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www.FredericksburgParent.NET 13 Host a "My Favorite Things" Party What's one kitchen gadget, make-up or cleaning product you can't live with- out? Hide your item in a gift bag and exchange with friends. Once everyone has opened her bag, each participant explains why she loves the product she brought to give away. "We all took notes so we could run out and try the fun stuff," says Amber Shepard, a mom of two. Provide each guest with a compli- mentary notepad and pen to keep track of ideas or clever tips. Get Pinning Host a party in which your guests bring snacks and beverages they find on Pinterest. When Jen Conrad, a mom of three, hosted a Pinterest Party, she and her friends made a scented sugar scrub together that they found on the site. "Everything we ate, drank and did was a Pinterest idea," she says. Stock the Freezer As if the school year isn't hectic enough, the holidays are right around the corner. Make meal time easier by planning ahead with a frozen meal exchange. Each friend should arrive with enough four-person servings for the number of attendees. If five of you participate, each should arrive with five meals. For a simpler exchange, agree on a budget in advance and choose guests who have similar dietary requirements. Casseroles, lasagnas, marinated meats and soups/stews work well. Explore Local Cuisine Gather your foodie friends around the table and sample area eateries while enjoying great conversation. Take turns choosing one restaurant per month. To build continuity, make the event a standing occasion on the same night each month. Plan a Covered Dish Party "I love this idea because it allows you to have meaningful con- versation with other moms and deepen those relationships," Bailey says. Keep the event simple for your friends by request- ing that each dish include five or fewer ingredients. Form a Culture Club Experience the fine arts with other friends who share a similar zest for integrating more local culture into their lives. Attend different events every four to six weeks, like jazz concerts, live theater, the symphony, or the museum's latest art exhibit. Catch the Latest Flicks Head to the theater to watch a movie with your friends. After the film, review together over dinner or des- sert. Budget tight? Take turns hosting movie-watching parties at your homes. Be Spontaneous Light the fire pit or gather around your fireplace and invite a few friends over for a last-minute glass of wine, cocktails or mocktails. By simply creating time for you and your friends to chat, you'll deepen your friendships and nurture your spirit, too. "...we need the same recharging..."