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To address social determinants of health, make it personal

2019-09-23T07:31:00

(BPT) – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social determinants of health (SDoH) — the conditions in which people live, learn, work and play — can affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.

Factors like socioeconomic status, education, physical environment, employment, access to social services and healthcare can result in higher rates of disease and poor or limited access to care. For example, a study in the American Journal of Managed Care conducted by the University of South Florida and WellCare Health Plans found individuals in need of certain social services, including financial assistance for utilities, food programs, housing support, transportation or medication assistance, were 68% more likely to be readmitted to the hospital 30 days following discharge. That number increased to 89% 90 days following discharge.

“It’s difficult to prioritize your health when you don’t have access to healthy food, secure housing or reliable transportation,” said Rhonda Mims, WellCare’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “To improve overall health, it’s critical to identify the issues preventing individuals from getting the care and services they need while connecting them to needed resources to help them live better, healthier lives.”

To address SDoH, WellCare established the Community Connections program, including the Community Connections Help Line (CCHL), a toll-free resource open to the general public that refers callers to social service organizations in their local communities.

To get a better understanding of the most requested needs of callers, WellCare examined more than 100,000 social service referrals made through its Community Connections program in the first half of 2019. The analysis found the top-requested referrals were made for family support services (20%), including prenatal and parenting education, child care, and child welfare-related services, followed by food access (16%), transportation (16%), utilities assistance (11%), medication assistance (7%) and housing (6%). Additionally, research showed the demand for social services is particularly high among the oldest and youngest Americans. One-in-four referrals were for people ages 65 and older and one-in-five were for children.

Overcoming the social and economic factors that negatively impact health is a major societal challenge. However, there are approaches that have been shown to be effective in helping people get the services they need to have a healthier life.

Create open dialogue. People who need social support assistance are often embarrassed to ask for help. An open dialogue, empathy and education can help reduce the stigma many feel about their circumstances and allow them to access available social services.

Make connections. Communities across the country have social support resources available, like free transportation and food programs, and financial assistance to help pay for utilities and housing. The problem often is that people are not aware they exist or may have difficulty making contact with those service organizations. Programs such as WellCare’s Community Connections Help Line can help overcome those obstacles by working with callers to determine what services are needed while connecting them with the right organizations.

Make it personal. People are often more comfortable opening up about their needs to others who have experienced similar circumstances. For that reason, programs that employ community members who personally understand the issues and obstacles facing those needing social service supports can be especially effective in addressing SDoH.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with housing, transportation, food or other social supports, WellCare may be able to help through its Community Connections Help Line. Call 1-866-775-2192 TTY (711) between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, EST, for more information.


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Watch Ovarian Cancer Survivors Share Their Experiences, Advice and Support in Their Own Words in New BE LOUD Video Series

2019-09-23T13:31:00

(BPT) – Two-thirds of women across the world know nothing about ovarian cancer, yet over 22,000 women in the US alone are expected to be diagnosed in 2019, according to the American Cancer Society. For the newly diagnosed, whose cancer is often identified at an advanced stage, the news can come as a shock because the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer such as bloating, satiety, fatigue and constipation often go unnoticed, ignored or misdiagnosed, attributed to menopause, aging, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome or depression.

To help break this cycle, ovarian cancer survivors from across the country came together in a series of interviews to offer support, share guidance and amplify the conversation around ovarian cancer in their own words. Some of those stories have been collected in a new video series called BE LOUD. Released over the course of five weeks, the series provided a platform for ovarian cancer survivors to speak out about important topics such as encouraging awareness, why continuing research is important to them, appreciating the little moments, advice for the newly diagnosed and what gives them hope. While everyone’s journey with the disease is unique, sometimes advice from those who share similar experiences can help. Words of wisdom from the series includes:

  1. It’s Your Life; Embrace Your Own Strength

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a diagnosis for an ongoing health issue, you have a right to keep asking questions until you receive satisfactory answers. Listen to your body. Learn the symptoms and know that you can advocate for yourself.

  1. Use Your Voice

Find a supportive medical team that helps you feel empowered to participate in shared medical decision-making. Discuss treatment and testing options with your medical team, such as testing for BRCA mutations which may be inherited or present only in the tumor. Obtaining this information might help inform decisions about your treatment. Uncovering an inherited BRCA mutation can also encourage family member(s) to find out whether they have a genetic predisposition to ovarian or other cancers so that they can undertake screening and preventive measures.

