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Back to School in 1986 vs. Today: When School Supplies Were Half the Fun

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Back-to-school season still happens every August. The stores still put up their displays. Parents still spend more money than they planned to, and kids still have very definite opinions about what they will and will not wear on the first day of school. But back to school today looks very different from the way I remember it as a 10-year-old in 1986. Today, a big chunk of the back-to-school budget can disappear into sneakers, clothes, backpacks and whatever else kids suddenly insist everyone at school is wearing. And once they actually get to school, much of their work may be done on a Chromebook, iPad or another device provided or required by the school. There are still pencils, notebooks and folders on school supply lists, of course. But they don't seem to have quite the starring role they once did. Because in 1986? The school supplies were part of the excitement. Picking out a pencil case wasn't just picking out something to hold pencils. It was deciding whether you were a Sm...
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How Much Food Do You Really Need for a Party? A Practical No-Waste Guide

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One of the hardest parts of planning a party has nothing to do with decorations, invitations, or finding the perfect theme. It's figuring out how much food you actually need. No host wants to run out of food while guests are still hungry. But buying enough to feed twice the number of people you invited isn't exactly ideal either. Besides the extra expense, you can end up staring at trays of leftovers wondering what you're supposed to do with all of it. The good news is that you don't need an exact head count down to the last mozzarella stick. You just need a reasonable starting point and a little common sense about who you're feeding, when you're feeding them, and what else is on the menu. Here's how to estimate party food without going completely overboard. Start With More Than Just Your Guest Count Knowing that you're expecting 25 people isn't enough information to determine how much food you'll need. Before you start calculating anyt...
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How to Throw a Grown-Up Back-to-School Party: Because Adults Deserve One Too

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Remember when back-to-school season was actually kind of exciting? Sure, summer vacation was ending, alarm clocks were coming back, and homework was lurking around the corner. But there was also something undeniably satisfying about starting a new school year with a fresh notebook, a brand-new box of crayons, perfectly sharpened pencils, and a backpack that hadn't yet accumulated three months' worth of crumpled papers and forgotten snacks. Then we grew up. Now September rolls around and nobody hands us a new pencil case. There are no first-day outfits. No freshly decorated locker. No comparing schedules with friends to see who got stuck with the terrible teacher. So maybe it's time adults got a back-to-school night of their own. A grown-up back-to-school party takes everything fun about heading back to school—the nostalgia, cafeteria food, school photos, notebooks, yearbooks, and ridiculous social hierarchy—and leaves out the homework, pop quizzes, and having to ask permiss...
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How to Host a Festive & Merry Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

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 There's something special and magical about the aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the house during the holidays. Add a group of family and friends, mugs of hot cocoa, Christmas music playing softly in the background, and you've got the recipe for one of the season's most cherished traditions. A Christmas cookie exchange. Whether you're hosting your very first gathering or continuing a tradition that's been passed down through generations, a cookie exchange is a wonderful way to celebrate the season while sharing favorite family recipes, laughter, and holiday memories. Let's face it...it's also incredibly yummy!  A Sweet Holiday Tradition While it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the first Christmas cookie exchange took place, the tradition gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. As neighborhoods flourished after World War II, holiday entertaining became a centerpiece of community life. Women's clubs, church groups...
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The Ultimate 1970s Party Guide: Decorations, Food, Music, Costumes & More

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Everything you need to throw a groovy 70s-themed party your guests will never forget! Picture This... The Bee Gees are playing in the background. A glittering disco ball sends tiny reflections dancing across the room. Guests arrive wearing bell-bottoms, platform shoes, colorful polyester shirts, and oversized sunglasses while everyone laughs over a bubbling pot of cheese fondue. A bowl of homemade Chex Mix sits beside a tray of deviled eggs, and someone is already showing off their best disco moves. If that sounds like your kind of party, you've come to the right place. Whether you're planning a milestone birthday, retirement celebration, class reunion, anniversary party, or simply love all things retro, a 1970s-themed party is one of the most fun and memorable celebrations you can host. The 1970s were bold, colorful, and full of personality. From disco fever and flower power to unforgettable music and nostalgic comfort foods, this decade offers endless inspiration for an amazi...
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15 Wedding Traditions That Have Almost Disappeared (But Are Worth Bringing Back)

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There’s something undeniably charming about looking through old wedding albums. Beyond the vintage dresses and classic hairstyles, you’ll find traditions that were once considered an essential part of the big day—but have quietly faded over time. While modern weddings often focus on personalized experiences, many of these forgotten customs were centered around family, community, and creating memories that lasted a lifetime. The best part? A surprising number of them would fit beautifully into today's celebrations with just a few modern updates. Whether you're planning your own wedding, helping someone else, or simply love a little nostalgia, these are 15 wedding traditions that deserve another moment in the spotlight. Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons , No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amaz...
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