The Mixily Blog · Issue №103

Hosting, seriously (and a little less seriously).

Tips, guides, and comparisons to help you plan better events — from RSVP etiquette to choosing the right invitation platform.

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Outdoor Party Planning: The Complete Guide to Hosting Outside

Outdoor Party Planning: The Complete Guide to Hosting Outside

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 […]

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The latest from the kitchen table

11 more articles
Pool Party Ideas: How to Host a Pool Party Everyone Talks About
No. 02
Guides · May 20, 2026 · 13 min read

Pool Party Ideas: How to Host a Pool Party Everyone Talks About

The best pool party I ever attended had 22 people, one inflatable flamingo, and a playlist someone put together in 15 minutes. The host spent maybe two hours planning. Everyone left saying it was the highlight of their summer. The pool does most of the work. Your job is to make sure the food doesn’t […]

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Memorial Day BBQ Planning Guide
No. 03
Guides · May 18, 2026 · 7 min read

Memorial Day BBQ Planning Guide

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. The weather is (usually) cooperating, everyone’s mood is good, and there’s a built-in three-day window to actually host a gathering without anyone stressing about work the next morning. If you’ve been thinking about throwing a BBQ this Memorial Day, here’s how to make it actually great […]

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Kids Birthday Party Ideas by Age and Theme
No. 04
Guides · May 15, 2026 · 6 min read

Kids Birthday Party Ideas by Age and Theme

Every kid wants their birthday party to feel special. The problem is, “special” means something completely different for a 4-year-old than it does for a 10-year-old. What works for toddlers (bright colors, simple activities, short parties) would completely bore a preteen. What tweens love (independence, their friends, less adult involvement) would overwhelm a kindergartener. This […]

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Party Games for Adults: 30 Ideas That Actually Get People Talking
No. 05
Guides · May 13, 2026 · 9 min read

Party Games for Adults: 30 Ideas That Actually Get People Talking

Here’s the thing about adult parties: they’re mostly just people standing around talking to the people they already know. Which is fine. But it’s not great. The parties that people remember — the ones guests talk about for weeks — usually have something that mixed the room. Something that got two strangers laughing together or […]

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Recently published
Retirement Party Ideas: How to Throw a Memorable Celebration
Guides · May 11, 2026

Retirement Party Ideas: How to Throw a Memorable Celebration

Retirement is one of the biggest milestones a person can hit. Someone you love just spent 20, 30, maybe 40 years building a career. Now they’re stepping into an entirely new chapter. That deserves a real celebration. Not a sad office farewell with cheap sheet cake and a $20 gift card. A real celebration. One […]

Bachelorette Party Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Guides · May 8, 2026

Bachelorette Party Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Planning a bachelorette party sounds fun — until you realize you’re juggling twelve different schedules, six different budget comfort levels, and a bride who says “I don’t want anything over the top” but also “I want it to be really special.” Sound familiar? This guide will get you from overwhelmed to organized. Whether you’re planning […]

Baby Shower Planning: Complete Guide
Guides · May 6, 2026

Baby Shower Planning: Complete Guide

A baby shower celebrates one of life’s biggest moments, and great baby shower planning creates memories that last long after the baby arrives. Whether you’re hosting for a best friend, sister, or coworker, this guide walks you through every detail. From setting the date to sending thank-you notes, here’s everything you need to plan a […]

From the archive

Older but still good
09

Fall Party Ideas and Themes

Sep 4, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
10

Mixily vs Eventbrite: Which Free Event Platform Is Better in 2026?

