Use These Simple Tips to Get Together With Friends and Family More Often

As I was scrolling Facebook the other day, I read a post from a friend of mine about a conversation she and her husband had discussing the idea of spreading Christmas merriment throughout the year. We tend to make time for gathering together at the end of November and throughout December, leaving us joyful but exhausted. But what if we opened up an opportunity to gather each month? How can we gather more in 2024?

This post resonated with me as I had just carried a box of home-baked cookies over to a neighbor, an annual tradition around Christmas. Having lived across the street from one another for four years, our tradition also includes a discussion that we really must get together in the new year. A promise to have each other over for dinner. A chance for our families to connect over something more than a plate of pastries. (Though I do love her homemade empanadas!)

Yet the new year comes and goes, the months march on, and our encounters are no more than the occasional wave as we’re coming and going through our busy schedules.

Even the Smallest Moments Matter

This year, this neighbor invited me inside her home when I brought the cookies over. Though she was at the end of her workday, and I’m sure she was tired and had dinner to prepare and a million other things she wanted to do, we sat together for 45 minutes and talked. And I got a little more of a glimpse into her life and she into mine. It was a great moment of connection.

We, again, talked about our desire to get together in the new year, even expanding the idea to a gathering of nearby neighbors once the weather was warmer and we could congregate outside. And then we realized we lived in California and we may not have to wait that long. After all, MLK Day was just around the corner. 

In her Facebook post, my friend made the suggestion of just opening their house for a few hours each month. Whomever was available to drop in and stay for a while could do so. People could bring food or drink to share, games could be played, but, most importantly, connections with one another could be made. 

And maybe, just maybe, we could continue the joy of the holiday season throughout the year. 

7 Gathering Ideas

I love my friend’s idea of just having an open house for people to come and go, but if you’d like a little more organization to your gathering, here are seven ideas of things you can do:

1. Book Club: Once a month, select a book that everyone will read and then pick a time to meet and discuss. A group of us in my neighborhood do this, with each month having both a designated host and discussion group leader. We always spend the first half hour or so just chatting over beverages and snacks before we dive into our book, which most often includes a spirited discussion!
2. Favorite Things Party: Set a dollar amount and invite friends to bring something that they love for each attendee at the party. You may want to limit the number of attendees to remain budget friendly, but this is a fun way to learn more about each of your friends, and maybe even discover a new favorite of your own! 
3. Bunco: This popular dice game is easy to play and doesn’t take much concentration. So, you can keep your hands busy while catching up on the latest happenings in your friend group. This game works best in multiples of four, so you’ll want to have at least 12 guests over to make it fun and exciting! Prizes are optional. If you’re looking for a monthly reason to gather, this is another great way! Click here to learn how to play.
4. Cookie Exchange: Who says cookie swaps only have to happen in December? Gather together, each person bringing about two dozen (or more) of their favorite cookies, and fill plates or boxes with a fun assortment! You can ask each person to bring something in which to collect their cookies, or the host may choose to provide a container to each attendee. 
5. Street Party: A great way to get to know your neighbors is to block off a street from traffic and bring out tables, chairs, and even a firepit to gather around. Each family can bring something tasty to share, and/or you can each chip in for pizza. With blocked off streets, kids can get a game of kickball going while the parents get to know one another. 
6. White Elephant Gift Exchange: Looking for a little fun competition? How about a white elephant gift exchange! Each guest brings a gift (feel free to set a dollar limit), have everyone draw a number, and let the fun begin! Starting with number one, each person picks a gift, either from the unopened pile, or stealing from one already opened. You can set a limit for how many times a gift can get stolen, and the person who drew number one gets to choose any gift that remains unfrozen. Our book club likes to do this with unwrapped books each year, and once we’ve had a chance to read our pick, we bring them to future meetings for others to enjoy. 
7. Give Back Party: If you want to join together for a cause, pick a service project you can do as a group. From picking up trash in the neighborhood or a local park, to yard work for a neighbor in need, or volunteering at a local food bank, there’s plenty of options to get together and do some good.

Time to Take Action

Have another idea to share, I’d love to hear it! Add it into the comments below, and I’ll add it to the list above!

As for our plans, well, MLK Day has now come and gone, but the Big Game is coming up, and we happen to have an outdoor tv and some decorations. This seems like a perfect time to put the invite out to our friends and neighbors to stop in and watch some football, chow down on some yummy food, and play a little corn hole in the backyard.

But not just that. It’s a time where we can gather and build on our relationships. And with a new neighbor across the street, I think that’s a perfect place to start.