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There’s a quote I live by, and it’s super unheard of and niche, so you probably don’t know it: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Okay, maybe you do know it, but I’m not joking when I say it’s my mantra. As someone who was handed a lot of lemons at 21 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I’ve learned one of the best ways to shine light on a dark period is to throw a party!
That’s not to say a celebration will solve all (or even one) of your problems. But if you’re like me, it will definitely boost your mood.
Why I threw a party to celebrate beating cancer
Earlier this year, I finally had the surgery that removed the risks of my cancer returning, and my friends really wanted to celebrate the end of this long, hard chapter. Unfortunately, I was having trouble believing I deserved a party.
In all the years of MRIs, exams, biopsies, surgeries, and doctor’s appointments, I found it hard to be proud of myself. I didn’t feel strong for doing what I needed to do to stay alive. I even struggled with saying the words “I beat cancer” because I never went through chemo—it all felt as if I was just following doctors’ orders.
But after a lot of reflecting, I began to understand that “beating cancer” is more than simply finishing treatment. It can also mean simply making it through to the other side and embracing joy, whimsy, and, yes, celebration. While I’m done with my surgeries, my body and mind have permanently changed. Honestly, I still don’t fully feel like myself, but I hoped a party would get me a little closer. After all, what’s better medicine than being silly and feeling like a kid again?
How my fruit-themed party came together
Did I mention that this party is fruit themed? I love fruity drinks, desserts, and accessories. My favorite earrings are little cherries, my phone case has scattered strawberries on it, and I make a mean sangria. I have had this idea for a while, and celebrating beating cancer seemed like the perfect time for a fruity pick-me-up. So, it was settled: I would host a fruit-themed party that was insanely colorful and silly.
Parties can be expensive, and regardless of the reason for mine, I didn’t want to break the bank (it’s not news to me that the cost of living is at an all-time high). Here’s how I kept my costs down:
✔ DIY Decorations: I made a lot of my own decorations for this party. I used a $10 pack of construction paper (the extra paper is great for homemade birthday cards!) and a roll of twine to make a strawberry, lemon, and citrus fruit garland that I hung in the backyard. I made colorful labels for the food and drinks, and I set up a trifold poster board for people to draw themselves with their favorite fruit (which kept people entertained throughout the night and is a wonderful memento from my party).
✔ Dress code: I told people to simply dress in their favorite fruit’s color. Some people even made fruit out of construction paper to tape to their shirt or carried around a stress-ball banana. I didn’t want anyone to feel like they had to spend money to be in dress code, so this allowed people to wear any fruit-patterned clothing or fruit accessories they already owned, or to participate in a small way. I find that making an outfit out of things I already own and crafting decorations is half the fun of the actual event. I embellished one of my old tank tops with a bead-embroidered cherry, and I wore my cherry earrings and lemon hair clip.
✔ Food and drinks: I kept everything as fruit-themed as possible. I served limoncello spritzes, fruit-flavored water, seltzers, fruity tonics, and my homemade white sangria. I made a delicious fruit salad and created whimsical fruit wands with grapes and pineapple, and I decorated a lemon cake with strawberry frosting. I also wanted chips for people to snack on, so I paired them with mango salsa. I asked guests to bring canned drinks, mixers, and seltzers (for the spritzes!). My friends also brought all sorts of food, including raspberry sourdough bread, berries with whipped cream for dipping, and pizza shaped and decorated like watermelon slices.
✔ Additional decor: I could’ve stopped there, but the more I planned for this party, the more excited I got. So, I stocked up on some supplies that I’ll continue to use in my home since I love the fruit patterns. And because I’m a shopping editor, it’s only right that I share the decorations and supplies I bought, plus some items I already owned (or, in the case of my cherry earrings that aren’t sold online, lookalikes). While every item on my table setup wasn’t fruit-themed, I tried to use my colorful cups, tablecloths, etc. to fit the vibe. Also, I obviously had tons of fruits and jams (my favorite jam is from Oishii, and I love the look of a fruit bouquet!).
Decorations for My Fruit-Themed Party
Fruit-Themed Accessories
Lessons I learned from throwing a fruit-themed party
Celebrations can have significant health benefits
We all leave a good party with a smile on our face, but the effects can go even deeper than a few laughs and a fun memory. Don’t believe me? Well, scientific studies suggest that celebrations with your friends and family can provide benefits to your mental and physical health.
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) found that strong social connections can lead to better health and a longer life by reducing inflammation, benefiting mental health, and lowering the risk of other health problems.
Themes can make the party more exciting and enjoyable
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had more fun at a themed party than a regular one. In addition to my fruit party, my friends and I have hosted an early-2000s pool party and a Hunger Games Quarter Quell party filled with drinking games for my 25th birthday. It’s a bit more enticing than “let’s all sit around and talk and play flip cup,” and it’s an easy conversation starter with strangers.
We should celebrate wins more often
Who said the only party you get to throw is your birthday? I love celebrating my friends’ accomplishments, whether it’s graduating from med school or a 100-day Duolingo streak. While I felt a bit dramatic, I decided it was important to celebrate completing all my surgeries for cancer, and I’m grateful that I did. After some rough weeks of recovery, it made me extremely happy to see all of my friends, new and old, gathered together. I felt supported, and everyone had a fun time with the fruit theme.
And it’s not just me who feels that way: According to one study, celebrations will increase your perceived social support if they mark a positive life event, involve eating or drinking, and gather your friends and family. Perceived social support is associated with positive mental and health outcomes, like better work and educational performance, less risk-taking, and more. So, while I’m sure all my friends love me, even the mere thought that they are there to support me benefits my mind and overall well-being.
Indulging in my inner child felt great
Honestly, when did it become uncool to enjoy silly parties and whimsical accessories? Perhaps some adults find it childish, but I choose to renounce the idea that we can’t indulge in a whimsical dress-up party in our twenties, thirties, forties, and beyond.
In my experience, people like partaking in fun activities and dressing up every now and then. I recently threw an early-2000s childhood party theme for my partner’s birthday, and I was unsure about setting up the water balloons. Once I mentioned it, everyone got so excited and said we had to fill them up and toss the balloons around. A water balloon fight then broke out, and now it’s a happy, funny memory of mine I’ll always have with my friends.
So, when it’s time for you to celebrate something—big or small—try throwing a themed party. After you and your guests have a whimsical night filled with wholesome memories, you’ll realize the tiny bit of extra preparation time is worth the effort.
