The Obamas’ first state dinner for India’s then–Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife did hit a slight snag (remember the two party crashers in attendance?), but subsequent events have gone off without a hitch. The honorees have included Chinese president Xi Jinping; Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel; the United Kingdom’s now-former Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha; and many, many, more. Remember when French president François Hollande came after the recent split from his partner Valérie Trierweiler? Or when the Obamas’ daughters made their debut at this year’s dinner honoring Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? Indeed, guest lists have always been carefully thought out. Influencers from various industries are included, as well as those who hail from the nation being honored. (For example, at the Canadian state dinner, Ryan Reynolds and Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels were both in attendance.)

When it came to the Obamas’ choice in entertainment, Beyoncé’s performance at the 2010 state dinner for Mexico’s then-President Felipe Calderón and his wife, Margarita Zavala, has to be the highlight—although more recently, Gwen Stefani did put on quite a show. In terms of decor, the 2016 dinner for Nordic countries may have been the most innovative. On that evening, tablecloths were forgone in favor of a sleeker and more minimalist design—perhaps in a nod to the honorees’ own oft-pioneering national aesthetics. Menus have usually been inspired by the White House’s vegetable garden, and have included fruits and vegetables grown on site, as well as honey produced by the garden’s own bees. But at the Obamas’ final state dinner last year honoring then–Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, star chef Mario Batali—orange Crocs and all—was brought in to somewhat steal the show. Perhaps what has most united all of these events, though, is what gracious hosts the First Couple have always been. Here’s hoping that we’ll be invited over to their new home as they resume their lives as private citizens.