Category · 95 articles

Guides.

Practical, no-nonsense playbooks for hosting things that actually happen — dinner parties, brunches, surprise events, and everything between the invite and the cleanup.

95 Articles
01 Years running
Dinner Party Hosting: A Complete Guide to a Night They’ll Remember
Guides · Apr 24, 2026

Dinner Party Hosting: A Complete Guide to a Night They’ll Remember

The dinner party is back. After years of everyone defaulting to restaurants, more people are rediscovering what it feels like to sit around someone’s actual table, eat food someone actually cooked, and have a real conversation that lasts more than ninety minutes. I’m a big believer in this. Dinner party ideas don’t have to be […]

Engagement Party Planning Guide: How to Celebrate the Couple
Guides · Apr 22, 2026

Engagement Party Planning Guide: How to Celebrate the Couple

Engagement party planning doesn’t have to be stressful. Done right, it’s one of the most joyful gatherings you’ll ever host — a chance to celebrate two people before the wedding machine kicks into full gear. When my friends Priya and James got engaged last spring, the first question their families had wasn’t “when’s the wedding?” […]

How to Host a Backyard Party: The Complete Guide
Guides · Apr 20, 2026

How to Host a Backyard Party: The Complete Guide

Looking for backyard party ideas? Here’s the honest answer: a backyard party is easier to pull off than you think, and better than almost any venue you could rent. No parking problem. No noise curfew negotiation. No per-head minimums. Just your space, your people, and as much fun as you want to have. I’ve thrown […]

Cinco de Mayo Party Planning Guide: Food, Drinks, and Ideas
Guides · Apr 17, 2026

Cinco de Mayo Party Planning Guide: Food, Drinks, and Ideas

Cinco de Mayo party ideas are everywhere in late April — paper streamers at the craft store, margarita mix at Costco, and your neighbor already talking about hosting. And honestly? It’s one of the best excuses to throw a party all year. Great food. Great drinks. Great energy. I hosted my first Cinco de Mayo […]

How to Plan a Surprise Party (Without Ruining the Surprise)
Guides · Apr 15, 2026

How to Plan a Surprise Party (Without Ruining the Surprise)

Here’s how to plan a surprise party without ruining the surprise: keep your inner circle small (three people max), build a cover story before you invite a single guest, and give guests a hard arrival time 30 to 45 minutes before the guest of honor walks in. Everything else is details. I’ve seen surprise parties […]

Bridal Shower Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Guides · Apr 13, 2026

Bridal Shower Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

So someone asked you to help with bridal shower planning. Congratulations — and also, I know how overwhelming it can feel. There are a thousand things to coordinate: the venue, the guest list, the games, the food, and somehow making the bride feel celebrated without it turning into a logistics nightmare. I’ve seen bridal showers […]

How to Organize a Potluck: Step-by-Step Guide
Guides · Apr 1, 2026

How to Organize a Potluck: Step-by-Step Guide

Most potlucks are a mess. Here's how to plan one that actually works — with the right assignments, timing, and coordination so everyone eats well and has fun.

Cocktail Party Ideas for Every Budget
Guides · Mar 27, 2026

Cocktail Party Ideas for Every Budget

You don't need a huge budget to throw a great cocktail party. Here are ideas for hosting an amazing gathering whether you have $50, $100, or $200 to spend.

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