The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on 20 March; a day established by the United Nations as a way of making people around the world realise the importance of happiness within their lives and recognise happiness as a universal goal and aspiration. The hospitality experts at COLUMBIA signature suggest hosting a gathering to bring loved ones together and celebrate joy and happiness. We share some ideas for meals, activities, and other ways to make the day memorable.

Making it all about food

The best gatherings always involve food, and while you will want to make sure you include family favourites, you can also try new ways to put food at the centre of the celebration:

• Potluck Picnic: Invite family and friends to a potluck picnic at a local park or in your backyard. Each guest can bring a dish to share, and you can provide some staple items like sandwiches, salads, and drinks. This allows everyone to contribute to the meal and enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
• DIY Pizza Party: Set up a pizza-making station with pre-made dough, sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings. Let everyone create their own personalised pizzas, then bake them in the oven or on the grill. It’s a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal together.
• Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Create an ice cream sundae bar with different flavours of ice cream, toppings like chocolate syrup, sprinkles, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and cherries. Let everyone build their own sundaes and get creative with their combinations.

Keeping things active

No matter the ages gathered, providing an array of activities is a good way to keep things upbeat and keep everyone happy.

• Outdoor Movie Night: Set up a screen or monitor outdoors and host a movie night under the stars. Choose feel-good movies that promote happiness and laughter, and provide blankets, pillows, and popcorn for everyone to enjoy.
• Family Game Tournament: Organise a family game tournament with board games, card games, or video games. Divide into teams and compete in various games, with prizes for the winners. It’s a great way to bond and have some friendly competition. A competition for best song and dance routine, complete with costumes, will bring out some lively scenes.
• Arts and Crafts: Set up a crafting station with supplies for DIY projects like painting, scrapbooking, or making friendship bracelets. Get creative and make something together that everyone can take home as a keepsake.
• Outdoor Adventure: Plan a day of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or kayaking. Explore nature together and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while getting some exercise and fresh air.

Taking time to reflect

While you are gathered with the people you love most, take a moment to reflect on what those people mean and the importance of happiness in your life.

• Gratitude Circle: Sit in a circle and take turns sharing things you’re grateful for. It could be simple things like family, friends, good health, or moments of joy. This practice can help foster gratitude and appreciation amongst your loved ones.
• Random Acts of Kindness: Encourage everyone to perform random acts of kindness throughout the day, whether it’s helping a neighbour, complimenting a stranger, or volunteering for a local charity. Spread happiness and positivity in your community.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, the most important thing is spending quality time with loved ones and creating lasting memories together. The International Day of Happiness can be an inspiration for spending more time together, happily.