Rachel Kolman, Author at 1800Flowers Petal Talk

6 Steps to Throwing an Easy — and Unforgettable — Birthday Dinner Party

Hosting a birthday dinner party at home is a great way to show a loved one how much you care. While entertaining friends and family can be incredibly enjoyable and rewarding, hosting can also be a bit stressful, especially if it’s for an extra special occasion, such as a milestone birthday.

As host, having to plan all the décor and food options for the big night can feel overwhelming. If you’re ever in this situation, remember: Your No. 1 goal to make sure your guests have fun and enjoy the company, and the guest of honor feels properly feted.

With that in mind, here are six tips for hosting an elegant birthday dinner party without the stress.

1. Prepare early

Invite your guests at least two weeks in advance. Make sure to pin down those “maybe” responses and check on dietary restrictions so you know how many people you need to prepare for and whether you need to make any extra accommodations. Check that you have enough dishware to go around and order any supplies you may need ahead of time.

If ordering products online, confirm shipping dates so everything arrives in time for the party. If you need to pick anything up, get it the day before. Do a deep cleaning the night before too, especially in areas where guests will congregate. In short, getting as much done as you can ahead of time will reduce stress on the day of the event.

2. Set the mood with a well-themed table

Creating a tablescape makes an at-home birthday feel even more special. You don’t have to go crazy: An elegant, blush-toned palette with floral details will set a sophisticated and luxurious mood. Flowers are a great centerpiece, or you could even use succulents (which can double as a take-home gift at the end of the night!).

Keep the interests of the birthday boy or girl, and the time of year of the party, in mind when decorating. For instance, if he or she likes rabbits and plants, pick up porcelain bunnies and cute succulents to decorate. If the event is in the spring, use pink and purple roses for accents, and set it all on a white tablecloth. It creates a lively spring atmosphere!

3. Coordinate a playlist

birthday dinner party serving pasta salad

Make sure the playlist matches the mood for the night. Choose low-tempo, mellow tunes so the music doesn’t interrupt the conversations. A playlist consisting of a well-curated blend of contemporary and soulful tracks is perfect for background ambiance. If you’re feeling especially creative, try building your own playlist with your guest of honor’s favorite songs.

4. Keep the food simple

For a truly stress-free night, have the dinner catered. Instead of doing all the cooking yourself, just order and heat up tortellini with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Pair it with a fresh side or radish salad for a well-rounded offering.

For after dinner, a cheesecake party wheel lets your guests enjoy four varieties of a classic dessert. Another slightly more whimsical — but no less decadent — option are cheesecake pops.

To snack on either before or after dinner, set out cheese and fresh fruit. Or bring a touch of elegance to the proceedings with a platter of hot hors d’eurves.

5. Consider wine and food pairings

Wine is a classy touch for birthdays and is easy to pair with most food options (and it allows for toasts!). Ellen Sorensen, merchandising manager for wine at Harry & David, suggests pairing the tortellini with chardonnay, and the salad and fruit with sauvignon blanc. Sparkling wine is the perfect match for the cheesecake dessert, since “the bubble will cut through the richness,” Sorensen says.

Not everyone drinks the same thing, though. Offering a few wine options, along with some non-alcoholic choices like sparkling juices or creative mocktails, shows you’ve gone the extra mile in customizing the night.

6. Plan after-dinner activities

Even though so much work is put into the meal, dinner usually lasts only about 30 minutes. Once everyone’s finished, leave the plates and suggest a move to a new room.

If the weather is nice, take the party outside for some casual after-dinner drinks and merriment. Or keep guests entertained by suggesting playing a board game, singing karaoke, or going on a walk through your neighborhood.

12 Mother’s Day Gifts for Moms with Young Children

All moms deserve our love on Mother’s Day, and those with young children should get even more recognition than most. These mothers work especially hard to be the best parents they can be for their little ones, and the gift you get them should recognize that.

