Dear Gala Guru

Dear Gala Guru, I am a grandmother of six, and every year for Christmas, I send each grandchild a card for Christmas along with a check for $100. I have been doing this for 15 years now. In the beginning, I would get a sweet thank you note.  But the notes have dwindled as they […]

Dear Gala Guru, Now that the holidays are over, I am taking inventory of some of my presents. There are several that I will never use and just don’t like. What are your thoughts on returning the gifts to the store or re-gifting them next year? Sandie Relax—you’re not alone. We’ve all unwrapped a gift […]

As we pack up the Christmas decorations, I think it’s only natural to feel a twinge of melancholia as the season’s excitement is over for another year. The parties have subsided, the relatives and guests have returned home, and it’s time to consider the year ahead. Starting with all those dreaded New Year’s resolutions, especially […]

A Shoebox Christmas My 88-year-old Mama’s eyes take on that far-away look when she tells this story from her childhood Christmases in Georgia. Her words transport me to a time when love and simple joys meant everything, especially for a sharecropper’s daughter whose family knew the meaning of “making do.” Every October, after the cotton […]

‘Tis the Week Before Christmas Ah, Christmas – that magical time of year where our credit cards get more exercise than we do, and the neighbor’s inflatable Santa stares menacingly into our bedroom window at 3 AM.  It’s when we all pretend fruit cake is an acceptable gift and convince ourselves that catalogs of matching […]

This month, we will be sharing your favorite Christmas stories.  Dear Gala Guru, Many Christmases past, our Grandparents came for Christmas dinner, and the entire family was up early getting the preparations underway. Our Grandfather wanted to help with the turkey, so we let him. We had the turkey stuffed and let him put it […]

Dear Gala Guru, My cousin’s wedding is turning into quite the scene, with kids under 12 reluctantly allowed but under strict conditions—one child per adult, max supervision, and absolutely no outside food, because her catering “aesthetic” must remain undisturbed.Here’s the kid’s menu: frozen mini pizzas, sugary drink pouches, crunchy cheese-flavored puffs, and generic soda, for […]

Thanksgiving traces its roots to that historic feast over 400 years ago, when the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together to share a meal that symbolized peace and goodwill. Today, as our world feels more divided than ever, this spirit of unity and gratitude remains just as vital. As we gather around tables groaning under […]

Dear Gala Guru, Help! Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and we have six couples coming for dinner. My husband is not a good cook and has insisted on cooking the dinner this year. His cooking is the worst, and I worry about how this dinner will turn out. Every time he cooks, it is a test […]

Dear Gala Guru, Some years ago, it was my turn to host Thanksgiving for family and friends, so I purchased an extra-large turkey to feed the crowd. I didn’t have much experience roasting large hunks of meat, so I chose a turkey with an easy-to-use pop-out belly button that would signal doneness. Well, the crowd […]

Hi Gala Guru,I’m wondering how you would plan cocktails or a meal where dietary restrictions must be considered. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten, and lactose issues are more prevalent than they were in the past, so how would you handle menu choices while keeping everyone happy? Robert Good question, Robert, especially with the party season coming up.  […]

Dear Gala Guru, For Halloween last year,  my wife and I threw a party with over 70 guests.  It was so much fun to see all the costumes.  There was catering, music, and prizes for the best costume.  The costumes were so great! Everyone participated.  We hired a photographer who captured every detail of the […]