The Mixily Blog · Issue №89

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

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 […]

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The latest from the kitchen table

11 more articles
How to Plan a Surprise Party (Without Ruining the Surprise)
No. 02
Guides · Apr 15, 2026 · 16 min read

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 […]

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Bridal Shower Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know
No. 03
Guides · Apr 13, 2026 · 11 min read

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 […]

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The Power of Recurring Events: Why Hosting Once Isn’t Enough
No. 04
Guides · Apr 10, 2026 · 8 min read

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

Discover why hosting recurring events builds stronger relationships, grows your community, and gets easier every time. Learn how to start a regular gathering people love.

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How to Be a Good Party Host: 12 Tips That Actually Work
No. 05
Guides · Apr 8, 2026 · 12 min read

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

Want to be known as a great host? These 10 practical hosting tips will help you throw parties people actually enjoy — and keep coming back to.

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Recently published
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.

From the archive

Older but still good
09

8 Best Evite Alternatives for Weddings in 2026

Jul 21, 2026 · Comparisons · 10 min read
10

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

Jul 20, 2026 · Guides · 15 min read
11

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

Jul 17, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
12

Mid-Year Check: Are You Building Community?

Jul 15, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
13

Summer Picnic Party: Ideas, Food & Checklist

Jul 13, 2026 · Guides · 15 min read
14

The Ultimate Backyard BBQ & Cookout Guide

Jul 8, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
15

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

Jul 8, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
16

Beach Party Ideas: Themes, Food & Games

Jul 6, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
17

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

Jul 5, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
18

Summer Party Invitation Wording: BBQ, Pool & Picnic

Jul 3, 2026 · Guides · 16 min read
19

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

Jul 2, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
20

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

Jul 1, 2026 · Guides · 17 min read
21

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

Jun 30, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
22

4th of July Party Planning Guide

Jun 29, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
23

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

Jun 27, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
24

Ice Cream Social Party Ideas

Jun 26, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
25

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

Jun 25, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
26

Backyard Movie Night: How to Host an Outdoor Film Party

Jun 24, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
27

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

Jun 23, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
28

Mixily vs Partiful: Which Free Event Platform Wins in 2026?

Jun 22, 2026 · Comparisons · 8 min read
29

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

Jun 20, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
30

Juneteenth Celebration Guide: How to Host & Honor the Day

Jun 19, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
31

Summer Solstice & Midsummer Party Ideas

Jun 17, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
32

How to Plan a Family Reunion

Jun 15, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
33

Pride Month Celebration Ideas: How to Host & Show Up

Jun 12, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
34

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

Jun 11, 2026 · Updates · 4 min read
35

Bachelor Party Planning Guide

Jun 10, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
36

Rehearsal Dinner Ideas, Etiquette & Planning

Jun 8, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
37

How to Host a Garden Party

Jun 5, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
38

Father’s Day Celebration Ideas: Brunch, BBQ & Beyond

Jun 3, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
39

Summer Party Ideas: 30 Ways to Celebrate the Season

Jun 1, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
40

How to Plan a Summer Block Party Your Neighborhood Will Love

May 29, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
41

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

May 27, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
42

50th Birthday Party Ideas Your Guest of Honor Will Love

May 25, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
43

Outdoor Party Planning: The Complete Guide to Hosting Outside

May 22, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
44

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

May 20, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
45

Memorial Day BBQ Planning Guide

May 18, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
46

Kids Birthday Party Ideas by Age and Theme

May 15, 2026 · Guides · 6 min read
47

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

May 13, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
48

Retirement Party Ideas: How to Throw a Memorable Celebration

May 11, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
49

Bachelorette Party Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

May 8, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
50

Baby Shower Planning: Complete Guide

May 6, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
51

Graduation Party Ideas for Every Budget

May 4, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
52

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

Apr 29, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
53

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

Apr 27, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
54

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

Apr 24, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
55

Engagement Party Planning Guide: How to Celebrate the Couple

Apr 22, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
56

How to Host a Backyard Party: The Complete Guide

Apr 20, 2026 · Guides · 17 min read
57

Cocktail Party Ideas for Every Budget

Mar 27, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
58

How to Manage Your Guest List Like a Pro

Mar 25, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
59

Housewarming Party Ideas: How to Celebrate Your New Place

Mar 23, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
60

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

Mar 20, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
61

Evite vs Luma: Which Event Platform Is Right for You?

Mar 18, 2026 · Comparisons · 8 min read
62

Evite vs Punchbowl: Honest Comparison for 2026

Mar 16, 2026 · Comparisons · 9 min read
63

Evite vs Partiful: Which Event Platform Should You Use in 2026?

Mar 13, 2026 · Comparisons · 10 min read
64

Wedding RSVP Etiquette: The Complete Guide

Mar 11, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
65

Evite vs Paperless Post: Which Is Actually Better in 2026?

Mar 9, 2026 · Comparisons · 15 min read
66

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

Mar 6, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
67

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

Mar 5, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
68

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

Mar 3, 2026 · Comparisons · 11 min read
69

50 RSVP Response Examples for Every Situation

Mar 2, 2026 · Guides · 13 min read
70

How to Host a Game Night Everyone Will Love

Feb 20, 2026 · Guides · 10 min read
71

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

Feb 19, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
72

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

Feb 16, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
73

Birthday Party Planning: The Ultimate Guide

Feb 13, 2026 · Guides · 12 min read
74

Building Community Through Regular Events

Feb 10, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
75

30+ Invitation Wording Examples You Can Copy for Any Event

Feb 9, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
76

How to Get People to Actually RSVP

Feb 4, 2026 · Guides · 8 min read
77

How to Host Your First Event of the Year

Feb 4, 2026 · Guides · 9 min read
78

Valentine’s Day Party Planning Guide

Feb 2, 2026 · Guides · 7 min read
79

RSVP Etiquette: What Every Host and Guest Should Know

Jan 30, 2026 · Guides · 14 min read
80

The Complete Guide to Online RSVPs

Jan 30, 2026 · Guides · 11 min read
81

What’s New at Mixily: Feature Updates

Jan 28, 2026 · Updates · 5 min read
82

Nick Gray Acquires Mixily

Jan 21, 2026 · Updates · 4 min read
83

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

Jan 21, 2026 · Updates · 4 min read
84

Benefits of hosting events off of social media

Apr 27, 2021 · Guides · 8 min read
85

Best Books for Event Planners in 2026: 12 Essential Reads

Apr 21, 2021 · Guides · 9 min read
86

Community Engagement Ideas: Activities That Actually Bring People Together

Mar 29, 2021 · Guides · 10 min read
87

How To Ask Your Community For Help

Mar 9, 2021 · Guides · 8 min read
88

Benefits of Hosting Hybrid Events: In-Person + Virtual

Nov 9, 2020 · Guides · 9 min read
89

Guide: How to create an event

Sep 3, 2020 · Guides · 9 min read