Blog
Practical guides on planning dinners, parties and other social get-togethers with friends.
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'Friendflation': What Your Social Life Actually Costs, and Why Home Wins
Dinners out, gifts and celebrations stack up and end up costing more than people realize. Here's how the 'friendflation' trend explains why more people are choosing home.
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The Friendship Recession: Why Adults Have Fewer Close Friends Than They Used To
The share of adults with zero close friends has climbed sharply over the past few decades. The cause isn't a lack of interest, it's a lack of repeated, low-stakes contact.
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Run Clubs and Walking Groups: 'The Third Place' Is Making a Comeback
Home and work aren't enough. Run clubs, walking groups and standing meetups are growing because people are looking for a third place to belong. Here's how your friend group can use the trend.
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'Soft Socializing': Why More People Are Choosing an Activity Over a Conversation
Puzzles, flower arranging and group walks are growing as social activities. The point isn't the activity itself, but that it removes the pressure of just 'talking.'
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Digital Detox Hangouts: Planning Offline Time with Friends
Searches for 'offline time with friends' are rising. Here's how to plan a screen-free hangout without the logistics themselves needing your phone.
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Staying In Is In: Why Hosting at Home Beat Going Out in 2026
Staying home has gone from a fallback to the first choice for many people. Here's how to make hosting friends at home easy to plan.
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Healthy Hosting Without the Stress: Simple Food Guests Actually Love
More people want to eat well, even when they're out at a friend's place. Here's how to host a gathering with good, simple food without turning it into a performance.
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Why People Flake on Plans, and How Structure Can Prevent It
Getting flaked on isn't just bad luck. Loose plans with vague replies make it easy to bail. Here's how to build invites that actually hold.
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Standing Wednesdays Beat Spontaneous Plans: Why Your Friend Group Needs a Regular Slot
'We should hang out soon' rarely happens. A standing, recurring plan solves the problem once and for all. Here's how to set one up.
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Scared to Have People Over? How to Lower the Bar for Hosting
Many people avoid inviting friends home because they think it has to be perfect. Here's how to lower your own standards, and actually make hosting something you do often.
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Casual Friends Count Too: Why Weak Ties Are Underrated
Research points to 'weak ties' like neighbors, coworkers and gym buddies contributing more to wellbeing than we give them credit for. Here's how to stay in touch without it becoming an obligation.
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Zero-Proof and Easy: Planning Drinks Everyone Can Enjoy
Non-alcoholic options aren't an afterthought anymore, they're a standard part of the drinks menu. Here's how to plan drinks for a mixed guest list.
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Budget-Friendly Party Ideas: How Potlucks and Split Costs Actually Work
Splitting party costs makes hosting cheaper for everyone. Here's how to organize a potluck and shared expenses without the awkwardness.
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Light the Candle on a Wednesday: Small Rituals That Turn a Normal Night Into Something
You don't need an occasion to turn a dinner into an experience. A few small rituals make the difference between 'we ate' and 'that was a nice night.'
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The Mini-Festival Party: How to Plan Multiple Activities in One Gathering
Instead of one focal point, split the party into a few small stations. Here's how to plan a mini-festival at home without it turning into a mess.
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WFH Tuesday, Office Thursday: How to Plan When No One's Week Matches
Hybrid work means your friend group has a different weekly schedule every week. Here's how to find time that actually works, without the endless back-and-forth.
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The Dinner Party Is Back: How to Host a Low-Pressure Potluck at Home
Home dinner parties are trending again, especially casual potluck-style ones. Here's how to plan a simple night without the stress.
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Small Gathering vs. Big Party: Why Fewer Guests Wins in 2026
The trend is shifting toward smaller, more curated gatherings over big blowouts. Here's how to know which size fits your occasion.
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Why Your Friend Group Can Never Agree on Plans (And How to Fix It)
The cause is rarely a lack of interest in meeting up. It's how the question gets asked. Here's how to structure the choice so the group actually lands on something.
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Dietary Restrictions at a Party: A Simple Checklist for Hosts
How to ask guests about dietary restrictions and preferences without it feeling clunky, and why timing matters more than you'd think.
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How to Pick a Date That Works for Everyone (Without 40 Texts)
A simple method for finding a time that works for a group of friends, without a group chat spiral.