Life

From personalized water bowls to beaded treat pouches.

Should I get chickens?

Your cat's new throne.

There’s a way to do it.

The holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s almost time for the peak season of parties, gatherings, and soirées. Even if you’re a social butterfly, attending a social event in someone’s home can be nerve-wracking — especially if you don’t know the host very well. Do you bring wine or flowers? Take your shoes off at the door?

Think outside the game-night box.

I might be great at picking out great housewarming gifts, but wrapping them up neatly is another story entirely. Most of the time I do a fine job, but I still always seem to end up with wrinkled, crinkled corners instead of neat, clean lines.I often default to gift bags for this reason, but they can be a little uninspiring at times. Plus, both of these methods can lead to a lot of paper waste.

In theory, hosting a dinner party is wonderful. But somewhere between planning the menu, shopping for groceries, cooking, and setting the table, what should be a fun evening with friends can easily become an exhausting project. The pressure to time every dish perfectly and make everything look “just so” often drains the joy out of the night. As the host, you’re stuck doing the work preparing (and often cleaning up) while everyone else unwinds and spends quality time together.