After a long day at work, plenty of us are seeking fresh ways to either “turn up” or “turn down” but doesn’t mean it has to be a typical happy hour party or hitting up a lounge. A lot of the time, most of us just want to hang out with our friends, shed our day job worries, and have a little fun in the process.
By no means is their anything wrong with going home and resting after a long day but if you have a little pep in your step left, you might want to do something active, social and hip. After taking off your corporate attire, try some of these helpful tips to unwind with friends after leaving the job.
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Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock
Playlist Party
After a long day at the 9-to-5, the sounds of clicking keys and running machines could prove to be too much. Invite a few friends over with their media devices of choice, get some portable speakers like those from Beats From Dre, and have a playlist party. Going through someone’s music list is not only a fun way to dance and unwind, it’s a great ice breaker no matter the setting. Want to add to it? Make challenges like “only ’90s Hip-Hop” or have category nights where you play nothing but rap tracks from Down South. You can even dare to dress in fashion from the ’80s or even break out some old-school dance moves.
Photo: Shutterstock
Lead An After Work Touristy Tour
If you’re like millions of others, you sometimes neglect some of the cool places in your town or city. Take a little initiative and lead an after work touristy tour. After quitting time, a lot of places may still be open and less crowded since it’s the evening. All of those monuments, art galleries and public parks you’ve been meaning to get to are yours for the taking. For people in walkable cities like New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago, this could be clutch. New York’s “never sleep” setting is perfect for the curious, and D.C.’s many monuments are usually accessible until dusk but are lit up bright at night.
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Game Night
While Trivia Night at your local pub is a good bet for some, maybe you’re looking for a more intimate and less intimidating setting. That’s where Game Night comes in. Dust off those boxes of Uno, Scrabble, and Trivial Pursuit you have sitting underneath your coffee table and call over the gang for some good-natured fun. Want to up the stakes? Fun wagers like loser gets dinner or has to take out the trash adds some playful tension. Borrow from the Playlist Party tip and put on some tunes in the background.
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Get Crafty
Depending on the work you do, your mind is still going long after you’ve left the office. Why not use that busy energy for good? Remember back in elementary school when arts and crafts were everything? Bring those days back by gathering buddies for a crafty kind of night. Building origami figures, paper airplanes, or even breaking out an easel and getting your paint on could provide some fun times and maybe even some serious art. Want to to channel your inner b-boy or b-girl? Why not even do some legal graffiti?
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Backyard BBQ Battle
Are your baked beans the best in Boston? Is your Texas chili worthy of a state fair blue ribbon? Think you have skills on the grills? A Backyard BBQ Battle could be the place where folks can enter a friendly culinary challenge and fill their bellies with delicious eats as well. Even if you don’t have a backyard, clear out some kitchen space or just have friends bring dishes they’ve prepared the night before.