  1. Connect with Others and Accept Support

Connecting with other survivors can be highly rewarding, whether you’re looking for answers or want to support women on the same journey. Beyond the community, sharing your experiences can help people who care about ovarian cancer survivors better understand the disease’s challenges. Let the people around you who care about you know what you need and allow them to help.

  1. Allow Yourself to Enjoy the Little Moments

When facing a disease with the magnitude of ovarian cancer, it’s easy to lose track of the “less important” things not related to the disease. When you can, do the things that make you happy and focus on the priorities you care about most.

To watch these ovarian cancer survivors discuss these topics and offer more advice and insight based on personal experiences, visit OCRAhope.org.

The BE LOUD video series was sponsored by AstraZeneca in partnership with Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.


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Dreaming of starting a new business? Remember these 5 things

2019-09-23T12:45:01

(BPT) – If you’re dreaming about starting a business, or if you’re already a business owner looking to grow your business, chances are that you’ll need a loan at some point to help your vision become reality. And if you’re a veteran or active-duty servicemember, you already possess the skills and vital experience needed to make your business a success.

“From resourcefulness and determination to the ability to take smart risks, military experience teaches skills that translate well for business ownership,” said Tony Pica, vice president of business services at Navy Federal Credit Union.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 Survey of Small Business Owners found that 2.52 million businesses in the United States (or 9.1%) are majority-owned by veterans. There are many resources available for veterans interested in starting or growing their business, including those from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

What are lenders looking for? Here are five considerations to keep in mind before securing a loan for your business:

1. Do your market research and prepare a solid business plan.

Doing research on the industry and preparing a solid business plan is an important step to take when seeking financing for your company. If you can demonstrate to lenders that you’ve done your due diligence — created a detailed business plan, have a trusted team, know the demand for your product or service, and developed a sales strategy to show the viability of your business — you’ll be much more likely to convince them to take a chance on you and your company.

2. Review your overall financial profile.

“Your complete financial health demonstrates your creditworthiness to lenders, so it’s best to review your credit history before applying for a business loan,” Pica said. “You’ll also want to know the amount of money you need to borrow and what exactly it will be used for.”

Presenting your complete background, such as your education and experience, including whether you’ve worked at or managed a similar business in the past, can also make a big difference.

3. Be willing to invest some of your personal money.

Depending on the lending request, you might need to provide a cash injection or collateral. This may include your home, a vehicle, marketable securities or tangible inventory. The lender wants to make sure that you’re willing to put your own skin in the game. In many cases, a certain amount of capital may be required by law.

4. Expanding an existing business? Demonstrate evidence of continued success.

Lenders will want to see evidence of your past and projected cash flow as a result of expanding your existing company. If the loan is for a new business, you’ll need to show lenders your ability to repay it by providing a detailed explanation that includes projected expenses and income, based on solid research.

5. Partner with your trusted financial institution.

Once you’ve done your market research and developed a concrete business plan, talk to your trusted bank or credit union about the business lending products and services available to you.

For example, Navy Federal Credit Union Business Services provides more than just loans for equipment, vehicles and commercial real estate for its members. It provides a whole suite of options, such as business checking and savings accounts and business credit cards, as well as assistance with bill pay, payroll processing, insurance policies and retirement coverage for employees.

Financing your budding business can be a smooth process with these considerations in mind.


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What brushing teeth and homework have in common

2019-09-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know over 34 million school hours are lost each year due to children’s dental health problems in the U.S.? Tooth decay is actually one of the top chronic infectious diseases in the country, but is 100% preventable.

Children who experience untreated oral health issues are also more likely to have lower school performance, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Oral health problems can damage a child’s self-esteem, as they may be less likely to speak, smile, play and interact with others. But untreated tooth decay and other oral health issues don’t have to become a problem if they’re caught early.

Putting your children’s dental appointments on a seasonal checklist helps make sure they’ll stay healthy all year long. Here are some ways you can help maintain your children’s dental health, no matter what their age.

