I play without mods often. So some things I do..
Create your favorite characters from whatever you are a fan of and play out their lives in game like a fanfiction. (It should be something that can translate into the sims somehow). I find the more packs I have the better my sims can express themselves. Like in my Stardew Valley save... Wow now I can't wait for Realm of Magic.. the wizard character from that game can (hopefully) come into his own. Lol.. didn't think of that till just now, so I'm excited. I saw a squirrel while typing huh? Anyway, I can tell you about every character and how I used multiple packs but I'd be writing for awhile :). I'll just say they all have unique personalities and hobbies and whenever I could I'd use something from various packs to show that... it could be slightly skewed of course but my sims world, my rules. If you are a big fan and really inspired you can have as much fun with the set up character/building or finding homes for them as the gameplay itself.
I just started playing in rotation with the premades about a month ago. It is surprisingly fun.. probably because they are usually (very) different than characters I create. I've been playing according to what I see them as through their bio and traits. Adding in stuff from other packs to their households if it makes sense. Some of them have really come to life for me. Like Johnny Zest... he is still a comic but he's taken up bowling. His house is decorated retro/bowling and I've used quite a bit of Strangerville stuff for him also. He's trying to Get Famous ;)..
