IMHO have something to do, play a game. We host a party monthly where we get together and try to solve some of those “mystery boxes” it lets everyone have fun, and gives everyone something to focus on. We still end up having conversation outside of the games but it also allows for a fun engaging interaction, that’s not just talking but solving puzzles.

• Dinner parties with themes: Make your own pizza night, Make your own burger/taco night, etc. It keeps people busy and always have something to do. Make your own cocktail/mocktail is generally a safe bet as well (you can run it simultaneously with another one, but there will be a lot of cleaning up from my experience)

• Poker night/Board game night: self explanatory, sort of a pretty chill night with food ordered and some wine

• Movie night/Binge-watching night: watch a documentary, murder mystery, bingewatch a show etc. The one we've had most success with with my roomates and their friends were things like Tiger king, Bachelor Monday, and some other retro show (i think The wire iirc)

• Sunday morning brunch: Everyone brings a little something and you get together and eat brunch homemade. Had a lot of success with these ones because at the time everyone fucking loved brunch lol.

• Backyard BBQ, or backyard party just basically get together and throw things on the barbecue and chill in the backyard, super fun on sunny days with cold drinks and music

I think this is pretty much what we did during my student years with my roomates, we also had a pretty big house with lots of room and a backyard, we were 5 dudes with different circles of friends and we managed to by the end have everyone become friends with pretty much everyone, cool memories and friendships that last till today !

We love playing any of the Jackbox games with our friends! Or Mario Kart and Mario Party!

Lot of helpful comments. I do this one thing to make everyone feel at home

Add a separate Wifi connection to your router (settings), and write down the name and password on a piece of paper. Stick that where it's easily accessible. Instantly make guests feel at home, esp the introverts

Party Games will break the ice for anyone

My girlfriend and I have a ton; here’s some favorites (they all play pretty much like Apples to Apples)

• Cards Against (obviously)
• Joking Hazard
• Ransom Notes
• Things!
• Dungeon Mayhem (D&D inspired, best For small, dorky groups)
• Trivial Pursuit

We’ve also got an Xbox and switch so we spend lots of time playing Jackbox, Mario Kart, Mario Party (clearly I’m not alone there)

I think what works well is activities. I've never been one to go to the bars just to talk. But I like going to concerts and events and meeting people there.

Same with hosting. If you're like "let's get together." For some groups, that's the best. For others that's a lot of sitting around and not having much to say.

So if you want to host people at your place, make a point to do something interesting that will get you all excited. Board game night. Mario Kart soiree. Pot luck. Movie night. Sports games. Barbecues. Swingers party. Grave tipping. Puppy play dates. Wine tasting. Jack Box Party Pack games. Form a band. Watch Nathan For You. Build some stuff. Arts and crafts.

Those ones are pretty commonly the reasons to have people over. But you just have to make the plan ahead of time. And then afterwards you have tons of stuff to talk about.

Cooking something together, tv watch party for a show/movie/sport, video/board/card game, and of course- alcohol/marijuana always makes things more interesting even if you’re doing nothing (if your guests partake in these).

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