Homebound? Entertain Guests Virtually

Are you homebound because of health issues, recovery from surgery, caring for a spouse, or are you unable to drive? If so, it’s easy to feel lonely, isolated, and depressed. That’s why I’m sharing 5 fun ways homebound Baby Boomers can entertain guests virtually.

A virtual dinner with friends can be fun!

Just because you can’t physically be with other people, doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected and socialize safely – which isn’t too difficult, thanks to technology. Some of us learned to do so during the pandemic and managed to have some fun instead of wasting away in Coronaville.

These days, you can join a book club, attend a worship service, or simply share a laugh over a video call. Sure, it’s not quite the same as being there in person, but neither is wearing pajama bottoms to a social gathering. And when you entertain guests virtually, that’s possible.

If you aren’t up-to-date with the latest offerings to help you entertain guests virtually, here are some options:

• If you haven’t started using Zoom, it’s pretty amazing and allows you to host up to 100 people. On a budget? They have a free plan that lets you have unlimited meetings, as long as each meeting lasts no more than 40 minutes.
• Marco Polo lets you send messages that are only a few seconds long. But unlike Snapchat, the app saves videos so you can have a running conversation with your friend or a group of friends.
• Of course, there’s still Facetime – which now can host up to 32 people (if everyone has the latest iOS), Google Hangouts, and Skype.

Okay, so let’s say you’re set up to go. Not sure how to entertain guests virtually? Or maybe you dread making conversations in virtual social settings? Here are some great ideas to help you:

Ready for a virtual happy hour party.

Host a Virtual Happy Hour

Virtual happy hours can bring back some normalcy and fun to our lives. My husband and I were recently invited to one and were surprised at how relaxing this virtual social event can be. The host had everyone make their favorite drink and then share the recipe with the other guests.

Need some icebreakers? Start off with a virtual check-in to see how everyone is doing. What Netflix show are they bingeing on, or what movies or books would they recommend? What great podcast have they discovered? What new music have they come across? What workout videos inspire them?

Or have guests give a virtual tour of the room they’re calling from and point out something fascinating. Maybe it’s a souvenir from another country, a treasure from childhood, or a manuscript of a book they’ve started writing. Once people have had a drink, maybe they’d be willing to share hidden talents. Can they touch their tongue to their nose or wiggle their ears? That’s always good for a laugh!

Enjoy Virtual Movie Nights

You can also use Zoom’s shared screen function to watch a movie together with friends. Or try Netflix Party, an extension that lets multiple Netflix users watch a show together from different locations. It synchronizes your video and has a group chat function, letting you swap commentary.

If that’s too much technology for you, agree to watch the same movie or show and hop on the phone, Skype, or FaceTime to discuss afterward.

Host a Virtual Dinner with Friends

Invite virtual guests to cook their favorite meal on Zoom and share the recipe with the others. You could even have a theme. Maybe everyone dresses in island style and makes a Hawaiian chicken dish. Or dresses 70s style and makes fondue. Extra points if you make your Zoom background match the theme.

If you have a friend who is homebound, why not offer to pick up some take-out from a local restaurant and drop it off at your friend’s door? Then hook up on Zoom for a virtual dinner together, complete with a white tablecloth, flowers, and candles.

Have a Virtual Game Night

Charades or Karaoke can work using Zoom. Two Truths and a Lie is another simple yet entertaining game that will help everyone learn more about each other. Have your guests tell two true statements and one lie and make people guess which is which. Play for bragging rights to see who really knows each other best.

Did you know that you can play board games with friends online on the computer or a mobile app? Digital versions of Boggle, Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, Risk, Uno, Scattergories, and Scrabble are available that can be played with friends. Or try Cluedo, an app that’s a digital version of the classic mystery game Clue. While the board looks different, thanks to the 3D graphics, this adaptation remains mostly faithful to the board game version and is family-friendly.

Exercise with Friends

If you’re caring for a spouse, parent, or other loved one and can’t easily leave the house, there are still plenty of ways to exercise with others from home. Thanks to technology, you can sweat, stretch, and occasionally complain about your aching knees with friends from the comfort of your living room.

Join live Zoom exercise classes designed for seniors or fitness groups on Facebook. Try virtual wellness programs offered by local senior centers or caregiver support groups that include wellness activities. Schedule a weekly “workout date” with friends using FaceTime. If the person you’re caring for is able, perhaps both of you can join others who are physically challenged to do chair exercises together.

Final Thoughts

Being homebound can feel isolating at times, but staying connected has never been easier. The walls of your home may limit where you can go, but they don’t have to limit the people you share your life with.

Years ago, if you were stuck at home, your entertainment options were limited to daytime TV and arguing with telemarketers. Today, technology allows us to maintain meaningful relationships and continue engaging with the world. And for that we can be grateful.