What Parties to Throw If You Don't Like Parties at All

As we get older, things change, our bodies don’t bounce back as quickly after drinking and staying up late, our schedules make it difficult to get out, and some people just plain don’t like parties at all. So what can you do if you want to be social but you don’t want to deal with the social awkwardness, excessive drinking, and loud music that parties tend to bring with them? Read on for tips on how to socialize without ruining your night.

Have a Board Game Night

Gather your closest friends and maybe some new friends and have a game night. Just a casual night with friends can be a lot less daunting than a full-blown party. There is also less of a mess and you won’t feel emotionally and physically drained. AND you still get to be social and get your human connection on. It’s a win-win!

Have Friends Over for an Intimate Dinner Party

Want to show off your culinary skills while also catching up with your buddies? Throw a dinner party. You can invite as many or as few people as you want, cook a delectable meal, and laugh over a couple of glasses of wine. It can end at a decent hour so you’ll have plenty of rest to get back to the grind in the morning.

If you haven’t had a dinner party in a while, here’s an added tip:

Do not overlook the bathroom. Remove any items from the counter that may be part of your daily routine. Double-check to ensure you have extra toilet paper, hand towels, and hand soap readily available to your guests.

Choose background music that exudes the vibe you would like at the dinner party. By pre-selecting a playlist or creating your own, you can put the music on loop and not worry the music will stop in the middle of the dinner.

Take a Dance Class

Get some cardio into your socialization by getting a couple of your friends to join you in taking a dance class. It’s great for your body and overall health, it’s fun, it gets you out of the house, and you still get to hang out with people.

Have a Coloring Book Party

One of the newest trends in recent years is adult coloring books. They have lots of fun and fun themes and are a great way to unwind after a stressful day and still get to express your creativity. Why not bring your friends into the mix? You can chat it up and catch up on each other’s lives without feeling overwhelmed by social anxiety. 

Run A Marathon

Another great source of cardio fitness is running. Bring some friends into the fold to help you both encourage each other as you run. There’s quite a feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a marathon. And the important thing isn’t to come in first, but to make it to the finish line. There is a camaraderie that comes with this as well because you and your friends achieved a goal together.

Go to a Theme Park

When was the last time you visited a theme park? It’s a great way to get some exhilaration, get you out of your comfort zone, and socialize with friends and family. You can make memories that will last a lifetime.

Have a Digital Party

In the wake of COVID-19, there’s been an understandably huge dip in parties. But there are workarounds to everything, so many people are choosing to connect virtually through apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime. It might seem strange at first, but this seems to be the new normal for a while, so this is a great way to social distance without sacrificing the “social”. You can even play games together digitally.

Go to a Comedy Show

Everyone likes a good laugh. So why not enjoy a laugh with your friends? It’s a great way to bond and studies have shown that laughter can reduce stress and give you a boost of endorphins that boost your overall mood long after you’ve left the comedy club.

Host a Murder Mystery Dinner

Murder mystery parties are great fun and a fantastic way to socialize if you don’t want to deal with the hecticness of a big party. It’s an adventure and you get a meal out of it. What’s not to love? You can throw one of these yourself (there are many guides online) but there are also venues that specifically only do these types of parties. So if you don’t feel up to the task of planning one yourself, gather your friends and get some tickets to a professional murder mystery dinner experience.

Have a Wine Tasting Party

A wine tasting party can be a fun, intimate experience with just a few people so that you’re not overwhelmed. Ask your guests to each bring a bottle of their favorite wine and everyone can have a sip (or more) and enjoy the night with a game or just chat the night away.

A great option for white wine is Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a smooth tasting, crisp wine that does not taste overly sweet, oaky, or buttery.  

For reds, you can not go wrong with a red blend, Merlot, Malbec, or Pinot Noir. A shiraz or red zinfandel may be too overpowering for some people.

Have a Picnic

A picnic is a delightful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with friends in the park or forest clearing. You can bring finger foods and even a bottle of wine and enjoy the weather while enjoying good food with good friends.

Movie Night

Have some friends over to watch a movie. It’s a great way to bond without having to be drained socially. Make sure to pick a movie you think everyone will like.

Escape Room

Escape rooms are a fantastic way to get your adrenaline flowing while having a great time with friends. It can be an exhilarating experience. And with their newfound popularity, you can usually find more than one near you. Just make sure to book ahead!

There are many ways to have fun with friends without partying it up. Choose the one(s) that are right for you and most of all, have fun!