Guides.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year — and one of the best excuses to throw a party that you don’t need to rush. More daylight means more time to celebrate. And celebrating the actual turning of the seasons is a tradition that goes back thousands of years across almost every culture. […]

Family reunions are the kind of event that people talk about for years afterward. The stories, the games, the food, the moment Uncle Ray tried to start a talent show that no one asked for but everyone secretly loved. They’re also the kind of event that falls apart when no one takes ownership of the […]

June is Pride month — a time for celebration, community, and showing up for the people you love. Whether you’re hosting a rooftop party in Brooklyn, a backyard gathering in Austin, or a low-key potluck with your closest friends, a Pride celebration can look exactly like you want it to look. This guide covers Pride […]

The bachelor party has a reputation problem. People assume it means Vegas, strip clubs, or some expensive weekend that half the group can’t really afford. But the best bachelor parties I’ve seen — and I’ve been to a lot of them — are the ones that are actually about the groom. This bachelor party planning […]

The rehearsal dinner is one of the most underplanned parts of a wedding weekend. Everyone focuses on the big day — and the rehearsal dinner ends up thrown together last minute or delegated to someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. It doesn’t have to be that way. A great rehearsal dinner sets the tone […]

A garden party sounds intimidating. It conjures images of perfect hedgerows, white tablecloths, and waiters in bow ties. But a great garden party doesn’t need to be fancy. It needs to be intentional. I’ve thrown garden parties in a backyard with a dying lawn and a folding table from the garage. They worked. The flowers […]

Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday in June, which means you have a few weeks to put together something your dad — or the dad figure in your life — will actually remember. The good news: it doesn’t have to be elaborate. The best Father’s Day celebrations are relaxed, personal, and centered on what […]

Summer is the best time to host. The weather cooperates. People are in a good mood. And there’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate. The problem? Staring at a blank page trying to figure out what kind of summer party to throw. That’s why I put together this list of 30 summer party ideas — […]

Here’s something you probably know but don’t often say out loud: most people don’t really know their neighbors. They wave. Maybe they exchange names. But actual conversations, actual connection — that’s rare. And that’s a shame, because the research on neighborhood relationships is clear: people who know their neighbors are happier, feel safer, and are […]

Let me tell you what kills adult birthday parties. It’s not bad food. It’s not a cheap venue. It’s the host saying “I don’t care, you pick” about everything and then panicking at the last minute with a pile of grocery store chips and a cake nobody wanted. Planning adult birthday party celebrations feels weirdly […]

Turning 50 is a big deal. Not the sad kind of big deal, the “halfway through life” narrative. The genuinely exciting kind — someone you love has spent five decades building a life. They know who they are. They know what they like. They’ve earned the right to a great party. The challenge? The person […]

Outdoor parties have one big advantage over indoor ones: the setting is already doing the work for you. There’s something about being outside — the fresh air, the natural light, the open sky — that puts people in a good mood before the first guest arrives. I’ve hosted backyard gatherings for 15 people and block […]