hey guys, i've got several cool ppl from work or various other places i've met that i would like to have over....hang out, listen to music, cook out & maybe have a couple beers. i've yet to have 'em over b/c although it sounds dumb, i'm afraid i won't know what to say or talk about! argh
like my work friends, we have small chit chat & talk about work some, etc...but how do you have more lasting convos when they're at your house for a couple hours? i don't want it to be awkward or feel like i shouldn't have had them over. i trust these women, i'm not worried about weird workplace friendships or anything. i just don't want them to be bored or anything.
btw, i'm ridiculously outgoing, goofy, fun-loving, etc., i just want everyone to feel comfortable, not awkward & have fun.
any ideas or thoughts? i'm not much of a hostess but i REALLY wanna do this!
thanks!
thanks so much mamas! i think i'll try the icebreakers and keep it at my house. i just got a new house so i did wanna show my friends my house, too :)
kayb - *I'm* the party-starter! lol....i have a harder time being the party starter at my OWN party for some reason, lol
thanks for the encouragement & empathy, i'm excited to do it now! :)
I love the idea of icebreaker/games/conversation starters (have you ever played Games for Dames!!)
I always tell my work friends who I hang out with that this is a "work free zone" and no conversation about work is allowed and to help with that we are going to do X. It helps get over that bridge of work friend to real friend.
I also agree with ice-breaker games. Here's one that I really like:
Divide into groups of 2. Each person writes down 3 facts about them/their lives. 2 of the facts are true, 1 is false. When everyone's done writing, you have the partners present each other's facts, and the groups have to guess which one is the made-up fact. It is a really fun way to probe a little bit deeper into everyone's backgrounds.
Another ice breaker is a game called "Mafia," which my husband introduced to us at Thanksgiving a long time ago. You should be able to Google the rules to it. It is a very interactive game, and people really come out of their shells during it.
Board games like Cranium, Trivial Pursuit, Scategories, and Catch Phrase can be lots of fun too.
Wish I had someone like you near me! I love goofiness, but most of the friends I have made here are SO SERIOUS!
I would try to invite a few "party starters" like my neighbor who can talk to anyone and cuts up with everyone. She carried the dull first moments of our block party when I was trying to greet everyone and get the food going.
Have a games night (board games or cards). People will talk while they play. If they don't, at least no one feels awkward. Put out snacks, have some drinks, and let the evening evolve.
If people get bored at your get together it is because they are boring:). Seriously though it sounds like fun. If you are not up to having it at your house, why not suggest you go to happy hour at a local bar.
I say set up a happy hour elsewhere, or a meet for drinks at the local bar. People can come late, leave early without feeling awkward. Less pressure for you as the hostess. Buy two pitchers and a plate of wings, let the fun begin.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
I'm like you in that way, afraid of running out of things to talk about. When I invite people over, I try to think of 2-3 things each person recently told me about or experienced: a vacation, a problem they were having (not too deep on this), etc. then at the get together, ask about that subject. Similar questions I usually bring up: Do you have any big vacation plan coming up? How are you spending the holidays, etc. Also, there's nothing wrong with talking about yourself a little bit. If someone compliments you on say your table setting or some fabulous dish you made, explain that the dishes or recipe was passed down from your great grandmother, or whatever. Be attentive to your guests' conversations and ask follow up questions or chime in with your own anecdotes. You also don't have to be the conversationalist all the time. Listening well is a great thing. And with several people there, the conversation will definitely pick up and move in all directions. Good luck and have fun!
BEER?
seriously i dont think yo have anything to worry about. people will talk have fun and hang out
How about meeting out for drinks one night. Arrange that first and be the planner in the group. You will then find out very quickly who will want to do it again. So set it up again. Then try your house.
I don't have any suggestions, but wanted you to know I feel the same way. Often I don't invite people over when I really want to because I'm afraid I'll run out of things to talk about and everyone will just sit around in an awkward silence. Even when I practice things to say or topics to talk about, I seem to run through them quickly and then I'm stuck.
I can't wait to read your responses. Thanks for posting this!
do some outside activites first....to make tighter connections, more memories....before doing the home parties. :)
take a Zumba class together.....attend a jewelry-making class.....go bowling.....
