I loved this story about a group of friends that meet every year just because. They call their holiday "Nautical Thanksgiving" and meet twice a year at the beginning and end of summer. They stay in a cottage, prepare wonderful meals where they chat and catch up, bring guests along, and just enjoy the time.
Now, we might not have the resources to do something exactly like this, but I think we can all bring the concept of this friend's holiday into our own lives. What about a twice a year night where we just have one big dinner at each other's houses? We take turns hosting, planning a menu, and bringing new friends along.
I like the idea of gathering around a meal, because the prep work in making food can really bring people together. I think this friend holiday idea would help us reconnect with one another and also meet new people.