5 Winter Activities to Build Deeper, More Meaningful Connections
snowed in? no need to be shut in.
Where I live, everyone has been prepping for a snowpocalypse since Thursday. While you may not be snowed in from where you’re reading, winter can be a great season for slowing down and building deeper connections with new and old friends and crushes.
Whether you love the cold or really feel that Seasonal Affective Disorder (or both) each winter, it can be harder to think of things to do when it’s dark, cold, and Netflix acquires The West Wing (is that just me?).
Here are my top 5 winter activities that deepen connections:
Snowball fight! (or winter walk, if you aren’t blessed with snow) - last year, I used my neighborhood group chat to call for a spontaneous snowball fight followed by hot cocoa. It was a great way to be silly and play with a bunch of other 30 and 40 somethings (and some very excited dogs). If it’s not snowing, taking a nature walk in a nearby park through neighborhood streets can be an excellent hang. Consider proposing a game of tag! Whimsy and play require trust and vulnerability, but in a low stakes way - thus helping us connect more deeply.
Closet clean out date - at some point in January, I am tired of looking at all my objects and long for a deep winter clean out. Summon a friend or two and go through your closets, drawers, and storage spaces - you may just be able to rehome some things. Swapping stories about forgotten or frivolous objects will also open up new avenues for connection.
Soup and grilled cheese and a movie - a scalable activity that can work as well with 2 as with 10. Elevate movie night beyond just snacking to warm and comforting soups; and even the less culinarily inclined can bring materials for a build your own grilled cheese bar to pair with it. The time shared over the meal can warm everyone up socially to heckle, talk over, and comment on the movie (don’t watch anything too serious)
Taxes filing party - a similar vibe to closet clean out, make the annual unpleasant business of filing taxes more bearable by inviting friends over to do it together. This works on the assumption that everyone will be able to use an online tax preparation software. If that doesn’t apply, you could explore digital privacy (like EasyOptOuts, improving privacy on your social media profiles, and more). Sharing the work of daily life can deepen connection, and it’s also an act of trust to give and accept care in this way.
TEDx Living Room - invite everyone to prepare a powerpoint and short speech about their special interest, research focus, or even something that just makes them mad (or glad?!). Have snacks and require enthusiasm from the audience - you’ll definitely learn something new and learn more about your friends. This activity can translate well to virtual settings, for connecting across distance.
I hope these ideas warm up your winter nights. Do gather the energy to come out and meet new friends to try these ideas with at a Skip the Small Talk near you!
Folks at an actual Skip the Small Talk event