I know. I know. We are all OVER winter. We are approaching that weird stage of the year where we are stuck in between seasons. The time of year everyone starts climbing the walls! And yes the while the end of winter is coming into sight, we also know that we still have a ways to go to shed the layers and enjoy the milder temps. So how do we combat these last remaining days of the cold winter weather? We fill the weekend calendar with fun things to do on cold winter nights with friends.
Luckily, a few of my friends (and me!) have birthdays to celebrate in January and February. To celebrate, there have been some creative nights thrown together. So I wanted to share a few things we have been doing as well as some other fun suggestions. Of course some of these ideas can be used for gatherings with friends and family or even a date night.
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Things To Do On A Cold Winter Night With Friends
Game Night
The inspiration for this post was all because of a game! Whether it be board games or card games, hosting game nights are a great option for a night in with friends. Remember the celebration I was at where GODIVA chocolate martinis were being served? That same night also introduced me to the card game: The Voting Game.
How to Play: Essentially every player is assigned a number. Each player is then dealt the number of the other players with the exception of their own number. From there, the dealer places a card with a question on the center of the table. Each player then votes as to who think best answers the question! Example of a question: “Who would lose an election because of something they did in high school?” Players receiving votes then have to guess who voted for them and the player who receives the most votes wins the round and gets the question card. The first player to collect six question cards wins the game! It is SO much fun but caution advised to those who might be sensitive!
Here are some other additional games perfect for game night:
Fondue Night
This of course can be done in conjunction with game night but chocolate fondue nights are the perfect way to pass a winter night. Create a warm and relaxed environment. Set the mood with lots of candles and faux fur blankets. Light a fire if an option. (This is all a very Hygee thing to do!). Have each guest bring something that would be delicious dipped in chocolate and you provide the fondue. This recipe is very simple and heavenly good:
Chocolate Fondue Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate or 10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 1⁄2–3⁄4 cup milk or half-and-half or heavy cream (I use half and half)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Ideas for dipping:
- Chunks of pineapple, fresh coconut, banana, berries; dried fruit such as apricot, mango, papaya or Bing cherries
- Strips of good-quality candied orange, grapefruit or lemon peel
- Cubes of pound cake or angel food cake
- Waffles, wafers, graham crackers or digestive biscuits
- Pretzels, marshmallows or meringues
Note on the fondue server. The ones featured in this post are tapas style so smaller in scale. However one actually self imploded when creating this post! The candle underneath caused the ceramic to get to hot and it broke. One would think that would be tested out? Anyway, here are a few options with some great reviews that do not require a tea light candle to keep the fondue warm:
Book a Party Bus
You may cringe but during the Fifty Shades of Grey movie series, a group of friends and I booked a party bus to take us to and from each release. To this day, it has been one of my favorite outings! Look for party bus rental in your area. (Local friends, I have loved using Emperor Limousine). Start off at one friend’s house and enjoy some drinks and apps ahead of of the movie. Choose a theatre farther then you normally would go to have more time on the bus! See a movie (aka a chick flick!). Head back to your starting point for drop off! To give you an idea of cost, we spent around $20-30 each roundtrip for 15-20 of us!
Awards Show Viewing Party
I know awards show season is coming to a close so keep this in your back pocket for next year but hosting an awards show viewing party makes for a fun evening. Whether it be the Golden Globes, Grammys or the Oscars have your guests dress up red carpet ready. Sip on champagne, graze on fancy appetizers and swoon over the fashion. Print out nomination ballots (here is the link to Vanity Fair’s Oscar ballot) and have your friends fill out their predictions. Whoever gets the most right, award them a prize!
Looking ahead it would be fun to host a Country Music Awards viewing party complete with BBQ and cowboy boots!
Create an Aspen Landscape
Don’t fight the elements, embrace them. Find that friend with the outdoor hot tub or fire pit. Head there and set the mood to make you feel like you are in Aspen! String up Christmas lights, gather the faux fur blankets and spike a thermos of hot chocolate. Sitting around an outdoor fire pit or in a hot tub with friends makes for an invigorating night and might, just might, make you love winter a little bit.
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Photos by Jules Kennedy
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Thanks for stopping by!
L, M