Smart Socializing

Whether it’s a girl’s night out, a couple’s night, or even catching up one-on-one with a friend, socializing continues to evolve throughout our lives. As we get a little bit older, we try to socialize a little smarter…The opportunity to do something that combines functionality with food and friends is particularly attractive to today’s professionals. We work all day, but we still want to have fun…we’re all experts at multi-tasking, so what’s the best way to combine these needs?Some of my girlfriends and I like to get together at least once a month to socialize. 

We all work, some are married, some have children and sometimes get so caught up our own professional and personal commitments that we lose touch. We all enjoy the local social scene but going to area bars and restaurants can be impersonal and expensive. While we aren’t ready to totally give up the local social scene (so many great new things continue to sprout up all over the Triangle…), for a change of scene, we recently decided to by-pass loud, crowded and expensive bars and restaurants, once a month, to host our own private themed soirees. Giving us an opportunity to save money, dress up, have fun and truly catch up.This past Friday night we hosted our very first “Girls Night In.” Our theme was Spanish wine and tapas. The host was to provide the Spanish wine and each guest was charged with selecting a recipe that fit the theme to prepare for the party and share with all of the other guests. We kept the expectation simple, spent little time and money on preparations. The event was a success, everyone contributed their part, there was no agenda, and we had music, good food and drink. We were all proud of our proud and even a bit surprised of our individual abilities in the kitchen. We enjoyed one another’s company, truly got to catch up with one another without interruptions or distractions and all got home at a descent hour.Staying at home to socialize may seem like an unwanted hassle, considering restaurants can do the cooking and cleaning for you. As enticing as going out can be, the benefits of socializing at home may outweigh the hassle of cleanup.

Here are some why hosting at home is smart:1.       Eating at home can be healthier: When you go out to eat, portions are normally larger and there are more calories, salt and/or fat in the limited selections.2.      Indulgence without guilt: Socializing at home means indulging in foods, which can be made healthier in your own kitchen. Whenever I attend a house party, I always use lighter options (sugar-free, fat free, low sodium) for ingredients in my recipes. I never advertise that I have whipped up the healthier version of a dish, but I have never noticed anyone enjoying them any less and I always feel a personal satisfaction that I am contributing to the guests’ good health.  Typically, restaurants use heaps of butter, salt, sugar, corn syrup and other simple carbohydrates in their recipes. Cooking at home, you can guarantee that those enjoying your recipes are eating well. 3.      Save money: There are substitutes for eating out, but there are not substitutes for saving money. Even if it’s only one weekend each month, you will reap the benefits of saving pennies from these cost-effective nights in for years to come.4.      Chill: A home is cozier than a crowded, noisy and sometimes smoky bar or restaurant. Besides, it always feels nice to have friends see your digs, not to mention it also gives you a reason to clean!5.      Theme Parties are fun: Going to bars can be monotonous, but using creative themes can spice up an evening out. It’s important to follow these rules: Keep things simple, be creative, and match the music with the crowd.

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