Thomas Simonsen, Metrowide Team
REALTOR®, GRI, CRS, CSS, E-Certified, Broker
Thomas Simonsen Minnesota and Wisconsin Real Estate
RSS Feed
Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
- 2026 | 10 Posts
- 2025 | 52 Posts
- 2024 | 47 Posts
- 2023 | 45 Posts
- 2022 | 50 Posts
- 2021 | 54 Posts
- 2020 | 49 Posts
- 2019 | 40 Posts
- 2018 | 30 Posts
Alexandria, MN | 9 Posts
Bloomington, MN | 1 Posts
Brainerd, MN | 1 Posts
Buy a Home | 39 Posts
Buy Your First Home | 2 Posts
Edina, MN | 1 Posts
Explore Minnesota | 2 Posts
Home Improvement | 25 Posts
Homeownership | 59 Posts
Minneapolis, MN | 30 Posts
Saint Paul MN | 14 Posts
Sell a House | 17 Posts
Sell Your Home | 20 Posts
Twin Cities | 154 Posts
Uncategorized | 1 Posts
Wayzata, MN | 1 Posts
White Bear Lake, MN | 1 Posts
June
12
12
5 Ideas for Hosting Summer Parties at Home
Summer weather is upon us, and if you have looked at gorgeous Alexandria homes for sale or Arden Hills homes for sale, you know many of them have beautiful yards just begging to be party venues. Some of your friends and family are hoping for a housewarming party so they can get a peek at your new digs. But planning a party soon after a move can be stressful. Here are a few ideas to keep it manageable and hold down the costs as well.
- Limit the Guest List
Invite the people who love you without demanding perfection. These are often the people who have helped you move and would love to see how you have converted a house full of boxes into a home. They will be far less critical of works in progress than casual acquaintances and be more generous with their time and contributions. - Opt for a Simple Menu
Burgers, brats, and dogs are much less expensive than steaks or brisket and just as enjoyable. Let the food serve double duty as the decor by creating a colorful display of condiments. Transferring the ketchup, mustard, and mayo from their containers to small dishes helps maintain the look of elegance. Sliced tomatoes, fresh green lettuce, and all the trimmings can be artfully arranged into a beautiful setting. Include your guests by asking each of them to bring add-ons. You will be amazed at the imagination some of them will show, and you'll likely have leftovers to help fill your refrigerator. - Consider a Potluck
If every guest brings something to share, you will have more food than you know what to do with. Be prepared with large bowls to serve the myriad of chips the non-cooks will bring, and be willing to share ideas with them beforehand. Requesting paper napkins and cups to complete an outdoor picnic is perfectly okay and makes their lives much easier! Typically, people will ask you what you would like them to bring. Have a list handy to answer them and make sure there is plenty of variety. - Make your invitation BYOB
If you prefer beer and wine to go with the menu, tell them so in the invitation. Otherwise, this may be the perfect opportunity to fill your bar with more exotic alcohol. Nowadays, many people forgo alcohol and sweet drinks but have developed very specific tastes for options such as carbonated waters. Let them know they are welcome to bring drinks of their choice. Be sure to furnish non-alcoholic options such as water and iced tea. Make sure you have plenty of ice on the table to add to glasses and coolers or vats to hold bulky drinks. If your guests will be drinking mixed drinks, frozen fruits on skewers are a lovely alternative to ice. - Make Dessert Part of the Party
Who doesn't love s'mores? Let your guests prepare their desserts with traditional chocolate, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows, or try something a little more elegant. Elevate them with chocolate graham crackers, Nutella, or sliced fresh strawberries. Change ordinary to extraordinary by exchanging peanut butter cups for plain chocolate bars. Make something new and different by serving sliced apples and caramel sauce instead of chocolate for a mock caramel apple. Substitute your favorite cookies for the graham crackers. Chocolate chip cookies are a great substitute. Don't forget to have plenty of skewers on hand!
Are you ready to enjoy our Minnesota summer in a new house? Our real estate professionals are standing by to help you find your dream home. Call today to get started!
Thomas Simonsen, Metrowide Team
Office: (612) 978-2585
Cell: (612) 978-2585
Fax: (952) 921-0145
Email Me
By searching Listing Data you agree to this End User License Agreement
Copyright 2026 Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use
Agency License Information: Counselor Realty, Inc. is licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin; Counselor Realty, Inc. of Alexandria is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty Detroit Lakes, LLC is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty of Rochester is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty of Victoria, LLC is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty of Brainerd is licensed in Minnesota.
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 03/06/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 03/06/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Fri 03/06/2026 3:09:18 AM EST) or RMLS-MN MLS (last updated Fri 03/06/2026 12:02:34 AM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Counselor Realty may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
STATE OF LICENSURE: MINNESOTA
Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility
This site is hosted, designed and copyright
© 1994 - 2026 by
Delta Media Group, Inc. -- Patent Pending --
Agent License Information: Minnesota Broker License #20096468
Wisconsin Brokers License #51024-90