Here's an idea that really worked. Dull winter days can be dreary so I invited my coffee group (8 of us in it) over for soup and a movie. One offered to bring rolls, another a cake, most of them turned up with something to share. I made Chelsea Winter's Thai Pumpkin soup. Chatter chatter over lunch then we settled down to watch a DVD followed by a cuppa and cake.
It was hailed a huge success and we will repeat it every 3 weeks during the colder months.
In the end I had to gently push them out the door!