My sister-in-law is a genius, one of those mothers who always knows how to have a good time while maintaining decent parenting technique. She started "F Friday." The children think the "F" stands for "fun." Their parents know it stands for the chance to slack off, not worry about making dinner, and hang with their friends. This is how it works.

When I was on a food tour in Israel last summer, I attended a Sabbath dinner hosted by three young architects/designers. These Friday night dinners with friends were weekly affairs for them, a nod to the tradition of their culture but more about celebrating food and friendship. The dinner was held in a stone-walled courtyard outside their apartment in Tel Aviv, and when we arrived, the first thing we saw was the menu for that night's dinner written in chalk on the courtyard wall!

I hate spending money on things I rarely use, hate burning through the disposable instead of investing in the reusable, and hate finding space for party decorations and supplies in my small apartment closets. And yet...I love hosting parties that are well-equipped and nicely decorated. How to host large gatherings without breaking the bank or having to keep lots of party supplies crammed under my bed? Enter the communal party supply collection, or as one  of my friends dubbed it, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Party Supplies.

Dinner parties don't have to be grand, formal affairs. Nor do they have to center around a big platter of meat. This easy, vibrant vegetarian spread feels special without the need for culinary fireworks. All you need is a few friends, a few chairs, and a free evening to bring everyone together.

Dinner parties can be messy affairs: a wine glass topples over; a small plate of appetizers gets knocked off the coffee table; an enthusiastic guest bumps into the beverage cart. That's what happens sometimes when you gather a group of people together to enjoy some good food and wine. To minimize the stress (and your guest's embarrassment — because, let's face it, we've all been there) here's a handy tip: prep a cleaning kit beforehand to have at the ready for quick cleanups!

Q: I am hosting a networking event for friends and friends of friends from different circles. I would like to have a nice little tray of "mandatory" shots near the door, ready for everyone. At this kind of of event a little social lubricant is necessary and I thought shots would be the perfect vehicle.

Kids know how to party! Check out the latest festive celebrations from the Apartment Therapy's Family channel, which posts kids' parties every day. We'll be bringing you a roundup of these inspiring parties every week.

• The Gaines Brothers' Vintage Carnival Party
  
• Laelia's Pink Ombre Party
  
• Bird's Easter Bunny Party
  
• Ethan's School Bus Party
  
• Logan's Sock Monkey Party

The first time I saw mini grilled cheese sandwiches sticking out of a small glass of tomato soup, I thought: what a brilliant idea. Take a favorite food pairing — crudites and dip, shrimp and aioli, milk and cookies — and put it all in an easy-to-handle shot glass (or other small container). No fiddling around, just fun all-in-one finger food that make perfect party appetizers. Here are a few ideas: