Celebration helps us mark key life moments with gratitude and connection with those we’re close to. It’s an important part of reaching goals and living with contentment. Yet, it can turn into an area that sparks discontentment if we make celebration a comparison competition with others throwing the parties or living in similar seasons.

Bridal showers and bachelorette parties don’t have to be productions that stress out the hostess and participants. Yes, plan and prepare. Those words don’t have to be synonymous with stress and overwhelmed though. Remember the person you’re celebrating and what matters most to them. Not all brides are the same. Ask what’s most important to them about their bridal shower or bachelorette. If they care more about the connection than the production, listen to that request and mold the event to fit it. You’ll still need to coordinate food and activities, but with a focus shift on connection, the details are simpler.

I recently celebrated a friend’s wedding by throwing her a bachelorette party themed around her love of tea. These are ideas you could integrate into a tea-themed bridal shower or bachelorette:

Remember that no matter your theme, people are more important than a perfect picture. If you remember this, it will make contentment more natural than comparison. You can mark milestones and gather together without consistent stress.