Life of the party

A blog by Evite

The shared vacation home survival guide

Read the guide to surviving (and enjoying) a shared vacation home with friends. Find tips and time-tested advice to make your next group trip a little easier.

What to text on friends’ birthdays (that isn’t just “Happy birthday”)

Express your love and birthday wishes without overthinking the text. Here are some sweet and simple messages to send to your friends on their birthdays.

This last minute party planning checklist is a hosting essential

Download the ultimate day-of party planning checklist for your next event. This last-minute to-do list might just save the day.

Hmmm… we can’t find anything that matches that 🤔

Collage of a couple kissing in sepia, wedding dress, bouquet, champagne, flowers, stars, and hearts on polka dots.

Here’s how to hop on the casual wedding trend

We’re rounding up ten trends to watch and five fun themes for casual or non-traditional nuptials.

Wedding, wedding ceremony, commitment ceremony, Wedding reception, reception, welcome party, welcome, wedding welcome, casual wedding, casual wedding ideas, casual wedding inspiration, non traditional wedding, non traditional wedding ideas, non traditional wedding inspiration, unique wedding ideas

Collage with a pink cowboy hat, layered cake with cherries, iced drink, cookies, figure skater, card, and woman with gifts.

Iconic birthday themes for every month of 2026

Get inspired by 12 themes dreamed up specifically for each month of the year! From January to December, we’ve got you covered with a unique & trendy idea.

Grid of dollar bill art with a cupcake, pacifier with pink bow, and blue balloons on pink and blue blocks.

Who should pay for the baby shower?

Not sure how to start the conversation about baby shower budget? We’re diving into the details of this hot topic! Plus, take our free quiz for personal advice.

Evite Pregame Report 2026 with slogan Party Smarter and Harder on pale background with scalloped border.

Evite’s Pregame Report: Your guide to 2026 party trends & hosting habits

Explore Evite’s 2026 Pregame Report, where we uncover the party themes, etiquette trends & hosting habits that you’ll be seeing everywhere next year.

Pregame report, pre game report, pre-game report, 2026, 2026 party trends, 2026 etiquette, etiquette, trending now, trending, trending themes, party themes, themes, host etiquette, advice, pet peeves, 2026 themes, party planning

Collage with a woman in a shiny dress drinking from a glass, party photos, and champagne tower on gold background.

Ring in the New Year with style & ease: A chef’s top NYE hosting tips

Party prepping hacks and appetizer ideas for a seamless NYE soirée, from chef Sara Frost-Glaser.

Young boy and girl decorating a Christmas tree with ornaments inside a cozy home.

15 wholesome family traditions to start for the holidays

Ready to make some life-long memories with your family? We’re walking you through fun and festive traditions you can start now and repeat every year.

Smiling child in white shirt leaning toward cake with three lit candles during celebration.

The top kids’ birthday themes this winter

Don’t let your winter birthday kiddo’s special day get lost in the holiday season shuffle! We’re breaking down 8 party themes that are fun and memorable!

Birthday, birthday party, kids' birthday, birthday for kids, winter, december, holiday, kids winter birthday, kids winter birthday ideas, kids winter holiday ideas, kids holiday birthday, kids holiday birthday ideas, winter birthday themes, winter birthday trends, birthday party themes, birthday party trends

Holiday party invite surrounded by gloves, slippers, lip balm, sleep mask, mug, candy cane, and bows.

How to host a favorite things party

This feel-good get-together is your next favorite thing! See how to gather friends for a party packed with meaningful connection in this step-by-step guide.

favorite things party, how to host, how to host a favorite things party, favorite things, holiday party, favorite things gift exchange, gift exchange

Birthday cake with colorful candles and rainbow decorations, a child and hands nearby.

Everything you can do to make your kid’s winter birthday feel special

Kids with birthdays in November, December & January often feel like their birthdays are overshadowed by the holidays. Get our pro tips on how to avoid that!

Vintage family photos in assorted frames on old floral patterned wallpaper.

How to avoid family drama during the holidays

No more embarrassing holiday dinner fights around the table! Here are some planning & etiquette tips to ensure your gathering is extra merry.

Collage with Christmas lights, cartoon scenes, candy cane, red stocking, and holiday characters.

The ultimate Christmas movie calendar

Get into the holiday spirit with our 2-month calendar of classic Christmas movies! Best enjoyed with hot cocoa and candy canes.

christmas movie calendar, christmas movies, top christmas movies, december, movie calendar, movie, movies, movie list, watch list, holiday movies

Friends raising white wine glasses for a toast around a table with yellow candles and flowers.

5 tips for throwing the ultimate Friendsgiving

Dinner party enthusiast Amelia Edmondson shares her top Friendsgiving planning tips for a casual-yet-chic fall celebration.

friendsgiving, friendsgiving dinner, friendsgiving party, how to host friendsgiving, friendsgiving ideas, friendsgiving advice, fun friendsgiving ideas

Man crouches holding toddler by a red toy car on grass in a backyard with wooden blocks nearby.

