Get Togethers That Spark Joy

When I was a young mother I used to love having the families in our neighborhood over for parties. Not just the parents, who I rarely saw outside of school concerts, picking up our “walkers” for late day activities, or cheering on our kids at sporting events. But also the kids, who did not get that much opportunity during the school day to cross over age and grade boundaries to get to know one another. We hosted for Halloween, for Easter Egg Brunch Hunts, Progressive Dinners, for the World Series, and the Final Four basketball game. It was so easy to get it all together: quick invites in the mailboxes, lots of contributed food from each household, a theme that everyone could get behind, a few games or group activities, and what we had was a memorable event in which everyone participated, everyone enjoyed some relaxed family time and all age groups were entertained!

As the kids grew and learned to drive, it was harder to host multi-age gatherings, since the teens were now traveling in their own circles….and attached to their own devices. As parents we seemed to have less time, not more, even though our chauffeuring days were over. Is it because we were working longer hours, earning more money for the impending college years; or because we were managing more “adult-like” schedules, more technology, and more complicated lives. Why didn’t we have more time when our kids needed less care?

A recent Harvard Business Review article in the series “Time Poor and Unhappy, Ashley Willans discussed whether time or money is a greater contributor to happiness. Ashley said, “A preponderance of evidence shows that the feeling of having enough time — “time affluence” — is now at a record low in the United States. When my team and I analyzed a survey of 2.5 million Americans by the Gallup Organization, we found that 80% of respondents did not have the time to do all they wanted to each day.” 

But when we go looking to make more time, why do we sacrifice the things that make us happy, our more mundane leisure activities like quiet reading or storytelling with the family? Walks after dinner, playing with the dog? 
Hosting a casual neighborhood get together where everyone brings a dish and the kids just play while the parents share stories of their lives? 

I encourage you to think of ways you can “buy time” in your own life, and the lives of your kids. Outsource your chores, unless you really like cleaning your house. Depending on the size of your home, you will be trading money for hours and peace of mind. If you love to cook, but hate grocery shopping, get a delivery service from the grocer. If you love to shop but hate to cook, order readymade meals online and have them delivered via a third party like Uber Eats. 

Do less comparison shopping and constantly looking for the BEST deal. This will often eat up costly time you could have used actually enjoying the item, the service, the activity. It makes the meager discount that you found far less valuable. Acknowledge that sometimes the higher quality service, item, or professional often does cost more (that is certainly true in the party entertainment industry).

Lastly, when it comes to “buying” more time, think of what you can do that sparks joy? THAT should be what you do with your new freedom. Is it spending more time with friends and family? Spending quiet time with your spouse or partner? Having social time with your work colleagues? Discovering something new with your kids? Or just inviting all the gang over for a potluck and some neighborly camaraderie? 

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be simple and easy, with a theme or without. Mardi Gras? St. Patrick’s Day (you don’t need to be Irish), First Day of Spring (lord, bring it on…) Oscars Night, a Watch Party for Game of Thrones Final Season? All you need is a theme, some good food and drink, and a bunch of people who can relax and have fun together. 
If you need more help planning the perfect multi-age gathering or the entertainment that can be part of your theme, please contact me now. I would love to help you save time, and spark joy!