Meet New Friends- Plan a Party

Moving to a new area can be exciting and scary, but it can also be lonely.  Even if you are moving with family or a few friends, there is a good chance that you will find yourself lonely one evening, wishing you were back where ever you came from, with your other friends and family.  This is normal, and even through I'm no doctor, this will pass over time.  What can help with this transition?  Joining a group immediately will help.  Having a job where you are surrounded by people your age with similar interests helps.  Church helps.  But, what will really help?  A reason for them to get to know you!

I'm not talking about the perfect version of you, but the real you.  Not the pulled together professional at work or the pearls and cardigan prep at church, but the real person inside of you only your friends know.  And what better way to do that than to invite people into your home?  And, in the case if you don't have a home, a club house.  Parties are great ways to socialize on your own terms.  (Tip: Don't use this opportunity to sell people something.  Makeup and candles are a great side venture, but not a great way to make new friends.  And don't sell yourself, this isn't a networking party.  No one is going to buy you.)

Need help thinking about an excuse to invite these people over?  Sure, the typical BBQ or dinner party are good fun, but doesn't draw anyone in with excitement.  This is where thinking out of the box comes in handy, or a membership to a party planning website.  I write this because of a recent new development I have found.  Houseparty.com is my new party-planning go-to site.  I will be the proud host of a Hasbro game night, with brand new games to play and fun snacks to eat.  And, the kicker? It's free!  You sign up, fill out an application for an interesting event you may want to host, and wait to find out if you're picked.  If you are, you invite 10 people, and then wait for the big day!  Take pictures and post them to your planning site, and have fun!

This is a great way to get a variety of people over to your place and let them get to know you.  If they don't love you after a searing game of Catch Phrase, they're not worth being called a friend of yours nor the repeat invitation for your next amazing party!

How did you fit in in your new home?  What tips do you have for re-locators?