Good oral care starts early

The AAPD recommends children visit a dentist by their first birthday, or as soon as their first tooth begins to appear. Early visits not only provide the dentist with a baseline for reviewing your child’s oral health and underlying bone structure as their teeth grow and develop, but also help get your child used to dental visits as a routine, healthy habit. Establishing a relationship with their dentist and creating a “dental home” early will help your children feel more comfortable during later visits.

“By starting dental visits early in a child’s life, the chance for developing tooth decay is significantly reduced,” says president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Kevin Donly. “A pediatric dentist can provide parents with helpful information, including how to put a brushing routine into action for your child.”

Pediatric dentists are well trained, receiving two to three additional years of specialized training to emphasize growth and development, special health care needs and advanced treatment techniques in hospital settings. Pediatric dentists limit their practices to treating children, and are prepared to relieve children’s fears, treat special needs children and create a kid-friendly environment. Keeping these visits consistent prevents problems from developing untreated — and gets your children accustomed to these healthy practices.

Just like homework, make brushing a habit

By modeling good brushing behavior, you emphasize the importance of oral care for everyone in the family. Children are more likely to be influenced by what you do than by what you say. Setting regular times to brush teeth is just like setting regular homework times — once kids are used to it, the habit becomes automatic.

Brushing together can show your children how to brush, how often, and for how long. The AAPD recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day. You can make a game out of it by setting a timer or playing a song that lasts for two minutes while you brush together. By modeling good brushing behavior, you can help your little ones banish the “mouth monsters” like Tartar the Terrible, Tooth D.K. and Ginger Bite-Us. For tips on healthy oral care habits, check out mouthmonsters.mychildrensteeth.org.

Don’t ignore tooth aches

While 96% of parents say oral health is important, according to a recent AAPD survey, most do not think of toothaches as a serious ailment. Compared to tummy aches, earaches, headaches and sore throats, one in three (31%) of parents ranked toothaches as the least serious ailment. Toothaches can actually be a warning sign for a number of serious problems, including infections or cavities, which can be easily treated if they’re caught early. If a child complains of tooth or mouth pain, visit a pediatric dentist right away.

Limit sugary drinks and snacking

Drinking too much sugary juice or snacking throughout the day can be a big factor in causing tooth decay. Encourage your children to drink water instead of juice, and limit snacking to mouth-friendly options like fresh fruit or pretzels instead of fruit pouches, granola bars or candy.

While you’re establishing routines for the new school year, be sure to include a visit to your child’s pediatric dentist on your checklist, so they can smile every day as they head into class.

For more information about children’s oral health and to find a pediatric dentist in your area, visit mychildrensteeth.org.


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How to put your college student on the right financial track

2019-09-23T00:01:00

(BPT) – The fall semester is in full swing at college campuses across the country. New and returning students everywhere are juggling full class schedules, part-time jobs and packed social calendars. On the other hand, parents are hoping that they’ve positioned their child for success. Strong financial futures are built upon the solid foundations developed early in adulthood, and there is no better time than college to begin forming smart money management habits. Here are some tips that could have a long-lasting impact with students:

  • Budgeting. College is the first time that many young adults are living on their own, so it’s important to have a basic proficiency in budgeting and tracking spending. This includes accounting for known and unknown upcoming expenses, from rent and football game tickets to textbooks and burgers. For a refresher on budgeting tips, visit Better Money Habits, Bank of America’s free online financial education platform.
  • Checking. Many young adults start banking with a checking account, but not all checking accounts are created equal. When evaluating banking options, students should note which ATMs are on campus and close to their dorm or apartment; whether their bank offers a mobile banking app; and the terms and conditions of the checking account. Some good features to look for include waiving monthly maintenance fees and preventing overdraft fees. Bank of America’s Advantage SafeBalance Banking provides these features, which is one reason why MONEY Magazine named Bank of America the “Best Bank for College Students.”
  • Mobile apps. Technology has made it easier to keep tabs on bank balances. Since most college students are already married to their phones, it’s an obvious next step to download their bank’s app and ensure they’re set up for mobile banking.
  • Saving. To develop responsible saving habits, students can start as small as necessary. Even if it’s just depositing $20 each month, sticking to a specific, attainable goal is in itself rewarding. In addition, look for a savings account that doesn’t have any fees. For example, Bank of America waives the monthly maintenance fee on Rewards Savings for eligible students.
  • Credit. College is a great time to start building credit history, yet it’s also a period when students have been known to bury themselves in debt. It’s important for young adults to understand how and when to use credit cards, to pay off their balance on time and in full, and to never charge purchases they’re not able to pay back.

