For the winter coat question, Montreal winters cannot be underestimated. I'd go with an ankle length L.L. Bean puffy coat. Not chic, but it really served me well when I lived there.
Pinch of Yum has a chickpea curry recipe that we’ve been eating every week since I found it! Best flavors and so easy to modify with what you’ve got on hand - I need more recipes like this in my repertoire!
@Katie, the most genius tip I just learned/remembered: a neighborhood family I grew up with hosted social events regularly and they always had an introverts' puzzle corner. Then the folks who needed to ease into being social/needed a break had a quiet place to go with an activity. Usually they'd eventually be joined by an extrovert who would adopt them and be their party buddy. Once the puzzle corner even resulted in a marriage. :)
I’m not the Katie that asked the question, but I’m so glad she did - I love these suggestions! And I’m imagining that Harry and Sally would use these tips, count me in!
She talks about being intentional in the purpose of the gathering. Yes, it’s a holiday party, but what’s the real purpose? What does this group of people need?
To @Katie re: holiday gathering awkwardness, I cannot overstate the sheer value of *introducing* people to each other. Not a broad, sweeping, "everyone, meet everyone" but as an individual/pair arrive, go around and introduce them one. by. one. to whoever's already there, and/or pull them into a conversation. Share a little commonality nugget if there is one, and if not, that's fine! Literally the hardest part of breaking the ice is the mutual eye contact + attention + and introduction. In my experience as an introvert and party-anxious person, my favorite parties are the ones with these types of proactive hosts, especially at the beginning of the event! And as a host, I would think this is the fun part! "Person 1 who I love, meet person 2 who I also love!"
Yes yes yes to this! It makes me so anxious to navigate a party where I don’t know anyone, or hardly know anyone, and simply being introduced makes a world of a difference!
I am really good at managing awkward people interactions. I love to host acquaintances (that I want to have deeper bonds with) and new neighbors for gatherings at my house, either for monthly coffee chats or for food and drinks... i also love to have Walks and Talks with people that I would like to meet and know more about. So really the full gamut.
My advise: make sure you have good opening questions as I make a lil moment when everyone has arrived and give the people the chance to talk about them. For example: what is your fave breakfast food or what topics do you want to talk about today? I also introduce my “solo guests” to another one of my friends, with a piece of what they have in common (that I personally know about them).
Also... having in the RSVP list the topics people want to talk about (submitted by them) or brief-intros (created by me) really helps people know who is who and how they can connect.
Things I need help with? Well... personally need help with cooking easy apps or NA cute drinks. The food flow is a lil clunky for me so I welcome any advise on that front 👩🏻🍳🙈
Sharon & Rob would have the best party with the worst hangover the next day.
Issa & Molly are far too hip for me and I would spend the evening trying to follow the pop culture references and slang.
Shiv & Tom would be amazing for people-watching during the party and trash-talking with your SO on the drive home.
Harry & Sally would be amazing sweaters, party games and sauces on the side.
Mabel & Charles & Oliver would be all about dips and so much fun, but come with the highest chance of being murdered if it took place in their building.
@kaitlynteercoj - I, too, sat with tears in my eyes holding The North Woods when I finished it. I think I will reread that last chapter every year of my life. I have such a book hangover from reading that book - nothing else is good enough! I added The Vaster Wilds to my "for later times" list, thanks for the recommendations. Thanks for the suggestion!
@Emilie, I love my JCrew Daphne topcoat in Italian wool (I have it in black). It is unlined, but I stay pretty warm in it throughout most of winter when layered over sweaters (I live in Michigan). It is classic, fits well (I’m 5’3”), and imo basically looks new despite having had it for a few years now after buying it second hand. While I do wear my puffy sleeping bag coat when I’m outside for longer periods of time or on below zero days, I wear this one most days for work and play.
Hi! I can’t speak for everyone but if you’re seeing sheer looking tights on the ladies of my generation in NYC (late 20s/early 30s) we’re *not*! wearing sheer tights. We’re wearing the viral flesh colored fleece leggings, and yes, we all have them. Starting last winter, every girlfriend of mine independently bought them. There’s hundreds of options online like these, unfortunately mostly one-size-fits-all: https://www.amazon.com/pepdhuk-Fleece-Translucent-Pantyhose-Leggings/dp/B0CGHQM35B
Shiv and Tom's would not be *fun* per se but it would give you the most to talk about afterward and I be one of those parties that makes you and your spouse be like "Well! At least we're not like *them*."
one of my biggest party regrets was hosting a dip-centric bachelorette party and not holding back some dip for myself for later. Because by the time the party was over, I couldn't in good faith put the creamy dips back in the fridge after several hours no matter how much I wanted to. Learn from my mistakes.
For the winter coat question, Montreal winters cannot be underestimated. I'd go with an ankle length L.L. Bean puffy coat. Not chic, but it really served me well when I lived there.
Pinch of Yum has a chickpea curry recipe that we’ve been eating every week since I found it! Best flavors and so easy to modify with what you’ve got on hand - I need more recipes like this in my repertoire!
@Katie, the most genius tip I just learned/remembered: a neighborhood family I grew up with hosted social events regularly and they always had an introverts' puzzle corner. Then the folks who needed to ease into being social/needed a break had a quiet place to go with an activity. Usually they'd eventually be joined by an extrovert who would adopt them and be their party buddy. Once the puzzle corner even resulted in a marriage. :)
brilliant!!
