Organising Chilled Out Catch Ups With Friends

It's not always easy to make sure you're staying up to date with your friends, so organise relaxed get-togethers to keep in touch and have fun.


Catching up with your friends is sometimes easier said than done. Despite all of our best intentions, it can be difficult to make time for those nearest and dearest to us - especially when you're trying to balance your work, love and social lives. A lack of cash, long working hours and a busy, and tiring social calendar, can make pencilling in some time with your friends seem like an impossible task, but it doesn't have to be. Organise some low-key gatherings in your own home, and allow your friends to come to you.

By making sure you're issuing an open invitation to your buddies, while emphasising the fact you're not expecting them to show up in black tie for a formal party, you're making it as easy for them to drop in when they have a chance, as it is for you to put out the invite. If your schedule permits it, make it a regular thing. Set aside the last Friday of the month, for example, and let it be known that that's when you'd love to catch up with everyone, you're sure to find that while you don't get the same friends able to come every time, they're happy to have the option of popping in.

Even better, by organising casual get-togethers at home, you're taking the weather element out of the occasion. How many times have you been put off the idea of a night pub crawling because it's been raining outside? Promise your mates somewhere warm (or cool in the summer) to crash out and chill, and you're sure to tempt them.

However, it can be a good idea to have some kind of idea what you're hoping to get out of these get-togethers. If you want to make sure people have plenty of time to chat to each other, why not make food and drink the focus of the evening. Buy in some nice snacks and ask everyone to mix their own drinks. This often works better if you have at least a few women on the guest list. You could also organise something like a poker night - another great way to make sure everyone comes together and keeps the conversation flowing.

On the other hand, if you want to make sure everyone is as relaxed as humanly possible, why not make it a games night? Plug in your console and arrange a round robin for racing, sports or fighting games or choose something with plenty of puzzles, perfect for solving as part of a team effort. If not all of your friends are fans of gaming, then a movie night is another great alternative. Stack up a list of great movies, order some pizza and buy beer online and you'll be ready for action.

Don't worry about letting your friends drift away, give them somewhere to come and hang out with you - you'll find it's far more fun to catch up as soon as the pressure is off.
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