Life needs more dinner parties

I've spent years obsessively thinking about hosting. Here are a few frameworks, in no particular order. Host something!

Find your core guests

These are your favorites: they show up right on time, never bail, and proactively connect with other guests. Even if no one else comes to the party except these people, you'll have a blast. Treat these gems well.

Build the rest of the list in three categories

Entertainers. Big personalities and fantastic storytellers. These people create moments that shape the event.
Connectors. They go with the flow, laugh with the entertainers, keep things humming. They are the backbone.
Wildcards. An exciting risk. I use parties to expand my own network and keep spots for people I find interesting — cold LinkedIn/X outreach, my hairdresser, someone I met at the gym that day. Proceed with caution. Some became regulars. Some never got invited back.

My ideal mix is 2 Entertainers : 5 Connectors : 1 Wildcard. Core guests are usually Connectors.

Keep the menu simple

People love knowing what to bring, and asking them to bring their favorite item lets them show off their personality.

Tacos. Meat in the slow cooker, pot of beans, buy tortillas/chips/dips, guests bring toppings.
Pizza. Buy or make crusts, sauce, and cheese. Guests bring toppings.
Charcuterie. Start with meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruits. Guests add to the spread.

Don't stress the setup

Use Partiful. Make fridge space. Maximize available seating. Clean the bathroom well. Turn on some music. Call it done.

(Confession: I don't follow my own advice well here.)

The end. Throw a party.