Ideas for things to do with friends

[RedWindowDressing]

I seem to be the designated organiser amongst my friends and I'm quite happy with this role - natural organiser; love it. Just need some inspiration.

We're a group of women aged 44 onwards and like to meet up every 3 weeks or so - evenings, daytime, whatever suits. There's 9 of us and not everyone always comes along to everything. We've knowne each other about 2 years having met when we did some volunteering together and got on really well. We're from different backgrounds and financially some are much better off than others so we tend not to do expensive outings like spa days etc.

Anyhow in the summer - we're in the UK - we do lots of picnics, walks, get involved in local free events, occasional maels, cinema, live music, charity events etc. But its more difficult to think of stuff to do when its chilly. We're all intelligent women who will have ago at most things - its about the company and having a nice time.

Any ideas on what we can do together?

I recently took a burlesque lesson with a group of women (mixed ages from 19 to 50+) I haven't laughed so much in years and have said I will definitely do it again.

It's a bit saucy but not raunchy or in bad taste.

Geocaching!

Book club?
Wine tasting at someone's house
Cheese tasting?
Knitting/sewing lessons?

• If you are in or near London, lots of the art galleries/museums have great cafes and restaurants.

You could go to a gallery/museum and give everyone a small note book and a pencil (or ask them to bring a mini note book and a pencil) and a mini art project to do. Like draw the three most interesting exhibits you see. Or draw two exhibits and an interesting visitor. Or follow someone and draw what they do. Split up for a set period - eg. an hour and then meet up in the café/restaurant to share what you've done and seen and have a laugh about the bad ones and admire the good ones.

Even if you don't like that idea, galleries and museums are indoors and a glass of wine afterwards for a chat is fun.

• Afternoon tea in a nice hotel or café.

• Lectures on topics that interest you. Most large public institutions (libraries, theatres, museums etc) offer talks and lectures, many are free. Google your local area.

• Film club (like a book club but you all go round to someone's house and watch a classic old black and white film eg. Bette Davies films.

• A mystery Jigsaw afternoon/evening (I know this sounds ridiculous but if you get a very large one that is difficult with a built in game, once you start it people get really into it - open a bottle of wine and crack on) Some thing like this (where you have to solve the murder - but there are loads just google) www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Mystery-Jigsaw-Puzzle-Death/dp/B000MFOJR8#productDetails

• Cocktail lessons - lots of bars run group classes for cocktail lessons. You all make them together and then drink them. If you shop around you can get good deals. They are usually fairly subsidised because they figure once the group is in and have finished their lesson, they will stay drinking.

*Clothes swapping afternoon. Everyone bring "nice" stuff they want to get rid of/don't wear and swap away.

• Retro board game evening. Wine + cluedo. If you want to ramp it up a bit, get people to bring a retro food item/ course each and come dressed in character.

How do you feel about crafting? A friend of mine runs a business where she goes to people's houses and teaches a group of people (OK, it's almost always all women) how to make a thing - candles in vintage teacups, crocheted christmas decorations, a silk flower for your hair, etc. You all have fun and a drink and get a thing you've made to keep/give as a gift. Similarly, if you're in London, there's a place in Kings X (I think it's called DrinkShopDo or similar) that has evenings - I went to one with my friend and we both made screen printed tote bags and drank cocktails. It was ace :)

Also poker is GREAT - we have a group of people and none of us are much good, so it never gets THAT competitive. Rules up on a board where everyone can see them, fiver in,5p/10p big blind small blind. You can only lose a fiver, but the winner goes home with £35-ish, so worth winning.

...oh, and it'll be Eurovision soon. Sweepstake country for each person, dress up, bring appropriate food from your nation, dance when your song comes on. My friend does one every year with a wallchart where everyone gets points as they go along (for costume, dancing, knowing the words to your country's song, being able to point to your country on a map, etc). Winner gets a cheap and ridiculous prize, as well as much glory :)

I went to one of those pottery painting shops with some girlfriends and we had a good laugh. Results were rubbish but we had fun and you can choose what to paint so can spend as much or as little as your budget can afford :)