Maybe It's Time for a Dinner Party
“America is in a party deficit” I read this in the Atlantic. OK, I watched a reel about it. Here’s what the writer said, “We are obligated to create the social world we want. Intimacy, togetherness—the opposite of the crushing loneliness so many people seem to feel—are what parties alchemize. Warm rooms on cold nights, so many people you love thumbtacked down in the same place, the musical clank of bottles in the recycling, someone staying late to help with the dishes—these are things anyone can have, but like everything worth having, they require effort. They don’t need to be expensive. They don’t need to be formal. I have a challenge for you, Cushing continues. In 2025, resolve to throw 2 parties.”
As a party-thrower myself, I wandered down memory lane, to my first official themed party - Roaring 20s - I celebrated my twenty-ninth-in-a-half birthday. A celebration of my 20s and a goodbye to them. It was glorious. And since then, I’ve thrown a few more including the one's pictured above; Wes Anderson, Janet Hill - a painter I admire, and most recently - a joint birthday party with my friend Angela - 80s themed and also Moonstruck themed, because it came out the same year we were born. I was struck by how important it is to get together, themed or not. Although, themes are VERY fun.
I only have one rule for throwing a party. Do it. Who comes, why, and how it went is not important. The only goal for me is to bring people together and have fun. I don’t analyze anything after the fact. Whoever is supposed to come, comes. The goal is the intention. The outcome isn’t something I can control. Although, the outcome is always a good time. And a lot of fun. Oh, I guess rule number 1.1 is take photos.
Ok, I think I’m going to go plan another party. So should you.
Oh, WATCH THIS. Stanley Tucci will always inspire food and folks around a table.
XOXO,
Amelia