Sep 2, 2026 · Comparisons · 11 min read
11

AI Agent, Google Calendar Sync, and Gmail Sending Are All Live on Mixily

Sep 2, 2026 · Updates · 5 min read
12

Holiday Party Invitation Wording: Examples You Can Copy

Aug 21, 2026 · Guides · 15 min read
13

Friendsgiving Invitation Wording: Examples You Can Copy

Aug 19, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
14

Halloween Party Invitation Wording: Examples You Can Copy

Aug 17, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
15

The Best Wedding RSVP Websites in 2026

Aug 14, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
16

Wedding Website Wording: Examples You Can Copy for Every Page

Aug 12, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
17

How to Decline an Invitation Politely: 30 Scripts You Can Copy

Aug 10, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
18

Birthday Invitation Wording: 40+ Examples You Can Copy

Aug 7, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
19

The 5 Best Evite Alternatives in 2026 (Free Options Ranked)

Aug 5, 2026 · Comparisons · 11 min read
20

Mixily vs Punchbowl: Honest Comparison for 2026

Aug 3, 2026 · Comparisons · 11 min read
21

Mixily Feature Updates — July 2026: Multi-Audience Reminders, Self-Serve Cancellation & More

Jul 29, 2026 · Updates · 3 min read
22

Mixily vs Paperless Post for Weddings: Which Is Actually Cheaper?

Jul 23, 2026 · Comparisons · 10 min read
23

8 Best Evite Alternatives for Weddings in 2026

Jul 21, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
24

Christmas in July Party Ideas: Themes, Games, Food & Invitation Wording

Jul 20, 2026 · Guides · 15 min read
25

Free Digital Wedding Invitations: 6 Options Compared (With RSVP Tracking)

Jul 17, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
26

Mid-Year Check: Are You Building Community?

Jul 15, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
27

Summer Picnic Party: Ideas, Food & Checklist

Jul 13, 2026 · Guides · 15 min read
28

The Ultimate Backyard BBQ & Cookout Guide

Jul 8, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
29

How to Use Mixily for Your Wedding (Free Invitations + RSVP Tracking)

Jul 8, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
30

Beach Party Ideas: Themes, Food & Games

Jul 6, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
31

What to Do When Wedding Guests Don’t RSVP (Scripts + Follow-Up Timeline)

Jul 5, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
32

Summer Party Invitation Wording: BBQ, Pool & Picnic

Jul 3, 2026 · Guides · 16 min read
33

How to Word a Digital Wedding Invitation (With QR Codes, Website URLs, and Online RSVP)

Jul 2, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
34

4th of July Party Invitation Wording (50+ Examples)

Jul 1, 2026 · Guides · 17 min read
35

Paperless Post vs Withjoy vs Zola: The Wedding Invitation Comparison Nobody Paid For

Jun 30, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
36

4Th Of July Party Ideas

Jun 29, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
37

Zola Doesn’t Have Digital Wedding Invitations — 5 That Do

Jun 27, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
38

Ice Cream Social Ideas

Jun 26, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
39

Paperless Post Alternatives for Weddings (Ranked by What’s Actually Free)

Jun 25, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
40

Backyard Movie Night

Jun 24, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
41

The Real Cost of Paperless Post for Weddings (Do the Math Before You Design)

Jun 23, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
42

Mixily Vs Partiful

Jun 22, 2026 · Comparisons · 8 min read
43

Is It Rude to Send Digital Wedding Invitations? An Honest Answer

Jun 20, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
44

Juneteenth Celebration Ideas

Jun 19, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
45

Summer Solstice Party

Jun 17, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
46

Family Reunion Ideas

Jun 15, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
47

Pride Party Ideas

Jun 12, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
48

Mixily Feature Updates — Spring 2026: RSVP Deadlines, Smarter Reminders & More

Jun 11, 2026 · Updates · 4 min read
49

Bachelor Party Ideas

Jun 10, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
50

Rehearsal Dinner Ideas

Jun 8, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
51

Garden Party Ideas

Jun 5, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
52

Fathers Day Ideas

Jun 3, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
53

Summer Party Ideas: 30 Ways to Celebrate the Season

Jun 1, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
54

How to Plan a Summer Block Party Your Neighborhood Will Love

May 29, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
55

Adult Birthday Party Ideas: How to Host a Birthday People Love

May 27, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
56

50th Birthday Party Ideas Your Guest of Honor Will Love

May 25, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
57

Graduation Party Ideas for Every Budget

May 4, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
58

Thank You Note After a Party: Templates for Every Event Type

Apr 29, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
59

Mother’s Day Celebration Ideas: How to Make Her Day Unforgettable

Apr 27, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
60

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

Apr 24, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
61

Engagement Party Planning Guide: How to Celebrate the Couple

Apr 22, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
62

How to Host a Backyard Party: The Complete Guide

Apr 20, 2026 · Guides · 17 min read
63

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

Apr 17, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
64

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

Apr 15, 2026 · Guides · 16 min read
65

Bridal Shower Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Apr 13, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
66

