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 🤔

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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Close-up of triangular mini pumpkin tarts with a dollop of whipped cream on top, arranged on a metal tray with an autumn leaf background and the word 'yum!' in brown script.

Try this Friendsgiving favorite: cheese and cracker pies

Charcuterie board meets seasonal pie in this snack adored by kids and adults alike! Get the full recipe for cheese and cracker pies here.

130 merry messages for your holiday cards

Send sweet season’s greetings to your family and friends. Pick one of these holiday card messages to send out this year.

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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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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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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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Two smiling girls standing indoors surrounded by colorful and metallic balloons at a celebration.

I spent years throwing the "perfect" birthday party. Then I quit.

From birthday party "activations" to $8 karaoke microphones: why the most memorable kids' parties have nothing to do with how much you spent.

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Is that Evite real or a phishing scam? How to tell the difference

Scammers send emails that look like Evites to trick customers into clicking malicious links. We've put together this guide for how to spot them.

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Close-up of a cozy couch with pillows and a table holding a wine glass and small items.

Don't look under the couch: and other things I feel like I need to tell my guests

Do you apologize for every imperfection before guests even walk in? Learn how to embrace your home's quirks and host with confidence.

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Illustration of plate with fork and knife over photo of a dining table with glasses and utensils.

Ideas worth saving: supper club edition

Meet the newest trend in dinner parties—the supper club. See why we’re so inspired by this new foodie favorite, and learn how to host your own at home!

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Polaroids of people reading, a rabbit on a car hood, and a picnic on a blue checkered blanket with food.

8 parties to throw this April

We’re welcoming spring with party ideas that feel like sunshine! From book club to chic tea parties, here are 8 themes to try out this month.

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Three kids outdoors exploring with binoculars, magnifying glass, and instant camera under a blue sky.

15 easy ways to say “no siblings” on your kid’s birthday party invitation

Birthday invitation wording for your kid’s birthday party, so you don’t have to feel awkward next time the "Are siblings invited?" question inevitably comes up.

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Three graduates in black gowns tossing caps outdoors and a vintage photo of a graduate holding a camera.

Everyone throwing a graduation party needs this checklist

Your grad worked hard to get that diploma, but that doesn’t mean you need to sweat over the party! Download our grad party checklist for stress-free planning.

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Collage with black-and-white photo of three women, a four-leaf clover, basketball hoop, math pie slice, and vintage stamps.

7 reasons to get together in March

Need a reason to get your group together? We’re highlighting 7 events happening in March that are the perfect excuse to gather your friends.

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Two decorated Easter eggs on grass; one brown with pink swirls, one white with pink flowers.

Move over, dye! This year, we’re hand-painting our Easter eggs

Designer & DIYer Cynthia Stiller of @HotPinkPineapples gives a step-by-step guide on how to paint these surprisingly easy (and totally trendy) Easter eggs.

Couple in wedding attire surrounded by floating dollar bills against a patterned beige background.

8 clever and realistic ways to save on your wedding

If your wedding budget is giving you a slight jumpscare, our planning experts are here with 8 pro tips to help you save without skimping.

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.

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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.

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