In some societies, a girl celebrates her entry into womanhood by emerging like a butterfly from a 'cocoon'' of leaves that friends and relatives have covered her in.

Anniversaries can be among the most special of events. They mark points in time that may cause you to reflect on the joy of not only your marriage, but also friends, families, and life itself.

A bar mitzvah (MITTS-vuh) is a Jewish ceremony held for boys at age 13 which symbolizes their passage into adulthood. The bat mitzvah is a similar celebration for girls, but held at age 12.

One of the most popular forms of home entertaining is the barbecue or cookout party. Barbecues can provide guests with great-tasting food and be a pleasant outdoor activity.

Choosing a site to have the reception for your special event can depend on a number of factors: budget, size of the party, and nature of the event. One way to check out a potential reception site is to talk to someone who's had a reception or party there.

There's a wide variety in catering services, both in types of food offered and services supplied. Some companies supply meals only, while others include table set-up, servers and cleanup, decorating, flowers, and liquor.

A company picnic is an opportunity for an organization to show employees how much it values their contribution and to let them know they're an important part of a team effort.

Office gatherings aren't always easy events to plan or attend, because most people act differently in front of their peers, supervisors, and subordinates.

Whether it's the Super Bowl-- the most-watched sporting event of the year-- or another event, game-watching parties are becoming increasingly popular.

When planning a graduation party, you must first decide whether it's to be formal or casual. Invitations are always called for, and use RSVP (R-S-V-P) to know how many people to expect.

Your budget, size, and style of your event will help determine your decision about a caterer. Your choice may also be defined by the customs and requirements of family members, friends, and or employees who observe Jewish dietary laws, which will govern your selection of food, beverages, and utensils.

A luau (LOO-ow), or Hawaiian-themed party, can be fun for pre-schoolers to adults, either indoors or outdoors. For a child's birthday party, serve frozen orange juice or punch in coconut drink holders.

When planning a party or special event, consider these factors: the purpose of the event, time frame, guest of honor, if any, demographics, budget, and how the success of the event will be measured.

Pool parties can be fun, even for nonswimmers, who can watch the action from poolside. Pull up a lounge chair and grab a cold drink. If you don't have a pool in your back yard, there may be one for rent in your town.

The quinceanera (keen-say-ahn-YEH-rah) is a 'Sweet 15' celebration of a young Hispanic woman's fifteenth birthday, a coming-of-age that usually includes a church ceremony and a large party, traditionally on the Saturday closest to the birthday.

Reunions are held for school classes, families, or members of the military to reunite those who shared important memories together. It can be anywhere from a festive ballroom to a picnic site or out-of-town resort.

A surprise party for a loved one, colleague, or best friend can create an everlasting memory. Surprise parties can be appropriate for both children and adults, in both work and personal situations.