The Power of Recurring Events: Why Hosting Once Isn’t Enough

Apr 10, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
67

How to Be a Good Party Host: 12 Tips That Actually Work

Apr 8, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
68

Graduation Party Planning: Start Now (The Complete Guide)

Apr 6, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
69

Easter Brunch Hosting Guide: A Stress-Free Celebration

Apr 3, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
70

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

Apr 1, 2026 · Guides · 15 min read
71

Cocktail Party Ideas for Every Budget

Mar 27, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
72

How to Manage Your Guest List Like a Pro

Mar 25, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
73

Housewarming Party Ideas: How to Celebrate Your New Place

Mar 23, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
74

Spring Party Ideas to Shake Off Winter: 12 Gatherings Worth Hosting

Mar 20, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
75

Evite vs Luma: Pricing, Free Plans, and Which to Use (2026)

Mar 18, 2026 · Comparisons · 8 min read
76

Evite vs Punchbowl: Free Plans, Real Costs, and Which to Use (2026)

Mar 16, 2026 · Comparisons · 12 min read
77

Evite vs Partiful: Which Is Free, Which Costs Money (2026)

Mar 13, 2026 · Comparisons · 13 min read
78

Wedding RSVP Etiquette: The Complete Guide

Mar 11, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
79

Evite vs Paperless Post: Free Tiers, Real Prices, and Hidden Costs (2026)

Mar 9, 2026 · Comparisons · 15 min read
80

40th Birthday Party Planning Guide: Timeline, Checklist & Ideas

Mar 6, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
81

How to Plan a Party: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Mar 5, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
82

Mixily vs Evite: Which Free Event Platform Is Better in 2026?

Mar 3, 2026 · Comparisons · 11 min read
83

50 RSVP Response Examples You Can Copy and Paste

Mar 2, 2026 · Guides · 16 min read
84

How to Host a Game Night Everyone Will Love

Feb 20, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
85

The Introvert’s Guide to Hosting a Party (Yes, You Can Do This)

Feb 19, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
86

St. Patrick’s Day Party Guide: How to Host a Celebration Everyone Will Remember

Feb 16, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
87

Birthday Party Planning: The Ultimate Guide

Feb 13, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
88

Building Community Through Regular Events

Feb 10, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
89

30+ Invitation Wording Examples You Can Copy for Any Event

Feb 9, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
90

How to Get People to Actually RSVP

Feb 4, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
91

How to Host Your First Event of the Year

Feb 4, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
92

Valentine’s Day Party Planning Guide

Feb 2, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
93

RSVP Etiquette: What Every Host and Guest Should Know

Jan 30, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
94

The Complete Guide to Online RSVPs

Jan 30, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
95

What’s New at Mixily: Feature Updates

Jan 28, 2026 · Updates · 5 min read
96

Nick Gray Acquires Mixily

Jan 21, 2026 · Updates · 4 min read
97

Mixily Plans & Pricing: Free, Lite, Pro, and Plus

Jan 21, 2026 · Updates · 4 min read
98

Benefits of hosting events off of social media

Apr 27, 2021 · Guides · 8 min read
99

Best Books for Event Planners in 2026: 12 Essential Reads

Apr 21, 2021 · Guides · 9 min read
100

Community Engagement Ideas: Activities That Actually Bring People Together

Mar 29, 2021 · Guides · 10 min read
101

How To Ask Your Community For Help

Mar 9, 2021 · Guides · 8 min read
102

Benefits of Hosting Hybrid Events: In-Person + Virtual

Nov 9, 2020 · Guides · 9 min read
103

Guide: How to create an event

Sep 3, 2020 · Guides · 9 min read