfulness. The fine art of writing a thank-you note has, alas, been lost on much of the population. Be assured: good man- ners never fail to make an impression. by Silk & Morgan will create the perfect flowers for your wedding. Rowers that are simple, beautiful, important and affordable. Our service is unmatched. PARTY BLOSSOMS Ice, Ice Baby This is just the kind of little touch (which requires almost no work) that will charm guests and leave them talk- ing days afterward about your great party hosting skills. Fill empty ice trays with water and tiny trinkets (one per cube). Some ideas: edible flowers, such as violets, craft-shop finds (washed in advance, of course) like plastic babies, candy fish (these look great when the ice melts and they float around in the punch). 33866 Woodward Avenue at Adams • Birmingham, MI 48009 YAD EZRA fealitg tleTewlak frlimyry Having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Celebrate this milestone by doing Mitzvah Work for those in needs 8 How? Fulfill 6 hours of community mitzvah service at Yad Ezra 8 Receive a Yad Ezra Candle that you can fight at your celebration and remember those in need 8 Enjoy your simcha knowing that YOU have made a difference in the fives of those less fortunate Call Yad Ezra at (248) 548-3663 to find out how you can be a Part of this special opportunity Please consider enhancing your mitzvah by donating 3% of the cost of your simcha to Yad Ezra to ensure that no Jewish adult or child suffers from hunger. _ ✓ Dlannin8 a bar/Bat, v ttzvah? 7;1: The Jewish News would like to give you a gift that will make planning your simcha a little easier. 27676 Franklin Paod (Southfield, Ml 48034 fax: 238-354-1210 If your event is less than a year A 41/ 11111. away, please mail or fax us your simcha, along with your name, address, and phone number to: i Make It Great One problem with a number of get- togethers is that people simply don't know what to do with all that time. You can always eat, of course, or watch a video. How fascinating. Yawn. If, however, you want to win friends and influence people, plan something for guests to do: Teach a new card game (which also gives guests a skill they can use again and again). * Plan a tzedakah project together . * Make jams or jellies. This is inex- pensive and easy if you ask each guest to bring a jar in which to put her cre- ation. Here's one recipe to try: STRAWBERRY LIME JAM - 4 cups crushed, fresh strawberries 3 cups sugar 1-1/2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice 1 Tbsp. grated lime rind Mix all ingredients in nonreactive large saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Cook about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 220-degrees and is thick. Remove from heat, and skim off foam. Place jam into hot, sterilized jars. (Be sure to leave about 1/2" at top). Place lids on jars and process in boiling water for 10 minutes. Cool. This recipe makes four half-pint jars and lasts about one year if stored in a cool, dark area. My Favorite Day It's amazing, but just about everyone in the world shares the same favorite subject: himself. People love to talk about themselves, what they like and don't like. Here's a great way to let them do just that: Ask each guest to bring a favorite something: a recipe, a dress, a book. Don't give too much information, though, because the idea is for each person to come up with something special to her. After dinner, ask everyone to take a turn and tell about what he brought. You might be surprised by the tender and revealing comments you hear. I Like You Years later, your guests will still remember your nice party if you engage in this activity, which costs vir- tually nothing and has everyone feel- ing quite good. You will need simply a small notebook with blank paper for each guest. As the evening proceeds, ask every- one to take a moment to write some- thing nice about each guest, then sign his name. (This works best with a smaller crowd). Of course, some will write brief comments, others will offer a lengthy commentary. But when the evening ends, everyone will go home with a book that reminds him just how terrific he is. Make It Magic Children love this, and adults who have any imagination will, too — just ask them to employ that wonderful technique known as the willing sus- pension of disbelief that gets them through so many books and movies. Tell guests that soon before they arrived magic fairies came to visit and left a treat for everyone. Use glitter (which can be easily vacuumed up) to show the fairy's trail, and at the end leave a little surprise from the fairies. Have A Nice Day This is a great dinner conversation starter whether your guests are old