Having just come to a close on the holiday season, this year’s parties and celebrations are fresh on the mind. I always find myself in awe of the party planners among my friends and family. The creativity that goes into decor and party favors that look like they’re straight out of a Pinterest board, and the talent required to put together a delicious and also perfectly timed meal for a big group - these are things I don’t necessarily have a knack for.
A planned event is lovely, something everyone has to look forward to, but every yin has a yang, right? I have to believe I’m not alone in having experienced so much buildup and anticipation to a particular event that when it came time to get down, the party ended up feeling like a bit of a let down.
New Year’s Eve parties are a perfect example. There’s a great deal of pressure to have the best night of the year and ring in the new year with a bang. Big parties, fancy dresses, a plethora of sparkles and champagne - even a dramatic countdown (okay, this part always gives me butterflies!). And then whether the party ends up being so crowded you can’t get a drink from the bar, or you find yourself so dressed up that you’re actually not that comfortable - whatever the case may be, it feels like a failure when it doesn’t turn out to be the best party of the year.
To figure out what I wanted to cheers to in 2016, I reflected back on some of the best days and best parties of the past year; and what I found is that my fondest memories are the ones made without any pre-planning at all. Casual get togethers turned into spontaneous nights out. A last minute decision to go with friends to a hidden beach turned into one of the best days I’ve had in Costa Rica thus far; complete with a bonfire on the beach, spearfishing and fresh parrot fish grilling over the fire and great conversation into the night with a random group of people from all over the world. Accepting an invite to grab two extra spots on a white water rafting trip just the night before turned out to be a blast of an adventure for my husband and I; one I know we’ll absolutely never forget.