School is officially in full swing, Halloween is looming right around the corner, and the holiday season is sooner than you think. Before things get busy again, make some time to host the ones you love most – your friends and family.While it can be difficult to get everyone’s schedules to align, studies show that spending time with friends and family is actually beneficial to your health.
According to the American Psychological Association, those who gather with friends and people who are close to them are more satisfied with their lives and less likely to suffer from depression, heart problems, and a range of chronic diseases.
So, get the group chat fired up, and start planning a get-together. Here are some ideas on fun things you can do with your friends and family at your own house, at an affordable cost.
Get everyone together and put away your phones. Lock in for some friendly competition and a break from screen time with a good old-fashioned board game. Games like Exploding Kittens, Hues and Cues, Ticket to Ride, or Plex are sure to get the conversation going and are great ways to kick off a fun evening.
Take advantage of the fall weather. It’s not too hot, it's not too cold, the air is crisp and there’s a slight breeze. It’s one of the best times of year! Grab some graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, sticks, and light up the bonfire. And hey, while you’re at it, why not try adding some candies like Reese's cups and maybe even some pumpkin spice cookies (another reason to love the season) to add some extra pizazz. Something about the crisp air, the sky blanketed by darkness and stars, and some yummy treats around the fire make for the best memories and even better storytelling.
Spooky season won’t be here for long. Place some pillows on the ground, grab some blankets and make a fort. Tell everyone to come over in their jammies with a movie snack in-hand. Turn on the TV and have a movie night! Here are some spooky and not-so-spooky movies you can turn on to get the autumn vibes flowing.
Go to the pumpkin patch – or the grocery store – and grab some pumpkins. Then, grab a table and drag it outside (if you don’t already have one there), and drape trash bags on top as an impromptu tablecloth that will result in easy clean-up. Raise the stakes and make pumpkin carving a competition. Everyone carve out your best design and Facetime a friend, showing them the designs without telling them the artists to name a winner!
Who doesn’t love dinner with friends and family? Have a chili bar and put on some football! For the chili bar, sauté up some lean ground beef, drain any excess oil, and add to a deep pot. Next, add in two cans of diced tomatoes, one small can of tomato paste, two cans of dark red kidney beans, a packet of chili seasoning, one onion – diced, and one green pepper – diced. Let simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Put the chili in a crockpot to keep it warm all evening.
For the toppings, put out some shredded cheddar cheese, some shredded Monterey cheese, sour cream, green onions, tortilla strips and corn chips. For sides, put out some corn bread, tater tots, and baked potatoes. This will ensure everyone will be able to make their chili bowl exactly how they want it. Gather around the table, dive into your chili, and catch up with everyone. To make sure the conversation continues to flow, consider getting some conversation starter cards.
If you’re looking for a new house to have your next fall party in, or if you’re looking to refinance to fund home upgrades to have more space to display your pumpkins, contact a Ruoff loan officer today. They will help you make your homeownership dreams come true.
This time of year is special. Crisp leaves, cool air, changing colors and changing seasons. Celebrate with your friends and family before life gets busy again with the holidays.
At Ruoff Mortgage, we understand that buying a home is one of life’s biggest moments – not just as a financial decision, but a personal one. For more than 41 years, we’ve proudly helped families turn their dreams into reality. From our roots in northeast Indiana to now serving homebuyers throughout the Midwest, our focus has stayed the same: delivering exceptional service rooted in care, speed, and community. With an average 15-day clear-to-close time, our team is here to make your journey to homeownership as smooth and stress-free as possible. When you're ready to take the next step, we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.