Below, we’ve rounded up 12 gifts for moms with young children to show these superwomen you’re thinking of them this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day gifts for the home

Amazing Mom™ Bouquet

This gorgeous arrangement is an elegant centerpiece that will make her house look put-together amidst any chaos (small kids, remember?). This show-stopping bouquet features pink roses and lilies, white snapdragons, and purple dianthus, and when it arrives at her home, it will take her breath away.

Gifts for moms with young children with Classic Budding Rose

Budding Rose and Candle Set

These budding pink roses come in a rose-patterned planter with a gold rim. Add on a rose-scented Yankee Candle or Camille Beckman floral hand lotion for a truly decadent gift that will make the whole house smell like fresh-cut flowers.

Mother’s Day gifts for self-care

Gifts for moms with young children with personalized fleece robe

Embroidered Luxury Fleece Robe

This cozy fleece robe immediately initiates relaxation mode. It’s perfect for an end-of-day lounge when the kids are safely tucked into bed or for cozy comfort after a long, relaxing bath.

New Mom Gift Set

If this is her first Mother’s Day, she’ll appreciate this gift set, with its trove of pampering goodies. The all-natural, organic kit is packed with self-care essentials: bath salt, headache balm, belly balm, herbal salve, vapor rub, oatmeal soap, and a lotion bar.

Mother’s Day gifts for indulgence

Gifts for moms with young children Stop and Smell the Rose Wine Gift Basket

“Stop and Smell the Rosé” Wine Gift Basket

Want the mother in your life to feel truly spoiled? This generous gift box will do the trick. It has a bottle of Harry & David rosé (because rosé season is right around the corner), dark chocolate-covered grahams and pretzels, Chery’s buttercream frosted cookies, and a whole lot more. The two stemless wine glasses are a nice bonus, too.

Deluxe Mother’s Day Gift Basket

This gift looks so beautiful that she might just a hard time opening it. But the goodies inside will compel her to. This stacked gift basket features delicious pears, chocolate truffles, baklava, cookies, Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn, and oodles more. Nothing but the best for Mom!

Sweets and Sparkling Wine Bar

Let this mom unwind and indulge with not one but two bottles of sparkling wine along with a bevy of incredible indulgences. We’re talking Bundt cakes, galettes, shortbread cookies, whoopie pies…the list goes on and on.

Mother’s Day gifts for keepsakes and memories

Personalized Writing Journal

This colorful journal is designed to hold all her sweetest memories, profound thoughts, and big plans. It’s sized to fit in a tote or bag, so it’s perfect for travel and everyday use. Now, she can write whenever and wherever the mood strikes.

Personalized Photo Wall Calendar

Mom will adore this photo wall calendar, which she can personalize with a picture of a different special someone each month. It’s the perfect tool for organizing, but the photo memories make it something she’ll hold onto forever.

Photo Memories Personalized Mini Heart Keepsake

Little ones, meet little keepsake! Mom can see her favorite youngsters any time with this three-dimensional heart. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, making it a breeze for her to carry her family with her wherever she goes.

Mother’s Day gifts for helping with the kids

Cute Animals Reusable Shoulder Tote

This 100% cotton canvas tote bag is useful for a busy mom looking to stash a few toys or snacks for the kids as she rushes out the door. Simple and unique, eco-friendly bags like these are a must-have for on-the-go moms.

Coffee Break Gift Basket

We all know one gift every mom with young children could use: an energy boost. Make it easy with this coffee set, which features two bags of gourmet whole bean coffee, raspberry galettes, and cranberry orange biscotti. It’s everything she needs for her morning pick-me-up, all in one handy burlap basket.

6 Tips for Planning a Family Reunion

A successful family reunion gives attendees the chance to create new memories in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. But anyone who’s ever planned such an event knows how much work goes into coordinating all the moving parts. If you’re thinking of organizing a reunion for the first time and are feeling overwhelmed about where to start, have no fear. We’ve gathered the best family reunion ideas from expert planners to ensure your event runs as smoothly as can be.

Plan far in advance

If this is your first time planning a reunion, start a year in advance. This ensures you have time to get the word out, send out surveys, and coordinate committees, locations, and venues. It will also maximize your attendance, as it will allow your family members to plan their vacations around the reunion.

