Listen up, party people! We may be in a Recession, and soon a Depression, with little or no cash to fund non-essential activities. But, just like Warren Buffett said of the stock market, I say of our social lives: this is no time to panic! If you have to, don’t go out as much. Spend less on entertainment. But, for God’s sake, if you’re going to stay home, DON’T NEST, HIVE!

Nesting is what we do when we’re depressed, inwardly focused, or – funny enough – preparing for a baby. It’s the instinct we have to hole up in our houses, apartments, RVs, tee-pees, whatever – and hibernate. But in trying times, humans crave comfort through connection – not isolation. And retreating can create a social depression on top of the already-horrific economic one.

So, instead, you can be at home, but make it your very own hive. No matter the size, your home can be a place abuzz with group activity. A place where you can engage with other people through interesting, fun things to do. A place that impacts your social life, without impacting your credit card.

Here are a few ways to start hiving:

1.    Transform your regular outings to in-ings. Just because you can’t cover the cover charge at a club doesn’t mean you can’t keep dancing. Play iPod DJ instead, where everyone gets a 3-song DJ stint. And bypassing the bar doesn’t mean you can’t “Cheers”-it up on your own – with a Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary bar, with all the fixins, or a BYOB2, where your guests bring their own Bottle and a new Body – that is, a person that you don’t know. 

2.    Eat, drink, and enlighten. Staying in also doesn’t mean having to lose out on intellectual stimulation or higher learning. Host a salon, a cooking club, or a craft night, and you won’t even miss the lecture series, gallery opening, or 5-course meal.

3.    Pick a theme. Coming up with a focal point instead of just a straight-up celebration -- like an Old School Game night, with Chutes and Ladders, Parcheesi, and Connect Four or a Pot Luck Hors D’oeuvre Party, where everyone brings a small nibble that they pass – makes people feel invested in the gathering and makes it more memorable.

4.    Party with a Purpose. Since everyone’s holding back on charitable giving, give your gatherings a higher purpose. Ask friends to bring over unwanted books for the local library, or canned goods for a food donation. Who wants to go to an expensive rubber chicken charity dinner anyway?

Staying at home may be the first sign that Americans are worried about their finances, but it doesn’t mean the end of our social lives, meaningful connections, or having fun.

Fun - surely that’s one thing that is Recession-proof.