Places to get together other than restaurants?

[SplashMo]

It seems that friends and family always want to eat out as a way to spend some time together. There has to be alternatives... Any thoughts?

 

[lcj19]

We were having the same issue...everyone wanting to eat out (it really adds up quick). We started doing pot luck game nights.

 

[cornflake]

Game night? Theatre? Museum? Just going out for coffee or drinks? Staying in for cocktail hour? Bridge night? Hiking? Geocaching? Stargazing?

 

[pigletto]

It's more work, but making dinner in and having a game night or just sitting around chatting and having a coffee and desserts is probably the best plan.
This winter we are on somewhat of a rotating schedule for dinners with my extended family, my sister, and my inlaws. It takes more effort to have the house ready and a meal prepared on a work day, but I also don't have to cook twice a week lately!
Also, I've found if we're getting together after work, everyone is really relaxed about what we are eating. Frozen lasagnas and salad or a stew and bread is fine with everyone as long as we get to spend the time together

 

[Dani4girls]

One thing we love to do with friends and family is play "Minute to Win it" games! You can find a bunch of different ones on youtube, and they are played with things that you usually have in the house...no purchase required! It inevitably leads to lots of laughter and great memories!

 

[HM]

Daytime get-togethers at parks are always nice. Picnic, hike, play games....

 

[NotUrsula]

Playgrounds. Turn the kids loose and let the adults sit and chat. In winter you can go to an indoor play facility, or an ice rink is also a good choice.

We don't do meals with DH' family. DH has a few family members who now adhere to really unusual diets and are very superior about their food choices; sharing a meal with them is always a very miserable experience.

We also don't do meals at WDW, when meeting local family. They always want to, but it takes forever and the kids get antsy, so restaurant gatherings are out. We have them come to our resort and sit out by the pool or playground to visit.

 

[Belle2667]

We are having the same issue. We are trying to watch what we eat for health reasons and don't like everything to be centered around food!

We just did a group bowling night and I am going to be searching indoor laser tag (or paintball?) for our next group event.

Once the weather gets nicer, we can add more hiking/walking type activities, but its especially hard in the winter.

 

[purplegirl247]

We live in Florida, so meeting up to go for a walk is possible pretty much year around. Another thing we've recently tried to do is meet for dessert instead of dinner (cheaper though not necessarily healthier!). Also helped us with timing; we don't have to crazy rush to the restaurant after work but rather meet for a later frozen yogurt or the like.