When deciding on a date, list several options, keeping in mind that one single date is unlikely to work for everyone. “The perfect date does not exist. Someone will always have a conflict,” says marketing specialist Dianne Turgeon Richardson. “Just like planning a wedding, you have to pick the best date you can and let attendees figure out their own schedules.” Survey for a date that has the maximum potential, and then stick to it.

Enlist help

Assembling a team will take some of the stress off your shoulders. Think about committees that can handle different aspects of the reunion, such as lodging, food, venue, and activities.

Entice finicky folks to come with good food.

Genevieve Tyrrell

Artist and writer

This will be especially helpful if most of your family is traveling for the reunion. “Try to have the folks who live in the location [of the reunion] do the planning,” says Wendy Downey, a nurse who has been planning family reunions for decades. “Long distance can be very costly because of the travel, not just for the event.”

Give them something to do

Just because you’re all related doesn’t mean that everyone will know each other. An icebreaker event early on will help guests discover connections and encourage conversation. Though you’ll want to plan fun events, such as family trivia or a slideshow, don’t overwhelm your guests. For most people, the best part of getting together is the chance to sit down and catch up.

Family reunion ideas with eating dinner outside

That said, don’t worry too much about alluring family members with a schedule of events. After all, the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. “Entice finicky folks to come with good food,” says Genevieve Tyrrell, an artist and writer with family across the U.S. “Maryland steamed blue crabs was our thing.”

Keep it flexible

A successful family reunion should be accessible, allowing family members of all walks and in all stages of life to attend. It should also be relatively affordable. Backyard BBQs are family reunion staples for good reason — they’re easy and can be pot-luck style, with guests bringing their favorite dishes to cut down on costs.

Being flexible also means planning for the weather. Just take it from Stacey Kucharik, owner of publishing company Polished Print. “We planned a big reunion five years ago in a backyard, decorated with hundreds of pictures (some very old), and (inevitably) it down-poured,” she says. “We had invited 150 people, and there wasn’t space for everyone inside, so many people left.” Make sure that if any part of your plan falls through — even parts that are out of your control, such as the weather — you’re prepared with an alternative idea.

Picture of Celebrations Passport banner ad

Travel smart

If you’re planning a reunion to which most people will have to fly, make sure travel arrangements are coordinated. “Try to book nonstop,” says Michelle Justiniano, a flight attendant. “If you need to book a flight that has stops, make sure you have plenty of time between flights. Thirty minutes from one gate to another may be challenging if you’re seated in the back of the first plane and need to get to another concourse.”

Weather can also be an issue with air travel, especially in the spring or summer, so give yourself plenty of extra time between flights.

Consider outsourcing the help

Family reunion ideas with family playing games at the beach

If the reunion planning starts to become overwhelming, consider hiring someone to take care of the little things. “My family gets together at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun,” says Diana Chhour, a technical support analyst with a large family. “The resort has a coordinator to schedule reservations at restaurants.” Such conveniences minimize the hassle and take stress out of having to worry about every last detail.

“My family hires a whole countryside hostel just for us,” says Dan Underwood, who lives in London and has a reunion with his Scottish family every few years. Renting out an entire villa just for your guests, with staff onsite to plan meals and events, can make the weekend comfortable and relaxing.

Whether you’re expecting a few members of your extended family or hundreds of relatives, trying these family reunion ideas will ensure your next get-together is an enjoyable and memorable experience.

10 Delightful Ways to Celebrate National Rose Month

A photo of summer flowers with a woman smelling summer flowers

It’s finally here — National Rose Month! June is the special month we dedicate to celebrating the wildly popular rose. Roses are truly special flowers, with over 150 species that bloom all over the world in a variety of colors.

Roses have been a part of American history since the birth of the nation. It is believed that George Washington was an early American rose breeder, and the White House famously has its own rose garden, which presidents still use for important meetings and signings.

National Rose Month was established in 1959, as a way of trying to build support for making the rose the national flower of the United States. However, that goal was not realized until almost three decades later, when, in 1986, President Ronald Reagan declared the rose the national floral emblem, stating in his proclamation: “More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity.” Since then, National Rose Month has taken on a larger significance, as it not only honors the beautiful flower but recognizes a symbol of our country.

