Written by Anya
I recently came across an interesting Gallup poll. Although it was several years old, I believe the answers probably haven’t changed much in the interval – especially considering the current economic climate.
Gallup asked Americans: “What is your Favorite Way to Spend an Evening?” The results indicated most people are quite content to enjoy an evening at home watching TV, spending time with family or reading. Going out to movies, restaurants or visiting friends fell much lower on the list.
I was somewhat heartened by the response. I am a not so closet homebody. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about this. I am lucky to live in a part of the country that has many exciting cultural and sporting events going on all the time. That said, most nights (particularly after a long day at work), I am just as happy to watch a funny comedy on TV, grab a novel off my nightstand or hop on the computer and catch up on gossip or email friends.
My fondness for home-based leisure activities is probably partly based on my age (I am 41), but I have noticed even my teen daughter and her friends seem quite content to spend many Saturday nights at home with each other watching silly DVDs and texting friends. No doubt the many creature comforts we have outfitted our homes with make staying home an attractive and not boring alternative, but I wonder if something is lost. Bringing home Chinese food and watching must see TV on Thursday night is always going to be a fun way to unwind and relax, but it is a safe choice. Perhaps checking out the new art show or that funky little restaurant everyone raves about that will probably end up closing in a few months due to the high rent is ultimately a more enriching experience. Of course, much depends on our own personal financial and family obligations, but I think introducing a little variety into our daily experience helps keep us alive and kicking.
As for me, I am eagerly awaiting spending my evening reading what other IW posters like to do with their weeknight leisure time. If you have the choice, do you prefer to stay home or go out? How often do you go out? What are your favorite activities (home or out) that really allow you to chill? Share with us!
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10 Responses to What’s Your Favorite Way to Spend an Evening?
My husband and I are definitely homebodies. We enjoy staying home, ordering in and watching a movie or one of our favorite TV shows. We probably go out to a movie once or twice a year. My husband spends a great deal of his time watching sports and reading also.
Our hobbies or habits have changed drastically over the years and I just attribute it to growing older. We use to go out every weekend and to a movie at least every other week. Going out to eat was a weekly adventure and usually with several other couples. We were very involved in watching, coaching and fund raising for the different sports our sons participated in and were constantly on the go for over 15 years. We loved every minute of it but I think because of that we really enjoy our time at home now.
When I am at home in the evening I spend my time working on the computer and also playing with my dogs. I do read. Pretty boring stuff.
Like they say, “There’s no place like home!”
Love that picture. Looks about the 50s.
Hi Jill,
Welcome, yes there is no place like home.
I LOVE being home. I’m lucky that my H is the chef in the family and when he is home in the evening (he does shift work), I can always expect a yummy dinner!
During the summer, however, we will go to our swim club and hang out with our little one who has turned into such a fish!
When my H is working, I have little “date nights” with my toddler. We go to Noodles and Company or another family-friendly restaurant and eat. Then, we’ll head home for his bubble bath, PJS and a movie. The current movie of the month is Disney’s Bolt. It was originally a Netflix rental that was loved so much, we had to buy it.
My H and I are both foodies. I am going to make an effort to get a babysitter a few times a month this fall and winter, so we can have some alone “adult” time together.
We’ve been in our house almost two years now. Unless we win the lottery, it will probably be our forever house. I just love it.
Welcome Jill!
Nancy, gotta love those hubbies that cook.
I love being home too. It’s a good thing, because I’m there a lot due to the little one’s bedtime. A good movie and several cups of cinnamon tea makes the evening enjoyable for me. I also like to work at that time just because it’s so quiet and still with no interruptions. (kind of like now).
My husband is a home body and I like to go-go-go! I like to stay home sometimes but I work from home- my husband is away all day. So of course I’m ready to get out of here and he’s ready to settle in. And then there’s bedtime for the little one that keeps our evenings short and mostly home bound….
I recently bought my first house and am definitely more of a homebody now. I have a fireplace and love having friends over to make s’mores and watch the flames. We are now discussing other foods we can make in the fire, too, and planning a night of concoction making where we find out how long it takes to bake a sweet potato and how much sauce to put on a hobo pie
. Trial and error is half the fun of being at my house! In general I love being impulsive and trying new things, but now that I have a house its been great to allow people the chance to hang out and relax here. Its a blessing I am extremely thankful for!
Are we all homebodies? I recently went out with friends and had a great time, but I felt cheated because it was bedtime when I got home, and I didn’t get my “relax on the couch” time.
I wish I were more interesting but I love and look forward to being home in the evening. If you can have a good movie on tv or DVD instead of tv show, a glass of merlot and a fire in the fireplace, my dog and family right there too, that is my idea of a good time!
Libeth there is nothing better than a sweet potatoe cooked in the fireplace and eaten with butter and cracked pepper, right out of the tinfoil with a fork. juggling it from hand to hand the second it’s cooled down enough to eat is part of the fun. They used to sell these on the street in New York although not fireplace ones. What a great idea. have not had a sweet potatoe like that in years, we make them when we go camping.