Time to get happy! OK, we’ll admit that at the beginning of the pandemic, we all went a little overboard with virtual happy hours and online dinner parties. Between staying in touch with our loved ones and trying online team building activities for our newly remote jobs, it seemed like everyone had three virtual happy hours a week. 

If you didn’t have virtual event fatigue by month two of COVID quarantine, then you are a social superstar. But, as coronavirus has carried on, many people have gotten pickier about which virtual events they’re willing to attend. 

If you want your guests to get excited about your online happy hour, you need to stand out from the crowd. (This is especially important for companies that want their team members to have real fun, not just mandatory fun.) 

So, we’ve gathered up our favorite virtual happy hour ideas to help you knock the virtual socks off your guests. Even if your guests have been to a dozen virtual happy hours, they’ve never experienced a happy hour like this before. 
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Recent times have shown us that even with everything booked, nothing is ever completely certain. With a lingering coronavirus pandemic and a move towards embracing change, some couples are switching from a traditional wedding ceremony to a minimony instead.

But what is a minimony? And why are they so popular? Let’s take a look at this fun new twist on a wedding ceremony.
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Ready to bring everyone together to play games, get competitive, and have fun? A night of virtual family games is the perfect way to spend time together in spite of distance.

But how do you arrange such an event? And what games should you play? Our guide to hosting a virtual family game night gives you all the details you need to plan a virtual event, plus our top picks for family-friendly games.
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It’s finally here — the birthday you’ve been waiting for since you started high school. Sixteen can come with a lot of new privileges. Maybe your parents have finally agreed to stop calling you their “little baby” and start treating you like an adult. Or maybe you’re so ready to borrow the car and cruise with your friends. Whatever changes lie ahead of you, a 16th birthday is a great reason to throw a big bash!

But your sweet 16 can also come with a lot of pressure to throw the perfect party — especially if your friends had over-the-top 16th birthday parties. Just remember that it’s more important for your celebration to be perfectly you than perfect.

A themed party is a great way to express your personality and create an event to remember — whether you host it at a fancy party venue or in your own backyard. Plus, once you pick a party theme, everything from your party decorations to your birthday invitations will fall into place.

We’ve rounded up our favorite sweet 16 themes to make your party planning easier. We’ve got ideas for every personality and every budget so you can pick your favorite and start planning.
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Whether someone is turning the big five-oh, celebrating a half-century, or feeling 50 and fabulous, they deserve a big birthday bash. No matter how you say it, 50 is a big deal. In fact, we can only think of one milestone birthday that’s bigger — and you’ll have to wait another half-century to get there!

Over the years, the birthday boy or girl has probably had a lot of unique experiences, which can make it hard to plan a birthday celebration that doesn’t make them roll their eyes and go, “Been there, done that.” But with these 50th birthday party ideas, you’ll find one-of-a-kind suggestions that your guest of honor will love — even if that’s you!
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A backyard picnic is an adventure waiting just outside your backdoor. And with a little bit of preparation (and these backyard picnic ideas), picnicking in your own backyard can be just as fun as picnicking in a park or at the beach. In fact, it can be even better because if you forget anything — guess what! — you only have to walk to the kitchen to get it.

Backyard picnics are also a great way to stay social and safe during the pandemic. The outdoor setting means germs will spread less and guests can spread out more. We’ve rounded up our favorite backyard picnic ideas from planning to decorating to picking out your picnic menu. Your backyard will be gingham-clad and ready to go in no time.
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If there’s one term we’d like to erase from our vocabulary, it’s the “new normal.” The coronavirus has brought a lot of new elements into our lives — new surges, new lockdowns, new social distancing guidelines — but there’s nothing normal about living through a pandemic.

In fact, COVID-19 has made a lot of normal life events — from grabbing coffee with a friend to celebrating the birth of a new baby — increasingly abnormal. And yet, we persevere, finding new ways to celebrate with social distancing events. 

Hosting a social distancing event isn’t just about revelry. It’s about spreading joy (not germs), spending time with our loved ones and our community, and helping to raise spirits when we all need it most. 

With this guide, you can plan a safe, socially distanced event. We’ve put together tips for protecting your guests and for hosting three different kinds of events, ranked from safe to safest. 
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Getting to your V-Day gift shopping a little late this year? Don’t panic, there are still plenty of great last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts. Here’s our handpicked gift guide featuring Valentine’s Day gift ideas for everyone on your list, from your soulmate to your bestie. 
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If you’re a party animal with an urge to host a jungle theme party, we’re with you. Visions of palm fronds, exotic birds, and tropical flowers dance across our imaginations, inspiring party ideas for a host of different events.

Whether you’re planning a jungle-inspired or safari-themed birthday party, baby shower, graduation, or other fun event, this guide will help you set the scene. You’ll also get some digital invitation inspiration that will have your guests going wild with excitement.
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Whether you’re looking for a way to take your outdoor entertaining to the next level or want safe ways to gather with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic, an outdoor movie night is a great idea. Use this handy guide for affordable and fun tips on how to host an outdoor movie night and get ready for a crowd-pleasing evening.
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