It seems only fair, then, that we should mark this occasion in a floral and festive manner — whether that’s simply displaying a beautiful rose centerpiece, beginning a creative project, or traveling to a rose garden or rose festival. In honor of National Rose Month, we present 10 ways you can celebrate this most revered flower throughout the month of June.

1. Visit a rose garden

One of the best ways to celebrate the rose is to plan a trip to visit a rose garden. There are rose gardens all over the country, but you might be lucky enough to live close enough to one of the seven most beautiful rose gardens in the country. If you don’t live near any of these, a simple internet search will yield rose gardens located in your area.

2. Attend a rose festival

a photo of rose month with a float at the portland rose festival

Many rose festivals happen around the country in June. Portland, Oregon, known as the City of Roses, is home to one of the largest rose festivals, with four parades and dozens of events over a two-week period in early June. There’s also Elizabeth Park’s Rose Weekend in Connecticut, which takes place in the nation’s oldest operating rose garden. For Midwesterners, there’s the Slate Center Rose Festival in Marshalltown, Iowa, which hosts a well-known festival that attracts thousands of rose lovers each June.

3. Plant a rose bush

There’s a reason June was chosen as National Rose Month: This is when roses look their best. Many rose types love full sun, making them a great summer addition to your garden. Pro tip: Never plant roses in soil where you have planted roses before, as it can make the new rose more susceptible to disease. Roses also need lots of nutrient-dense soil to keep their blooms fresh all summer long.

4. Decorate with roses

Since roses peak in June, it’s the perfect time to clip a few from your garden or have fresh rose plants delivered to bring a lively presence to your decor. Beyond that, rose patterns are a common decorating theme and cover a variety of home decor items. Now’s the time to display those beautiful rose pillows or set out a fragrance diffuser and votive candle and fill your home with the unmistakable scent of roses.

5. Turn roses into rose water

Rose water is a clean and delicate floral liquid with just two ingredients: rose and water! Rose water is simple enough to make at home: Just toss a handful of rose petals and a few cups water into a pot, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for five to 10 minutes, or until the rose petals have lost their color. Prep in batches to keep rose water on hand for a variety of recipes, such as…

6. Make rose water ice cream

With homemade rose water in your pantry, the best way to celebrate a June holiday is with homemade ice cream! Bring the flavor of authentic Persian rosewater ice cream to your freezer with our easy-to-make recipe, which uses rose water for a floral note and chopped pistachios for a crunch. Add a half teaspoon of saffron powder for a golden hue and earthy sweetness.

7. Send a friend or loved one roses

a photo of rose month with gifting someone roses

One of the best ways to celebrate any holiday is to share the love and get gifts in celebration. In honor of National Rose Month, send a fresh bouquet of roses to someone who you know loves receiving flowers. No need to stick to traditional red roses either: With colorful options like sorbet, kaleidoscope, pale pink, or bright yellow, you have a variety of ways to send someone a splash of color.

8. Make your own rose arrangement

Of course, while you’re brightening someone else’s day with roses, make sure to get some for yourself, too. Stock up on fresh roses in a variety of colors and gather the family for a fun afternoon activity. Get creative with not only the arrangements but also the containers. For instance, you can arrange roses in a planter’s box, recycled glass bottles, crates, tin cans…you name it! The main rules of flower arrangements are: balance, proportion, unity, harmony, and emphasis.

9. Make pressed roses

a photo of rose month with a woman pressing roses

Pressed roses make for great craft projects. Follow our tutorial, and you can have your very own pressed flowers in five minutes using a microwave, or go with the old-fashioned method of pressing them into a book, which takes about a month. Either way, pressed roses make for beautiful decor and creative projects.