Growing into financial independence can be a rewarding and empowering experience for students. By providing guidance and advice early on, parents can ensure they’re putting their kids on the right track.


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Riding toward a cure for multiple myeloma

2019-09-20T16:05:00

(BPT) – This content is provided by Janssen Biotech, Inc.

For the past three years, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Road to Victories bike ride – sponsored by Janssen Oncology – has been an important event in the race to find a cure. The MMRF is a nonprofit organization that funds research and development of critical treatments for multiple myeloma patients.

This annual ride brings together patients, healthcare professionals and caregivers to raise funds for critical research and build awareness for this rare form of blood cancer.

This year’s cycling journey begins in Vermont and ends across the Canadian border in Quebec. It is no coincidence that the event will take place during Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness for multiple myeloma and other types of blood cancers.

Like the ups and downs of an up to 300+ mile, six-day bike ride, multiple myeloma – an incurable form of blood cancer that affects more than 131,000 people in the United States – also has its ups and downs. Multiple myeloma is known to have both remissions – during which the disease is under control – and relapses, when the disease becomes active and progresses.

Multiple myeloma damages a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell, found mostly in bone marrow, often resulting in bone pain, fractures and extreme fatigue. Although multiple myeloma currently has no cure, treatments are available to help manage the disease, and organizations like the MMRF continue to offer hope to patients.

For those who join the annual Road to Victories ride, it’s personal. One rider, Matt Stella, lost a lifelong best friend to multiple myeloma after a 13-year battle. After his friend’s passing, Stella was inspired to honor his friend’s legacy and raise awareness for this disease by participating in this year’s ride. He also has a professional tie to the cause, working as the national policy and advocacy director at Janssen Oncology, a leading company committed to bringing transformational cancer solutions to the people who need them.

When Stella found out about Road to Victories, he was eager to become a part of it, “While I can’t say Greg’s passing had a direct impact on my career decisions, I can attest to the direct emotional attachment and motivation that I – like so many of my colleagues – have to help change the lives of patients who are battling cancer. When the opportunity was presented to me to participate in this event, I knew immediately I wanted to join the team in honor of my friend.”

Along with a team of 30 riders, Stella and his coworkers are embarking on Road to Victories for those fighting the battle against myeloma. “Multiple myeloma is a formidable disease but there is hope knowing that many people in the myeloma community are devoted to fighting this disease,” said Stella. “It’s funny how your worlds can collide. I never expected to have my work life so deeply connected to my personal life. I’m glad that I can ride in my friend’s honor and memory.”

While progress has been made in the diagnosis, treatment and management of multiple myeloma, there is more work to be done. Together, the MMRF and Janssen are striving to achieve victories over cancer, and Road to Victories is a time for people in the myeloma community to come together as they ride toward a cure.

To learn more about the Road to Victories team and efforts, visit RoadToVictories.com.

For more information about multiple myeloma, including treatment options, lifestyle tips, support and resources for patients and caregivers, visit cancer.com.


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Best ways to celebrate the Halloween season

2019-09-20T16:01:00

(BPT) – Everyone in the family loves to celebrate Halloween, so why not make the most of it? There’s plenty you can do together to extend the Halloween magic for a month or more, from crafts and decorating to games and sharing sweet treats.

Rally the whole family to come up with more ideas, but here are just a few to get you started:


Decorating with pumpkins

Short on time to carve pumpkins this year? Or maybe you just want a fun way to decorate them that’s safer for younger kids? Try this technique to create a “mummy jack-o’-lantern”: use plenty of cheesecloth to wrap tightly around your pumpkin, leaving holes for “eyes” that can be filled in with black permanent marker or make eyes out of black construction paper.

Another safe approach to jack-o’-lanterns is to paint scary faces on pumpkins instead of carving them. Acrylic paints generally work best for a pumpkin’s surface. Everyone can practice on paper or cardboard first to conjure up their frightening faces.


