Let's get together

In my social circles, I'm the "plan maker and curator." I regularly throw parties, find the best trivia spots in town, and snag reservations at the newest restaurants before seeing who wants to join.

January makes it tough to keep the social buzz going, though. The fabulous holiday feasts (and their tasty leftovers) are long finished, half your friends are doing Dry January or starting no-carb diets, and everyone seems to be passing around the same cold.

But all of that's no match for this Italian-American newlywed armed with a registry's worth of wine glasses and serving platters. This year, I'm making my own celebrations and reaching my peak social potential by hosting at least one dinner party a month, going all out each time.

First on my lineup is a Ham Party — I was just gifted a 12-pound hock, so I'm using it as an excuse to gather friends on a Sunday. The invitation I made features a tiny watercolor ham with a bow, the dress code is pink, and I'm serving French 75s and homemade sides.

I'll be following these decrees (including this great advice from a 101-year-old with a rich social life):

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1. We're going the extra mile with the small details. Curate a playlist and transfer those store-bought cookies from their plastic container onto a pretty tray. Take a few minutes to create a stylish party invitation on Canva instead of sending a basic text. These little things add up and make any celebration immediately feel more special.
2. We're using the good stuff. I'm no longer saving my special coupe glasses and great-grandmother's fine china for whatever I decide are very special occasions. And why not pop open that aged Bordeaux at a random Tuesday gathering instead of waiting for an anniversary?
3. I'm creating my own occasions and causes for celebration. Let's not wait for Christmas and birthdays. I'm having people over to celebrate the start of summer, the launch of our favorite author's new book, or even just to taste my new favorite recipe.