10. Learn how to keep roses for longer

We all want our roses to stick around as long as possible, and to help you with that, we have an easy-to-follow guide on how to keep cut roses fresher for longer. First, make sure to cut the stem at an angle one inch from the bottom. Then, clip the leaves — don’t rip them, as that can cause bacteria to grow in the water. It’s also good to keep roses in a cool room and away from direct sunlight. And, of course, change the water every few days as needed. Just these few tips will add days or weeks to the life of your roses!

Celebration Ideas for Every Milestone Birthday

From winning gift ideas to card message suggestions, “Birthdays Reimagined” provides tips to help you make your loved one’s birthday wishes come true. In this article, we provide gift ideas for every milestone birthday.

Milestone birthdays signify important life achievements that are worth commemorating. Whether the milestone year is 21 or 50, these birthdays are the ones we tend to celebrate in creative, unforgettable ways.

According to researchers at The Wharton School, recognizing temporal landmarks such as a birthday or new year are motivational because they provide an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. With such a powerful opportunity to reflect and remember the occasion, it’s no wonder people look to honor these milestones in big ways! Below, we’ve listed memorable celebration ideas for each major milestone birthday.

Fun ideas for throwing an 18th milestone birthday bash

The 18th birthday is the first big milestone in our lives. With it comes many adult perks, such as being able to vote, purchase a car, and establish credit. “It’s the one in which western culture bestows young people with rights they will enjoy for the rest of their lives,” family therapist Kyle King says. “They are excited to flex some of their new independence and privileges.”

One way to celebrate this new independence is with a sophisticated party to mark the occasion. Encourage attendees to get dressed up in formal wear and if you can, try renting out a party venue to make the day extra special. You could even plan a “bon voyage” cruise-themed party as you watch your childhood years sail away, with a cruise-themed menu and snacks.

Picture of birthday roses — Passion for Purple Roses

milestone birthdays bday slay — B-day Slay

Picture of birthday flowers — Floral Embrace

18th birthday gift theme: Flowers

Flowers are a perfect gift for an 18th birthday. As full adulthood approaches, childlike interests lose favor to more sophisticated enjoyment. Roses, lilies, and orchids are classic selections. And you can never go wrong with a birthday bouquet. Receiving a birthday flower delivery also introduces an 18-year-old to a lifelong pleasure that happens when you receive a delivered gift.

Go all out for a 21st birthday

Twenty-one is a milestone that grants new privileges, so it’s usually honored by indulging in these fresh abilities. Celebrate with a wacky scavenger hunt for the honoree to complete that night. To feel luxurious, rent a limo on the way to a casino or 21-and-up nightclub! If a big bash isn’t ideal, then an evening of sophisticated cocktails with friends at home can make the night special. You could hire a mixologist (or buy a mixologist kit) and keep the night intimate as the honoree celebrates their new freedoms, complete with a Girls Night In Rosé Gift Basket.

21st birthday gift theme: Alcohol

Most everyone agrees that full adulthood and being able to legally drink are why the 21st birthday matters. Customized champagne flutes are more elegant than shiny SOLO cups, while a wine-related gift introduces pleasures found in more grownup tastes.

milestone birthdays Truffles Red Wine Personalized Wine Box with Tools — Truffles, Red Wine, and Personalized Wine Box with Tools

Celebrate 30 in style

If your honoree is feeling particularly old at this milestone, you can throw an “over the hill” party. Ask guests to dress in black to “mourn” their youth and bring gag gifts like fake teeth. If they’re not up for the joke, the 30th birthday can also be a time to celebrate the refining of tastes and interests. Organize a dine-around your local city, where you try a different course at each restaurant. Or you could find a private chef to cook an intimate meal at home for a sophisticated touch. If your honoree would rather their 30th still feel youthful, you can throw a classic slumber party, full of cheesy movies, pajamas, and plenty of snacks.

milestone birthdays Chocolate Obsession Cookie Flavor Box — Chocolate Obsession Cookie Flavor Box

milestone birthdays Birthday Balloon pc Chocolate Box — Birthday Balloon Chocolate Box

milestone birthdays Neuhaus Assorted Chocolates Discovery Collection — Neuhaus Collection Discovery Box

30th birthday gift theme: Chocolate

Chocolate for the 30-year old who loves decadence in a delicious package. Give a box of super chocolatey cookies or a selection of fine chocolates, such as the Neuhaus Collection Discovery Box, which includes pralines of various flavors and fillings.