I’m not the Katie that asked the question, but I’m so glad she did - I love these suggestions! And I’m imagining that Harry and Sally would use these tips, count me in!
For gatherings - I’ve been so inspired by Priya Parker lately! https://www.priyaparker.com/art-of-gathering-newsletter/first-five-minutes
She talks about being intentional in the purpose of the gathering. Yes, it’s a holiday party, but what’s the real purpose? What does this group of people need?
Second this!
To @Katie re: holiday gathering awkwardness, I cannot overstate the sheer value of *introducing* people to each other. Not a broad, sweeping, "everyone, meet everyone" but as an individual/pair arrive, go around and introduce them one. by. one. to whoever's already there, and/or pull them into a conversation. Share a little commonality nugget if there is one, and if not, that's fine! Literally the hardest part of breaking the ice is the mutual eye contact + attention + and introduction. In my experience as an introvert and party-anxious person, my favorite parties are the ones with these types of proactive hosts, especially at the beginning of the event! And as a host, I would think this is the fun part! "Person 1 who I love, meet person 2 who I also love!"
Yes yes yes to this! It makes me so anxious to navigate a party where I don’t know anyone, or hardly know anyone, and simply being introduced makes a world of a difference!
I am really good at managing awkward people interactions. I love to host acquaintances (that I want to have deeper bonds with) and new neighbors for gatherings at my house, either for monthly coffee chats or for food and drinks... i also love to have Walks and Talks with people that I would like to meet and know more about. So really the full gamut.
My advise: make sure you have good opening questions as I make a lil moment when everyone has arrived and give the people the chance to talk about them. For example: what is your fave breakfast food or what topics do you want to talk about today? I also introduce my “solo guests” to another one of my friends, with a piece of what they have in common (that I personally know about them).
Also... having in the RSVP list the topics people want to talk about (submitted by them) or brief-intros (created by me) really helps people know who is who and how they can connect.
Things I need help with? Well... personally need help with cooking easy apps or NA cute drinks. The food flow is a lil clunky for me so I welcome any advise on that front 👩🏻🍳🙈
+1 to You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah! It was an absolute treat and I miiight have ended it with a small crush on Sarah Sherman. 🙃
Sharon & Rob would have the best party with the worst hangover the next day.
Issa & Molly are far too hip for me and I would spend the evening trying to follow the pop culture references and slang.
Shiv & Tom would be amazing for people-watching during the party and trash-talking with your SO on the drive home.
Harry & Sally would be amazing sweaters, party games and sauces on the side.
Mabel & Charles & Oliver would be all about dips and so much fun, but come with the highest chance of being murdered if it took place in their building.
Yes to all of this! I was deciding between Sharon and Rob and Harry and Sally.
hahahahahahha "but come with the highest chance of being murdered"
I seriously thought that when trying to choose. 😂
@kaitlynteercoj - I, too, sat with tears in my eyes holding The North Woods when I finished it. I think I will reread that last chapter every year of my life. I have such a book hangover from reading that book - nothing else is good enough! I added The Vaster Wilds to my "for later times" list, thanks for the recommendations. Thanks for the suggestion!
wow these are such strong recs. can't wait to read it, it's next on my TBR pile.
@Emilie, I love my JCrew Daphne topcoat in Italian wool (I have it in black). It is unlined, but I stay pretty warm in it throughout most of winter when layered over sweaters (I live in Michigan). It is classic, fits well (I’m 5’3”), and imo basically looks new despite having had it for a few years now after buying it second hand. While I do wear my puffy sleeping bag coat when I’m outside for longer periods of time or on below zero days, I wear this one most days for work and play.
Love the bow idea. A little bit of glamour sounds good. ✨
Oh a podcast with Gemma coming...cannot wait!!
Excellent recs galore!! Omg! Now off to put a bow on something!
Hi! I can’t speak for everyone but if you’re seeing sheer looking tights on the ladies of my generation in NYC (late 20s/early 30s) we’re *not*! wearing sheer tights. We’re wearing the viral flesh colored fleece leggings, and yes, we all have them. Starting last winter, every girlfriend of mine independently bought them. There’s hundreds of options online like these, unfortunately mostly one-size-fits-all: https://www.amazon.com/pepdhuk-Fleece-Translucent-Pantyhose-Leggings/dp/B0CGHQM35B
omg Megan you're hired as our 20-something correspondent lol
Shiv and Tom's would not be *fun* per se but it would give you the most to talk about afterward and I be one of those parties that makes you and your spouse be like "Well! At least we're not like *them*."
I almost chose Harry + Sally because I'm sure it would be warm + cozy, but ultimately decided on Mabel, Charles + Oliver for the dips alone.
one of my biggest party regrets was hosting a dip-centric bachelorette party and not holding back some dip for myself for later. Because by the time the party was over, I couldn't in good faith put the creamy dips back in the fridge after several hours no matter how much I wanted to. Learn from my mistakes.
Sign me up for a “dip-centric” gathering of any kind!
omg I didn't even think of the dips!!!!! genius. I chose harry and sally because I want to hang with marie and jess, too!
hahahahah so true. just don't drink their "wet dog" wine.