real life

7 fun things to do with your girlfriends this weekend (that don't involve yet another brunch).

I never thought I’d utter these words, but here goes: I’m officially bored with brunch.

I’ve gone out for brunch with my girlfriends for the past four Sundays in a row. And I’m out. Because there’s only so much smashed avocado one 20-something can take.

So I’ve set our group a mission: Seven weekends of fun, shiny, new, and non-boring group activities (without a poached egg in sight).

Starting with:

1. A wine weekend.

Your best girlfriends plus wine equals pretty much the best weekend ever. If you can all spare the time and cash, nothing beats an official wine tasting tour of the Hunter or Yarra Valley (or whatever wine region is closest to you).

But if you can’t manage a whole weekend away, here’s an alternative: host a wine tasting night at home.

Just as an FYI, this post is sponsored by De Bortoli. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.

The rules are simple – everyone brings a couple of bottles and does a bit of research on their chosen drop. Then, the fun part. All the guests get to enjoy wine samples, while you all take turns being the sommelier.

Related: “A girl doesn’t need one best friend. She needs six.”

When it comes to choosing the wine, everyone’s tastes are different. But my personal favourites include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from De Bortoli Wines’ Yarra Valley Estate Grown range (I grew up in the same region as the De Bortoli family, so these have always been my go-to).

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2. A comedy show.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for stand-up comedy. Even when it’s lame it’s good. And plus there’s the added adrenaline rush you get from wondering if the comedian is going to single you out to heckle…

Most theatres and lots of pubs host regular comedy nights and they’re always a winner.

3. Throw a gourmet fancy picnic.

I’m not talking about having a peanut butter sandwich on a park bench. I mean a fancy, proper, gourmet picnic – the type that involves an old-fashioned hamper, fancy cheese and a bottle or two of bubbly, like De Bortoli’s Rococo Premium Cuvée NV.

Related: The thing about female friendships.

Get everyone to bring a plate and some drinks and enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine.

4. Go to high tea.

Put on your poshest dresses, book a table and pretend to be fancy for an afternoon. Whenever I go to high tea, I kind of feel like a kid playing at being an adult, and it never gets old. It’s delicious, it’s decadent, and it’s best done with your friends.


5. Take a hike.

Not all of these suggestions are sophisticated. Just strapping on your joggers and going for a hike or bushwalk through your closest national park with your buddies is enough to mix up your socialising routine (unless it’s raining. No one likes a hike in the rain).

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Related: Does anyone have a “best friend” anymore?

I live in Sydney so I love making trips to the Blue Mountains or the Royal National Park, but it doesn’t matter where you go – it’s just about getting out into nature.

6. Organise a clothes swap.

Need a wardrobe update without racking up a credit card bill? Organise a clothes swap with your mates. It’s fun, it’s social, and you get great new clothes to boot (well, depending on your friends’ tastes).

There’s something extra fun about having a sneaky rummage through your friends’ stuff, and you might find a couple of gems.

7. Have a games night.

Board games aren’t just for kids – just get your friends together, have some nibblies and drinks on hand (like Act One Riesling, Act Two Dry Pinot Noir Rosé, Act Three Pinot Gris and Friends, Act Four Syrah Gamy from De Bortoli’s La Bohème range) and split into teams for the night.

I’ve found that Articulate and Cranium are especially perfect for a group games night (just try and keep that competitive streak in check though).

See? Brunch-free weekend activities are actually pretty easy to come by. So go forth and enjoy, my friends.

 

De Bortoli Wines is a third generation family wine company and since 1928 our mantra has always been the same – “Good food, good wine and good times with family and friends.” De Bortoli Wines is proud to offer its consumers a chance to Win 1 of 4 trips for two people to the 2015 Noosa International Food and Wine Festival. By purchasing a bottle from any of their selected brands (brand mentioned above) and entering online at debortoli.com.au/promotions during the promotional period, you could win – return flights, premium transfers, accommodation, breakfast, weekend gold pass tickets + tickets to the Berardo’s sunset concert and Rising Stars Dinner* See terms and conditions for full details