Get festive for the 40th

A fun way to honor the 40th is by throwing a 1940s big band-themed party. Guests can dress in 40s-era clothing and the party can feature swing music or vintage movie classics. For a more low-key event, try an at-home spa weekend for your closest friends. You could host a wine tasting, mani/pedis, or even hire a masseuse. Complement the weekend with a Lavender Spa Basket for a luxurious experience.

40th birthday gift theme: Self-care

Indulge the 40-year-old with self-care goodies to relieve the exhaustion that comes from active living. Ideas include spa gifts, candles, or cozy comfort gifts like tea and blankets to encourage relaxation.

Picture of lavender spa gift set — Lavender Spa Basket

Picture of Birthday Party scented candle — Birthday Party Candle

milestone birthdays Relax Nurture Tea Gift Basket — Relax & Nurture Tea Gift Basket

The best ways to bring in the big 5-0

Aside from the 21st birthday, the most popular birthday for adults to celebrate is their 50th. According to Matt James, an award-winning professional event planner, most people turning 50 prefer a tasteful party, with good food and good company, rather than a cheap joke-shop-style theme party. He recommends activities that celebrate the person, not just the age, such as a personalized crossword puzzle or even a piñata bust created to their liking. If your honoree wants to skip the party route, then create a to-do list with 50 tasks to complete over the year. Or, select a destination 50 miles away and spend the day exploring the area for a peaceful retreat.

milestone birthdays Candy Covered Cake Pops with Drizzled Berries — Candy Covered Cake Pops™ with Drizzled Berries

50th birthday gift theme: Food

Who would ever turn away a gift basket of food favorites? From healthy fresh fruits, foods that satisfy a sweet tooth, or a variety basket, food for 50 is the ideal celebratory gift. Food gifts also have a dual function if the recipient wants to have an impromptu celebration with friends and family.

Celebrate 60 to the max

Each decade that passes provides even more reason to cherish time with loved on. A 60th birthday (or even 70th or 80th) should be full of smiles and laughter, celebrating old friends and new family members alike. You could arrange a birthday around old childhood favorites, including a Vintage Candy Dispenser with Treats. If the honoree is up for it, try childhood activities like a bike ride, ice skating, or a visit to a local amusement park. For an at-home event, surround the special person with stories and memorabilia from their youth, taking time to share stories.

60th birthday gift theme: Flowers and plants

Most 60-year-olds are empty nesters, and with that extra time allotted from not shuttling kids to sporting events, there’s more opportunity to care for flowers and plants. Adding both beauty and enjoyment to home life, plants are a natural, uplifting gift that’s sure to be enjoyed.

Making a 90th birthday milestone memorable

At such a special milestone, this birthday can be commemorated by planning an event where new or distant family and friends have a chance to reconnect with the honoree, either in person or over video. You could have attendees write a short note honoring their life, or even gift a Personalized Message in a Bottle. If you can, take a visit back to a favorite childhood location or neighborhood and hear old stories. If you’d just like to provide some company and conversation, an outdoor lunch at a new café or restaurant can offer a lively afternoon.

90th birthday gift theme: Puzzles & games

Nonagenarians have the gift of wisdom. Develop their mind with classic puzzles and games. Games also encourage leisure time with the ones you love, which is more engaging than digital entertainment.

Picture of Yahtzee — Yahtzee Vintage Bookshelf Edition

Honoring the ultimate milestone birthday: 100 years old

After 100 birthdays, there’s less value in material gifts, and the gift of time and love from family and friends can be more valuable. Center the theme of the party around their life. Create a pictorial timeline of the honoree’s milestone moments, and ask friends and family to contribute photos and videos for a “this is your life” presentation. And allow guests time to toast with their fondest memories, or you could even roast them with funny jokes and stories. Make sure to eat lots of cake and honor the day with a beautiful arrangement.

