Guides.

Juneteenth — June 19th — marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas received word that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, and since 2021 it’s been a federal holiday. More and more people […]

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 […]