Real Parties: Ari’s Formula One birthday

See how Mama Jess celebrated her son Ari’s 1st birthday with a fuel station, winning party favors and a dessert option that had everyone racing for seconds.

real parties, formula one, race car, first birthday, one, 1, 1st birthday, first birthday party ideas, ari, formula one party

Bowl of mashed potatoes with kale, bacon bits, green onions, and a pat of melting butter on top.

You have to try Natasha Bull’s St. Patrick’s Day colcannon

Irish mash with bacon, greens and lots of butter to take your spud experience to a whole new level.

st patricks day, saint patricks day, march, march party, colcannon, colcannon recipe, natasha bull, irish colcannon, irish food, irish recipe, ireland, st patricks day recipe, st patricks day food

Birthday party table with unicorn-themed cupcakes, colorful balloons, and a Happy Birthday Lulu & Chloe banner.

Cool parents agree, these are the top 25 kids’ bday party places in LA

Laser tag. Bowling. Soft play. See where our trusted network of parents takes their kids for the best birthday parties in Los Angeles.

White cart with green 'Baby Meaders' sign holding metal buckets of assorted colorful flowers.

Real Parties: Rachel Meaders’ Beverly Hills Hotel-style baby shower

A special day for her baby on the way: see how Rachel Meaders’ celebrated her baby boy bundle of joy.

real parties, rachel meaders, Baby shower, baby sprinkle, baby celebration, baby, beverly hills, beverly hills hotel, hotel, beverly hills hotel party

Smiling family with man, woman, and toddler in blue dress celebrating a 2nd birthday party indoors.

Real Parties: Taya Turns Two-ey

You can't go wrong with a b-day party centered around your toddler’s fave show! See how Bre Sheppard threw a Bluey-themed bash for her daughter in Seattle, WA.

bluey, bluey party, two, 2, second birthday, 2nd birthday, real parties, taya, blue party ideas, kids birthday, kids birthday party ideas

Bowl of guacamole garnished with pomegranate seeds and herbs, with a chip dipping into it.

Gregory Gourdet’s Guacamole with Roasted Chiles recipe

Guacamole is always a crowd-pleaser, but add in some roasted chiles and homemade jalapeño oil, and you’re definitely scoring all the points from your guests.

gregory gourdet, guacamole, guac, guacamole recipe, recipe, roasted chile, summer recipe, recipe ideas, how to make guacamole

White inflatable castle decorated with green, orange, and white balloons outdoors on grass.

Real Parties: Laken’s 3rd Birthday Par-Tee

Looking to ace your next birthday party? Lauren Mulloy shows us how she celebrated her son Laken’s 3rd birthday with an adorable par-tee in Virginia Beach, VA.

golf, golf birthday, kids golf birthday party, how to throw a golf birthday party, laken, 3, three, third birthday, 3rd birthday, par tee, par-tee

Outdoor scene with toy cars, yellow balloons, striped tablecloth, and picnic blankets on grass.

Real Parties: Hayes’ construction-themed 4th birthday party

If a party has kid-sized cardboard cars, you know it'll be a wheel-y good time. Get the deets on Hayes’ 4th, put together by mama & DIY-guru Brittni.

real parties, hayes, four, 4, fourth birthday, 4th birthday, construction, construction party, construction theme party, 4th birthday party ideas

Elegant table setup with white cake, pink flowers, bottle of rosé, orange slices, and yellow and orange blooms.

Real Parties: Ashley Rose’s pasta party al fresco

There’s nothing like an outdoor dinner party—especially one like Ashley Rose’s in Houston, TX with pasta, cocktails and gorgeous decor.

real parties, ashley rose, pasta, pasta party, al fresco, outdoor dining, summer, summer dinner party, pasta party ideas

Child arranging plastic letters on black board reading Happy 2nd Birthday Lucia Jahji and Indy.

Real Parties: Lucia’s 2nd birthday rose garden picnic

Lucia’s 2nd bday picnic in Santa Barbara, CA was picturesque: From chic lounge chairs to a hand-carved watermelon fruit basket, mama Jessie DeLowe nailed it.

Smiling baby sitting barefoot in a highchair outdoors beside a table with colorful wrapped birthday gifts.

Real Parties: Rowan’s “One in the Sun” birthday party

A ball pit, strawberry cake and piñata? Sounds like an especially sweet party! Here's how Kaitlynn Carter celebrated her son's 1st bday in Newport Beach, CA.

real parties, rowan, one in the sun, summer, summer birthday party, 1st summer birthday, one, 1, first birthday, 1st birthday, one in the sun theme, kids summer birthday party

Toddler in a high chair wearing a party hat, with a man holding a cupcake and a woman smiling nearby.

Real Parties: Jake’s 1st birthday party at Camp Jake

Calling all campers: it’s party time! See how Jake celebrated his 1st birthday with an awesome camp-themed party in Sherman Oaks, CA.

real parties, jake, 1, one, first birthday, 1st birthday, camp, camp birthday party, camp birthday party theme, camping, camping party theme, boy scout

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.