100th birthday gift theme: Personalized gifts

Celebrate centenarians with a personalized gift. Examples include one-of-a-kind keepsakes like engraved gifts, jewelry, and photo albums that include pictures of life’s greatest moments.

milestone birthdays Engraved Family Photo Album — Engraved Family Photo Album

milestone birthdays Grandma Personalized Colored Heart Clock — Grandma Personalized Colored Heart Clock

milestone birthdays diamond keepsake — You’re A Perfect Gem! Diamond Keepsake

10 Creative Ways to Celebrate an 18th Birthday

Milestone birthdays call for major celebrations! Whether you’re going all out for a 21^st or honoring a loved one’s 50^th, “Birthdays by the Ages” shares the best tips for celebrating some of life’s biggest moments.

Turning 18 is a major milestone that calls for a big birthday celebration. This important day marks a significant transition in a teenager’s life as he or she begins to enter adulthood.

To celebrate this special occasion, you’ll want to throw a birthday bash the guest of honor will always remember. Whether you’re getting a few loved ones together or are gathering virtually, there are plenty of ways to make your party unique. Below are some celebration ideas for a one-of-a-kind 18^th birthday.

In-person party ideas

Sophisticated dinner party

Skip the fancy restaurant and throw a dressy at-home party instead! Invite a handful of friends and family to dress up in their best formal wear. Set the scene with that seldomly used chinaware, and complete it with an elegant floral centerpiece. The birthday guest will feel every bit the adult with a fancy party like this!

Cooking class

For the guest of honor who loves cooking, host a cooking class at home. Use this as a chance to try something new or to prepare something not usually made at home, like sushi or pasta from scratch. You can even keep it simple and have a pizza-making party, with mini pizza doughs and a topping station for your guests.

Photo booth party

If your birthday honoree loves a good selfie, rent a photo booth. These days, many party-planning companies rent out open-air photo booths for events. Or you can hire a professional photographer and set up a “selfie wall” for guests to snap fun photos all night long.

Escape room at home

Is the honoree into puzzles or games? Then turn your house into an exciting escape room. Sites like Escape Kit provide everything you need to transform your home, including instructions, certificates, and even a YouTube playlist to set the mood. Add in some additional decorations for ambiance, and you’ve got one entertaining evening!

Backyard campout

If the weather cooperates, pitch a tent in the backyard and fill the space with camping gear, twinkling lights, and an outdoor movie set-up for an enchanting night under the stars. Don’t forget necessities like s’mores and firewood. As a bonus, the house is right there for any amenities the guests may need.

Virtual ideas

Create a theme

Even on a virtual call, a theme can make a memorable night even more fun and special. Consider setting a dress code and giving everyone a chance to pull out a unique outfit from their closet that fits with the theme — say, ’80s or beach party. Or you can keep it simple and tell everyone to put on their PJs and eat cereal! Think of whatever theme best matches the personality of the birthday guest to show that you are creating a night just for them.

Send goodie bags

If you’re looking to make a virtual night feel more personal and connected, send guests goodie bags beforehand. “We like to send an invitation with the time, date, and instructions on how to log into the party,” says Kalee Sorey Dillard of Kim & Kalee, a mother-daughter lifestyle influencer business. “We also like to include a matching T-shirt or recipe that everyone can make ahead of time.” These small touches will help bring everyone together in a special way.

Plan a scavenger hunt

Make a virtual party more interactive by having guests search around their homes for items related to the birthday honoree. This can be a photo of them together, something in their favorite color, or a souvenir from a trip they’ve taken together. Hunting for these items provides a fun, interactive game to keep participants engaged on the call, with the attention remaining squarely on the guest of honor.

Virtual game night

Of course, one way many people have been connecting over the past year is through virtual game nights. These are a great way to engage with distant loved ones and keep the night entertaining. For ideas on what to play, the popular party game Codenames has a free online version that works great over a call. Jackbox Games also provides hours of virtual entertainment, as does the social deception game Among Us, in which players work together to uncover who the impostor is among them.

