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15 Ways to Socialize That Don’t Involve Food and Overeating

After my recent post about how to reward yourself and celebrate your accomplishments without using food, a number of people brought up a related issue that is particularly relevant during the holiday season: how to socialize and not become a hermit when you aren’t interested in a lot of social eating and are trying not to overindulge?

Here are fifteen ways to get together with others that aren’t centered around food or eating. Consider these ideas as you consider alternatives to the holiday cookie exchange or the annual book club holiday dessert night. Remember, if you aren’t spending money on food, you may have resources available for other indulgences.

Fifteen ways to get together with others that aren’t centered around food or eating:

1.    Go to a movie. If you don’t buy popcorn, you can probably afford to go at least twice as often.
2.    Attend a football game, hockey game, or other sporting event.
3.    Get outdoors—walk, hike, cross country ski.
4.    Have a scrapbooking, quilting, or other craft get-together.
5.    Play games—chess, poker, board games. Have a game night.
6.    Go Christmas caroling.
7.    Rent movies and watch them together.
8.    Get together with friends to complete your holiday cards or to wrap gifts.
9.    Go shopping.
10.    Have a spa day—either at a spa or throw your own home spa party. Some massage therapists will come to you.
11.    Get a group together to tour an exhibit at a local museum.
12.    Create an event to support a charitable cause, do something helpful for someone in need, rally around a political cause, or something else you are passionate about.
13.    Go bowling.
14.    Investigate local theater.
15.    Go ice skating.

Many people get stuck when they are trying to have fun and be social without throwing food into the equation. Won’t you leave a comment and add your favorite nonfood activities?

Take good care,

2 Responses to “15 Ways to Socialize That Don’t Involve Food and Overeating”

1. Rebecca says:

   December 7, 2009 at 11:59 am

   Decorating the tree keeps my hands busy and it’s very festive. Also it hurts (real tree is very needly) so the pain kills my appetite. (kidding on that last thing – nothing kills my appetite)
2. Gregory Anne says:

   December 7, 2009 at 4:02 pm

   Melissa,
   Lots of great ideas here. I take some of the holiday time to do volunteer work. And while there are food programs that need hands to prepare, sort, and package food items, it’s not the kind of activity that encourages eating.
   There are also special evenings planned around here that focus on the winter sky, special yoga relaxation and or meditation programs. I treat myself to something new and mind/body feeding. They are festive and not at all focused on food except for the delicious sense of community and the treat of learning or experiencing something new.