I host gatherings all year long. Intimate dinners with friends and larger exhibitions, product launches for Bond & Grace, philanthropic fundraisers, and last-minute gatherings simply because I feel like it. After years of hosting, I’ve learned the one thing determines whether a gathering will be remembered—for better or worse.
Contrary to popular belief, a successful event isn’t about the budget, the guest list, the food, the theme, or even the space.
So what is it, then?
It all comes down to the story your guests tell—both to themselves and to others—once the event is over.
The secret to a truly memorable event lies in how you craft that narrative. And I’m happy to share exactly how I do it.
Here’s my simple formula for hosting with intention:
A Night Written in the Stars: Zodiac Birthday Dinner
Background: For my 35th birthday, I hosted a dinner with nine of my closest girlfriends. The theme: A Night Written in the Stars. We celebrated my 35 revolutions around the sun with a celestial-inspired evening. Guests arrived dressed in the spirit of their zodiac sign or with a cosmic touch. There were themed cocktails, zodiac-inspired dishes, and even a professional birth chart reader. But beyond the fun aesthetic, what made this evening truly unforgettable?
Story: Every detail—down to the food, flowers, and linens—represented the signs of the guests in attendance. We served Gemini yin & yang dumplings, arranged floral bouquets according to birth months, and set the table with hand-sewn linens embroidered with each guest’s zodiac sign.
Feelings: The birth chart readings were intimate and personal. Each guest learned more about themselves—their strengths, their patterns, and what makes them tick. It turned a dinner with friends into an experience of self-discovery.
Thoughtful Touch: I created hand-painted watercolor tarot cards, illustrating the way I saw each friend through the lens of their sign. Seeing their eyes widen in surprise and appreciation made every hour spent on those cards completely worth it.
The Frankenstein Art Novel Launch
Background: To celebrate the launch of The Frankenstein Art Novel, we hosted an intimate dinner with creative and inspirational women in Charleston, South Carolina. The evening honored Mary Shelley—the mother of science fiction—and the theme was powerful women creating against all odds. The fall event was set in an outdoor candlelit library, with rich, moody details evoking the novel’s themes.
Story: Every design element reflected the strength and complexity of women—the forgotten heroines. From the dark florals to bookshelves lined with old tomes and black-and-white portraits to tables set with the Heroines Linens featuring the female characters from Frankenstein, every item supported the theme of the gathering.
Feelings: One of my favorite details? We gifted each guest a vintage locket with a tiny scroll inside that had one of my favorite quotes from Frankenstein:“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” It was a powerful reminder that we are stronger and more capable than we can possibly imagine. We can do hard things. The number of “OMG” and “No way!” reactions made it clear: This small gesture resonated deeply.
Thoughtful Touch: At each place setting, we selected a piece of art from the Bond & Grace Frankenstein Art Collection that reflected the guest’s personality and passions.
Neighborhood Book Club: Happiness Falls
Background: When I moved into my neighborhood in 2020, I wanted to find a community of women who loved to read. I was lucky to join a book club of fellow moms, each taking turns hosting. Some members go all out with a themed evening, while others keep it casual with pizza and wine. I, of course, lean into the former.
Story: The evening was inspired by our book pick, Happiness Falls. We served Korean bibimbap bowls in honor of the novel’s cultural elements and set the table with vibrant Asian-inspired florals and dinnerware—creating a space that felt joyful and bright.
Feelings: Each guest wrote a note to their future self, a reminder that they are enough. I mailed the postcards six months later—just when they least expected it.
Thoughtful Touch: As a keepsake, I gifted each guest a set of colorful glass chopsticks and handmade chopstick holders, something they could use every time they ordered takeout.
An Evening of Hope: Gun Safety Fundraiser
Background: My husband David and I are deeply committed to advocating for gun safety. As parents, the fear of gun violence is an all-too-real nightmare. In partnership with Mi Vecino and the Gabby Giffords organization, we hosted a fundraiser to support grassroots efforts for gun safety legislation. The event took place in February—during the week of Valentine’s Day—to center the conversation on love and hope rather than fear.
Story: The theme of love was woven into every detail. Inspirational stories of survivors played on screens throughout the space. Blue, pink, and white Valentine’s décor symbolized unity and action. And in the most powerful moment of the evening, Gabby Giffords herself spoke. Though her ability to form full sentences is limited, her passion and resilience radiated through every word.
Feelings: Every person in that room had a story—an unforgettable moment in time when gun violence had touched their lives. For me, it was Sandy Hook. I opened the panel discussion by sharing my deepest fears as a parent: When choosing a school for my two-year-old, I wasn’t asking about academics. I was asking: Are the doors locked? Where will my child hide if the worst happens? There wasn’t a dry eye in the room that night. But more than sadness, we left with hope—hope that together, change is possible.
Thoughtful Touch: As a parting gift, each guest received a Valentine’s package—sweet treats, an inspirational quote, and a scratch-off card with a donation link. In one evening, with fewer than 20 guests, we raised $25,000.
Hosting as a Form of Storytelling
Every gathering tells a story. The best hosts aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets or the trendiest themes—they’re the ones who create an experience that lingers in the hearts of their guests. Whether it’s an intimate birthday dinner or a high-impact fundraiser, hosting with intention turns an event into a memory.
So the next time you plan a gathering, ask yourself:
- What is the story I want my guests to tell afterward?
- How do I want them to feel when they leave?
- What small, thoughtful touch can I add to make it truly special?
Because in the end, the magic of hosting isn’t in the décor or the menu—it’s in the stories we create together.
Another chapter awaits, Jacqueline Bond