Treats over tricks

Get ready for parties and all of the adorable trick-or-treaters coming to your house by stocking up on plenty of fun, tasty treats. For example, each Trolli & Friends Mixed Bag provides a variety of fan favorites, including Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers, NERDS and SweeTARTS Mini Chewy candies. Your whole family will love trying all the different treats, so make sure you have enough for everyone in your house as well as the little ghouls and goblins who ring your doorbell!

If you want to contribute homemade goodies for a Halloween party or plan to host your own, do some fall holiday baking together, using seasonal ingredients like pumpkins and apples to make pies, cake or cupcakes. Make your favorite sugar cookie recipe in fun, scary Halloween shapes. Then you can decorate them with icing and some of the colorful trick-or-treating candies you’ve bought.

Imaginative costumes

Collect all those clothes at the back of your family’s closets you’ve been planning to clear out, along with fabric scraps, linens you no longer use, plus old hats and gloves. Get out the scissors and sewing supplies and brainstorm homemade costume ideas as a family. Be creative and use household recyclables like shoe boxes, egg cartons, plus aluminum foil or plastic cups to create costumes ranging from robots or aliens to animals or favorite cartoon characters!

Plan ahead so you have plenty of time to create costumes for the whole gang, and you’ll be all set for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating!

Creative crafts

Get crafty with candy corn! Popcorn candy balls are an awesome treat and craft hybrid that take a festive turn when you use candy corn to make them. Not only do they make a fun table decoration, but they are easy to make and delicious too! All you need to craft these are popcorn, marshmallows, butter and your favorite Halloween candy. Trolli Sour Brite Candy Corn is the perfect ingredient to mix it up with its fruity take on classic candy corn and delicious flavor combinations like lemon/cherry, orange/lime and grape/strawberry!

Another way to incorporate this Halloween candy staple is to make a candy corn wreath for your front door as a sweet welcome to visitors! All you need is a Styrofoam wreath from your local craft store, along with a hot glue gun and wide ribbon for hanging on the door. Don’t forget, you’ll also need plenty of candy corn!

Favorite fall activities

Celebrate the autumn season and rake up all the leaves in the yard together! Make the time to let the kids create and play in a leaf fort before bagging them all up!

Have everyone look for the prettiest leaves they can find to save for art projects. Flatten the leaves between the pages of a heavy book, protected by wax paper, and then use them to make collages or paintings to decorate the house.

Halloween offers so many opportunities for fun — it is not just one day of trick-or-treat and celebration! Let the season inspire you to bring out your inner kid, and you’ll create new exciting traditions that everyone in the family will enjoy.


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Fire safety tips that could help save your life

2019-09-20T12:01:00

(BPT) – Having working smoke alarms in your home is as important as wearing a seatbelt in your car. It’s a necessity that protects you and your loved ones. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately three out of five home fire deaths occur in residences with no working smoke alarms or without any smoke alarms at all. These cases can be avoided as smoke alarms are accessible and easy to install.

Smoke alarms serve a critical and life-saving purpose, sounding when smoke is detected to give people the most time possible to escape and call for help. The NFPA shares that the risk of dying from a home fire is cut in half if working smoke alarms are in place. However, only 23% of Americans check their smoke alarms monthly, according to data from a new survey conducted by UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). Smoke alarms with dead, missing or disconnected batteries account for a significant number of fire tragedies, and according to the NFPA, 46% of nonworking smoke alarms are due to missing or disconnected batteries.

While an unexpected chirp — beep, beep, beep — from a smoke alarm may sometimes be a nuisance, the need for working smoke alarms is critically important. Forty years ago, people had around 17 minutes to escape their home in the event of a fire. Today, due to synthetic materials, furniture, more spacious floorplans and lighter-weight construction materials, people now have three minutes or less to escape their home. Smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning that there could be a fire.

New technology has made smoke alarms better at differentiating common smoke from cooking, and an actual, potentially life-threatening fire. While it is difficult to eliminate all nuisance chirps, the next generation of alarms will greatly reduce nuisance alarms due to cooking — the leading reason for a smoke alarm to be disabled, according to the NFPA and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). This practice is extremely dangerous.

“Simply put, the complacent ‘it won’t happen to me’ approach many take when it comes to fires can have significant consequences today,” said Steve Kerber, vice president, Research, UL FSRI. “Working smoke alarms are an easy and effective safeguard to protect you and your family, and with new technology greatly reducing nuisance alarms, we’re hoping to see significantly fewer disabled alarms in the field when responding to fires.”

Smoke alarms help save lives. Here are helpful fire safety tips to follow:

  • Install working smoke alarms on every level of the house, in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and in the basement.
  • Position smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall. Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet away from the stove.
  • Test all smoke alarms once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
  • Don’t disable your smoke alarms.
  • Working smoke alarms will continue to provide protection through the end of their 10-year life span. At the end of the 10-year span, install new alarms with enhanced technology.
  • Create an escape plan, practice it with your immediate and extended family and caregivers, and act on it when an alarm sounds.
  • Close Before You Doze. A closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke and flames, keeping rooms survivable for longer.
  • Get down, get out and stay out if a smoke alarm goes off in your home or building.

For information on the technology advancements behind these life-saving products and for more fire safety tips, visit smokealarms.UL.org.


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5 tips for hosting an award-winning viewing party

2019-09-20T09:05:00

(BPT) – Whether it’s the long-awaited premiere of your favorite drama, the return of a hyped reality series, or this season’s big award show, there’s always a reason to gather your friends around a screen for a viewing party!

If you find yourself up next to host, it can feel like the pressure is on to impress. Luckily, hosting doesn’t have to be as difficult as it might seem.

Follow these simple tips to make sure your viewing party is anything but basic, and you will be sure to win the award for the host with the most.

Step up the snack game:

A little creativity goes a long way

Snacking is an essential part of any viewing party, and while a bowl of chips could get the job done, creating thematic dishes is key to making the viewing party complete. For award shows, star-shaped treats or cookies cut in the shape of awards will tie in the Hollywood theme, while an island-based reality show might call for tropical fruit kabobs. Instead of pre-making all of the food, let your guests do some of the work! Whether it’s a build-your-own flatbread station, complete with delicious toppings, or a simple popcorn and candy bar, make sure to offer a blend of savory and sweet for a balanced menu.

Set the bar high

With the perfect cocktail

Spoiler alert: Many party drinks are full of sugar and excess calories. To help your guests enjoy their hors-d’oeuvres — and avoid a punch bowl hangover — opt for a healthier alternative, like Bai. The antioxidant-infused drink contains five calories per serving with no artificial sweeteners, making it the perfect beverage choice for the night. Bai is delicious to drink on its own, and even more fun as a cocktail mixer. Plus, the tasty flavors, like Brasilia Blueberry and Puna Coconut Pineapple, are sure to transport guests to a flavor paradise — even if heartbreak is happening on-screen.

For a tasty, healthier twist on a cocktail favorite, try a Citrus Mule.

Pour 4 ounces Bai Costa Rica Clementine, 2 ounces bourbon and 1/2 ounce of lime juice over ice. Top with ginger beer. Stir and garnish with orange and lime wedges.

Voila! You have a refreshing drink that guests are sure to love.

Comfort is key

Make your guests feel at home

There’s nothing worse than settling in for a viewing party and realizing there’s no place to sit. When hosting, make sure to think through how many guests you will have, and ensure that there is space for everyone. If you’re limited on traditional seating, floor space can work too! Disperse floor cushions, blankets and extra pillows throughout the viewing room, so your guests can get cozy and enjoy the show.

Let the games begin

Everyone loves a little friendly competition

Engage your guests in the fun by creating a customized version of Bingo or trivia. For example, have guests make predictions on who will get sent off the island or create ballots for guests to fill out before an award show. If you’re short on time, there are often templates for upcoming awards shows online, as well as apps that will help you build the questions. A grand prize for whoever wins the most points will keep everyone on their toes!

Leave an impression

Did someone say swag bags?

Everyone knows that swag bags are the most bougie part of a celebrity awards show. And while yours may not include a vacation to Greece and gold-infused face oil, it can still be a fun surprise! Whether you gift your guests their Mule cup — with the recipe card and ingredients to make their own Citrus Mule, a favorite beauty product, or a mini spa kit, everyone loves a treat to take home.

Viewing parties help make every on-screen moment more exciting and, with the right people and ambiance, the night is sure to be a smashing success.

For additional information and fun recipes, visit drinkbai.com/blog.