Parties People Organize Eslpod Americans Time Daughter Families

Most Americans love to go to parties where they can spend time with friends. Sometimes the parties are for annual events, such as Christmas parties and "4th of July" (Independence Day) parties. Birthday parties are common, especially for children. Americans sometimes have a "Sweet 16" party for a daughter when she "turns 16" (celebrates her 16th birthday), and some Latino families have a "quinceañera" party when their daughter turns 15.

Other parties celebrate special achievements. Many families organize "graduation parties" when their child completes high school or college. Other people might organize parties to celebrate the publication of a book or the release of a new album. At work, "colleagues" (co-workers) often organize "goodbye parties" when people leave their job to work for another company, or "retirement parties" for older workers who stop working.

Other parties are "purely" (entirely) "social" (designed for spending time with friends). For example, a "housewarming party" is "thrown" (organized and arranged) by people who move into a new apartment or home. The "hosts" (the people who arrange a party) usually provide "finger foods" (foods that can be eaten without silverware, such as forks, knifes, and spoons) and the guests bring gifts that can be used in the new home.

A "block party" or a "neighborhood party" is an outdoor party attended by people who live in a particular area. Simple neighborhood parties might involve grilling hamburgers and hot dogs while children play ball games. More "elaborate" (fancy, with many details) block parties might have live music and "vendors" (people who sell food and other things).