We have started to host each other’s birthday lunches at our houses vs. going to a restaurant. My husband and I have been invited over for dinner at people’s houses vs. going out somewhere. I have actually noticed as a result we are having more conversations with each other and connecting.

It makes me realize how great conversations are the best entertainment, the most fun, and bring us all the most meaning. So out of these difficult times we are all learning what matters: relationships. I have found when I bring any of our box of questions as a hostess gift, people are really excited to play the game. I guess we all are looking for new creative ways to make our dinners or parties fun, and we all like to have conversations.

So in these challenging economic times let’s still have fun. One way is to bring the gift of conversation to your next party. I recently was at a store in Los Angeles, Kitson, and overheard two teenage girls talking. One said her mother brought the Sex Box of Questions home as a way to start a conversation with her about sex. I thought that was a new use of the box and the girl was telling her friend they only did two cards but wound up talking about sex for over an hour.

There are so many different ways we can use these boxes for important conversations. Please share any stories you have.

Cece Feiler

What is the most ‘hideous’ item of clothing you own, but refuse to toss out?

Those worn out sneakers, 10 year old flip-flops, or a comfy pair of old green sweats, what is the most hideous piece of clothing you own, but can’t bring yourself to toss it out? All of us girls have something lurking in our drawers or closets that is so hideous, we’d just die if anyone saw us wearing it!

And what about those things lurking around in the closet that you’ve kept, but would never wear? I’ll never forget the polyester jumpsuit my mother gave me in college; she was sure that I would look so nice wearing it out to party with my friends on New Years Eve, and spent a lot of time picking it out for me. I hid that thing in the back of my closet for years, bringing it to the front of the closet only when she came for visits. We love our moms but sometimes that generation gap in fashions is just a bit too much!