Life of the party

A blog by Evite

What to buy at Trader Joe's for a shockingly impressive Friendsgiving

Pull together a mostly store-bought Friendsgiving dinner from TJ's with these potluck picks for drinks, sides, entrees, and dessert.

A woman wearing glasses and a green satin shirt sits at a desk with a laptop and tablet, raising her arms in celebration. Behind her is a decorated Christmas tree and festive ornaments and stars float around on a red checkered background.

The company holiday party etiquette guide

Don’t be the talk of tomorrow’s water cooler chat… we’ve got you covered with helpful etiquette tips to make a lasting impression at your office holiday party.

Two people sitting on a fluffy carpet, playing a card game with bowls of snacks around them, overlaid on an illustration of a large dice, playing cards, game pieces, and a pencil with a game rules sheet titled 'Threefold'.

I love hosting board game nights. These 6 convert game haters.

Guest author Heather Leith shares 6 games (Azul, Codenames & more) that turn game night skeptics into fans. See what to buy, how to play, and pairing ideas.

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

Outdoor brunch with melon and prosciutto, grilled corn, cheese, nuts, and wine on rustic wooden table.

The ultimate backyard brunch party guide

Tips for planning and inviting your friends over for a fun backyard brunch.

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Table set for party with pastel flower centerpiece, candles, white chairs, and colorful fan decorations on wall.

10 tips for decorating your next party

Step up your party decor game with these ten easy tricks.

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Group of friends outdoors raising beer bottles and enjoying snacks on a rooftop with modern buildings behind.

Creating the perfect guest list

How to put together a great guest list to ensure an amazing party.

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Four women outdoors enjoying drinks and laughing together in a green garden setting.

When you can—and can’t—bring an uninvited guest to a party

Want to bring an uninvited guest to a party but don't know how? We've got the answers!

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Stack of books on a white windowsill with plants and sunlight through a window with curtains.

Book club party guide

Plan a fun book club meeting from start to finish with our comprehensive guide.

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Cartoon figure covered in sticky notes writing on a pad of notes with a pencil.

Complete party prep checklist

Start planning a stress-free party with our complete party prep checklist.

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Woman in a party hat holding a cocktail glass and a yellow pom-pom against a striped background.

Woman in a party hat holding a drink and pom-poms with retro icons and word 'how to' around her.

How to survive a party alone

Strike up a conversation and make new friends with these quick tips on how to enjoy going to a party alone.

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People celebrating with party blowers, confetti, and drinks, smiling and enjoying the occasion.

Top 5 Surprise Party Cover Stories

Throw the guest of honor off the surprise party trail with these awesome cover stories.

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Collage with photos, a note reading 'The dos and don'ts of seeing your ex at a party', and scribbles on faces.

Collage of photos and notes about seeing an ex at a party, with some faces and text crossed out in red.

The dos and don’ts of seeing an ex at a party

Heard your ex is going to be at a party? Here’s what to do (and, more importantly, what not to do) when running into an ex at a party is inevitable.

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Cartoon reindeer characters Prancer, Dancer, and Vixen behind podiums with dollar amounts.

Fun holiday facts to share at your next party

Did you know Mariah Carey wrote "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 15 minutes? Here is some of our fave holiday trivia—how many do you already know?

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Black line drawing of a table with two chairs, a candle, flower bottle, ice bucket, and tongs on blue background.

6 ways to host graciously (+6 ways to be a gracious guest)

Has it been a while since you hosted or were a guest at a party? Are you wondering what good party etiquette looks like now? Here are our top tips!

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Pregnant woman in pink dress smiling as young girl kisses her belly at decorated baby shower outdoors.

Baby shower etiquette 101

Who hosts? What happens? When do invites go out? We have the answers to all of your biggest (and smallest!) baby shower etiquette questions right here.

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What to buy at Trader Joe's for a shockingly impressive Friendsgiving

Pull together a mostly store-bought Friendsgiving dinner from TJ's with these potluck picks for drinks, sides, entrees, and dessert.

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A woman wearing glasses and a green satin shirt sits at a desk with a laptop and tablet, raising her arms in celebration. Behind her is a decorated Christmas tree and festive ornaments and stars float around on a red checkered background.

The company holiday party etiquette guide

Don’t be the talk of tomorrow’s water cooler chat… we’ve got you covered with helpful etiquette tips to make a lasting impression at your office holiday party.

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Collage of iconic Christmas movie characters including Buddy the Elf, Kevin from Home Alone, Kermit the Frog holding a puppet, and the Grinch with a Christmas tree background and text 'CHRISTMAS MOVIE CALENDAR'.

The ultimate Christmas movie calendar

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

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Two people sitting on a fluffy carpet, playing a card game with bowls of snacks around them, overlaid on an illustration of a large dice, playing cards, game pieces, and a pencil with a game rules sheet titled 'Threefold'.

I love hosting board game nights. These 6 convert game haters.

Guest author Heather Leith shares 6 games (Azul, Codenames & more) that turn game night skeptics into fans. See what to buy, how to play, and pairing ideas.

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Collage featuring a close-up of a purple cocktail with a salted rim and a dried citrus slice, next to a glass layered dessert topped with crushed cookies and gummy worms, against a black-and-white photo of a woman speaking into a vintage microphone, with decorative sparkles and abstract orange lines on a dark textured background.

Sweet and spooky snack pairings for your next Halloween movie night

A movie without snacks is scarier than any horror film. Discover delicious treats that pair perfectly with your favorite Halloween movie.

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Collage featuring two scenes: one with two women indoors by sinks and mirrors, one sitting wearing yellow pants and gray top and holding a drink, the other standing with back to camera in pink pants and a pink backless top; the other scene shows a building with stairs and balconies and the text "Your reservation is confirmed!" along with a pink flower and seashells.

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.

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Collage of iconic Halloween movie characters like Beetlejuice, the Sanderson sisters, and Ghostface.

Collage of characters from Halloween, Hocus Pocus, Scream, and iconic horror movies.

The official Halloween movie marathon calendar

Get ready for 2 months of Halloween faves to get you in the spirit of the season! From Practical Magic to Obsession, follow along with our movie marathon.

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Collage featuring a close-up of a birthday cake with lit candles spelling 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' and hands near it, alongside a person sitting with jeans and a jacket holding a smartphone, with a speech bubble above saying 'happy birthday!'

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.

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People clinking wine glasses over a table and talking while sitting on the floor.

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.

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Overhead view of people sharing various plates of food at a potluck dinner on a striped tablecloth.

No, you’re not lazy for hosting a potluck

Potluck shame is real, but it shouldn’t be. Writer Heather Leith explains why this lowkey party style is great for easing hosting anxiety.

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Collage of three photos: people at a table, a red-checkered table setting, and autumn leaves with flowers.

Underrated but actually genius hosting hacks for your next gathering

Discover low-effort tips that will save you time & stress at your next gathering. These hacks will make even a first-time host look like a party planning pro.

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Postcard style image with Greek architecture and a table of food being served by hand.

Here’s how to bring Europe to your backyard this summer

Skip the plane ride and bring the Euro summer vibes back to your place! Host a European gathering at home with these easy party themes and ideas.

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