Host drop-in hours

Want to make a virtual party feel more celebratory? Open up drop-in hours on a video call. This can be done in conjunction with an in-person event for guests who can’t be there. Hook up a TV screen to the call so those attending virtually can be seen by everyone. Keep the call open throughout the night, or set specific hours for loved ones to drop in and share their well-wishes. This can make a small in-person gathering feel large and meaningful.

Giving Is the Gift: 4 Ways Gifting is Good for Your Well-Being

a graphic for the giving is the gift content series

Giving to others fills you with a wonderful feeling. It’s an opportunity to create a special moment with a loved one, to see the smile on their face while they’re opening the gift you’ve picked out for them.

Though you may not spend much time thinking of the benefits of gifting, we know there are a surprising number of ways in which this act of kindness can positively influence your life. Not only does it strengthen the bond between giver and receiver, but studies have shown that giving has added health benefits. It can help boost your physical health and mental well-being as well as make you feel generous in other aspects of your life.

Here are some simple yet often overlooked outcomes that all come about from the generous act of gifting to others.

Giving strengthens your relationships

One of the greatest benefits of gift giving is strengthening the relationship with the person receiving the gift. You receive an enormous sense of satisfaction when you see the expression on the face of someone you’ve given a gift to. This reaction shows that you have acknowledged the person and appreciate their presence in your life.

“You come to know the person even better,” says Dr. Ellen Langer, a psychology professor at Harvard University, in an interview with NPR. “If you spend time thinking about the gift, that thinking is good for you in ways that people might not be aware of. You are going to be thinking about what they might like, what you can afford, and making these decisions is empowering for the gift giver.”

“There is the whole act — determining what needs to be given and making sure it fits with the person,” says Devin A. Byrd, Ph.D., associate professor of behavioral sciences at South University. “There is an emotional lift when searching for the gift.”

Gift giving is also a way for the giver to reduce guilt. Perhaps there is some distance between you and the gift receiver, which can be remedied through this act of kindness. “It can be a replacement for not being there with the person,” Byrd says.

Being generous boosts your mental health

Just as it feels good to lift someone else’s spirits with a gift, you can receive that same feeling through the act. When you give to others, you are improving your psychological health. “It makes you feel generous and in control,” Langer says. “It lends a sense of power you can carry into other parts of your day.”

With this boost to esteem and self-worth comes a genuinely increased optimistic mood and outlook on life. Positive chemical reactions may lead to an ongoing pattern of improved mental health and well-being.

Giving also activates regions in the brain associated with pleasure. According to Scott Bea, PsyD at Cleveland Clinic, “there is evidence that during gift-giving behaviors humans secrete feel-good chemicals in our brains, such as serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.” Additionally, in a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that giving stimulates the reward center in the brain — releasing endorphins and creating what is known as the “helper’s high.”

Gift giving may help you live longer

One of the many reasons why giving is so good for you is that it acts as a way to de-stress your everyday life. One study led by Michael J. Poulin, Ph.D, assistant professor of psychology at the University at Buffalo, showed that gift giving is tied to having a longer life.

If you do something positive, positive psychology says you attract positive.

Dr. Darlene Silvernail

Psychology professor

South University

The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, followed 846 subjects as they reported the amount of time in the past 12 months they had spent helping, providing for, or gifting to friends, neighbors, or relatives. The researchers found that when dealing with stressful situations, those who had helped others were less likely to die than those who had not helped others. “Helping others reduced mortality by buffering the association between stress and mortality,” Poulin says. In short, gifting is an activity that reduces stress — and a reduction in stress is the key to a longer life.

Giving promotes a spirit of generosity

Giving a gift to someone else can set off a chain reaction. Since the feeling of gift giving boosts your mood, you may want to keep this spirit alive in other ways, such as sponsoring a good cause. Or, perhaps the person you’re gifting to now may be more willing to gift to others. “If you do something positive, positive psychology says you attract positive,” says Dr. Darlene Silvernail, a psychology professor at South University.

In short, your simple act of giving can serve as a positive example that others can model, promoting their own sense of self-worth and reducing their own stress. Keep paying it forward and giving gifts, and you may just make the world a better place.