10 November 17, 2010 + Over the Edge Christmas Party Fashion The party season is now upon us, so here are a few tips to make it through SHELBY PETERSEN EDITOR IN CHIEF The Casual Party ES FROM FLATTERY, KEIKO LYNN AND CHICTOPIA . | The Formal Occasion i The “Holiday” Party While it may only be the middle of November, Christmas party season is upon us. The key to surviv- , ing all the wining and dining that you will be doing for the next two months is to be prepared. It is possible to consume as many h’ordeuvres as you want while still looking great in this season’s hot- a test holiday trends. Here are some tips to help you dress your best for this season’s party circuit. | This type of party is usually hosted by a friend or even a club that you are a member of. Because of the *| informal circumstances of the party, you may also dress informally. This type of party is always the easiest _ to dress for because there are literally no rules. You could wear anything from jeans and t-shirt to a cute skirt and some bold print tights. Just remember to wear something that has an elastic waist, because these types of Christmas parties tend to have a lot of food at them! The Christmas season is a time of pomp and pageantry and the traditional Christmas Party is where you will see society at its finest. This is the type of party where Champaign will most definitely be served _ and you will have to use more than one size fork. For this occasion, it is important to dress in your finest holiday wear. Ladies must embrace the colours from the jewel family, while men are expected to wear _ their most crisp suit. It is also acceptable to don this seasons must-have faux fur coat to keep warm on _ that long walk from the limo to the reception hall. Remember, the more glamorous you are, the more - Santa will be able to see you as he flies his sleigh over Prince George. A This party is usually held for the sole reason that Christmas is fast approaching. With this type of party - comes a vast array of embarrassing prints and Christmas themed accessories. There are two ways you can approach this type of party 1) Go all out. Going all out means that you will wear the quintessential Christmas Sweater a la Briget Jone’s Diary . The perfect sweater for this situation must include reindeer, “| sequins, and lots of red and green. 2) The toned down approach. For this second approach, your outfit a less tacky manner. 5m top to bottom: The casual look, the formal look, and the “holiday” look. ‘4 ; will somehow still acknowledge that it is indeed winter and that Christmas will be here soon, but perhaps Try wearing a muted snowflake patterned sweater and if you must incorporate Christmas colours stick to one or the other. What on Earth | am Going to do With all These Pumpkins The art of the unused Jack-o-Lantern DARCIE SMITH ARTS EDITOR As Hallowe’en approaches each year, there is always an excitement over the endless possibilities of what face you can carve into your orange-bodied delight. But what about once November arrives and the sad, droopy little faces are left all alone on a porch with no candle to showcase their beauty? What about the temperature dropping and making them shiver alone, or the brutal, notorious pumpkin stompings that await these unfortunate souls that no one cared enough about to compost? The good news is that there is hope for our leftover pumpkins. There is a chance to extend their usefulness beyond the pleasures of that one costumed and sugar-filled evening. Pumpkins should not have to fear the streets, and here is how to do your part: The Obvious Method: Cook Your Winter Squash Step 1: Peel that pumpkin! Treat it like an oversized potato or orange. Using a vegetable peeler, peel away the hard rind. A knife will also do the trick if you’re fond of slicing. Step 2: Blanch it! You need to prepare your pumpkin to be frozen in order to avoid it turning into a mushy disaster. With bite-size in mind, chop the pumpkin into small bits and then drop them into some boiling water for five minutes. After the five minutes is up, drain them in a colander and then let them cool off. Once the wee bits are dry and cool to the touch, find them a home in a Ziploc bag ora Tupperware container. To season your pumpkin bits before freezing them, continue to Step 3. Step 3: Sprinkle away! Using the spices of your choosing (nutmeg, curry, to name a few), decorate the little buggers and then put them under a broiler (500 degrees F) for ten minutes. Once slightly browned, allow it to cool. Now you can jump back to Step 2 and freeze the little bodies. This is an ideal way to store your pumpkin until you’re ready to bake or cook with it. When the time comes, thaw it and embrace the domestic lifestyle. More Uses Compost!: Probably the easiest and most environmentally conscious step one can take in dealing with a leftover pumpkin is to compost it. Before tossing it into your compost, make sure you clean the wax residue left behind from candles, and then chop it into smaller pieces. Eat!: If you're feeling overwhelmed and anxious about trying to cook the pumpkin immediately, start by following the simple steps listed above so that you can prepare your pumpkin for freezing. Some ideas of what edible creations you can attempt include: Roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin loaf/bread, or just roast it and feast on it straight. Plant!: If you saved your pumpkin seeds, then you can plant them and grow your own pumpkin. This works best if you have the seeds from more than one pumpkin, as pumpkins identify as either male or female and you never know until they grow. This will also help you save some money on buying a pumpkin next year. Decorate: There are many fun ways to incorporate a pumpkin into your dining room or other areas of your home. You can use the body for a centrepiece, or make candle holders from the stems. No matter what you decide to do with your pumpkin, be creative and have fun. Autumn is the most overlooked season of the year, and Hallowe’en constantly faces the danger of not being taken seriously. It may be over and done with, but if you still have a lonely jack-o-lantern sitting around your home, treat it right! ONLINE SOURCE Photo Caption HERE