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Parents-to-be have baby showers. Grandparents celebrate silver, gold, or platinum anniversaries. Kids hit the celebratory jackpot with birthday parties, graduation parties, and parties when they come home from camp. Father’s Day, Mother’s Day—so much celebration of family ties.

But what are the rituals for singles and couples who aren’t parents?

We get invited to many of these gatherings, often toting gifts for the person being honored. Unless we get creative, though, there are no celebrations specific to the childless and childfree. Sure, we can throw ourselves a grown-up birthday party or a housewarming for a new abode, but that smacks of social egotism,........

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