One of the best ways to connect with old and new friends is to have them over for dinner. But planning a party can be intimidating.

• The stakes: We're hanging out less. There's been a decades-long decline in face-to-face socializing — and it was only exacerbated by the pandemic.

📉 The number of hours unmarried Americans spend interacting with others face-to-face has dropped 35% from 2003 to 2022, The Atlantic reports.

• Among teens, the decline is closer to 50%.

Why it matters: In-person hangouts are the most effective antidote to loneliness. Studies show we can't replicate the good feelings and mental health perks of face-to-face socializing with texting or video calls.

🥂 Zoom in: Dinner parties are perfect for in-person connection. There's something about preparing and sharing a meal that bonds people, AP's Kim Cook writes.

• The trend is catching on. Searches for "dinner parties" on Evite have increased 148% compared with last year, according to data shared with Axios.

If you're not already an expert party planner, Cook has three tips to get started:

1. Make it look good. Yes, the food and drinks are important. But you can elevate simple dishes by setting the vibe with a tablecloth, some candles, your favorite music and a bouquet of flowers from the local grocery store.
2. Find fun drinks. They don't have to be boozy. Pick up a fun seltzer or soda to serve as your guests arrive.
3. Simplify your menu. You could stick to a cuisine you're already comfortable making or take the pressure off yourself by setting up a make-you-own bar for tacos or pizzas. Pasta is a great option to cater to a range of dietary restrictions.

🎯 Bonus: Great dinner parties come with great conversations. Here are Axios CEO Jim VandeHei's tricks to get it flowing.

Our pic du jour, from reader Ashley Corso, features Scranton, Pa., after a rainstorm.