It’s the time of year when we get a little more formal with our gatherings. What better way to welcome guests, whether neighbors down the street or the in-laws from out of state, than to throw a dinner party! If it’s your first time hosting, Clutter has a guide to take you through the steps you can take to throw a stress-free party. Familiar with playing host, but need some help getting organized? Check out this guide. If you decide you’d like to make a habit out of it, you could read event-planning expert Priya Parker’s book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters.

Whether it’s social obligations, family keeping you busy, or the stress of your career, we’re pretty sure you deserve a break. When there’s no time for a real getaway, scheduling time to relax can do wonders for your physical and mental health. Check out Asha Urban Baths for a mood-boosting massage, or relaxation session. You’ll leave feeling calmer and recharged, and ready to handle what comes next.

Children are great artists--the combination of playfulness and curiosity as they figure out the world around them makes them enormously creative. Foster that creativity by taking a field trip to Alpha Fired Arts, where all the paints are provided and the best part is your family will paint different ceramic objects, making perfect keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come.