Sometimes being vulnerable and honest with your core group helps. You can share your desire to be a better host as a more transparent reason why you’re hosting a party.

Most purposes for gatherings feel worthy and respectable but are also basic and bland: “We’re hosting a welcome dinner so that our new colleague feels comfortable in our tight-knit group,” or “I’m throwing a birthday party to look back on the year.” These are purposes, but they fail at the test for a meaningful reason for coming together: Does it s