36 | Oregon Home Hosts With the Most In addition to their ideal entertainment setting, Hullinger and Jones have years of party-throwing under their belts, which has helped them hone their execution. The more social piece of the puzzle, Jones has often been the de facto mayor of the streets where he and Hullinger have lived. They throw a big holiday gathering every year in December, hosting upwards of 60 people, many from the neighborhood. “If you live on our street, you get an invitation,” Hullinger says. “We think all the neighbors like us. We purposely invite them, because if you’re dancing and partying, you can’t complain.” There’s also an annual soup party, as well as themed parties throughout the year. There was a party for Pride this year, and the most recent soup party was called “Rock the ’80s.” “We always put some kind of theme to it,” Hullinger says. “Nothing too serious. We just want to have fun with people and bring people together.” Not that all of Hullinger and Jones’ parties are ragers, either. There are a few larger ones throughout the year, but Hullinger says their sweet spot is smaller gatherings of maybe three or four couples. Jones is more the planner, coming up with invitation lists and menus, shopping, cooking, and conjuring up signature cocktails. A Texan at heart, Jones infuses a Southern flair into his cooking. Among his recent hits: a white chicken chili, a chilled peach soup and his famous strawberry cake. The man behind the music playlists for all their parties, Jones has also whipped up bourbon peach slushies and lavender lemon-drop martinis made with lavender grown in the yard. Hullinger’s role is more about presentation and cleanup, including accents like flowers and decorations. He’s also known for assembling extravagant charcuterie boards that are famous among his friends.
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