26 things to be grateful for going into 2026

And a little gift from me to you 🥹

Ahh, gratitude lists. The things our therapists… or the internet… or our sisters-in-law tell us are so important, such that they’ve become a slightly resentable, though ultimately positive, thing.

Don’t worry, I’m not here to preach to you about gratitude in the face of, well, a very chaotic world (to put it nicely)… but I do genuinely see the value and sweetness in a little end-of-year mindfulness, so here we are. Let’s just say I’m leaning into what 2025 has deemed as “hopecore” — the tiny slivers of good that keep us going. Plus, I’m not going to let gratitude become a buzzword!

I honestly find that reading other gratitude lists helps me think of the things that I am grateful for, and that is the energy I am hoping to take into 2026, so let’s do this!

BTW… (can’t turn my party planning brain off): this has me thinking that a gratitude party would actually be a very sweet New Year’s Eve activity, if going out on the town isn’t quite your style. Just invite a few friends over to share or journal about some things you’re grateful for, turn on that Times Square ball drop, and simmer in the joy of a restful evening. Going to drop a promo code for you at the bottom of this post as a TY for being a real one if you want to send an Evite for this idea to your friends <3

Well, without further ado. Here’s mine!

1. Friends, family, chosen family (obligatory number 1 spot)

2. A perfectly balanced cheese, fruit, cracker pairing… and the opportunity to up my charcuterie board game in the new year (I am a host girl at heart, after all)

3. The idea of galentine’s day (wholesome AF… whether or not I end up having time to host one)

4. A good night’s sleep

5. A really colorful sunset

6. Getting together with friends (even if it happens way less often than we keep promising it will)

7. Adorable baby animal videos

   

8. People who let you merge into traffic when you’re having a bad day

9. Sipping a fizzy little bev from a cute cup

10. A Brick (because I’m trying to get off my phone more… except for when I’m planning parties of course)

11. The Devil Wears Prada sequel coming out in five-ish months

12. On that topic, nostalgic movies and TV shows in general

13. People who read the room on when to leave a party (alternatively, parties that start early so we can have fun and still be in bed by 11… call me the mom friend, I’m just speaking my truth)

14. This Studio Ghibli nature loop which makes the best ambient vibe setter in any situation

15. Breakfast burritos. Genuinely thank goodness for these.

    

16. Aesthetic coffee table books… and people who don’t judge me for never having read any of the pages within said books

17. Kind neighbors

18. Farmers’ markets

19. Trees, mountains, the sound of birds, nature in general

20. Not having a stuffy nose (you know when you’re sick and you’re like, wow, I will never take breathing for granted again? Yeah, here I am not taking it for granted!!!)

21. Health, in general. My body IS a temple, and I will treat it as such 🫶

    

22. My coworker’s dog is still around and zoomie-ing, even though the vet called him old… on that topic, I’m grateful for all the little wins happening for friends around me. When one rises, we all rise!

23. Music, art, books, flowers…

24. Pens that write smoothly. It really is the little things.

    

25. Making it through another year (uh, this is major)

… and as for number 26? Well, it’s you! I’m grateful for you, and I think you should give yourself a pat on the back for being here, too.

To show some gratitude for our Imperfect Host community, the Evite team made a special discount code… for you, our Substack family 💌

Use code EVTSUB for 15% off any Premium Invitation, now through June 30th, 2026. (AKA, plenty of time to host a Galentine’s party, a cozy winter cafe, a spring garden party… the list goes on.)

Ahh… see you in the new year!

xx,

The Imperfect Host

*15% off offer applies to one Premium Invitation package on evite.com. Valid for one transaction per user. For use on evite.com only; not valid on the Evite app. Available in the U.S. only. Additional exclusions may apply. Promo code EVTSUB must be entered at checkout and expires on June 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. The code is not transferable and may not be combined with other offers, promotions, or discounts, unless otherwise indicated. The offer is not valid on prior Premium Invitations. Offer is not valid on Greeting Card purchases or Evite Pro subscriptions, and cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalents. This offer cannot be redeemed for other goods not included above (Premium Invitations). Evite reserves the right to end or modify this promotion or these terms at any time and for any reason without notice. Additional terms, conditions & restrictions may apply.